061922 Muskogee Edition, Birding Today

https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/birding-today-up-to-us-to-find-solutions-to-bird-deaths/article_3f5865ca-3e2c-59e7-ae19-2fec58a5b11c.html 

070722 SNP Edition, Recording Artist Inspired By World Ocean Day

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/recording-artist-inspired-by-world-ocean-day/article_65381604-e5ec-11ec-b2e5-bb18b9504263.html 

Article From Del Rio News Herald Relating to Birding the Border 2019

May 2, 2019

Members of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s “Birding on the Border” event stop to watch a nesting colony of Cliff Swallows along the Rio Grande below Amistad Dam on Friday.

Photo by Karen Gleason

Birders from other parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin visited several private ranches and state parks in two counties as part of the annual “Birding on the Border” event held here Monday through Friday.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension “Birding on the Border” event drew 17 birders. The event was organized and hosted by Dr. Maureen G. Frank, assistant professor and extension wildlife specialist for Texas AgriLife’s Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department and Val Verde County AgriLife Extension Agent Emily Grant.

The event began with a dinner program at the Pecos High Bridge overlook, including a welcome by Val Verde County Judge Lewis Owens.

“I’ve just never been on a birding tour that’s quite so well-organized. The food was fantastic. The drivers and guides were wonderful. It’s been a delight,” said Susan Walker, a bird watcher from Stillwater, Okla.

The group was guided by Connie Hoke of Del Rio and Terry Hibbitts of Brackettville.

The bird watching began in earnest Tuesday, with a trip to the Dobbs Run Ranch in Kinney County, featuring lunch and presentation titled, “A Working Lands Success Story? Black-capped Vireos in Southwest Texas,” given by Dr. Kathryn Smith-Hicks of the Natural Resources Institute.

In the afternoon and evening, the group spent time at Kickapoo Cavern State Park, where they stayed for supper and an evening of searching for owls. At Kickapoo Cavern, they were also able to watch the nightly emergence of the cave’s bats.

Walker said she was impressed with the tours, saying she thought the group “would just be walking around on ranches.”

“I had no idea that we were going to go to the kind of places where we have gone,” Walker said.

She added she enjoyed seeing the birds on the trip and was “absolutely thrilled” to see the bats at Kickapoo Caverns State Park.

“I also loved seeing the Elf Owl. I had seen one once before, but this time I really got a good look at it,” Walker said, noting she has loved nature and the outdoors since she was a small child.

“I became a serious birder when my young family and I lived in California, and I saw a Steller’s Jay and didn’t know what it was. I had to get a bird book, and it kind of started from there,” she said.

The group, which stayed at The Ramada Inn of Del Rio, set out Wednesday for two more Kinney County ranches, the Bader Ranch, where they heard a program on “Beef, Birds and Butterflies: Sustainable Coexistence in an Agroecosystem,” and the Pinto/Dos Palmas Ranch, where they ate supper.

On Thursday, the birders spent the entire day at the Devils River State Natural Area in central Val Verde County. When they returned to Del Rio, they were treated to a catered steak dinner on the grounds of the Val Verde Winery.

On the final day of the tour, the group headed to an area of National Park Service land along the Rio Grande below Amistad Dam, an area usually closed to the public.

Dr. Deb Hirt, another member of the tour, is also a resident of Stillwater, Okla., and said she, too, was impressed with the sites selected for the tour.

“This is an exciting area for me. Not only have I found some ‘old friends’ in birds, I also found some new ones. The highlight of the trip for me, though, was that I was able to find a live armadillo,” said Hirt, who photographs birds and other wild creatures.

Hirt, who writes a nature column for the newspaper in Stillwater, said one of her priorities is educating people about nature and the natural world.

“Ecology is every bit as important as the wildlife that we have here. We need to have native plant species to attract native birds and other animals. Native habitat is the key to keeping what we have, and if we are not able to so that, not only will we lose our present wildlife, we will also lose our own ecological wellbeing,” she said.

Asked if the border is an area to which she would want to return one day, Hirt said, “Oh, absolutely. Not only is this area good for birds and wildlife, it’s good for people, too, because it brings peace and connects us to the natural world.”

050519 Muskogee Edition, Birding Today

https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/lifestyles/birding-today-man-continues-to-endanger-birds-animals/article_6539c79a-a222-5e2e-ba64-4de035dfb23f.html

120918 Muskogee Edition, Birding Today

https://www.muskogeephoenix.com/columns/birding-reading-can-make-one-better-birder/article_6ce3a228-fb6d-11e8-a0f9-27413f008762.html

092318 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-local-bird-roundup/article_a01990f8-120a-56f6-9b35-bd07e09d7420.html

My Photo on eBird Explore

https://ebird.org/species/norbob

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: White-breasted Nuthatch

Yank-yank-yank!

