Observations from Holiday Park, Benbrook Lake, site 66:
I spend most of the day out here today. Didn't see anything new, but I watched my buddy the male Belted Kingfisher awhile today, as well as an earlier day this week. I think it's the same bird, as I've never seen more than 1 at a time, and always a male, in this park. This little stretch seems to be his main fall territory, as he spends most of the day in a 200-foot stretch along the shore here. There are a lot of trees along the waters edge here right now, as the lake is up some from earlier in the month (the trees were 10-15 feet from the shore before that), so maybe that's why he likes this area right now. Anyway- I have watched him dive for fish many times now in this area. Unlike the first time I saw him fish, when he fluttered weakly over the surface and lightly grabbed fish, he plunge-dove many times, reminiscent of a diving gannet. Sometimes he did a kind of belly-flop but continued on to submerge. He was very efficient in his fishing here; nearly every time when I was able to see him after he flew back to a perch, he had a minnow in his beak. He would fly to perches on one of the trees near the waters' edge and eat. He calls frequently with his now-familiar rattling, pugnacious, challenging call, although I've never seen another kingfisher, or seen him challenge any other bird. He flies from perch to perch, often calling right after he lands.
I also watched a cormorant swim up and down the shore, diving for long periods of time, apparently fishing. I've been studying the cormorants and the cormorant colony that perches on a line of dead trees that runs through the lake 100-200 yards from site 66. I've been able to definitely id them as cormorants, not anhingas, and studying the range maps in my Peterson and national geographic guides shows they are almost certainly Double-Crested Cormorants, references show that Neotropic Cormorants occur at Benbrook Lake, at least during the summer. I want a close look at one before I call it a Double-crested and count it as a lifer.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Life List
On this post I'll keep my birding Life List. I'll update it as I see new birds, or as I add birds I've definitely seen in the past. Last updated: 10-10-2009; not complete yet, I need to go through my Peterson guide and some old notes, as I know there are quite a few I've left off. I intend to add dates as well.
- Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
- Greater Roadrunner
- Wild Turkey
- Black Vulture
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Snowy Egret
- Western Kingbird
- Eastern Bluebird
- American Crow
- Great Horned Owl
- Belted Kingfisher
- Kildeer
- Spotted Sandpiper
- Little Blue Heron
- Tricolored Heron
- European Starling
- Common Grackle
- Great-tailed Grackle
- Mourning Dove
- Rock Pigeon
- White-winged Dove
- House Sparrow
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
10-06-09
Observations from: Holiday Park, Benbrook Lake, Texas:
I was at Site 64. I saw a group of three Red-bellied Woodpeckers together in a large tree that stands right over that campsite, on dead limbs. Got good looks; one stayed awhile. I've seen one before, but not out here. At Site 51 I've continually heard woodpecker "knocks" on trees, but can't ever see them. I wonder if the Red-bellied Woodpeckers are the culprits? Also saw the probably-Osprey again, same MO as before
I was at Site 64. I saw a group of three Red-bellied Woodpeckers together in a large tree that stands right over that campsite, on dead limbs. Got good looks; one stayed awhile. I've seen one before, but not out here. At Site 51 I've continually heard woodpecker "knocks" on trees, but can't ever see them. I wonder if the Red-bellied Woodpeckers are the culprits? Also saw the probably-Osprey again, same MO as before
10-03-09
Observations from: Holiday Park, Benbrook Lake, Texas:
Stayed at site 71 tonight; a cool, overcast, misting evening. I saw a Great Horned Owl in a tree across the road! That was cool, haven't seen one since my early days in Oklahoma, when a pair lived on our 80 acres. I also saw- again- my probable Osprey. Every time I see him (OK- or her- the sexes look alike) he is flying fast and fairly high coming off the lake, away to the approximate NW. I can never get a good enough look to tell for sure if it IS an Osprey, but the profile (and habitat) sure is right. Also, as I drove to my campsite, a Greater Roadrunner ran across the road. I love roadrunners; they are cool. Once about a year ago when I was fishing near the marina at Benbrook Lake, I was able to watch one forage for awhile near me through the binoculars. Of course, I've seen them many times, especially near Tucson as a kid.
