Category: Vermont Birding

I took the kayak out this morning for a little exercise/birding here at Natchez State Park. There’s an impoundment that’s about the size of Wrightsville Reservoir where I’ll paddle this Spring and I saw many of the same bird species (Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, Wood Ducks, Common Yellowthroats, etc.) I’ll see in Vermont this summer. But that’s where the similarities end.

A Great Egret fished nearby and dozens of Black Vultures wandered around waiting for thermals. The water was greenish and tepid, and several big bass boats were already tucked into coves.

It is Turkey season here but I’m not used to warning signs where I paddle.

As I lugged the kayak down to the water, a good ol’ boy setting out in his shiny rig said with his barely-understandable Southern drawl, “you might not want to go up the cricks – I’ve seen a bunch of ‘gators in them. One of them was as long as that boat of yours!”

I thanked him for his advice, noting that we don’t see many alligators in Vermont.

As I paddled, I wondered if he, having seen the license plates, was putting me on but I think not. It’s funny how floating logs and cypress knees can look like gators. I did see a great-looking “crick,” sort of like the inlet at Wrightsville, as was tempted to follow a gaggle of beautiful Wood Ducks up it. But, discretion won over and I cruised back up the center of the lake, enjoying the workout and keeping my heart rate normal.

I started the day early yesterday with a life bird – a couple of Franklin’s Gulls with their pretty pinkish chests beside their cousin Laughing Gulls – and then added a Sedge Wren and a Seaside Sparrow as birds new to me this trip. But most of the warm day, I watched and listened to birds in the campsite yard.

The Northern Cardinals are matching up and their chirping and singing is just standard background noise that is easy to take for granted. Likewise, the White-eyed Vireos are calling continually and flitting through the dense foliage, offering periodic looks. I saw one yesterday with a mouth full of fluffy nesting material.

Most of the Red-winged Blackbirds have left – hurrah – as have the White Pelicans – boo.

I spent some time sitting in a lawn chair, listening and watching Northern Parulas work the leaves for insects. They are such beautiful birds and we seem to have a good influx, some of whom will stick around and nest.

Warblers are moving through but in small numbers. I’ve seen Nashville, Hooded, Black & White warblers but missed several others. I’ll get another chance with some of them in Vermont.

Goose Island is a special place for us. I’m already developing a target list for birds I’ve missed with thoughts that we’ll be back next year. Meanwhile, I’m going to spend part of this last day just watching some of the birds in the woods and along the shore and make one last attempt to sort out the Dunlins, the Sandpipers, the Plovers, and the Dowitchers.

– Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

After a muggy night at Goose Island in Rockport, TX, we are up early having coffee in the Airstream. The air conditioner quit last night, probably from over-heating. There are strong thunderstorms forecast all day and one cell just hit, as I was planning to take the dog for a walk.
So we are lying here with the rain hammering the aluminum cylinder we call home and our dog has her anxiety-easing Thundershirt on – lying at the foot of the bed in spite of thunder and lightening. And I’m thinking about migrating birds.

As birders, we were talking yesterday about the forecast with hopes that tomorrow would deposit some tired migrants here – a so-called fallout where tired birds stop and rest after crossing the Gulf. Here’s a description from Houston Audubon:
Many species of birds, called neotropical migrants, nest in North America and spend the winter in Latin America. Twice each year these birds migrate the long distances between wintering grounds and spring nesting locations. Each spring millions of birds that wintered in Central and South America are driven north by the urge to establish breeding territories and select mates. They first push north to the Yucatan Peninsula and the adjacent Mexican coast.
Beginning in early March, migrants reach the tip of the peninsula and if the weather conditions are favorable, just after sunset, migrants leave Mexico and head north across the Gulf of Mexico. The trip across the Gulf is 600 miles and with good weather takes about 18 hours. Arriving on the Texas coast midday, some of these birds stop on the coast; but most will fly inland until nightfall.

During the spring migration period from early March to mid May conditions occasionally exist where strong, turbulent north winds and rain trigger a phenomenon called a “fallout.” This usually happens when a strong, fast-moving cold front crosses the Texas coast and moves into the Gulf of Mexico during the middle of the day. The wind and rain slows the migrating birds down causing them to rapidly use up their stored energy reserves. Thousands of extremely tired migrants are forced to seek shelter and food as soon as they reach the coast. At these times, good-quality habitat along the coast is vitally important to the survival of tens and thousands of birds.
The folks at Woodcreeper.com, who track migration radar images, posted the one above saying that “Birds are slamming right into the storm.”
So, as I lie here listening to heavy rain and feel the wind, I’m thinking about those thousands of warblers flying in the dark, getting hammered by this violent series of storms. While it would be great to see a bunch here in the morning there’s a side of me that hopes they waited a day or two – and can make it in easier flying condtions.
It will make me appreciate the Black & White Warblers and their friends when I see them in New England later this Spring.
Cerulean Warber by Greg Lavaty

Birders and others got to see a screening of the “Central Park Effect,” a movie about birds in New York’s Central Park at South by Southwest conference. Birder Jane Tillman wrote on TexBirds:
Jeffrey Kimball, the director, is a birder and it showed. The movie is not yet out on DVD, as he hopes it will hit prime time, but watch this Youtube video to get a taste.

