1st Annual Pasadena Birding adventure

Today I took a group out to El Franco to see what we could find. I decided to get there earlier to see what I could flush up. I definitely got looks of very cool birds. Before everyone showed up I did see the mating pair of pileated woodpeckers  and a scissor tailed flycatcher so my hopes were high for the group.

Scissor tailed flycatcher, photo by Shaun Owen

When everyone showed up we took to the gazebo and noticed a red shouldered hawk and some other common birds. I was able to "phish" out a few tufted titmouse along the ditch. Then we walked down the path a ways. Grace noticed something but because of the size I immediately disregarded it. Thinking it was dove or a mockingbird. She corrected me and sure enough it was a Yellow billed cuckoo. Now that is a find out at El Franco. We are able to get a very good look at it. The cool thing about these is that they are very secretive. Most people hardly get a look at one and we were able to see two! That is another addition to the list.

Some other birds seen included yellow crowned night herons, carolina wrens, carolina chickadees, tufted titmouse, red bellied woodpecker, eastern wood pewee, red shouldered hawk, ring necked duck, wood ducks, little blue herons, great egret, white ibis, and northern cardinals.

It was a successful day with a great addition to the list. Until next time, happy birding!

Current Moderate Year Count - 171 Species
Recently added - Yellow billed cuckoo

Ol stomping grounds

I went out to El Franco yesterday to find my "Chi"... Well there was a little action there. I heard that this past weekend was where all the birds were... According to Stephan major fallout occurred this past weekend. That wasn't the case yesterday but I did catch a few stragglers and added one bird.

First I was able to catch a Tennessee and a Orchard Oriole hanging around the beginning of the trail...

I continued down and the usual Eastern Kingbirds hung around like usual and then I found another flock. In this flock of birds was the Carolina Chickadee, Red Eyed Vireo, Tennessee Warbler, and a Blackburnian warbler (new one for the year).


Blackburnian Warlber, Photo by Shaun Owen

 That ended my trip... It was nice to get out and the weather was wonderful. This weekend is the 1st annual Pasadena Birding Adventure so hopefully we will get some nice warblers and a bunch of species. Until next time, Happy Birding!

Current Moderate Year Count - 170 Species
Recently Added - Blackburnian Warbler

Golden Cheeked Warbler...

So the past few days have been crazy. In my last job someone was dumb and I had to go testify for the past two days. I took the time in central Texas to take advantage of the habitat. I wanted to get a look at a real endangered species. The Golden Cheeked Warbler (GCW). Now this species is rare and causes alot of hooplah in central Texas. This is because it is on the endangered species list. It was added to the list in 1990 where it has remained due to habitat encroachment. The GCW prefers rocky hillsides of juniper so that's where we went.

I decided to check out prospect park in San Marcos first. Well needless to say I didn't come up with much. Just lots of vireos, house finches, and a juvenile lesser goldfinch.

House Finch, Photo by Shaun Owen

The next day we went further west to Pergatory Park and let me tell you how many painteds we saw... I think there were at least 20 painteds just at the entrance. When we drove into the park there was one on the road foraging.

Painted Bunting, Photo by Shaun Owen

Well we got to walking and I was just hoping to get a sound of a golden cheeked... We walked and walked. Finally I almost gave up. Meghan said "NO! We have to see this darn bird". Good thing we continued because about fifteen more minutes down the trail and I heard it. We got real quiet and just waited to see where exactly that sound came from... And sure enough!!! This guy spotted us just as I pulled up my camera. I was able to get a few clicks in before he went on his way. Hopefully he's out there repopulating the species somewhere.

Golden Cheeked Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

 Happy to see that guy and hopefully he will makes tons more of them so that 20-30 years from now when I actually decide to do a big year I can add his great grandchildren to my list. Until next time happy birding!

