Birds Mentioned:
MASKED DUCK*
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE
BROAD-WINGED HAWK
SWAINSON'S HAWK
MERLIN
PEREGRINE FALCON
KING RAIL
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD
VERMILION FLYCATCHER
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER
COUCH'S KINGBIRD
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATHCHER
BLUE-HEADED VIREO
VERDIN
GRAY CATBIRD
TENNESSEE WARBLER
NASHVILLE WARBLER
NORTHERN PARULA
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER
PALM WARBLER
BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER
HOODED WARBLER
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE
SPOTTED TOWHEE
EASTERN TOWHEE
CASSIN'S SPARROW
BOTTERI'S SPARROW
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW
**Transcript:
Compiler: Jim Hailey
Transcriber: Jim Hailey
Counties covered: Aransas, Bee, Duval, Goliad, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg,
Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio.
Internet: <A HREF="irasciblej@aol.com">irasciblej@aol.com</A>
Phone: (512) 994-1167
Contributing Reporters:Patty Beasley, Boyd Bauer, Joan Holt, Beth Hoekje,
Jimmy Jackson, Mike Marsden, Glenn Perrigo, Joel & Vicki Simon, and Kent
Taylor.
This week's IBR reveals the early stages of spring migration have begun here
along the Coastal Bend. From my vantage point in southern Duval County this
past week I have observed the ritual of spring in full swing. A Bewick's Wren
is building a nest in a hole in one of the nearby fence post; the morning air
is filled with territorial calls from a myraid of species preparing to
replenish their numbers; and the wildflowers dot the pastures lending a touch
of color to this semi-arid brush country giving it a special springtime
flavor. Even in drought, the desert blooms.
MASKED DUCKS were observed on the La Parra Division of the Kenedy Ranch. And
Glenn Perrigo reports singing BOTTERI'S SPARROWS in adjacent Kleberg county
near Baffin Bay.
In Aransas County Jane Wicker had a good week birding from the report I
recieved. At the NWR she had singing NORTHERN PARULA, a GRAY CATBIRD, an
overflying SWALLOW-TAILED KITE and a KING RAIL at Hogg Pond. A Swallow-
tailed Kite, one of my favorites, was also reported by Lee Hutchings at Welder
Park in San Patricio county. Lee also found a SWAINSON'S HAWK and SCISSOR-
TAILED FLYCATCHER. Scissor-tail Flycatchers are a sure sign of spring in
south Texas and they were observed by Jim Hailey on several occassion in Duval
County as well.
In the northern areas of the the Coastal Bend observers Jimmy Jackson and Boyd
Bauer had several interesting sighting in Bee county. They reported
SWAINSON'S HAWK, NASHVILLE WARBLER, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, and HOODED WARBLER and
an early BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER. All of these represent the first wave of
spring migrants.
Back in Nueces County warblers head the list of noteables. Mel & Arlie
Cooksey reproted HOODED, NASHVILLE and BLACK AND WHITE WARBLERS at Blucher
Park downtown. They also turned up both SPOTTED AND EASTERN TOWHEE at
Blucher. Out in Flour Bluff Judith Reader reports sighting an ANNA'S
HUMMINGBIRD, NORTHERN PARULA, YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER and a PALM WARBLER. And
Patty Beasley noted both MERLIN AND PEREGRINE FALCONS are still present on
Mustang Island. All of these are great sightings
And last but not least Jim Hailey reports seeing a nesting pair of VERMILLION
FLYCATHCERS, MERLIN, VERDIN, ASH-THROATED AND SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER,
COUCH'S KINGBIRD, and TENNESSEE WARBLER on his ranch in Duval County.
CASSIN'S SPARROWS were heard singing, while CLAY-COLORED AND BLACK-THROATED
SPARROWS competed for the air waves,,,,, Stay tuned for more reports on spring
migration.
For anyone interested this Saturday the Audubon Outdoor Club will have a field
trip to the Welder Ranch for any interested persons. Be at the gate by 8:00
sharp or you don't get in. For more information see the
<A HREF="http://www.electrotex.com/aoc/">AOC</A> web page.
*End Transcript
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The new Corpus Christi Hotline phone number is 512/883-7410. Kent Taylor is
manning the new service of the Audubon Outdoor Club. Please report your
sightings in the Corpus Chrisit area. The Hotline will be updated on Sunday
and Thursday.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please send any unusual sightings in the counties listed above to Jim Hailey
<irasciblej@aol.com> or phone (512) 994-1167. Additional information on
birding in the Coastal Bend can be found on the Audubon Outdoor Club web page
http://www.electrotex.com/aoc/.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*Denotes Texas Review Species, sighting reports should be sent to the
Texas Bird Records Committee, Greg Lasley, 305 Loganberry Ct Austin, TX
78745-6527 or contact Greg Lasley <glasley@earthlink.net>.