Those are sounds directly attributed to the unusual White-breasted Nuthatch, a boisterous little songbird.

Common in mature deciduous forests, orchards, wood lots, and mixed woods of much of the continent, they are often in mixed flocks of other little songbirds feeding upon insects and seeds found within bark.  They like stands with decaying trees for appropriate nest cavities and will even nest under bark.  The species will climb up and down the trunk or main limbs backward, which is attributed to the nuthatch clan.

These personable birds use the tools that they are given to the best of their ability.  They often wedge seeds in bark crevices to hold them steady, while that sharp little bill goes to work opening their treasure.

                                                      Eastern White-breasted Nuthatch
                                                           Boomer Lake Park, 2015

All three populations of the US--the Eastern, Pacific, and Interior West--have slightly different dialects, just like many of us do, depending upon what part of the country we hail from.  The Eastern's call is low and a hoarse nasal variety, Pacific is highest pitched and thinly nasal, while the Interior West is also high, shorter and rapid.  There is also a thinly veiled subspecies within the Interior West version, from the Sierra Nevada and Northern Rocky Mountain region.  Its song and calls are the highest pitched with the rapid pattern.

Our birds in Oklahoma are the Eastern subspecies, and they are more often found in the eastern portion of the state.  In the western half, they are restricted by necessity to riparian corridors, which is only in local areas.

Knotholes are often used as entrances to their cavities, while the nest is lined with hair, bark strips, and other softer materials.  Most cavities are at least fifteen feet high, but I have seen a low, rotted stump used.

These single brooders incubate in the neighborhood of twelve days, and they begin nesting sometimes in February, through the month of March.

Though the pair winters apart, the male sings in winter to attract the female, and they keep in touch throughout the day.  The female builds the nest, and both sexes raise the young.

What other birds were around on the same day I photographed the White-breasted Nuthatch?

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2015/06/pre-summer-fun-in-sun.html

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: American Crow

One of the most well known birds in the country, the American Crow or common crow, can be a good or bad bird to have in the area, depending upon one's preferences.  Groups or singles can be a handful for any raptor to endure, either through the general din or simple harassment.  This is known as mobbing behavior.  Crows are well known for their intelligence and adaptability, and unless they can get something for their trouble, they are not going to work for it.

Known for their deep caws and croaks, this all black bird is found in all open habitats and will eat anything that isn't protected, which includes the eggs of other birds.  They form large roosts during winter where thousands gather in trees.  Many of these roosts have been in the same area for a century.

                                                                  American Crow
                                                            Boomer Lake Park, 2015
Nests are stick platforms, preferentially in oaks or conifers, near the trunk, around two feet in diameter.  Where there are no trees, telephone poles, shrubs, and the ground are used.  Incubation is around eighteen days, and the young stay with their parents or a flock for an indeterminate period after fledging.

They usually avoid deserts and unbroken forest expanses, and are very social birds.  They will also form strong relationships with other species, using their powers of flight and foraging and trade this for help with gaining access to a carcass especially during the winter.  Even though they have large bills, their structure does not allow them to break through skin.

                                                                 American Crow
                                                          Boomer Lake Park, 2014

The common crow has eaten from outdoor dog dishes, taken fruit from trees, and carried small cups of water to moisten hard food.  They have eaten exhausted birds while resting from migration, and several together will provide distraction displays while others will take the food from mammals.

However, even the crow has empathy, and has provided moral support to sick and dying individuals.  Either one loves them or despises them, but there is never an in-between.  They are even aware that death means no longer existing, and hold funerals for their own species.

These passerines are susceptible to West Nile Virus and will usually pass within a week, even if cared for.  Suspicious of humans because of their mistreatment over the centuries, it is unusual for a crow to trust any of them.

For more photos of the American Crow and other birds:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-land-of-plenty.html

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-north-meets-south-long-may-they-fly.html

090218 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

http://www.stwnewspress.com/news/lifestyles/life-at-boomer-lake-birds-will-get-rowdy-over-territory/article_89174caa-fe22-50f3-b83c-6818b8f5d7b2.html

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Great Crested Flycatcher

Queeep! Wheeeep! or Krreeep! 

The Great Crested Flycatcher is common in mature deciduous forests, woodlots, shrubby habitat, old orchards, or parks usually found foraging for insects and berries from mid- or upper story branches.  Rarely in the open, this is a large and secretive flycatcher who still takes pride in sallying for insects.

