Showing posts with label Clay-colored Sparrow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clay-colored Sparrow. Show all posts
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Monday, May 16, 2022
051622 Excessive Early May Rains, Migrant Travels, and Grand Father of Heron Cove
050622 Greater Yellowlegs
This was the day after the crazy four inches of rain that hit us. The two shots were taken
at the Lowlands, which is off Husband Street near Lakeview Rd. In attendance were a Spotted Sandpiper, Blue-winged Teal, two Mallards that paid me no mind, both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and the star of the show, multiple Wilson's Phalaropes, that are not seen very often in these parts.
Female Brown-headed Cowbird
Wilson's Phalaropes Flanked by Lesser Yellowlegs (L) and Greater Yellowlegs (R)
By the way, did you know those gorgeous phalaropes are the females?
051122 Clay-colored Sparrow
We all call this birds a scourge due to their behavior (dumping eggs in other species' nests),
but it was how the evolved. They probably made horrible parents, so now they leave it up to someone else. There are other subspecies that raise their own...to some degree.
Male Brown-headed Cowbird
051322 Clay-colored Sparrow
They are usually gone by the 15th, but it is now the 16th. Are we going to press our luck? This is an appropriate spring shot, and the buzzy call will be remembered well until next spring.
051622 Great-tailed Grackle
My old birding buddy always says, "get some action shots." Okay, Susan, will this suffice?
Brown Thrasher
This fluffy beauty was quiet just sitting under second growth cover, minding its own business in the shade, but it was a nice shot, so here were are at the original flood plain.
Male Eastern Bluebird (Dad)
The same day of this posting this sweet little male finally emerged with three strapping fledglings. Unfortunately, writer was too far in the distance for a nice photo, but they were seen via poor photos and binoculars. By the time that I slowly meandered over, the young were nowhere to be seen, but dad was perched (actual photo), so the three young were around SOMEWHERE. We'll be trying to get shots of them, as well as the proud mother.
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Monday, May 2, 2022
050222 Migratory Action in the Heat of 2022
Warbling Vireo
042722 Clay-colored Sparrow
042922 Lincoln's Sparrow
Green Heron, First of Season
There was also a second one in the area.
042122 Gray Catbird
Every year a pair come to breed.
042022 Snow Goose
At the end of March, this bird who was a juvenile at the time, and in the company of 19-20 Canada Geese remained at Boomer Lake until close to the end of April. It simply disappeared, even though it went everywhere with its Canada Goose entourage. Writer believes that nature finally struck and it reached the time when Zugunruh made it restless. It could easily be in its northern breeding area now doing what comes naturally.
Brown Thrasher
Several thrashers appeared in the area all calling for mates, which was fine for a day or two, but even nest mates will become angered and expect the others to move on, even if they must be forced to do so. This is the male that is left and he has a mate. As a matter of fact, just on May 4, one was seen collecting nesting material.
041522 Yellow-rumped Warbler
We still have a sparse amount of Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers that hatched later than the first group, which should be in breeding territory now. As one can observe, this male was in breeding plumage when this photo was taken.
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Sunday, April 17, 2022
Sunday, April 10, 2022
Sunday, May 30, 2021
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
052621 Spring Into Spring with Our Green Heron First Family
043021 Carolina Chickadee
This little beauty was out with its mate, checking for a nest cavity. Writer had seen where it was contemplating nesting, though a Downy Woodpecker was trying to usurp the same area even if it was much larger than the chickadee. The Downy's size was much too great for the thin snag.
050821 Red Eared Slider
This lovely was close to shore, but it was easy to stay covered by leaves to get this shot and remain hidden to the subject.
American Avocet
051421 American Coot
Even though morning had been broken, the area coots didn't mind being observed. Look at those unusual lobed toes that are so well adapted to uneven surfaces!
051521 Canada Goose (Gosling)
Knowing a kid's parents will get you right in the front row to photograph the youngster.
Clay Colored Sparrow
This slightly wet all-star was with roughly eight other migrants and this one didn't mind being the center of attention.
There were eight sandpipers wheeling around the lake multiple times, which afforded this nice shot of a bird's-eye-view. How cliche, right?
