Today myself and a neighbor took a leisurely trek to the Pedernales Falls State Park Bird Blind. In addition, I visited one of my nest box study sites, Hackenburg Creek. Just before turning into the Bird Blind we saw about 10 Feral Pigs rooting around along side the road plus a young fawn prancing around the roadside in play. Behind the bird blind along the walkway I heard the Bell's Vireo. Today was the first time I saw Tufted Titmice as well as the usual Black-crested Titmice. I wonder if juvenile Black-crested Titmice do not always have the black crest. There were more than a dozen Northern Cardinals in family groups eating sunflower seeds as well as the abundant House Finch. One of the juvenile Cardinals appears to have white feathers coming in on its head.
We spent several hours picnicking down at the confluence of Hackenburg Creek and the Pedernales River. There I watched closeup a male Green Kingfisher perch above me. Another individual flew by very quickly, like a bullet. I believe there are at least two pair of Green Kingfishers nesting along the river in the park. A pair of Summer Tanagers later perched above making a burry contact call for over 20 minutes in the big Bald Cypress tree. Turkey Vultures came down to drink from the rivers edge as did two White-tailed Deer.
I see no breeding bird activity taking place at the end of July in the middle of this hot Texas summer. Bird Blind volunteers reported less than half an inch of rain this past week from the recent Dolly Hurricane. Water levels on the Pedernales River remain low.
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.
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.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
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