Seen before it is heard, this large flycatcher arrives in Oklahoma in early April.  It is unmistakable with a bright sulphur belly and rufous wings and tail, located in eastern and central parts of our fine state.

                                                             
                                                               Great Crested Flycatcher
                                                               Boomer Lake Park, 2016

This cavity nester will use snags, birdhouses, live trees, and many manmade structures for nesting purposes from May through June.  Usually single brooded, the female will build the nest and  incubate, yet both sexes will handle the care of the young.  This insectivore is rarely located on the ground.  These birds tend to weave unusual items into their nests like snakeskin or plastic, simply because they can do so and find them out of the ordinary.  The former nest snag pictured above is no longer standing.  It met its demise a couple of years ago in a storm.

In the east, where most of these birds breed, males tend to congregate for roosting, but will arrive at the nest cavity shortly after sunrise to handle feeding the young birds.  Some of these roost sites in a large, old territory can have a couple of hundred unmated females and unsuccessful breeders.  As soon as the young are old enough to do so, they will also join these groups.

Usually avoiding coniferous forests, like those found in the boreal forest, the great crested favors second growth forest with open canopy landscape.  They enjoy many insects and spiders, and will consume fruit and berries to a smaller degree.

If you wish to attract a pair of these beautiful and unusual birds to your yard with the correct habitat, simply have a 1 3/4 inch hole in your bluebird nest box.  You can easily obtain a proper sized spade bit or hole saw for the job.

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2016/06/fruits-of-their-labors.html

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2016/06/potpourri-for-birding-soul.html

The above links shows more photos of  Great Crested Flycatchers with other birds seen that day!

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Tree Swallow

https://phys.org/news/2017-11-birds.html

These common birds nest in nestboxes or tree cavities over water or in open fields, where they will also forage for insects or berries.  They are the only swallows that can eat berries and seeds over a lengthy time period, which is why they can overwinter in the Middle Atlantic states.  They are found nearly everywhere there are large open populations of insects.

Like Purple Martins, Tree Swallows hunt in flight and pull insects from the air.  They will hunt over marshes in groups, then roost communally at night.  They breed in colonies where nest sites are available and associate with other swallow species.  Their song is a simple gurgle.

They prefer cavities in dead trees or snags, as long as it is over or near water.  The female builds a cup nest and usually lines it with feathers for her four to six eggs.  The male will watch the eggs, but he will not incubate them.  Both sexes will feed the young.

                                                                      Tree Swallow
                                                                   Red Slough, 2016

These songbirds are usually on the breed grounds between March and May.  Fall migration begins in July or August, with peaks in September or October.

A recent study shows that birds in agricultural areas are working harder to capture preferred prey.  Due to preferred food over wetlands and insecticide use, it was suspected that they could be shifting over to terrestrial protein.  That turned out not to be the case, for agricultural resident birds tended to weigh less overall.  Diet quality was much better in unadultered grassland as opposed to insecticide laden cropland.

Tree Swallows usually nest in the same area each year, but they may disperse if the nesting year is poor.  The male will attack the female during courtship, and she may wing-flutter to encourage subsequent behavior.  The male will hover over the female, and he will stand upon her wings to make cloacal contact, which holding her neck feathers in his bill.  Then he will bring her to the nest site, where they will raise and tend young.  She is dependent upon food sources and the weather to determine when she will begin laying eggs.

Diet is mostly flies, but they will also take seeds, berries and mollusks.

Genetics and Tree Swallows:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2017/11/an-inside-look-at-tree-swallow-research.html

Tree Swallows and the Birds of McCurtain County:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-birds-of-mccurtain-county-oklahoma.html

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Upland Sandpiper

Due to loss of habitat, grazing, and hunting, this shorebird of the grasslands was once more abundant in native prairie and open grasslands of the Great Plains.

The upland plovers are related to curlews with a small head, white eyering, thin neck, and long tail supported by yellow legs, a short yellow bill with a dark tip, and a gentle, dovelike expression on its light face.

Nesting on four- to eight-inch tall grassy fields, migrants will also choose the same habitat, like recently mowed hay fields, blueberry barrens in the northeast, and playing fields.  Oklahoma egg dates are usually in May or June and are single brooded.

Mostly a migrant in Oklahoma, though still breeding in a small segment of the north central portion of the state, they perch upon fenceposts and telephone poles.  They enjoy common plains insects, as well as grain, seeds, and earthworms.