052521 Least Flycatcher
Least Flycatchers are easy to shoot IF you see one. We were eye to eye.
Green Heron and Nestlings 1
One view of some of the first family of 2021.
Green Heron and Nestlings 2
View two with some of each bird in the photo.
Green Heron and Nestling 3
The other one must have ducked under the parent.
Saturday, May 15, 2021
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Saturday, October 3, 2020
Thursday, April 30, 2020
043020 The Migrant Balance Is In Check
042920 Lincoln's Sparrow
Neotropic Cormorants
043020 Forster's Tern
Least Sandpiper
Female Yellow-headed Blackbird
Clay-colored Sparrow
American Bullfrog
04-30-20
The Barn and Cliff Swallows have been building more nests under the Lakeview Rd. Bridge. There were seven swallows observed today, and several more nests. Some of the nests are the standard mud cup nests with grasses that are for Barn Swallows. Cliff Swallows make nests that are also cup shaped, but they look like they are constructed with mud pellets and are not smooth structures. Swallows can be found collecting their mud on the higher ground by Heron Cove and have all the grass removed from the ground, as well as mud puddles and along stream and river banks. Since many of the banks on Boomer Lake have concrete, that's why the swallows here create their own source.
Yellow Warblers are arriving slowly, but numbers are increasing. I listed seven today, but that was on the conservative side. Today seemed like there were less Yellow-rumped Warblers, most of them hidden within tree leaves.
An Eastern Bluebird was on the short powerlines as writer rounded the bend enroute to Shorebird Jetty. A lone Chimney Swift was overhead, my good luck sign for the day.
Our usual three Savannah Sparrows were found on Shorebird Jetty, as well as three Spotted Sandpipers. A couple of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were discovered noisily hanging around the east side of the middle portion of the scrubs. Toward the west side of the jetty, two Least Sandpipers held over from yesterday, and a female Yellow-headed Blackbird allowed photos in the same area. The Forster's Tern that had been sitting on the west side snag by the southwest jetty became mobile, and the photo here was taken on the west side of the jetty. Five Blue-winged Teal flew in from the north while I was in the area and parked themselves off the stretch where the Brown Thrasher nest was recently build on the west side of the bald cypress trees by the east side sidewalk.
A Baltimore Oriole was seen and heard in one of the trees along the sidewalk just south of the east side restrooms. I haven't discovered a females yet, or she is silently in a nest, but both usually forage. I think I saw a female Orchard Oriole in the large oak north of the restrooms. They were only twenty feet from the water, so I thought they were coming to spend some time, but they didn't. However, there were five Turkey Vultures riding the thermals skyward. Western and Eastern Kingbirds paid tribute to their own business after that, with one Western Kingbird in a tree branch. I double-checked just to make certain that it wasn't a Couch's (with the white border on both sides of the tail), but it wasn't. These days, it is necessary to check with temperature anomalies.
More Yellow Warblers were found between Finch Corner and Memorial Jetty, as well as an Eastern Kingbird.
A group of four Clay-colored Sparrows were foraging on the scrub stretch across from Kicker, which is where the above photo was made. Yellow Warblers, an Orchard Oriole and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were also seen here.
There was only one Neotropic Cormorant when I went by the usual snag off the northwest jetty, and there were five Blue-winged Teal off Goose Island.
There is still no sign of the male Bell's Vireo that has been settling the area south of the last Purple Martin House. There are some at Couch Park, but ours are usually here at Boomer around now. Disruption will force them to move on, so I am hoping for the best, even with the loss of the sixty foot tree that was across from the sheltered and treed area on the north Kicker field. A new metal telephone poles took some habitat out of the area that was critical habitat.
Twenty-seven Purple Martins were on this side of the lake today, which tends to vary on a daily basis. Peering north from the high point across from the north end of Goose Island, a Red-shouldered Hawk was sitting on a snag at Boomer Creek. Down below in the marsh grass was a Common Yellowthroat male, though not the same one from the marsh woods up ahead.