Stayed at site 71 tonight; a cool, overcast, misting evening. I saw a Great Horned Owl in a tree across the road! That was cool, haven't seen one since my early days in Oklahoma, when a pair lived on our 80 acres. I also saw- again- my probable Osprey. Every time I see him (OK- or her- the sexes look alike) he is flying fast and fairly high coming off the lake, away to the approximate NW. I can never get a good enough look to tell for sure if it IS an Osprey, but the profile (and habitat) sure is right. Also, as I drove to my campsite, a Greater Roadrunner ran across the road. I love roadrunners; they are cool. Once about a year ago when I was fishing near the marina at Benbrook Lake, I was able to watch one forage for awhile near me through the binoculars. Of course, I've seen them many times, especially near Tucson as a kid.
10-02-09
Observations from: Holiday Park, Benbrook Lake, Texas:
Site 64. I was at the lake all day. I saw a Belted Kingfisher male again; probably the same bird I've seen recently. Wild Turkeys flew across road on my way back from the convenience store around 2 p.m. I saw a hook-winged raptor fly over heading away from the lake- I think it was an Osprey, which I need for my life list. Couldn’t id positively- it was facing away and went by to quickly. Cool just the same. I also saw an awesome flock of what I’m almost sure was American White Pelicans. It was cool- I was fishing, and raised my binoculars to look at a large aircraft flying by in the distance. Then I saw the flock. Also saw a large flock of apparent cormorants come in to roost on a dead tree-line that ran across the lake at a distance. I saw a Western Kingbird, and had the usual great looks at GEgrets,GBHerons, and Snowy Egrets. Also saw my new buddy the male Belted Kingfisher again.
Site 64. I was at the lake all day. I saw a Belted Kingfisher male again; probably the same bird I've seen recently. Wild Turkeys flew across road on my way back from the convenience store around 2 p.m. I saw a hook-winged raptor fly over heading away from the lake- I think it was an Osprey, which I need for my life list. Couldn’t id positively- it was facing away and went by to quickly. Cool just the same. I also saw an awesome flock of what I’m almost sure was American White Pelicans. It was cool- I was fishing, and raised my binoculars to look at a large aircraft flying by in the distance. Then I saw the flock. Also saw a large flock of apparent cormorants come in to roost on a dead tree-line that ran across the lake at a distance. I saw a Western Kingbird, and had the usual great looks at GEgrets,GBHerons, and Snowy Egrets. Also saw my new buddy the male Belted Kingfisher again.
9-30-09
Observations from: Holiday Park, Benbrook Lake, Texas:
Site 51. Today I got the Belted Kingfisher positive id- he was a male- blue-grey and white. Had good, long looks as he first perched for awhile on a dead tree out in the water near me (~75 feet away). Then he flew to another dead tree further out, and fished. I expected a dive like a gannet, but he fluttered weakly to the surface, and caught a small fish. He flew along the surface after that, slowly and weakly, and landed multiple times, apparently unsuccessfully looking for fish. On the way in I saw a Whitetail doe and fawn run across the road in front of my truck, and jump a fence. I've never seen a fawn before- this one was getting big, but still had his spots. Also saw many: Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Black & Turkey Vultures.
Site 51. Today I got the Belted Kingfisher positive id- he was a male- blue-grey and white. Had good, long looks as he first perched for awhile on a dead tree out in the water near me (~75 feet away). Then he flew to another dead tree further out, and fished. I expected a dive like a gannet, but he fluttered weakly to the surface, and caught a small fish. He flew along the surface after that, slowly and weakly, and landed multiple times, apparently unsuccessfully looking for fish. On the way in I saw a Whitetail doe and fawn run across the road in front of my truck, and jump a fence. I've never seen a fawn before- this one was getting big, but still had his spots. Also saw many: Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Black & Turkey Vultures.
10-05-09
Observations from: Holiday Park, Benbrook Lake, Texas:
Site 64. Today as I fished, I repeatedly saw a cormorant (or maybe an Anhinga? I didn't think of that until afterwards, and didn't pay attention to whether the beak was hooked or not) fishing in the bay near the boat dock. It was interesting, as it swam VERY low in the water, and stayed under for what seemed like an enormously long time several times. Never came very close, though, and I wasn't able to get close looks.