The movie played to a full house, unlike The Big Year. It is a lot better too. Maybe it will recruit some new birders.
“The Central Park Effect” reveals the extraordinary array of wild birds who grace Manhattan’s celebrated patch of green and the equally colorful, full-of-attitude New Yorkers who schedule their lives around the rhythms of migration. Acclaimed author Jonathan Franzen, an idiosyncratic trombone technician, a charming fashion-averse teenager, and a bird-tour leader who’s recorded every sighting she’s made since the 1940s are among the film’s cast of characters. Featuring spectacular wildlife footage capturing the changing seasons, this lyrical documentary transports the viewer to a dazzling world that goes all but unnoticed by the 38 million people who visit the park each year.

We have been at one of our favorite parks -Falcon State Park – which sits on Falcon Lake, perhaps the best bass fishing lake in the U.S. each morning, dozens of trucks hauling big bass rigs come rolling in with their sun-burned anglers ready for another day. This weekend, the Bassmasters tournament is here and the big names and big money will also.

Today we drove north to Zapata to look for a special bird – a White-collared Seedeater – which I got a look at – and traversed some really rough country. Hot, flat, dry, with nothing but a few horses or scrub cows here and there. This part of Texas makes us often wonder: How did the first settlers (or the natives) make it? The temperatures in early March about 90 with a stiff wind and a drought that has lasted over a year.
The evenings are spectacular with the recent full moon and the close approach of Mars. Coyotes yip and howl each night and the Common Pauraques send forth their unique call.

We awake to Northern Cardinals and the western cousins, Pyrrhuloxias, singing away and Northern Mockingbirds run through their whole routine as I walk by with Penny.

The recent rains, while doing nothing to break the drought, have greened up things a bit and many spring flowers are starting to pop. Likewise, a number of butterflies have emerged but good luck identifying them in 30 mph winds. One of the most common species is Red Admiral.

The dry air certainly clears our New England sinuses. No sniffles for weeks. It’s about the only place I’ve been where rest room hand driers actally work – no more wiping the moisture off on trousers.
Penny’s operation wound is healing slowly. Our bandaging has gone from Keystone Cops with warm water spraying everywhere and lots of swearing to a rather restrained procedure. Still gave a couple of stitches to get removed.
We have a weather system coming in which will move temps from today’s 90 degrees to 60 tomorrow. We are looking forward to it.
Vermont had 60’s yesterday but I suspect that there are a few surprises yet back home. We are missing friends and family but going to wait until we are sure we don’t get caught in snow like last year.

One of the big disappointments about Texas birding is the amount of trash you encounter along roadways – about anywhere. Many times I’ve spotted a Crested Caracara up ahead to find it’s only one more Walmart plastic bag tangled on a fence post. Of course, with no recycling, no returnable deposit, and a “toss it out the window” mentality, what can you expect?
Recycling is about non-existent throughout the South. It hurts to crush plastic milk cartons and toss them with the cardboard, cans, and other recyclables. State parks are pretty lame, with only aluminum cans collected. Since we drink no soda or beer from cans, well you get the picture.
The other day I drove over to a large wildlife management area for some birding. It is used for grazing as well and some of the residents didn’t seem too impressed by the Vermont plates and kayak on the red truck.

It was a foggy morning and on the way on the access road, I saw a life bird – a White-tailed Kite perched in a dead tree. I took a photo through my scope which was pretty fuzzy but ok for documentation.

Once I left the truck and began birding alongside the Guadeloupe River, I was shocked by the debris. Some was from recent high water but much was crap left by hunters and fishermen. Beer cans galore, fishing line in trees, it was really depressing. But some great birds helped make up for it. Red-bellied woodpeckers made a racket while dozens of yellow-rumps did their flycatchers act.
The highlight was a big bird that flew off and perched in a tree up ahead. Thankful that I didn’t have the dog with me, I got right underneath a Great Horned Owl who watched me through the branches but stayed perched as I photographed it and then quietly moved on.

It was a good birding outing but I could not help but contrast it with my trips to new England WMA’s. Sure, you’ll always run into idiots who litter, but in Texas, it seems to be genetically imprinted. .

