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Old Birding Texas website had 4014 visitors from 9/26/98 to 6/29/00 Send questions and comments to [email protected] Golden-cheeked Warbler photo by Greg Lasley |
11/11/01 - I led a Prairie & Timbers Audubon field trip to Spring Creek Park Preserve this morning. The weather was overcast with light rain off and on, but the birds were active and in good numbers. New migrants and winter arrivals were 4 Hooded Mergansers flying over, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, numerous Golden-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrush, Blue-headed Vireo, numerous towhees of both species, 2 Grasshopper Sparrows, 3 Le Conte's Sparrows, 1 Fox Sparrow, and good numbers of other sparrows. Click here to see the complete list. 11/3/01 - The Ft. Worth Audubon field trip to LBJ Grasslands was a success. We found a few raptors riding the thermals, a good mix of sparrows including a a very cooperative LeConte's and a couple Grasshoppers, a dozen Bobwhite, and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. In the afternoon we headed down to Mustang Park at Benbrook Lake and found the Long-tailed Jaeger. When we got there the bird was sitting on the water waaay out on the lake, but eventually a motor boat spooked it and it flew over to the birding crowd on the peninsula a couple of times. The bird is very tame, flying within just a few feet of our heads, looking around for fish handouts. A very handsome and healthy looking juvenile. You can see photos of the jaeger at Martin Reid's website. 10/27/01 - I checked out the Dexham Road marsh (private property) in Rowlett this afternoon and found numerous Swamp Sparrows, a Marsh Wren, and heard a Virginia Rail and a Sora calling from the cattails. Later on at Spring Creek Park Preserve we found Vesper, Field, White-crowned, White-throated, and another Swamp Sparrow. A female Eastern Bluebird was perched in the top of a tree in the field - the first bluebird to arrive after their several-month-long post-breeding absence. 10/24/01 - Finally, we found some wild orchids growing at Spring Creek Park Preserve. More than 20 Great Plains Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes magnicamporum) are blooming in the field. Best bird of the day was a Sedge Wren flushed from the field, along with 3 Grasshopper Sparrows, 2 meadowlark sp. A White-throated Sparrow was in the cedar-elm copse. 10/14/01
- While unsuccessfully searching for the reported Yellow-billed Loon north of Lake Lavon this morning, I found it to be a decent birding day,
especially for hawks. A single Sprague's Pipit was a good find, flying over
FM 2756 at the north end of the Lake. Later I stopped by
Spring
Creek Park Preserve in Garland, and happened upon a steady stream of Turkey Vultures
heading south, with some hawks mixed in. Highlights: 10/6/01 - A few fall arrivals at Hagerman NWR today. Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Wigeon, and Pintail. A Northern Harrier cruised by the lake's edge. A Sora called from a marshy field. Cooper's, Red-shouldered, Broad-winged, Red-tailed Hawks, and Kestrels took advantage of the thermals. Daytime migrating Northern Flickers were very visible today. Over 100 Scissor-tails congregated along the phone wires, staging for their southward migration. A single Wilson's Warbler was heard calling from the brush, and a Grasshopper Sparrow was flushed into the open. A flock of 200 American White Pelicans soared over town on the drive up. 9/29/01 - A speedy Merlin cruised over my neighborhood in Richardson this afternoon, easily evading the berating Chimney Swifts. 9/25/01 - Flushed the first Grasshopper Sparrow of the fall today from the field at Spring Creek Park Preserve. They breed in certain areas of NCTX but are only found as migrants at Spring Creek. 9/8/01 - A few migrants were passing through One-Eleven Ranch Park this afternoon. A few Wilson's, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, and Mourning Warblers, Baltimore Orioles, Eastern Wood-Pewees, and Least Flycatchers. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were in good numbers. Also found a pair of Eastern Bluebirds with a juvenile, evidence of local nesting. 9/3/01 - Highlight of a run down to Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant was a pair of first year Roseate Spoonbills hanging out with 1 adult White Ibis and 10 White-faced. Also had 16 shorebird species including 2 Semipalmated Plovers, 25 Buff-breasted, and numerous Avocets. 9/1/01 - Awesome fall day at Arapaho Park in north Dallas and nearby Prairie Creek Park in Richardson. 2 Canada Warblers, 9 Black-and-whites, 35 Yellow, 30 Wilson's, 18 Mourning, 1 Prothonotary, 2 Nashville, 2 N. Waterthrush, 1 Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue-headed, Red-eyed, White-eyed, and Warbling Vireos, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Chuck-will's-Widows, plenty of Empids including Yellow-bellieds, 2 Olive-sided Flycatchers, 5 pewees, 20 Baltimore Orioles, 1 Orchard, Painted and Indigo Buntings, 25 Gnatcatchers, Dickcissels, YB Cuckoo, and Upland Sandpiper. Then we continued onto Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant and found 10 White-faced Ibis, 100's of Blue-winged Teal, 3 Tricolored Herons (including a juvenile), 14 species of shorebirds, 50-60 Black Terns, a few Forster's Terns, and 2 more Olive-sided Flycatchers.