Site 64. Today as I fished, I repeatedly saw a cormorant (or maybe an Anhinga? I didn't think of that until afterwards, and didn't pay attention to whether the beak was hooked or not) fishing in the bay near the boat dock. It was interesting, as it swam VERY low in the water, and stayed under for what seemed like an enormously long time several times. Never came very close, though, and I wasn't able to get close looks.
9-25-09
Observations from: Holiday Park, Benbrook Lake, Texas:
Not much new today, but I saw two things I had never seen before. There were several Great Egrets, Great Blue herons, Turkey Vultures, and Black Vultures around, and I heard some Kildeer. A female Eastern Bluebird landed on a dead tree near me (I was fishing and sitting in a camp chair near the water), and I got a long, excellent look at her. I saw one small egret (about the size of a Snowy Egret) that seemed to have greenish or dark yellowish legs, and a dark/black bill. Never got a close enough look to be absolutely sure of the leg color. Not sure what it was; don't think it was a cattle egret, which I've seen plenty of (they used to follow our cows around when I was growing up in OK). But the two things that were new were: 1: a Kingfisher! I heard a harsh rattling call I didn't recognize, and saw it alight on a branch 100 feet or so form shore. I got a quick look through the binoculars, enough to see the unmistakable profile, and then it flew. I haven't decided whether to count it or not as a life bird; range would indicate it should be a Belted Kingfisher, but I'll wait for a better look. Also I saw a cormorant from a distance. It flew in and landed on the water. Too far out for any hope of a species id, but still cool- I've never seen one before.
Not much new today, but I saw two things I had never seen before. There were several Great Egrets, Great Blue herons, Turkey Vultures, and Black Vultures around, and I heard some Kildeer. A female Eastern Bluebird landed on a dead tree near me (I was fishing and sitting in a camp chair near the water), and I got a long, excellent look at her. I saw one small egret (about the size of a Snowy Egret) that seemed to have greenish or dark yellowish legs, and a dark/black bill. Never got a close enough look to be absolutely sure of the leg color. Not sure what it was; don't think it was a cattle egret, which I've seen plenty of (they used to follow our cows around when I was growing up in OK). But the two things that were new were: 1: a Kingfisher! I heard a harsh rattling call I didn't recognize, and saw it alight on a branch 100 feet or so form shore. I got a quick look through the binoculars, enough to see the unmistakable profile, and then it flew. I haven't decided whether to count it or not as a life bird; range would indicate it should be a Belted Kingfisher, but I'll wait for a better look. Also I saw a cormorant from a distance. It flew in and landed on the water. Too far out for any hope of a species id, but still cool- I've never seen one before.
9-22-09
Observations from: Holiday Park, Benbrook Lake, Texas:
I camped at the lake, and had a great day of observations. I was cloudy and cooler (70s), and the cove where I usually camp (a large cove with lots of old, dead trees in the water) was very lively. I should mention that I saw what was either a beaver, a muskrat, or a nutria a few days ago. I was swimming and looked too small for a beaver; I think it was a muskrat, but I never saw it's tail, so I couldn't be sure. I have seen both many time; when I lived in Oklahoma in the 70s and 80s, I used to fish a large private small lake/large pond complex where both lived.
Now on to bird observations. I finally saw a Snowy Egret for certain (a life bird). I thought I'd seen one several times out here, but they were too far away for certain id. This one reminded me of the upland sandpiper from the hilarious book The Verb 'to Bird'; he (or she) seemed to want to be sure I got the id. First, the egret walked the shoreline right in front of me, passing to within about 30 feet from me. It walked in a high-step severl times, so I could see the diagnostic "golden slippers"(yellow feet with black legs. Then it made another pass and ruffled it's neck ruff up so I could see it's head plumes. I got long, excellent looks at the legs/feet and the yellow nares/black bill. A Great Egret and a Great Blue Heron were entertaining as the Great Egret had something in it's bill (an oster, maybe? It wasn't a fish). The Great Blue kept moving in on the egret, apaprently in an attempt to take the cathc. The egret flew off and landed elsewhere several times, but the Great Blue would follow it, land nearby, and start towards it again each time. Also saw a Great.Blue Heron catch and eat a large perch, and Wild Turkeys foraging in a field on the way out of Holiday Park.
