Jean Suplick, 2018 and 2020-2021 New Class Director –
Have you ever stepped outside on a fine morning, closed your eyes for a few moments, and taken in the soundscape? No doubt you will hear some human-generated sounds like tires on pavement, jets droning by overhead or maybe playing children. But wait. Hold on. Was that a bird you just heard?
Birds
Long Time, No Hear
Clyde Camp, 2011 Possibly a very frustrated male. Or Female. The same bird (I think) has been arriving around 11pm and sitting in the door trilling until around 3am. Sometimes leaving and returning several times. Sometimes taking a nap inside. Sometimes trilling from inside. And several times spending the day sleeping before taking off at dusk. sitting in the door trilling until around 3am. Sometimes leaving and returning several times. Sometimes taking a nap inside. Sometimes trilling from inside. And several times spending the day sleeping before taking off at dusk.
Loggerhead Shrike
Meet the Loggerhead Shrike, photo by Blackland Prairie Master Naturalist Lorrie Mathers, captured at Hagerman National Wildlife Preserve.
These predatory songbirds are found here in all seasons, and their population is declining. Their winter diet focuses on vertebrate prey. These include lizards, snakes, frogs, turtles, sparrows, goldfinches, ground squirrels, voles, mice, and shrews, to name just a few.
2022 January – Virginia Rose | Birdability
Virginia fell off a horse at the age of 14 and a wheelchair user ever since, she began birding 17 years ago and discovered her best self in nature.
Lights out Texas
Lights Out, Texas! Help protect migrating birds passing through Texas by turning off all non-essential lighting on buildings from 11 pm to 6 am each night during spring migration from… Read More →
Clyde’s Screech Owl box – Wildlife VRBO
Clyde Camp, 2011 Clyde has had little luck with the residents of his screech owl box making it through birth and fledging. You will laugh out loud at the attached… Read More →
Tom’s Backyard
Tom Shackelford, 2018 – President We spend time in our back yard almost every day and sometimes I am quick enough to snap a shot with my phone. Two years… Read More →
Jim’s Crowned Night Herons Update
Remember the Golden crowned night herons that have nested in Jim Dulian’s yard? (See Below for article and photos) They came back, hung around a bit, decided they did not like… Read More →
Doves nest location choices
By Clyde Camp, 2011 and Beverly Carpenter, 2013 Doves are not good nest builders as is apparent from photos from Clyde Camp and Beverly Carpenter. Beverly’s example is in a… Read More →
Winter Ducks at Russell Creek Park
By John Garbutt, 2014 To some, winter and Uri are now four letter words never to be spoken again as we enter spring. As a birder, the harbinger of spring,… Read More →