060125 SNP Edition Life at Boomer Lake

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101820. SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-many-special-birds-spotted-in-many-places/article_adbcf946-0f4f-11eb-89d0-6b7d1120dc7b.html 

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.
   

092219 SNP Edition, Life at Boomer Lake

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/life-at-boomer-lake-birds-enjoy-their-visit/article_ec5b7416-de4a-11e9-a3b5-d3936889cb31.html

Birding On a Shoestring: Cheyenne Bottoms, Kansas

                                                       Forster's Tern, non-breeding

                                                           Forster's Tern, nonbreeding 2

                                     
                                                        Forster's Tern, nonbreeding 3

                                                                  Franklin's Gulls

                                                                Franklin's Gulls 2

                                              Black Tern (Left) and Franklin's Gull (Right)

                                                                     Black Tern

                                                                    Black Tern 2

                                                                 Franklin's Gull



072819
1300-1700/ partly cloudy/windy, 25-30 mph

After lunchtime was interesting, as there was a lot of water in the marshes, as well as large numbers of birds.  Since it was so windy, it appeared that many of the birds would be lying low, which the normal ones were.  However, when it came to Barn and Cliff Swallows, they were taking everything in stride from the air, of course.

Much of the sun was in the wrong direction when we drove toward  the first bird-filled marshes, making them difficult to identify due to glare.  Most of the seasonal birds, including White-faced Ibis, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret and Snowy Egret were there, as well as both Long- and Short-billed Dowitchers,  and many of the other usual shorebird suspects.

We also saw the head of a young male buck with short fuzzy antlers in the water, swimming toward shore, then deviating in our direction to follow the shoreline.  It almost seemed that he was unable to gain land purchase, but it didn't make sense that he could not.  It appeared that he was doing his best to keep his head up, and through observation, he may have been walking on the bottom,  as well as swimming.  He finally passed us in the water, as we stopped the car to not make him fearful of us.

There were good representations of American Avocets and White-faced Ibis, where we could actually clearly see the white faces.  One ibis found a prize, which may have been a frog, and he was doing his best to keep the other birds from stealing it.  He dropped it several times, and finally managed to eat it.

Passing other ponds, we observed Pied-billed Grebes, Mallards, and Blue-winged Teal.  It was almost like certain species had their own ponds, but it most likely had to do with water depth.

We'd also see a few groups of Franklin's Gulls, an occasional Black Tern, as well as Forster's Terns.  The further along we got, we discovered that more representatives of these birds were caught in a wind tunnel.  They were flapping their wings, yet not going anywhere, staying fairly stationary.  Unless these birds managed to deviate to the right, they stayed within this odd cycle of events.  There were eventually Great White Pelicans in the area who were in the water, as well as a few of the Franklin's Gulls and an occasional Ring-billed Gull.  A Black-Crowned Night-Heron was also discovered on the tail end of this melee, but it managed to break free of the wind prison.

Many, many more ponds were observed and the wind seemed to lessen in the central part of the refuge.  Large numbers of the previously mentioned herons were seen, as well as the White-faced Ibis.  It was a most remarkable collection of birds.  The further inland we were, a few songbirds turned up, as well as Turkey Vultures and Red-tailed Hawks.

We held out hopes for an American Bittern but we could have missed it, though there was some good habitat.

for more on the adventure:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2019/08/birding-on-shoestring-cheyenne-bottoms.html

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2019/08/birding-on-shoestring-quivira-national.html

Birding On a Shoestring: Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve

Female Dickcissel 

                                                                    Male Dickcissel

                                                                 Bank Swallows

                                                          Grasshopper Sparrow 1

                                                              Grasshopper Sparrow 2



072819 early to late morning

The following morning we took a jaunt to the Nature Conservancy's Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve, which was a prelude to Cheyenne Bottoms.

The Preserve includes 7700 acres, which has some shallow marshes less than a foot deep, deeper marshes up to several feet, and some priceless tall grass habitat.

Many of the birds observed were the Red-winged Blackbird, Dickcissel, Western Meadowlark, Blue-winged Teal, Red-tailed Hawk, and the ubiquitous White-faced Ibis.  Around the reservoir were large numbers of Bank Swallows and Great-tailed Grackles, all seeking insects.

Many areas like these are usually closed to the public, so this wonderful find was a treasure to traverse for the morning.

for more on the adventure:

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2019/08/birding-on-shoestring-quivira-national.html

https://debhirt.blogspot.com/2019/08/birding-on-shoestring-cheyenne-bottoms_5.html

Birding On a Shoestring: The American Southwest Portrayed By Assorted Animals

                                                                   Wilson's Warbler

                                                        Northern Rough-winged Swallow

                                                       Cinnamon Teal Pair, Male on L

                                                        White-faced Ibis Fishing
                                                         One in Front Has a Frog

                                                               Great-tailed Grackle

                                                          Male Vermilion Flycatcher

                                                         Female Vermilion Flycatcher

                                                             Female Mexican Mallard

                                                               Male Gila Woodpecker


Arriving in Tucson, AZ early in the day left a little time for birding, so we managed to
spend an afternoon at the Audubon Mason Center.  Unfortunately, I was unable to get the Cactus
Wren there, but that came about a week later, which you'll see soon.  This foray from April 19-May
3rd kept us on the run, sometimes rising as early as 0400 to get a jump on travel in order to be an
early birder for the early rising sun, which was at 0600 hrs.  AZ does not use daylight saving time, which meant that we were usually awake two hours earlier than normal, and we were on Mountain
Time.  Unfortunately, I was still on Oklahoma's daylight savings Central Time the entire trip.