I camped at the lake, and had a great day of observations. I was cloudy and cooler (70s), and the cove where I usually camp (a large cove with lots of old, dead trees in the water) was very lively. I should mention that I saw what was either a beaver, a muskrat, or a nutria a few days ago. I was swimming and looked too small for a beaver; I think it was a muskrat, but I never saw it's tail, so I couldn't be sure. I have seen both many time; when I lived in Oklahoma in the 70s and 80s, I used to fish a large private small lake/large pond complex where both lived.
Now on to bird observations. I finally saw a Snowy Egret for certain (a life bird). I thought I'd seen one several times out here, but they were too far away for certain id. This one reminded me of the upland sandpiper from the hilarious book The Verb 'to Bird'; he (or she) seemed to want to be sure I got the id. First, the egret walked the shoreline right in front of me, passing to within about 30 feet from me. It walked in a high-step severl times, so I could see the diagnostic "golden slippers"(yellow feet with black legs. Then it made another pass and ruffled it's neck ruff up so I could see it's head plumes. I got long, excellent looks at the legs/feet and the yellow nares/black bill. A Great Egret and a Great Blue Heron were entertaining as the Great Egret had something in it's bill (an oster, maybe? It wasn't a fish). The Great Blue kept moving in on the egret, apaprently in an attempt to take the cathc. The egret flew off and landed elsewhere several times, but the Great Blue would follow it, land nearby, and start towards it again each time. Also saw a Great.Blue Heron catch and eat a large perch, and Wild Turkeys foraging in a field on the way out of Holiday Park.
9-15-09
Observations from: Holiday Park, Benbrook Lake, Texas:
Time to update my bird sighting from the last few days, maybe (9-12 to 9-14)? Due to the hard rains and rising lake, didn't see much. It was hard to get good looks with my 7 x 35 binoculars (Nikon Actions, if you care..and if you’re reading this other crap, why wouldn't you care?). It was definitely weather that would have made having a) a spotting scope, b) 10 power binoculars, or c) high-grade optics, with better light transmission and clarity worth having. But I have to say, I bought these binoculars several years ago after long, careful research on what the best low-end binoculars were, and for the price (around $80), they have been awesome. I heartily recommend them to anyone on a tight budget. But with the poor/low light and stormy weather, it was hard to see details. Examples: I saw a bird on top of a very tall tree yesterday. It sat there. I got as close as I could, but I still couldn't get a good view of it. It seemed to have a white or pale lower back. The only thing I could think of that it could be was a Bobolink, but I've never seen one, so I'm not sure. Also, I saw a very active small bird, probably a warbler of some kind, flittering rapidly around the branches about 20 feet high near me. I was able to study it for awhile, but it was in the shade and it was already cloudy, so I'm not sure. I never got good looks at its head. IT was yellowish, especially on the chest and underparts, and streaky on top. Very small; didn't see any hook to the bill-tip like a vireo might have. Shaped like a warbler. Could have been a female or immature Yellow Warbler, but not sure. Both birds would have been seen better with 10 power or better optical quality, or both. The same with one small egret I saw a couple times over the weekend, which seemed to have a dark bill. Could have been Snowy Egret, which I've never seen, but couldn't make out leg color for sure. Same with some peeps (small sandpipers) that deserved closer looks.
