Good Birding on Vacation

Hey, all. Phyllis and I just got back from San Antonio visiting our daughter and grand-daughter. We had a fantastic time. On the way back home, we spent the night in Marble Falls in a hotel that overlooked Lake Marble Falls. WOW!

Although our primary reason for the visit was to see our girls, I did manage some good birding. While in San Antonio, I spotted Blue Jays, Scrub Jays, Mockingbirds, White-winged Doves, Eurasian Collared Doves, House Sparrows, a female Oriole, Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures, Ravens, Common Grackles, Great-tailed Grackles, Cardinals, and a Bewick's Wren. I heard (dut did not see) a small woodpecker. While in Marble Falls, we saw Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures, Cliff Swallows, Mockingbirds, Blue Jays, House Sparrows, Common Grackles, Rock Doves, White-winged Doves. All the birds in Marble Falls were spotted while relaxing on the balcony of our hotel room.

The thing we found amazing, and somewhat disturbing, was that we had no spottings of ANY hawks. Not one single hawk seen on the drive down, while we were there, or on the drive back to Wichita Falls.

A great vacation made better with good birding.

First Ever Wood Duck Released

Every year seems to bring someone new to Wild Bird Rescue. I believe I have already commented on us receiving our first ever baby Wood Duck. Well, today was release day. As he is our first, I wanted to take a picture of the release. I caught him and an mallard who was also ready for release and proceeded down to the cove. I had my camera in one hand, and the carrier with the two ducks in the other hand. I walked down the boat ramp and stopped about three feet from the water. My intent was to take pictures as the Wood Duck walked into the water and swam away. I made ready the camera, bent over, and opened the door to the carrier. The Wood Duck made three running steps out of the carrier, spread his wings, and flew over the cove and across the peninsula, heading south over Lake Wichita. I was still bent over the carrier, the camera still in my hand, and the picture not taken.

The GOOD news is that it's our first ever baby Wood Duck, and it was released. :-) ! The BAD news is that I don't have a picture to share with you. :-(

Blue Jays Hang Around

Every year we have at least one blue jay that hangs around and flies from window to window begging.

Cooper's Hawk on Aviary

The thing about outside aviaries is that the songbirds will attract predators. This morning a Cooper's hawk tried to figure out how to get inside the aviary. Fortunately, it's not possible and the songbirds are protected.

August Statistics

Hard to believe we are already into the month of September. August was a busy month. In fact, we received more birds in August than we did in July.

Birds received in August: 154
Birds received in 2010: 943
Released: 62.18%
Pending release: 6.96%

We released six more kites last Friday, and numerous Blue Jays, robins, mockingbirds, White-winged doves, and on Monday we released the Mourning doves. We moved five more kites to their outside aviary. Robins, Blue Jays, grackles, and doves all went to their outside aviaries. The last mallard and Wood ducks have about one more week with us prior to their release.
We still have several other birds inside the main building: two kites, six mockingbirds, one Great-tailed grackle, three Barn swallows, two Collared doves, five Mourning doves, and there are four White-winged doves in the nestling room. That is it. Birds should be all gone by the middle of September.
I always look forward to the start of the baby season, and yet, I am always very happy when the season is over. I am glad this one is behind us.

Penny and the Warbler

I just read Penny Miller's blog, Charm of Finches. She reports seeing a Yellow Warbler at her klutzie bird outing at Lake Wichita. My spotting was easier and safer. Sunday morning while enjoying a cup of coffee on my front porch, I watched a Yellow Warbler in our Elm tree. Then, Monday morning, I saw a Yellow Warbler in the Mulberry tree at the rescue center. At left is a picture taken by Michael J. Hopiak for Cornell Lab of Ornithology.