8/8/01 - Shorebirds are passing through in good numbers at Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant. Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted, Western, Least, Pectoral, Stilt, and Buff-breasted Sandpipers, dowitcher sp, and Wilson's Phalarope. Tricolored Heron and the usual suspects hanging around. Best bird of the day was an eclipse male Greater Scaup in one of the large southern ponds July 29 - Aug. 4 - Trip to Southeast Arizona, through West Texas and New Mexico. Elegant Trogon, Painted Redstart, Red-faced Warbler, Common Black-Hawk, and plenty more. Click here for trip report. 7/21/01 - 200-300 Wood Storks at Richland Creek WMA today, during a Prairie & Timbers Audubon field trip. All seen from the bridge along Hwy 287 just a few feet past FM 488. All sitting in trees and feeding in wetlands visible from the road, but most spooked and kettled away. Other highlights: White Ibis, Least Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatchers, Swainson's and Black-and-white Warblers, Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat, Orchard Orioles, Pileated and Red-headed Woodpeckers. Just as exciting as the storks was seeing a very large, healthy looking Bobcat walking leisurely along the shore of a large pond at the North Unit. It walked in the open for several minutes and drank from the pond, allowing excellent scope views of such a beautiful animal. 7/16/01 - Shorebirds are passing through our area. At Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant today I found 12 species of shorebirds: Killdeer, BN Stilt, Avocet, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary, Spotted, Semipalmated, Western, Least, Pectoral, and Stilt Sandpipers, and 2 unidentified dowitchers. Best birds of the day were a GLOSSY IBIS with 1 White-faced and 6 unidentified Plegadis ibis, and one BANK SWALLOW among hundreds of Barns and dozens of Cliff Swallows. Also the typical Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Tricolored Heron, Common Moorhen, Least Terns, and others. 6/23/01 - Breeding warblers, Mississippi Kites, Broad-winged Hawks, Pileated, Red-headed, Hairy, Downy, Red-bellied Woodpeckers were some highlights from a Prairie & Timbers Audubon trip to Caddo National Grasslands in Fannin County today. We found the following warblers, all apparently breeders: Prothonotary, Yellow-throated, Pine, Kentucky, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush. 6/2/01 - Passerine migration has come to a halt, with a lingering Mourning Warbler and two Willow/Alder Flycatchers at Arapaho Park in Richardson today. 6/1/01 - At Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant today Brian Gibbons and I found an adult alternate Common Tern hanging out with several Forster's Terns of various ages and a few Least Terns. Also surprising was the concentration of shorebirds. Well over 300 White-rumped Sandpipers, 1 Buff-breasted, 6 Pectoral, 6 Stilt Sandpipers, 1 Least, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, a few Spotted, 3 Baird's, 1 Semipalmated Plover, 2 Wilson's Phalaropes, plenty of Black-necked Stilts with chicks of various ages, and some still on nests, and of course Killdeer to top the list of 12 shorebird species. Also one Neotropic Cormorant with 2 Double-crested. 