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2009 Posts:
Name: Bill and Bobbie Wofford
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Sun Mar 7 17:47:22 2010
After returning from New Braunfels we decided to swing by the San Marcos Civic Center just off Clovis Barker rd from I-35. Our quest was to see if either the Red Tail Hawk or the Red Shouldered Hawk was nesting in the old cottonwood tree along the small creek bed. The nest was still there, it had weathered the winter rains and wind beautifully. Upon closer inspection there were a pair of eyes peering over the rim. Our movement piqued her interest just enough for her to expose herself a little more and there we saw what we really wanted to see, the Great Horned Owl nesting in the tree from which she had become absent for the past two years. She and the nest is visible from the road leading into the civic center, so if you go, be alert the nest is about 10 feet down from the top and very visible.
Name: Steve Pierce
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Fri Jan 15 13:31:10 2010
Black & White Warbler in backyard and feeding on
suet for about a week now. See it many times each day.
Name: tom toporowski
Date of sighting: 01/09/10
Date posted: Fri Jan 15 12:57:16 2010
a late posting.
last saturday afternoon, i birded prospect park in san marcos. spotted a rock wren along the rock lined levy in the park. i think that would be the west side of the levy.
also had great looks at the northern wheatear in bee county; al green showed up shortly before i did.
in my posting of nov. 29, i incorrectly said "marsh sparrow" instead of "swamp sparrow".
Name: Linda Gawkoski
Date of sighting: Jan.1, 2010
Date posted: Sun Jan 3 11:51:29 2010
Ed and I were exploring the route of Mt. Sharp Road between Jacobs Well and Hwy 2325. We saw something "bobbing" along in the middle of the road. We took a closer look and noted markings, beak, size, etc. When we looked in our Sibley's we decided it was an American Woodcock. No doubt about it. It's slow bobbing walk is very intriguing (actually very humorous).
Name: tom toporowski
Date of sighting: nov. 29
Date posted: Mon Nov 30 13:26:43 2009
about 2:30 sunday afternoon i spotted a marsh sparrow at aquarena springs. texbirds reports a virginia rail and sora there too. all these birds might be seen in the cattails to the right side of the boardwalk as you enter from the parking lot. birding was good with 18 species seen at aquarina boardwalk and immediately adjacent areas.
Name: Gary Kasper
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Sun Nov 29 10:14:46 2009
Recent new arrivals at my place between Wimberley and Blanco. Northern Flickers, Spotted Towhees, White Crowned Sparrows,House wren?....
Holiday seasons here!
Name: Bill and Bobbie Wofford
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Wed Nov 25 19:53:44 2009
While burning a couple of hamburgers this evening I was startled by some bird fussing at me for being in his space. I tried calling him down for a closer look by pishing and it worked. A pair of ruby crowned kinglets working my oak trees over. We have also been devoid of an abundance of Cardinals but this even the bumper crop cam in about the same time as the kinglet and there were both male and female. Earlier in the day we saw our resident road runner, no he is still single but he is still hopeful.
Name: Mary Harris
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Wed Sep 30 19:12:38 2009
I have recently had what looks like a juvenile red crossbill visiting feeders on my property. Is this likely? We can't figure out what else it might be.
Name: Benge Elliott
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Fri Sep 18 18:38:13 2009
Immature White Ibis Aquarena Boardwalk
Name: John Stefanowicz
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Tue Sep 15 18:20:44 2009
Baltimore Northern Oriole - Stopped of for a drink today.
Name: Joan Webb
Date of sighting: Sunday, August 23.2009
Date posted: Mon Aug 24 10:24:04 2009
Just outside the kitchen window was this non-descript little browmnish/olive bird working the container plants and hanging baskets. On closer examination, it proved to be a warbler. First I have seen this fall. The only distinctive marking, small white squarish spot on wing, primaries. Found the bird shown on a page of confusing fall warblers. Care to make a guess? Although, there are records of this bird in Austin area, it is very unusual! I hesitate to say what I think I saw. What other warblers are being seen?
Name: Benge Elliott
Date of sighting: August 21,2009
Date posted: Sat Aug 22 16:06:19 2009
Birds are moving-- Yellow Warbler.have photo but lack the expertise to get this site to accept it.If any interest send me your email address.