The Marsh was a lot more productive than yesterday with Northern Cardinals, a Brown Thrasher, a couple of Swainson's Thrushes, Prothonotary and Yellow Warblers, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee (calling "drink your teaaaa!" This bird has been heard here more than once and is likely waiting for the mulberries to ripen before it moves on. Once nesting happens, it won't have many opportunities to get any of those and there may not be any where it nests north of here. There was even a Savannah Sparrow in a small red cedar in these woods today, and a Great Crested Flycatcher also vocalized from the area, too. There was also a White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and a social Ruby-crowned Kinglet within the mostly riparian wooded region with second story trees and leaf litter in parts. This is likely going to be ideal for the Kentucky Warbler and Ovenbird before much more time passes.
I startled the leopard frog from its perch in the creek and it grunted in exasperation, but gave me this shot for being in the right place at the right time. Even though there is not break in the marsh grass, I heard a Virginia Rail, but was unable to see it. That is not unusual though, as most rails are very secretive. Oddly enough, there was a Clapper Rail in Texas that I encountered several years ago off High Island somewhere. A tip was given to my birding pal that the rail met everyone in the dirt parking lot for potential snacks. Imagine that! I also got lucky with a King Rail maybe four years ago at Red Slough that would sit out in the open. Some birds are so much more tolerant.
Today I only stayed for forty-five minutes or so and cut through the former construction area that still has what may be a generator for lighting to find my Northern Mockingbird for the day. Fifty-eight species were listed for the day.
There were a conservative five Great Blue Herons for the day, but the two Green Herons were missing today as well as yesterday. I even stood on the bank to see at least if I could hear them. Nothing. Hopefully, they are not pulling out of the area, too.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
042820 Migrants Hiding Within the Trees and Leaf Litter
042620 American Coot
White-faced Ibis
Swainson's Thrush
042720 Franklin's Gull
042820 Spotted Sandpiper
Clay-colored Sparrow
Tufted Titmouse
Common Yellowthroat
Southwestern Subspecies
Three Barn Swallows were sailing around under the Lakeview Road Bridge with the Bald Eagle off on a distant power pole. The swallows circled around the water, then along the lowlands of the southeast corner of the lake. Writer then scanned the short grass just in case there might be Buff-breasted Sandpipers coming in early. Some of the grass is a little long, but they should be able to work with it. Hopefully, they will come here for a much-wanted photo if the grass doesn't grow much more.
Writer swung around The Cove for Yellow-rumped and the sounds of Yellow Warbler, as well as Warbling Vireo. Upon initial inspection, no Green Herons in sight, but there were Great-tailed Grackles and a couple of Red-winged Blackbirds. Eyeing the water on the north side, there were two dozen Franklin's Gulls, one Great Blue Heron cast overhead in a southeast direction, while another was discovered on the north side of Heron Cove proper, as well as one Double-crested Cormorant.
The sound of a Nashville Warbler permeated the air, but the area around the bend heading north is very thick, mostly with the dreaded Bradford pear. I have a solid fear that if they continue to be allowed to grow, they will choke out what few natives we have, and the migrants will pick and choose where they want to go. Hopefully, we won't lose them in the future.
A female Yellow Warbler was discovered in the scrub before the Brown Thrasher's nesting area. A tail was observed poking from the thrasher nest. Passing the area, a male and female Yellow Warbler were observed going through the top branches and greenery in search of insects. One Yellow-rumped Warbler was also discovered within the same area.
Shorebird Jetty hosted three Spotted Sandpipers, five Purple Martins within their plastic house, and European Starlings littered the ground around the house. A couple of Red-winged Blackbirds were foraging just west of this area. No additional birds of interest were seen beyond this area, save for a Savannah Sparrow, a lone American Coot, and a couple of House Sparrows.
Along the stretch between Shorebird and Memorial Jetties, another Yellow-rumped Warbler was heard, a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was seen, and the sound of an Eastern Kingbird permeated the area, who was found atop the high wires. American Robins assaulted the ground seeking worms, while starlings searched for insect fodder. Three Western Kingbirds were enjoying their morning on the high wires. The Purple Martins were out catching breakfast.