5/30/01 - At Richland Creek WMA today, Brian Gibbons and I found 5 Wood Storks, 1 Roseate Spoonbill, 75 White Ibis, several Neotropic Cormorants, and a few Common Yellowthroats at the north unit. At the south unit we found several singing Kentucky and Prothonotary Warblers, abundant Northern Parulas, 2 Swainson's Warblers, Acadian Flycatcher, Pileated Woodpecker, and other summer residents. Throughout the day we found 9 species of breeding warblers in eastern Freestone County. Other finds include a pair of Yellow-throated Vireos with a fledgling, and numerous Acadian Flycatchers including one fledgling. Later in the day at Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant we found a Tricolored Heron, a Dunlin, and a Semipalmated Plover among 10 species of shorebirds. 5/28/01 - Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant was productive today with several lingering shorebirds, ducks, and a Least Bittern. The female Least Bittern was flushed from the marshy area of one of the large ponds near the headquarters building. Shorebirds seen include several Black-necked Stilts including 2 tiny babies, one Avocet, Spotted, Least, White-rumped (most numerous shorebird), Baird's, Pectoral, and Stilt Sandpipers, and one Wilson's Phalarope. 2 Bank Swallows were seen among a large colony of Cliff Swallows on the west edge of the property. We found around 100 juvenile Cliff Swallows perched on a phone line off Blindsay Road (just south of Southside). 5/8/01 - Brian Gibbons and I had an excellent afternoon of birding at Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant. Best bird was Bobolink, with around 15 birds skylarking and singing from weed stalks in the large field at the northern edge of the property. Only 1 female was seen, the rest being very handsome males. 18 species of shorebirds were seen, including about 40 Buff-breasted Sandpipers, a Hudsonian Godwit, one each of Black-bellied and Am. Golden-Plover, 2 Dunlin, a couple Baird's, a Semipalmated Plover, numerous Black-necked Stilts, lots of Lesser Yellowlegs, a few Spotted, dozens of Semipalmated, several Least, dozens of White-rumped, several Pectoral, numerous Stilt Sandpipers, about 10 dowitchers (probably Long-billed), and hundreds of Wilson's Phalaropes. Also seen were a few Black and Least Terns, Tricolored Heron, 75+ Eastern Kingbirds, Bank Swallows among the Cliffs, hundreds of Dickcissels (nest found), and at least 5 Yellow-headed Blackbirds 5/7/01 - At least 14 or 15 warbler species were found at Prairie Creek Park today. Best was a male Blackpoll in the pecans near the main parking area. Someone found a male Golden-winged this morning that I missed. Also present today was a Northern Parula, which has been absent from the park the past couple days. We also saw at least one Philadelphia Vireo. 5/6/01 - Back to Prairie Creek Park again this morning, and the migrant parade continued throughout the day. At least 15 warbler species were seen there today, including 2 Golden-winged and a Mourning. A tame Veery sang quite a bit, as did gorgeous Scarlet Tanager. Unfortunately the Cerulean Warbler was not refound today, despite intensive searching. 5/5/01 - The rain and wind last night grounded some migrants. Warblers and other passerines were unusually numerous this morning. At Spring Creek Park Preserve we found: Mississippi Kites, Olive-sided and Least Flycatchers, both kingbirds, Swainson's Thrush, Gray Catbird, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, Tennessee, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, and Wilson's Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Waterthrush, Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Dickcissel, Indigo and Painted Buntings, and Baltimore and Orchard Orioles. In the afternoon at Prairie Creek Park we found some of the same species but also Warbling Vireo, more Chestnut-sided Warblers, Blackburnian Warbler, Ovenbird, Blue Grosbeak, and the best bird of the day, a male Cerulean Warbler singing vigorously from the pecans.