Name: Ginger Walden
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Sun Jul 26 12:26:18 2009
This is off topic, but our pet cockatiel, Tim, escaped today in Woodcreek North. He is actually a female, and is very tame and friendly. He's a pearl pied, we believe, yellow with gray and white feathers, about a year old. Please call us at 512-557-9446 or 512-557-4166 if you find him.
Name: Gary kasper
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Wed Jul 15 11:15:16 2009
Saw a dove I have never seen in this area; Common Rock Dove. At first I thought it was an immature Inca Dove, but noticed the dark fan shaped tail. Having lots of Painted Buntings and Humming Birds. Counted four male PBs on feeder at once.
Name: tom toporowski
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Sat Jul 4 16:40:00 2009
along with the great fireworks last night here in wimberley, i had two additional great sightings today: a canyon wren at patsy glen refuge(about noon), and a golden-cheeked warbler this afternoon in our yard.
happy fourth.
Name: Bev Evans
Date of sighting: 6/14/2009
Date posted: Tue Jun 16 23:14:49 2009
We accidentally caught a painted bunting! We found him our empty feeder, no Idea how he got in there! After everyone got a good look we released him...absolutely beautiful bird. I am not originally from here so it was my first time to ever see one.
Also there are some what I believe are canyon wren's making a nest inside my husbands scooter. We have tried everything to keep them from doing so but they are VERY persistent! after moving it around and even driving it repeatedly they keep coming back. I have photos but not sure how to show them.
Name: tom toporowski
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Fri Jun 12 11:11:12 2009
heard a bob white today and yesterday here in woodcreek north. heard it (assuming it was the same one) last summer too. it is good to know that it still finds the habitat here acceptable.
also, ihave seen a blue gross beak on several walks. it is always in the same general area. i guess it has taken up a summer residence here.
Name: Herb Smith
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Tue May 26 17:06:34 2009
As I came out of the Patsy Glenn Refuge this morning around 11:00 I heard, then saw a singing Yellow warbler.
Name: Kathrine Ross
Date of sighting: May 11
Date posted: Fri May 15 10:50:58 2009
I saw a male and female Scott's Oriole outside my house in Dripping Springs. I have pictures if you would like to see them.
Name: Benge Elliott
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Wed May 13 23:04:15 2009
Jerry I enjoyed your last column. If any of your group missed missed the yellow crowned night heron I have a friend with seven in his back yard--one is setting on poorly consructed nest.The address is Wilbur Hopson--I told him to lookout for any lost birds.He will help if you have problems. Go to back door. The best way to get there is to through the light where RR`12 crosses Hopkins ,The next street is a short steet named Harvey which deadends on Blanco. The last driveway puts you in Wilbur's back yard.The herons should be high up the tree just to the left of his drive if you use Harvey street.Good birding.
Name: Steve Pierce
Date of sighting: May 03, 2009....
Date posted: Mon May 4 15:59:57 2009
Had a rose-breasted grosbeak at our feeder and fountain in Woodcreek...4:27pm yesterday evening. It stayed for about 20 min, left and kept returning all evening. Was here again early next am.
Name: tom toporowski
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Sun May 3 21:46:17 2009
on a late morning walk today, i had an unusual sighting here in woodcreek north. a lone white pelican flew overhead; it was low...less than ioo feet i estimate. it seemed out of place.
yesterday, i saw a FOS orchard oriole, and today a FOS
ashthroated flycather here in woodcreek north.
Name: Herb Smith & Susan Zimmerman
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Sat May 2 11:56:10 2009
After the bunting bonanza the last few weeks, we still are seeing more Painted buntings than ever before, but no more Indigos or Lazuli. Only a few Chipping and Clay-colored sparrows remain. Sunday we saw two male Ash-throated flycatchers sparring over a female. Thursday, we saw the first Gray Catbirds we're seen here, then late in the day a female Scarlet tanager (the 2nd ever). Most exciting to us was when at about 10:00 p.m. last night we heard the loud distinctive "Who cooks for me" hooting call of a Barred owl, the first we have ever heard here.
Migration may be winding down, but it's still an interesting time of year.
Name: Bill and Bobbie Wofford
Date of sighting: Apr 26 2009
Date posted: Wed Apr 29 16:41:33 2009
Tis afternoon we drove out to the San Marcos Civic Center to look for the Red TGail Hawk nest. We found it near ther tree she used last year, and inside were two 'downy white heads' of youngsters popping up. The adult was perched atop a nearby tree witnessing not only our acti9ons but also her 'babies.' We leftg witht h4e kowledge that all ws well with her. We continurued on down the road and around the building and kept hearing the killdeer calling. It was very elusive but presistgance paid off and we saw her not ten feet from where we were, probably guarding a nearby nest amonst the rocky path.