                                                                    Wikipedia.org

They will sometimes nest in loose colonies, with the nest on the ground in dense grass.  The parents
behave like a Killdeer with distraction displays, attempting to lure any possible predator away from the area.

Controlled burns could benefit the species, since they like short grassy fields.

Once known as Bartram's Sandpiper, this bird was named after American naturalist and artist  William Bartram.  He explored the American southeast, especially Florida, to record nature at its best, as well as native Americans and called his book Travels, which was very well received in Europe.   Ornithologist Alexander Wilson of Wilson's Phalarope fame named the sandpiper in honor of this classic.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Blue Grosbeak

Singing a rich, husky warble with a mumbling quality, the uncommon Blue Grosbeak makes itself known in open weedy fields singing from tall weeds or bushes.  Characteristic of old fields turning back to woodlands, they breed in areas of mixed grass and shrubs with scattered trees.

Named for two noticeable field marks, the deep blue color and the large powerful bill, this songbird usually raises two broods each summer.  It often uses snakeskin as a nesting material, perhaps to surprise possible predators.  Nests are usually at clearing edges that are built near the ground, with incubation done by the female.  Nestlings are cared for by both parents.

                                                                 Male Blue Grosbeak
                                                                     Big Thicket, TX
Most of these large finches nesting in the eastern US migrate across the Caribbean, as they are regularly seen there during both spring and fall migrations.  What data exists shows that the Blue Grosbeak may be heavily parasitized by the Brown-headed Cowbird.  In the fall, flocks will gather in rice fields before they fly south.  The flight call is a metallic klink.

A group of grosbeaks is known as a gross of grosbeaks. 

The Blue Grosbeak and Birds of Northeast Texas:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-natural-world-according-to.html

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Lark Sparrow

A passerine common in open grassy areas with scattered trees or in shortgrass adjacent to trees, and found easily in pastures and on farmlands.  They are ground foragers, oftentimes on lawns searching for seeds and insects.  This large, thick-billed sparrow has a variegated face pattern, the best identifying feature.

Even early in the breeding season, the male will sing often, be it in flight, on the ground or perched on fenceposts.  Tail spreads are a conspicuous part of display before mating.  The male will  hold a small twig, copulate with the female, and then pass it to her, when she will fly off and possibly use it while she constructs the nests.

Females will occasionally use thrasher or mockingbird nests instead of building theirs, sometimes preferring to be in a tree or shrub.  They will frequently nest upon the ground in natural grasslands where there is a slight rise or a shallow depression in shaded and bare locations.

There are some minor issues with population growth most likely used by loss of habitat or the increase of fire frequency due to invasive grasses.  They once were plentiful in the east, but population drove them away.

One of the easiest sparrows to identify due to the distinctive facial pattern and long tail with broad white edges, the lark sparrow is found in a wide range across the US, except in the east.  This New World sparrow is a short to medium distance migrant wintering in Mexico and is also a vagrant to the United Kingdom.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Red-shouldered Hawk

Kee-yah, kee-yah!

Often observed perching in trees at edges of clearings, the Red-shouldered Hawk is usually seen near water.  It is vocal with crescents shown across its outer primaries, which is used as one feature of identification.  Checked flight feathers are also another identifying characteristic.  It is not usually seen in the same habitat as the Red-tailed Hawk, yet there are exceptions to the rule.

The three subspecies are very distinctive, which includes the California, Florida, and Eastern.  The California has a solid orange breast, the Eastern has orange bars, and the Florida is much paler as adults.  The brown juvenile is streaked below and very similar to the Broad-winged Hawk.

                                                        Eastern Red-shouldered Hawk
                                                            Boomer Lake Park, 2016

The most distinctive signage is the red shoulder patch, or epaulet, and it is often the most common hawk in its habitat, where it hunts in swamps, coves, agricultural areas with plenty of trees, and riparian woodlands.  Sedentary like other buteos they soar while hunting or from a low perch where it will drop to capture its prey.

Mouse hawks consume a protein-rich diet of small mammals and birds, frogs, reptiles, snails, etc.

They are migratory in northern regions, and are on the breeding grounds by February or March.  They will head south in October or November, generally wintering in Mexico.

                                                         Eastern Red-shouldered Hawk
                                                              Boomer Lake Park, 2016

Nesting is done in tall trees, usually nearest the tree trunk, and they prefer hardwoods, though pines can suffice in a pinch.  They use platform nests with twigs, lined with lighter substrate and feathers.

