Text and photos by Robbin Mallett, TMNCPC Communications Director
The monthly bird hikes at Seabourne Creek Nature Park resumed on Oct. 7 led by members of the Texas Master Naturalists Coastal Prairie Chapter. People split into two groups to keep each group at fewer than 10 people.
Mark Scheurman, a birding expert who often helps TMNCPC’s bird walks, took one group on the normal route. People wore masks and observed social distancing.
Bob Schwartz and I took the other group a different route. Mark’s group saw 40 species, including a quick glance at what we think is a first for the park–a Virginia Rail, which ran right in front of them at the Wetlands Pond.
My group walked for 2 hours and saw 34 species, which has been posted on eBird. Mark’s group reported a separate eBird list.
After the official hike, I drove through the Seabourne Creek Sports Complex and saw an American Kestrel and two Red-Tailed Hawks. Ever since I once drove through there and got good photos of a White-Tailed Hawk, I drive through there on my way home.