4/20/01 - The Garland Landfill hosted at least 400 beautiful Franklin's Gulls this morning, all with rosy pink underparts. One of the ponds attracted several shorebirds, including Least, Semipalmated, Baird's, Pectoral, and Spotted Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Plover, and Killdeer. Afterwards I checked out Rowlett Trail and it was dead for birds until I found a Gray Catbird, Swainson's Thrush, Tennessee Warbler, and Green Heron. At least 200 noisy Franklin's Gulls flew over the park as well. 4/10/01 - I found a Blue Grosbeak in Richardson this morning, an early arrival. 4/8/01 - I heard the first Great Crested Flycatcher of the year today at Spring Creek Park Preserve. 4/3/01 - I found a pair of Eurasian Collared-Doves on a power line at the intersection of Campbell Rd. and Plano Rd. in Richardson this afternoon. 4/2/01 - I saw 3 Chimney Swifts and a migrant Swainson's Hawk from my backyard in Richardson this afternoon. 4/1/01 - Brian Gibbons and I had a great day of birding in Western NCTX (Throckmorton, Stephens, Shackelford, Young, Palo Pinto Counties). A few highlights include: Upland Sandpiper, Eurasian Collared-Dove (town of Throckmorton), several Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Red-shafted Flicker, 7 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, 85 Cave Swallows in two nesting colonies, Golden-cheeked Warbler (Stephens Co.), Rufous-crowned Sparrow, and Chestnut-collared Longspur. 3/25/01 - Brian Gibbons and I had an excellent day in North Central Texas with over 100 species, mainly around Meridian State Park and surrounding country roads and up to Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant in the afternoon. Probably the best bird of the day was a Vermilion Flycatcher in Bosque County. Migrants noted include: Cinnamon Teal - pair at Southside, Osprey, Crested Caracara, Common Moorhen - Southside, Am. Golden-Plover, Snipe, both yellowlegs, Least, Baird's, and Pectoral Sandpipers, Franklin's Gulls, Eurasian Collared-Doves in Hillsboro and Meridian, 2 Canyon Wrens at Meridian SP, many White-eyed Vireos, Nashville Warbler, at least a dozen Golden-cheeked Warblers at Meridian State Park and surrounding area, several Black-and-white Warblers, LeConte's Sparrow at Southside, and 2 Yellow-headed Blackbirds at Southside. 3/22/01- I found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Great Egret, and 100 White Pelicans at Spring Creek Park Preserve this afternoon. 3/21/01 - I found a Louisiana Waterthrush feeding along a small stagnant creek (not Spring Creek) at Spring Creek Park Preserve this afternoon. 3/20/01 - A Black-and-white Warbler was seen today at Spring Creek Park Preserve in Garland. 3/13/01 - The few spring arrivals I've seen so far in the Dallas area are Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, and Little Blue Heron. A pair of White-winged Doves finally reached my neighborhood in southeast Richardson, as they continue to extend their range northward.
1/15/01 - At Lake Ray Hubbard this morning 8:45-9:00am, Dr. Bob Stone, Brian Gibbons, and I observed a 1st winter Iceland/Thayer's Gull hanging out with a few 1st winter Herring Gulls amid a large feeding group of gulls and cormorants. This was below the peninsula just south of I-30 in the middle of the lake. Later we found a pair of adult female Long-tailed Ducks at the southeast end of the lake in the bay near the Rush Creek marina. At the Garland Landfill in the afternoon we found a Solitary Sandpiper on the mudflats. 1/6/01 - This morning there were 12 Long-eared Owls at their roost in the live oak at 1862 Amber Lane in Carrollton. There were 10 to 20 people there watching and photographing these birds. If you go, stay quiet and don't get too close to disturb the owls. Click here to see photos. 12/30/00 - On the Lake Tawakoni CBC, we had about 103 species in our zone, including 4 Purple Finches, a Pine Sisken, and a 1st winter Glaucous Gull across the road from the dam in a flooded field. The count total was about 126 species. 12/28/00 - At White Rock Lake this afternoon, Brian Gibbons, Dr.Bob Stone, and I refound the adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. This bird was originally found 12/24/00 by Matt White. At about 1pm it was towards the south end of the lake, but it flew to the north end and spent most of the time there hanging out with the feeding flock of cormorants, pelicans, and Ring-billed Gulls. It was still there as of 3:15pm when we left. 12/24/00 - At Lake Tawakoni today Brian Gibbons and I found: 1 or possibly 3 Neotropic Cormorants at Holiday Marina, 1 Crested Caracara, 25 Inca Doves, 25 Horned Larks, and dozens of Lapland and Smith's Longspurs. In my Richardson backyard this afternoon a young female Cooper's Hawk caught and devoured a plump Mourning Dove. 12/23/00 - At Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant today Brian Gibbons and I found: 1 Mottled Duck, 4 Blue-winged Teal, 1 Bald Eagle, 1 Western Sandpiper, 10 LeConte's Sparrows, 14 Lapland Longspurs, and 5 Brewer's Blackbirds. 