A popular breeding bird of Oklahoma, the red-bellied hawk is usually up for photographic opportunities.  Also nicknamed winter hawk, hen hawk, red-shouldered buzzard, and a few others depending upon regional locales.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Black-and-white Warbler

wee-zee-wee-zee-wee-zee!

A common bird that nests in mixed, small second growth, or deciduous forests, the squeaky wheel sounds can carry over many other songs.  This little songster is known for its namesake and forages in a nuthatch like manner, creeping along both large limbs and the tree trunk.  The female has muted coloration and less streakiness, but there is no doubt that she is a black-and-white.

This species is fond of hawking insects, and will also probe heartily for insects, larvae, spiders, and egg clutches.  Sometimes it will even be so bold as to search twigs and their foliage.

                                                             Black-and-white Warbler
                                                           Boomer Creek, March 2016

Since they forage on the backs of trees, they don't need leaves to search for food, which makes them an early migrant.  In the fall they depart around the end of August to October.  If they are not readily seen, they will be heard.

They generally nest near tree bases and rely on dead leaves and moss for concealment.  Five eggs are incubated by the female for a week and a half and they are fed by both parents.

They can often be the victim of Brown-headed Cowbirds and are neotropical migrants.  They are vulnerable to pesticides, and are also victims for window collisons and turbines during migration.

Flying My Kites

                                                               Fluffed Mississippi Kite

                                                            Coming In For a Landing

                                                             Juvenile Great Blue Heron

                                                         One of six American Crows
                                               Trying to Drive Our Heron Away, a Juvenile
                                                                   Mississippi Kite

                                                                      View 2

                                                                      View 3

                                                                        View 4

                                                                    View 5


082518 through 082718

There was some pretty intense work weather permitting or not.  The goal was to get a few in flight photos, but times were windy, other times were very cloudy, and it was just a matter of doing the best possible in view of the circumstances.

The last day was the most interesting with a murder of six American Crows stopping by.  A juvenile Mississippi Kite was the unfortunate victim of the eldest crow, and was driven off the Bald Cypress tree where he was sitting first, likely with a parent.

The action was captured, as can be seen and hopefully, you'll be able to picture the scenario through my eyes.

Here's another shot of the juvenile Great Blue Heron from the last set of photos, just making itself at home at Heron Cove.

For information on kites, read the following:
https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2018/07/oklahoma-breeding-bird-species-profile_21.html

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Horned Lark

The only lark in the US, this bird of the Great Plains is common in open grounds such as fields, parking lots, and agricultural areas.  They feed upon insects or seeds eaten from the ground or on low vegetation.

The Horned Lark has a distinctive black and yellow face pattern.  Breeding males exhibit black feather tufts that appear to look like tiny horns.

                                                                  Horned Lark
                                                               Texas Lek, 2016
                                                     
The nest is on the ground, nest site chosen by the female, which may be near corn or soybeans for a food source.

Found in large flocks out of breeding season, the Horned Lark will associate with longspurs in the winter.

Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: White-eyed Vireo

Spit, and see if I care.  Spit! 

Along edges of woods, sitting low while hidden within vegetation, this small, olive drab gray bird has bright yellow spectacles on the gray head.   It is a denizen of second growth forest, riparian streamside thickets, and old fields.

Having a very distinct white iris, more often heard than seen, the solitary bird is often considered to be a warbler or kinglet.  It flicks its wings open and is stocky and active, usually found in the southeast quadrant of the country.

Simple enough song was illustrated, was it not?  Don't let this bird fool you, for it can sing some of the most complex songs.  Males are quite capable of more than a dozen songs, comprising six to ten highly variable elements.  Explosive and spunky, its little head shyly peers out of thick shrubbery, and occasionally, it will actually show itself quite well.

                                                               White-eyed Vireo
                                                          Estero Llano Grande, TX 2017

Favoring spiders, lacewings, moths, butterflies, beetles, and the like, it will slowly hop about in shrubbery to glean these insects.  Larger prey will be pinned down with a foot to be controlled.  During nonbreeding season, they will consume berries from sumac, poison ivy, pokeweed, and wax myrtle.

Nests are low to the ground at approximately three to eight feet in forks of small trees or shrubs.  They are suspended from horizontal forks and held together with spider silk, like many other vireo nests, but are more conelike, similar to warbling vireo construction.

Males are just as diligent as females to raising young, and he is a good protector and provider.

Many of the species are parasitized by the Brown-headed Cowbird, and they will not have time to tend their own young, which will die.

These are breeding birds of eastern Oklahoma.  They are early migrants and thickets are just beginning to leaf out when they are ready to nest.