Current Moderate Year Count - 169 Species
Recently Added Species - Western Kingbird, Golden Cheeked Warbler

Common nighthawk

I went to pick up a package near beltway 8 and 45... And... Long story short they messed it up but I think it was fate. I walked outside and looked up. What I saw was a common nighthawk. That's a new bird. No picture :( until next time happy birding. Current moderate year count - 167 species Recently added - common nighthawk

In search for a painted bunting...

So after waiting for the wind to die down and migration to pick back up I decided to take Meghan for a trip to Brazos Bend. They are known to have painted buntings and she desperately wanted to see one.

The day started out rough... I forgot my SD card so I had to drive an extra 30 minutes to buy one. (now I have an extra) Well after that the day started rolling in... Oh and I guess it was fate that I had to buy one because I saw a Mississippi Kite on my way. (Plus one)

When we got to the 40 mile lake there were many White Eyed Vireos just chirping away. "Quick, get the beer check." One of my favorites.

White Eyed Vireo, Photo by Shaun Owen

You can definitely see why they are called "white eyed".

Once we started walking around there were tons of little blues and yellow crowns. The one addition that I was able to add to the list was a Purple Gallinule.

Purple Gallinule, Photo by Shaun Owen

Then after continuing around past the observation tower I decided to walk around towards the car. I was able pick out what I was looking for. I had heard that prothonotary warblers nest along the levee and sure enough. Found this guy singing, "sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet."

Prothonotary Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

He looks much like a blue winged warbler but without the eye line and slightly larger.

We walked around a bit and then... In some of the open wooded habitat (older growth) we found what Meghan was looking for.

Painted Bunting, Photo by Shaun Owen

He was awesome and Meghan was very excited. They are quite the bird. Many people think that this bird was let loose or they say "Oh that's someone's pet that got away." But no, this is native to Texas. They are very striking.

Painted Bunting, Photo by Shaun Owen

Overall they day was very successful. If anyone wants to go on a birding trip I am more than willing to take a trip. I have had a few people interested in going out birding with me so just let me know. Until next time happy birding!

Current Moderate Year Count - 166 Species
Recently Added Species - Painted Bunting, Purple Gallinule, Prothonotary Warbler

High Island

So for a professional development(PD) opportunity I was able to go birding and get inservice hours at the same time! The bad news was that the birds were not the best I have ever seen. But the good news is that I added new birds!!!

I showed up pretty early to get some personal birding before the actual PD. I did walk around a bit and there wasn't that much active. I did get to sneak up on a yellow breasted chat... Not a very good picture considering it was so dark... But a new bird to the list nonetheless.

Then as everyone showed up and they were telling us different information a scarlet tanager and a rose breasted grosbeak kept landing around her. To say the least I was slightly distracted. Not a great picture... He really didn't want to pose.

Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Photo by Shaun Owen

 Then we decided to take a walk down in search of some indigos... Nothing really exciting happened... It was a very very slow morning... When we got back to the main bleachers a Northern Waterthrush (new bird) decided to walk along the bank of the small water feature.

It was about 10 o'clock when we decided to check out the rookery. Besides the massive amounts of roseate spoonbills, cormorants, snowy egrets, and great egrets there wasn't much going on. The one bird that we did see had about 20 people trying to scope it out and it was just a Tennessee Warbler. They all thought they had seen a blackpoll so they were trying to work very hard for it. The one thing about that is that luck plays a huge factor.

That brings me to our lunch... We got back to Boy Scout Woods and started to eat lunch. Then all of a sudden a Blackpoll flew right in above us. Complete Luck!

Blackpoll Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

The pictures were not that great because of lighting.

Boy Scout Woods was a bust but I really had a good time and I want to thank everyone that was out there. So after everyone left I decided to blaze my regular spot... I traveled down to LaFitte's Cove... It wasn't much better but I did get some decent pictures.

Tennessee Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

Then there was this guy who did not want to stay still.

Blue Winged Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

Or this new bird to the list...

Red Eyed Vireo, Photo by Shaun Owen

But I really think the best picture of the day is the molting tanager.