12/17/00 - On the Lake Ray Hubbard CBC today, a few highlights from Zone 5 include 1 Ross's Goose and 200 Canada Geese at Springfield Park, 1 Merlin at the Garland landfill, 3 Le Conte's Sparrows along Ben Davis Road, and 1 Lapland Longspur flying over Spring Creek Park Preserve. Our zone tallied 77 species. 12/16/00 - On the Dallas CBC today, our zone tallied about 77 species. Highlights include Osprey, Sedge Wren, and Le Conte's Sparrow. Brian Gibbons found a Glaucous Gull on White Rock Lake on 12/15 while scouting. 12/10/00 - At Lake Tawakoni today I found a juvenile Pacific Loon hanging out with 10-15 Common Loons just off the dam. Also found a female Long-tailed Duck close to shore near the end of FM 1480 before she flew off towards the inlet at the north end of the dam. Also saw an adult Neotropic Cormorant at Holiday Marina. Smith's Longspurs were in their traditional cow pasture, and 25 Lapland Longspurs flew over. 2 Le Conte's Sparrows were in their traditional field adjacent to the Smith's pasture. Other highlights include: Redhead - 50, Red-breasted Merganser - dozens, Common Goldeneye ~30, and a few Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Ruddy Duck, and Bufflehead. 12/9/00 - Along the Rowlett Trail off Miller Road at the northwest side of Lake Ray Hubbard this morning, Peter Billingham, Brian Gibbons, and I saw an adult Peregrine perched on the snags over the water, and chasing a few ducks. Also saw 2 Pine Warblers, 1 House Wren, and heard a Sedge Wren. 12/3/00 - At the Village Creek stirring tanks this morning Brian Gibbons and I saw the Black-headed Gull at 7:45am and again at 10:30am. Along Markum Ranch Road and Old Aledo Road in southwest Tarrant County we found at least 2 juvenile light morph Ferruginous Hawks, along with dozens of Red-tailed Hawks (including a couple Krider's), Northern Harriers, Kestrels, and Turkey and Black Vultures. We saw 3 Purple Finches along FM 1187. 11/26/00 - Today Brian Gibbons, Peter Billingham, and I went out to Lake Tawakoni and found about 72 species. Highlights include 2 Greater Scaup, 20 Common Goldeneye, dozens of Red-breasted Mergansers, a few Bald Eagles, 2 Bewick's Wrens, Pine Warblers, LeConte's Sparrow, 15 Lapland Longspurs, and awesome close-range looks at about 100 Smith's Longspurs. 11/25/00 - At Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant today, Brian Gibbons and I saw about 50 species, including 4 Western Sandpipers, 1 Dunlin, 7 Long-billed Dowitchers, 30 Horned Larks, 100 Lapland Longspur, and 1 McCown's Longspur. 11/24/00 - At White Rock Lake today, Brian Gibbons and I saw about 47 species, including 2 eclipse/female-type Red-breasted Mergansers on the lake. Duck and gull numbers were very low. Also had 2 Winter Wrens in the fish hatchery. 11/22/00 - At Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant today, Brian Gibbons, Matt White, Dr. Bob Stone, and I had about 78 species, including Oldsquaw, Crested Caracara, Greater Scaup, 40 LeConte's Sparrows, Blue-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, Herring Gull, Marsh Wren, longspur sp. Total of 16 duck species, 12 sparrow species. 11/21/00 - At Springfield Park in Rowlett this afternoon I saw 15 Rusty Blackbirds mixed in with a huge flock of mixed blackbirds. I also saw 5 Horned Larks, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 15 Common Snipe, 1 Lesser Scaup, and 30 Eastern Meadowlarks. At a nearby cattail marsh along Dexham Road I saw about 8 Swamp Sparrows. At a large landfill in Garland, there were hundreds of gulls, as well as a few Shovelers and other unidentified ducks, and about 50 Least Sandpipers. 11/14/00 - We finally have Eastern Bluebirds at
Spring
Creek Park Preserve. I saw 6 there today. Other new arrivals and interesting
species seen there today include: Cedar Waxwing, Spotted Towhee, Field, Fox, Song,
White-throated, and Harris's Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, American Goldfinch, and
meadowlark sp. Along Ben Davis Road in Garland I saw a late Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
10/28/00 - At the White Rock Lake Old Fish Hatchery this morning I saw 10-15 White-winged Doves,late-migrating Chimney Swifts, White-eyed Vireo, and Dickcissels, as well as Brown Creepers, Orange-crowned, Nashville, Yellow-rumped, and Black-throated Green Warblers, Chipping, Clay-colored, and Field Sparrows, and a Dark-eyed Junco.