We certainly haven’t been impressed by recycling efforts in Tennessee, Missssippi, Louisiana, or Texas. We’ll be hauling a lot of stuff home but can’t start collecting quite yet. Mary and I are far from alone at our disgust for the situation – many from Canada and the upper mid-West share our opinion – as I’m sure do many Texans

One of the big disappointments about Texas birding is the amount of trash you encounter along roadways – about anywhere. Many times I’ve spotted a Crested Caracara up ahead to find it’s only one more Walmart plastic bag tangled on a fence post. Of course, with no recycling, no returnable deposit, and a “toss it out the window” mentality, what can you expect?
Recycling is about non-existent throughout the South. It hurts to crush plastic milk cartons and toss them with the cardboard, cans, and other recyclables. State parks are pretty lame, with only aluminum cans collected. Since we drink no soda or beer from cans, well you get the picture.
The other day I drove over to a large wildlife management area for some birding. It is used for grazing as well and some of the residents didn’t seem too impressed by the Vermont plates and kayak on the red truck.

It was a foggy morning and on the way on the access road, I saw a life bird – a White-tailed Kite perched in a dead tree. I took a photo through my scope which was pretty fuzzy but ok for documentation.

Once I left the truck and began birding alongside the Guadeloupe River, I was shocked by the debris. Some was from recent high water but much was crap left by hunters and fishermen. Beer cans galore, fishing line in trees, it was really depressing. But some great birds helped make up for it. Red-bellied woodpeckers made a racket while dozens of yellow-rumps did their flycatchers act.
The highlight was a big bird that flew off and perched in a tree up ahead. Thankful that I didn’t have the dog with me, I got right underneath a Great Horned Owl who watched me through the branches but stayed perched as I photographed it and then quietly moved on.

It was a good birding outing but I could not help but contrast it with my trips to new England WMA’s. Sure, you’ll always run into idiots who litter, but in Texas, it seems to be genetically imprinted. Mary and I are far from alone at our disgust for the situation – many from Canada and the upper mid-West share our opinion – as I’m sure do many Texans.

Every so often, we’ll hear a thunk as a bird hits one of our windows and while they usually fly off to the woods (perhaps to die), it is an awful feeling. We keep the drapes closed and have tried bird decals but still it happens. Here’s more on bird strikes.
Now, a new product – window tape – is available from the American Bird Conservancy (ABC).

Developed from research on window strikes, the tape is translucent (birds can see it but light comes through), not expensive ($10.95 to $14.95 per roll), easy to use, easily removed, re-usable and can last up to 4 years!
“ABC has tested a number of different materials and patterns for their ability to deter birds from colliding with glass. The results prompted ABC to produce and make available under its own name, a new consumer product to help concerned people prevent this significant source of bird mortality,” said ABC President George Fenwick.
Here’s where to order although your local bird supply store should have it soon.

Photo by ABC

Last week, on a bird walk at Goose Island State Park, we saw a hummer at a feeder which some thought to be a Costa’s – which is rather rare in Texas. For about a week, a quiet debate has transpired with finally the group leaders agreeing that it was a young Costa’s. So having seen the bird and photographing it, I put it into my eBird records. And it was picked up as a rare bird and a reviewer queried me about more photos, etc. This is a routine process with any unusual sighting and I have been through it before.
As it turns out, the bird was at the site when I returned today and I got some better photos.

Upon seeing the new photos, Eric Carpenter, the eBird reviewer wrote: “Dick,
I think this is likely a female Black-chinned. I don’t see any white
above the eye, the bill looks a bit longer than it did in the other
photos and there does seem to be a good amount of white in the tail
feathers.”

So, no Costa’s but still, for me a new life bird. I like the scrutiny that goes into official sightings and the help that the experts give birders trying to record the right species. I guess I’ll have to head to Arizona for a Costa’s. Perhaps next year.

Location:Circle Lake Dr,Rockport,United States

I dropped Penny off this morning for the operation to remove the lump from her hind leg. Going there, I mentioned to Mary as we traversed a school zone in busy Rockport, “Boy, these sneak up on you – and people really adhere to the speed limit – must be tough enforcement.”
I dropped Mary at the Laundromat and returned to leave off Penny when, “Oh, crap, the school zone” and I hit the brakes just as I saw the two cop cars moving. I pulled over, had my paperwork out, and as the young officer came up, Penny greeted him with a lick. After a long wait as he ran the computer check, he came back with a written warning. So, the day started out ok after all.
We got a call at lunch from the vet’s office saying that Penny was resting fine and I could pick her up at four, which I did. After lifting the groggy 55 pound Vizsla into the truck, we traveled back to Goose Island where I carried her into the trailer.

The biopsy will take a week or so but we’ll see the vet Saturday to change the bandage and check things out. Stitches come out in two weeks and right now, we don’t have a slot here after next week. Weekends fill up and all reservations are taken but we’ll figure out something.
Penny is sleeping beside me on the couch as I write and is quite tuckered out. The trick will be as she heals because she can walk but can’t run for two weeks. We are glad to have her home.