Name: tom toporowski
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Fri Apr 24 23:15:50 2009
took 2 walks today in woodcreek north where i live...one at mid morning and another before sunset. saw 30 species here. highlights included black bellied whistling duck(2), spotted sandpiper, green heron, pied billed grebe, least grebe, summer tanager,painted bunting, blue headed vireo, blue grosbeak, wilson's warbler, and a flock of franklin's gulls(about30). don't you just love spring!
Name: Bill & Bobbie Wofford
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Fri Apr 24 21:38:09 2009
We were rewarded with a beautiful sight this morning, our first of the year male painted bunting and later on the the male indigo bunting. We are also hearing and have seen once the cedar waxwings high in the trees and late in the afternoon.
Name: sally england
Date of sighting: 04/11/09
Date posted: Tue Apr 21 21:07:19 2009
A red shoulder hawk in my backyard in Woodcreek. The following Monday a painted bunting and then on Friday a indigo bunting. All a first for me.
Name: Pat Davis
Date of sighting: April 15, 2009
Date posted: Mon Apr 20 20:18:34 2009
Cerulean warbler--a bird hit one of my windows and was flapping about on the porch. I carefully picked it up so the dogs would not get him. The color was unlike anything I had seen in this area. I had a real chance to examine all features of the bird and this is it--a Cerulean warbler much further west than it should be. Fortunately, the bird revived and flew off into a nearby tree. What a treat for me.
Name: Joan Webb
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Mon Apr 20 12:02:16 2009
Buntings: As to the Varied Bunting I reported seeing, he hasn't returned. Eric Carpendar, TAS, told me that a Varied has never been reported in a 60 mile radius of Austin area. He said numberous reports of Lazuli were coming in. Naive me, I thought it was a reasonable sighing and still feel that a Varied Bunting is what I saw. Keep an eye out guys, they may be out there.
Name: Joan Webb
Date of sighting: April 18th,2009
Date posted: Mon Apr 20 11:27:50 2009
Warbler Watch: A first time for the Webb backyard!!
A male Blue Wing and a Northern Parula (sex unknown)
Observed a total of 10 varieties this week-end. Many Nashvilles !!
Name: tom toporowski
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Sun Apr 19 22:12:25 2009
this morning about 11:00 we had 3 first spring indigo buntings in our back yard. they were FOS, and first time we have ever seen them in our yard.
then about 6:00 pm, my across the street neighbor said he had indigo buntings and an (eastern) bluebird inhis yard. yes, he did have a few indigo buntings, including a mature male. the bluebird turned out to be a first spring lazuli bunting! nice.
(no varied bunting, joan... yet...but we're ready).
Name: Joan Webb
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Thu Apr 16 21:16:03 2009
Back porch birding was interesting today. Seven species of warbles: Nashvilles; Orange Crown; B & W; Yellow Breasted Chat; Golden Cheek; Black Throated Greens;Yellow Rump. Three differnt Buntings !!! Several beautiful Indigos, Painted, and what I feel sure was a Varied Bunting. Have any of you Birders had a Varied in you yards. He was was in the bath and on the feeder. I'm hoping he will show up again. JW
Name: Ginger Walden
Date of sighting: 03/28/09
Date posted: Mon Mar 30 12:15:47 2009
Along with a large number of Ruby throated and Black Chinned hummers, we saw what I think was a male Summer Tanager on Saturday. He was a beautiful red. It was hanging around one of our hummingbird feeders, which had attracted a number of bees. Since they feed off bees and wasps, I am assuming that is what attracted him.
Name: Bill and Bobbie Wofford
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Tue Mar 24 21:31:34 2009
What a day for strange sighhtings. This afternoon we got to see a Hermit Thrush taking a long bath in one of our bird baths. I say long because he would be interupted by cardinals, and finches, and others wanting to bathe. But he kept coming back then he was interumpted by a pair of orange crown warblers. Later we saw a pair of blue wing gnat catchers and two ruby crowned kinglets. Then to top off the day we saw our first female ruby throat hummer, it could have been the femal black chinned hummer. We have had several of the male black chinned hummers and an occcasional male ruby throat hummer. Springtime is delightful time be a birder.