10/9/00 - At Spring Creek Park Preserve this afternoon I saw a Northern Harrier, Broad-winged and Red-shouldered Hawks, Common Yellowthroat, Nashville Warblers, Summer Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Chipping, Clay-colored, Grasshopper, and Lincoln's Sparrows.
10/7/00 - Even with the rain and cold, we managed to find some good birds at the White Rock Lake Old Fish Hatchery and spillway. Highlights include: Osprey, Cooper's Hawk, American Avocet, Franklin's Gull, Marsh Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Orange-crowned, Nashville, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Wilson's Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, and Clay-colored Sparrow.
10/6/00 - The cold front last night brought in a few migrants at Spring Creek Park Preserve. This afternoon I saw 2 Sharp-shinned and 1 Swainson's Hawk, a young Red-headed Woodpecker, several Northern Flickers, several E. Phoebes, several House Wrens, 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, 2 Orange-crowned, 4 Nashville, and 1 Wilson's Warbler, 1 Summer Tanager, 6 Chipping, 3 Field, and 1 Lincoln's Sparrow, 1 possible Savannah Sparrow, and 2 Grasshopper/LeConte's Sparrows (seen in flight). The most amazing thing was seeing 100's or 1000's of Monarchs migrating overhead. 10/1/00 - I saw 2 Sedge Wrens at Spring Creek Park Preserve today. 9/24/00 - The cold front brought in some interesting birds. At Spring Creek Park Preserve I saw the following: Cooper's Hawk, House Wren, Brown Thrasher, Tennessee Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Summer Tanager, Chipping Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, American Goldfinch. At White Rock Lake I saw: Canada Goose, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Broad-winged Hawk, Inca Dove, Tree Swallow, House Wren, Marsh Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Gray Catbird, Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Clay-colored Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Dickcissel, Baltimore Oriole. 9/23/00 - Chipping Sparrows and House Wrens have arrived in North Central Texas. At Lake Ray Hubbard today I saw: Black-crowned Night-Heron, Osprey, Ring-billed Gull, Forster's Tern (75), and Northern Flicker. 9/17/00 - A juvenile Sora was found dead in the field at Spring Creek Park Preserve yesterday.
9/10/00 - At Spring Creek Park Preserve this afternoon I saw a Nashville Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Baltimore Oriole.
9/9/00 - The Prairie & Timbers Audubon field trip to Spring Creek Park Preserve and One-Eleven Ranch Park found several interesting migrants. A single Wood Stork soared over Spring Creek. E. Wood-Pewee, Warbling Vireos, Swainson's Thrush, Yellow, Blackburnian, Black-and-white, Mourning, and Wilson's Warblers, Ovenbird, Dickcissel, and Baltimore Oriole. At One-Eleven we found a Northern Parula, Black-and-white, and Wilson's Warblers, and more Baltimore Orioles. 9/5/00 - This morning at Prairie Creek Park in Richardson, Brian Gibbons and I found a Bell's Vireo and Ovenbird. At Arapaho Park we found a Mourning Warbler, 1 or 2 Yellow-breasted Chats, 1 Wilson's, and about 5 Yellow Warblers, 2 Least and 2 "Traill's" Flycatchers, 1 Baltimore/Bullock's type oriole, 2 Dickcissels, and an Eastern Kingbird. 9/4/00 - There was a Bell's Vireo at Rowlett Creek Preserve in Garland this afternoon, along with a couple Wilson's and Yellow Warblers, Baltimore Oriole, Gray Catbird, Blue Grosbeak, and "Traill's" Flycatcher. At the north end of Lake Ray Hubbard I saw a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 3 Pectoral Sands, 6 Least, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, and at least 30 Forster's Terns. 9/2/00 - There was a Bell's Vireo at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in west Plano this afternoon. The habitat looks good for them to nest. Also had a Blue Grosbeak at Connemara Conservancy in Allen. Saw a few Orchard Orioles and Yellow Warblers at both places. 8/20/00 - The female Rufous Hummingbird is still in my backyard. 8/19/00 - I have an adult female Rufous Hummingbirds at my feeders in Richardson. The Dallas Audubon Society field trip to Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant led by Dr. Bob Stone turned up 81 species, including: about 100 Wood Storks, Mottled Duck, Least Tern, Black Tern, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, 18 species of shorebirds, dozens of Yellow Warblers, Common Moorhen, Neotropic and Double-crested Cormorants, and plenty of other birds. 