A couple of Mourning Doves were on Memorial Jetty, Mallards were enjoying the water, and a Spotted Sandpiper patrolled its area around the north side perimeter. Social Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were in the large oak bordering the storm drain overflow ramp, attracting the three Western Kingbirds, and a Warbling Vireo announced its presence. A male Orchard Oriole kept calling for "Marguerite," until he tired of that and moved north. Three Clay-colored sparrows roved between the overflow, the bank, and the north side of the trees, while the Western Kingbirds relocated to the low wires on the east side across from Kicker. A pair of Brown Thrashers tossed leaves while foraging along the bank, sometimes sharing space with the Clay-colored Sparrows.
What could have been another Nashville Warbler sounded out along the west side of the willows/cottonwoods, but that was all. Most of the Purple Martins from the Kicker House returned from their foray to gather again and feed a female that is believed to be caring for eggs/young. With the House Sparrows that reside there, at least one bird will have to remain at all times to avoid possible harm to the eggs/young.
Cardinals were observed throughout the walk, and they still continued to call as the journey progressed. All trumpet vines remained unused, while the largest one by the Kicker martin house still shows no sign of flowering.
a single male Blue-winged Teal was discovered with a small group of Mallards along the northeast jetty, along with a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler. It appeared that our eleven Mallard Ducklings were shortchanged to eight, and a Canada Goose pair were herding three of their goslings, while a nearby Mallard drake flew off and landed in the water on the south side of the jetty. Perhaps the young annoyed him. Two American Coots lazily swam along the east shoreline.
A few Canada Geese and European Starlings were holding down the Kicker field, while a single Northern Mockingbird flew west from the small group of trees west of the protected zone surrounded by trees. The mocker flashed into a small tree north of the ficus, then returned to the original group of trees. I really hope that the Bell's Vireo that has been breeding here for years will return, even though the family was displaced by the addition of the new power poles. Unfortunately some of the vireo's territory was removed with the construction. The family moved just north of there into the scrub south of the northeast jetty.
High Point Ridge had very little scenery other than a few Double-crested Cormorants and Canada Geese swimming in the water.
Below the banks where the red cedars cluster, all was quiet, as well as the new road to the line of towering giant metal electrical poles, until we reached the woods. An hour was spent observing and photographing the Southwestern subspecies of Common Yellowthroat and Tufted Titmouse. The Pileated Woodpecker, Harris's Sparrow, and Red-bellied Woodpecker were seen and not heard, as was the Northern Flicker calling from afar. The Carolina Chickadees reminded all of their presence, while a brave Swainson's Thrush let me hear its call for the first time.
Working around and back on the main trail, there was little activity, save for a single Northern Mockingbird and European Starlings. Fifty-three species for the day was respectable enough.
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
First Week of May 2019 Boomer Migrants
Summer Tanager
Clay-colored Sparrow
050219
The above birds were coming through for migration. The two Summer Tanagers were at Heron Cove for two days, and the Clay-colored Sparrows stayed for several days, perhaps up to a week.
White-throated Sparrow
050319
This beautiful White-throated Sparrow visited for a day, along with several other varieties.
Cedar Waxwing
050419
This Cedar Waxwing is an irruptive, yet they can be counted on to arrive nearly every year, as of late. This was a very strong year, and at this time, I am not convinced that they will remain irruptive long. Since the northern winters are only getting worse, we may find these visitors to be predisposed to range expansion.
Green Heron On Nest
050519
This was the first day that I actively searched for a nest in order to not disturb the three Green Herons.
The nest is the lowest that I have ever seen it, though within normal parameters. Two eg were originally discovered, but I believe there are three as of this posting.
Female Ring-necked Duck
This duck was with Northern Shovelers and Blue-winged Teal. There were a total of two Ring-necked Ducks on this date.
Male Northern Shoveler
The group of males were feeling there oats and very intensely affected by a testosterone flow. Some were more combative with one another than some. The few females ignored most of the battles.
Blue-winged Teal Pair
This lovely pair is a nice example of Blue-winged Teal in breeding plumage.
Male Northern Shoveler
This photo shows a nice view of the beautiful colors of a male in breeding plumage.
Willets
050619
Originally observed from the west end of Heron Cove, I was unable to determine what these large shorebirds were until I got much closer. At a total of 18, these were beautiful examples of a migratory group of Willets not often seen at Boomer Lake.
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