Time to update my bird sighting from the last few days, maybe (9-12 to 9-14)? Due to the hard rains and rising lake, didn't see much. It was hard to get good looks with my 7 x 35 binoculars (Nikon Actions, if you care..and if you’re reading this other crap, why wouldn't you care?). It was definitely weather that would have made having a) a spotting scope, b) 10 power binoculars, or c) high-grade optics, with better light transmission and clarity worth having. But I have to say, I bought these binoculars several years ago after long, careful research on what the best low-end binoculars were, and for the price (around $80), they have been awesome. I heartily recommend them to anyone on a tight budget. But with the poor/low light and stormy weather, it was hard to see details. Examples: I saw a bird on top of a very tall tree yesterday. It sat there. I got as close as I could, but I still couldn't get a good view of it. It seemed to have a white or pale lower back. The only thing I could think of that it could be was a Bobolink, but I've never seen one, so I'm not sure. Also, I saw a very active small bird, probably a warbler of some kind, flittering rapidly around the branches about 20 feet high near me. I was able to study it for awhile, but it was in the shade and it was already cloudy, so I'm not sure. I never got good looks at its head. IT was yellowish, especially on the chest and underparts, and streaky on top. Very small; didn't see any hook to the bill-tip like a vireo might have. Shaped like a warbler. Could have been a female or immature Yellow Warbler, but not sure. Both birds would have been seen better with 10 power or better optical quality, or both. The same with one small egret I saw a couple times over the weekend, which seemed to have a dark bill. Could have been Snowy Egret, which I've never seen, but couldn't make out leg color for sure. Same with some peeps (small sandpipers) that deserved closer looks.
9-11-09
Observations from: Holiday Park, Benbrook Lake, Texas:
I saw (along with the ubiquitous Great Blue and Great Egrets) a Little Blue Heron (an adult and later, a whitish juvenile), a juvenile Tricolored Heron (color scheme matched my Peterson Guide like it was painted from it), a group of peeps (more follows), a Spotted Sandpiper (took me a while, but an ID I'm proud of), several Killdeer, and a Black Vulture. All these count as Life birds since I'm starting a formal list from only what I've seen this year. It was my first time ever actually watching/noticing sandpipers or shorebirds (other than Plovers) of any kind. . I think the peeps may have been Pectorals (or possibly Westerns); I didn't note the color of the legs, which would have really helped id them, according to the Petersons. Well I'm still learning. Based on bill size/shape and scaled look on some I think (won't be counting these) they were juvenile and adult Pectorals, mostly, with maybe some Westerns mixed in. I enjoyed the challenge anyway.
I saw (along with the ubiquitous Great Blue and Great Egrets) a Little Blue Heron (an adult and later, a whitish juvenile), a juvenile Tricolored Heron (color scheme matched my Peterson Guide like it was painted from it), a group of peeps (more follows), a Spotted Sandpiper (took me a while, but an ID I'm proud of), several Killdeer, and a Black Vulture. All these count as Life birds since I'm starting a formal list from only what I've seen this year. It was my first time ever actually watching/noticing sandpipers or shorebirds (other than Plovers) of any kind. . I think the peeps may have been Pectorals (or possibly Westerns); I didn't note the color of the legs, which would have really helped id them, according to the Petersons. Well I'm still learning. Based on bill size/shape and scaled look on some I think (won't be counting these) they were juvenile and adult Pectorals, mostly, with maybe some Westerns mixed in. I enjoyed the challenge anyway.
9-08-09
Observations from: Holiday Park, Benbrook Lake, Texas:
So, I camped at my new "home" last night. I actually enjoyed it, mostly. I sat by the lake in a folding camp chair and watched birds for awhile. I saw a Great Egret, a great Blue Heron, a small heron which I later decided was either a Little Blue Heron, or a Reddish Egret (it fed kind of frenetically, so even though the RE is mostly coastal according to my field guides, it could have been?). I didn't take a good look at the bill color or the legs, which might have clinched it. Also saw a Turkey Vulture, a male Eastern Bluebird, a Western Kingbird, and heard about 5 billion Kildeer (but didn't see any in the binoculars). Also some American Crows. Some of these were "life" birds for me, since I am just starting to become a lister. More on this on future posts.
So, I camped at my new "home" last night. I actually enjoyed it, mostly. I sat by the lake in a folding camp chair and watched birds for awhile. I saw a Great Egret, a great Blue Heron, a small heron which I later decided was either a Little Blue Heron, or a Reddish Egret (it fed kind of frenetically, so even though the RE is mostly coastal according to my field guides, it could have been?). I didn't take a good look at the bill color or the legs, which might have clinched it. Also saw a Turkey Vulture, a male Eastern Bluebird, a Western Kingbird, and heard about 5 billion Kildeer (but didn't see any in the binoculars). Also some American Crows. Some of these were "life" birds for me, since I am just starting to become a lister. More on this on future posts.
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