2 Roseate Spoonbills were also seen at Southside today. 8/6/00 - At Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant this morning were 83 Wood Storks, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Mottled Duck, Ring-necked Duck, White Ibis, Snow Goose, Anhinga, White Pelicans, Tricolored Heron, Least Tern, and a few shorebirds: Wilson's Phalarope, Short-billed Dowitcher, Black-necked Stilt, Semipalmated, Least, Pectoral, Solitary, and Stilt Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Killdeer. Northern Shoveler was also hanging out near the other ducks. Beware: most of the ponds are full of water, so the lack of open mud means less shorebirds. Village Creek Drying Beds is better for shorebirds right now. 7/30/00 - The first fall migrant Black-and-white Warbler was at Spring Creek Park Preserve today. 7/29/00 - A Glossy Ibis was found by J.W. Sifford at Village Creek Drying Beds in Ft.Worth, and seen by 4 other people, including myself. It was hanging out with 2 White-faced and 4 White Ibis on one of the two large eastern ponds. 13 species of shorebirds were among the 62 total species counted: Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary, Spotted, Upland, Semipalmated, Western, Least, Baird's, Pectoral, and Stilt Sandpipers. 7/27/00 - At the White Rock Lake spillway today there were about 300 Least Sandpipers and quite a few Killdeer mixed in. In the Old Fish Hatchery there was a juvenile Cooper's Hawk, juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk, and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. 7/25/00 - Went out to the north end of Lake Ray Hubbard east of Dallas today and found 12 Forster's Terns, most in breeding plumage, and 3 Neotropic Cormorants. 7/22/00 - Heard at least one migrant Dickcissel today at Spring Creek. Also had a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher which was probably an early fall migrant. The first White-faced Ibis of the fall was seen yesterday by Sheridan Coffey at Village Creek Drying Beds. 7/19/00 - Shorebirds seen by Sheridan Coffey at Village Creek Drying Beds today: Stilt Sandpipers, Pectorals, Solitary, both Yellowlegs, lots of Spotted, Westerns, Semipalmated, Black-necked Stilt, a Short-billed Dowitcher in breeding plumage (ssp. hendersonii) and probably over a hundred Least Sandpipers. 7/15/00 - Went out to Village Creek Drying Beds today. Found 2 very young White Ibis, and Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks with 11 half-grown chicks. Shorebirds were pretty good but still too early for peak migration. Lots of Solitary, Least, both Yellowlegs, and Killdeer, and a few Semipalmated and Spotted Sandpipers. Also had 2 Mississippi Kites, Northern Shovelers, and Blue-winged Teal. At nearby River Legacy Park, saw the first Tarrant County record of nesting Broad-winged Hawks; 3 fledged juveniles and one adult near the nest. You can see photos of the Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks and White Ibis in the Photo section. 7/14/00 - Shorebird migration is picking up every day. American Avocet, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, and a Sora have been seen at Village Creek Drying Beds in Ft.Worth. The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck chicks there are getting bigger. 7/8/00 - Birding is slow around here, but Wood Storks are showing up at various places, including Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant. Shorebirds are returning for fall migration. 6/24/00 - This website has moved from its old location <http://members.aol.com/kinglet32>. Let me know what you think of the new site
6/19/00 A pair of Blue-winged Teal was hanging out at a small man-made pond near the intersection of Coit and Campbell Roads in Richardson this morning. This is very late in the year for Blue-winged Teal.
6/17/00 At Ray Roberts Lake State Park in Denton County today I had Red-headed Woodpecker, White-eyed, Warbling, and Red-eyed Vireos, White-breasted Nuthatch, several nesting Northern Parulas and Prothonotary Warblers, and Summer Tanagers 6/14/00
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