Name: Herb Smith & Susan Zimmerman
Date of sighting: As noted below
Date posted: Mon Mar 23 12:37:56 2009
Spring definitely is here. We saw our first Black-chinned hummingbird on March 3, first Purple martins on the 4th, first White-eyed vireo on the 9th, first Blue-gray gnatcatcher on the 14th and first B&W warbler on the 18th. On Saturday, I saw a Louisiana waterthrush, which is unusual, and Sunday we saw our first-ever here Greater yellowlegs. We have Red-shouldered hawks nesting a short distance downstream, and Eastern phoebes, Carolina wrens and probably Canyon wren nests around our home. We're hoping the coming front will bring us more migrants.
Name: Bill and Bobbie Wofford
Date of sighting: 3/15/09
Date posted: Wed Mar 18 11:11:23 2009
We drove out to the San Marcos Civic Center just off Clovia Barker Rd and there is another taall cottonwood tree the red tailed hawk had built a new nest and was sitting on it. We watched for several minutes and then she left to fly to another tree. After some 15 minutes she came back and began sitting again. Then further down the road was small mud puddle with the greater yellow legs standing in the middle of it. It had a gimpy left leg which did not seem to deter him/her from going about seeking food. Late it too flew off.
Name: Ginger Walden
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Sat Mar 14 10:16:14 2009
We saw our first hummingbirds of the year in our backyard today - two that went from one hummingbird feeder to the next. We thought we had seen a glimpse of one last weekend, but had convinced ourselves we were wrong. Maybe not!
Name: David H. Glenn
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Mon Feb 16 19:13:24 2009
----------Cecilia Riley called from the Aquarena in San Marcos to report that she and Mike Gray were watching a Ringed Kingfisher flying around the springs area where the glass boats operate. He is bigger, brighter, and louder than the Belted Kingfishers we are used to. So pop on over to SM and see if you can identify him too. ----------David Glenn
Name: tom pope
Date of sighting: 2-6-09
Date posted: Fri Feb 6 19:44:06 2009
I saw an Albino Red Tailed Hawk approx 1/4 mile east of the Onion Creek double crossing in Driftwood today. I was flying parallel to the road and I slowed down and had a pretty good look at it before it disappeared into the woods.
Name: Bill and Bobbie Wofford
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Mon Jan 26 14:12:48 2009
lcorrection to the previous entry. What we see in our back yard is the "orange Crown Warbler" not the Tenneesee warbler. Sorry for the confusion.
Name: Bill and Bobbie Wofford
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Sat Jan 24 12:42:40 2009
This morning at breakfast we were given the real pleasure to see our first Robins of the year. Three of them waiting patiently for their turn to drink form the bird bath. We have also see an abundance of pine siskins, lesser gold finches, pine warblers, Tenneesee warblers, ruby crown kinglets and yellow rumped warblers in addition to the usual cardinals,blue jays, chicadees, titmice, and sparrows.
Name: Jerry Hall
Date of sighting: Same as date posted
Date posted: Tue Jan 20 21:40:57 2009
Spotted my first robin on the winter at my backyard birdbath; also a ruby-crowned kinglet feeding from a hanging suet feeder and showing off his red crown feathers.
Name: Herb Smith & Susan Zimmerman
Date of sighting: 2008
Date posted: Mon Jan 5 11:39:19 2009
During 2008, we continued keeping record of the birds we saw in our River Oaks subdivision neighborhood. We identified 113 species, compared with 114 in 2007. Of these, only 5 were new for the subdivision, but we missed 18 that we saw in 2007. The net result was 157 total species for our subdivision since we started keeping record.
The new birds for 2008 were:
Greater White-fronted Goose
Lazuli Bunting
Louisiana Waterthrush
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Orchard Oriole
Name: tom toporowski
Date of sighting: 01/01/09
Date posted: Fri Jan 2 23:38:11 2009
new year's morning welcomed me with a flurry of bird activity in the backyard. between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. we had 12 species including 27 chipping sparrows, a hermit thrush, carolina wren, cardinals, american goldfinchs, 23 white wing dove, biack creasted titmouse, carolina chickadees, mockingbirds, blue jay, 3 lesser goldfinchs, and 4 pine siskins(first time ever seen in our yard). and a partridge in a pair tree... not really. good birding to all in the new year.
tom
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