Pedernales Falls State Park Prothonotary Warbler Nest Box Study: Tobacco Creek Seep

Prothonotary Warbler Occurrence In Texas

Central Texas draws the western line for the Prothonotary Warbler range. This species occupies much of eastern North America up to the southern boarder of Ontario Canada.
Prothonotarys' nest in natural cavities but also readily use nest boxes located on or near water. Flooded swamps represent ideal habitat but they will also nest along rivers or small bodies of water.
In May 2007 I saw a brightly colored male Prothonotary Warbler at Pedernales Falls State Park bird blind. After some research I learned male birds have been seen building nests in neighboring counties to Blanco County. Further research revealed a pair of Prothonotary Warblers successfully nested at Heard Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas.
In December 2007 I decided to undertake a nest box study at the park. January through February 2008 I hiked the entire Pedernales River and tributaries within park boundaries, in an effort to choose the best sites. Habitat selection proved a challenge do to high flood levels along the river.
Five sights were eventually selected where two nest boxes each were placed. Most boxes were attached to trees however two were attached to metal poles. These boxes were monitored from March through June 2008 on a weekly basis. A Breeding Bird Study was conducted at each nestbox location in 2008 and will be continued in 2009.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Tobacco Creek Seep

Summer heat and lack of rain have lowered the water levels in the Pedernales River. Bee Creek crossing on Wolf Mountain Trail usually has water but for the first time this year it is dry.
I arrived at Hackenburg Creek by 6:20 AM. Only four bird species were singing. By 8 AM I arrived at the Tobacco Creek Seep nest box 5. In the bird world this is the corner station, only instead of gasoline, water is being served. I saw the following families: White-eyed Vireo, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Wren, Carolina Chickadee, and the Louisiana Waterthrush (2 adults and 1 fledgling) come for drinks. I also saw a beautiful male Golden-cheeked Warbler come down to bathe.

I was also greeted by a male Acadian Flycatcher singing loudly: PEET-ssah. This species hawks insects from the middle canopy so seeing it on territory is relatively easy. I was surprised to hear a Great-crested Flycatcher at site 6. On my bikeride today I stopped to identify, visual and audio, a Rufous-crowned Sparrow. At East Park Boundary I had a fledgling Louisiana Waterthrush approach within 20 feet of me. It was rather curious. The Green Kingfisher gave me a fleeting glance as it bolted upstream. I also saw an Orchard Oriole singing atop a cypress tree along the Pedernales River and a new b

orn fawn could be heard crying for its mother across the river.
At my final nest box site #4, I saw a male and female Blue Grosbeak. This guy was a first year male with blue mostly confined to its head. To finish the day I cooled off in the Pedernales River like many other people did.
On my hikes today I noticed a new creature to contend with, this huge spider who spins its web across trails. Lucky for me I have a birder's eye.