The top photo of the Wilson's Warbler was at the Mason Center and the Gila Woodpecker was also seen there in the cactus scrublands.

The remaining photos were obtained on April 20th, when we drove nearly two hours south to Patagonia, which was in Santa Cruz County, where the remaining shots were taken.

There is much more to come, and I'll work on more photos tomorrow.

The Charge of the Boomer Brigade

                                                                   American Coot

                                                                Northern Cardinal

                                                                     Green Heron

                                                        Yellow-rumped Warbler(Myrtle)

                                                           Northern Cardinal(Female)

                                                            Painted Bunting (Male)

                                                               Yellow Warbler(Male)

                                                                    Cedar Waxwing

                                                           Yellow Warbler(Female)

                                                              Baltimore Oriole(Male)

                                                              Mallard Pair(Full Frame)

                                                             American Goldfinch
                                                        (Male- Breeding Plumage)

                                                                    Spotted Sandpiper

                                                                    White-faced Ibis

                                                            Northern Shoveler(Male)


0700-1140 hrs./49-59 degrees/15 mph to light and variable NW winds/partly cloudy

These photos were taken over the past couple of days, with weather conditions about the same.
The odd thing was, that when I was out early yesterday, it was mostly cloudy, then today it became
mostly cloudy when I was returning from my photo shoots.

Yesterday's shoot was the morning after a low pressure system, and with today still having a chill
and being the second day after the rain, subjects were still slightly extraordinary.  Females of the
species are now moving in, and last year's new birds will also be on their way after the females,
which is based on species hierarchy.

The first five photos were from yesterday.  It was good to see Green Heron again, and I now know
that the water snakes didn't pluck him from the grasp of the living.  Having keen vision for fishing,
he likely discovered either one or both snakes sunning near where one of the heron nests had been located last year and just took a few days to go elsewhere.

Most of the Yellow-rumped Warblers are in their breeding dress, which you will notice from the
earlier photos.  The yellow head patch is quite apparent and the rest of the yellow patches on the rump and on the flanks look just as bright.  The bird also has bright blue and black upon it, making
this a very striking spring bird, as the wood warblers are.

Today the Cedar Waxwings were coming through in large numbers, which I estimated at 225, which
is stable movement for just one species.  Our lake is very healthy with seeds, fruit, and protein, so
this will be another spectacular year.  Even though El Nino is bringing us cold fronts as well as a
great deal of unsettled weather, we will be the recipients of the more uncommon birds.  If I could only obtain photos of all the species that I see, it would be more helpful for you, but for various reasons, I cannot.  When in the deep woods, it is sometimes hard to have good movement in order
to quickly set up my gear.  Not only that warblers are fast, and many of them stay in the higher story
of a tree.

We are now in the presence of both Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, and I saw a female Baltimore
yesterday.  The beauty of the spring and summer birds is that they can go right to their nesting areas,
which isn't always in the same tree, but it is quite close.

A pin oak is located next to the restrooms on the east side of the lake, and several birds nest there
including the scissor-tail, both Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, and a Warbling Vireo has been
languishing there, as well.

The American Goldfinch has been around for the past couple of day in breeding finery, along with
two Cattle Egret today, one on the northernmost western jetty, and the other on Goose Island on the
east side.  Yellow Warblers are galore on the east side, three or four Spotted Sandpipers have been
doing their rocking rock in various locales, and there was a lone White-faced Ibis on the creek, as well as a couple of families of first born Mallard ducklings.  There are three Northern Shovelers in the vicinity, and this is an excellent area for many other beauties, too, like the buntings.

Take some time out to enjoy nature.  I promise you that you'll not be disappointed, unless you're
allergic to cottonwood fluff.  Perhaps I'll locate something new tomorrow.

Getting in the Groove of Spring with the Neotropical Migrants

                                                                 Baird's Sandpiper

                                                               Kansas Glossy Snake

                                                                   Barred Owl

                                                                  White-faced Ibis

                                                        Yellow-rumped Warbler(Myrtle)

                                                                      Green Heron

                                                                 Cedar Waxwing

                                                                    Female Gadwall

                                                                       Blue Jay

                                                                  Harris's Sparrow

                                                                Blue-gray Gnatcatcher


55-67 degrees F/partly cloudy/light and variable winds

The first four photos are a carry over from my time spent in the western part of Oklahoma.  Sadly,
I was unable to capture a Cassin's Sparrow, which was in the area and the prairie dogs and Burrowing Owls were staying undercover.

Upon my return home, I was still greeted with rain, which came from a front that infiltrated Texas
and western Oklahoma first.

As you can see, I still was able to get some good photos over the past couple of days, which made the wait well worth it.   A Neotropic Cormorant has been at Boomer Lake for several days.  The Baltimore Oriole and Warbling Vireo are now home as well as one member of my Green Heron family, the eldest.  I believe this one is a grandparent, one of the original settlers of the Southern Cove.  Last year, that art of the lake hosted two families.  So we shall see what this summer brings
us.

The female Gadwall pictured here was all by herself, taking up with an American Wigeon, some Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, and some American Coot.  Observed yesterday was another male Wood Duck, so perhaps he will get used to my presence and maybe I'll be fortunate enough to see some young on the creek.

There are plenty of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, at least a couple of Orange-crowned Warblers, and at
least one Yellow Warbler on the lake proper.  A Common Loon was spotted, which I thought I saw a couple of days ago with a raft of Double-crested Cormorant, but dismissed that thought.  I guess I was right after all!

Onward and upward!