Summer Tanager, Photo by Shaun Owen

After a few hours... I decided to get out of there. It was a long day but also exciting. Until next time happy birding!

Current Moderate Year Count - 162 Species
Recently Added Species - Blackpoll, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Yellow Breasted Chat, Northern Waterthrush, Red Eyed Vireo

One week later...

Got back from Iowa and weather was horrible... Not much to see but I was able to get a canada goose and common grackle. No pictures. It's hard to bring the camera.

Today though was the good day... I was able to get some really good pictures. I saw about 5 or 6 Indigo's and a couple orioles.

Baltimore Oriole

Orchard Oriole

The eastern bluebirds were also back but couldn't get any good pictures of them. I did get some Eastern Kingbirds. There were about 3 of them lingering around but the best picture I could get is...

Eastern Kingbird

This weekend... High Island...

Current Moderate Year Count - 153
Recently Added Species - Eastern Kingbird, Mottled Duck, Orchard Oriole

Adding 1 more...

Ok so after getting some verification I am adding one more bird to the list...But first another good pic - Swamp Sparrow.

Swamp Sparrow, Photo by Shaun Owen

And the new one a Tennessee Warbler...

Tennessee Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

So after that it brings my total to a whopping 142!!! That's crazy. It has only been 4 months and I haven't traveled outside of Texas. I am very lucky to live in this state. Next weekend we are taking a trip to Iowa so I might be able to get some Iowian birds in. In the meantime I might just make another trip down to Galveston.

Until next time Happy Birding!

Current Moderate Year Count - 142 Species
Recently added - Tennessee Warbler

Galveston, Oh how wonderful!

Traveled down the road a ways to enjoy some migratory land birds. It was a BONANZA! We arrived there pretty early to get a good spot. Some birders were already there. After setting up and waiting a bit I heard tons of birds but they were everywhere except in my camera viewfinder. So I decided to leave Meghan to watch over the camera as I enjoyed some other birds. I walked around a corner and there was a Baltimore Oriole... No I didn't get a picture but still, one new bird.

After a while I decided to be patient. Patience is a virtue... Other people were admiring some other birds and this guy stopped right down in front of me. He's a beaute.

Kentucky Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

I have some more photos of this guy on my Google+ page.

And then it just started raining birds. One after the other had to come for a drink. Everything from a white eyed vireo to these...

Ovenbird, Photo by Shaun Owen

Black and White Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

Then after a while I finally had to see something else. We drove down the road to Dos Vacas Bird Sanctuary and that was awesome. I was able to see a Worm Eating Warbler, Female Ruby Throated hummer, and tons more. Here are a few of the pictures I was able to pick up.

Green Tailed Towhee, Photo by Shaun Owen

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Photo by Shaun Owen

White Tailed Kite, Photo by Shaun Owen

White Tailed Kite, Photo by Shaun Owen

All in all it was a wonderful day! I have to check on some species of birds but by this I have added 11 new species of birds. Until next time happy birding.

Current Moderate Year Count - 141 Species
Recently added species - Kentucky Warbler, Black and White Warbler, White Eyed Vireo, Ovenbird, Baltimore Oriole, Northern Parula, White Tailed Kite, Ruby throated hummingbird, Green Tailed Towhee, Worm Eating Warbler, Wood Peewee

The new lens...

I know I haven't written much lately but I was waiting for this... The unveiling of the best. The Sigma 150-500mm lens. This is a beast. I went out yesterday to try for the first time and it was awesome. I really enjoyed every minute of it. I just went to the regular old spot and was able to get this picture from about 150 yards away. This is slightly cropped. This is handheld with the OS.

Ring Necked Duck, Photo by Shaun Owen

After getting the feel for the lens I was able to produce some more great images. The bokeh on this lens is amazing. I was able to snap a few of a Carolina Chickadee. This one was a bit closer but the detail is awesome.

Carolina Chickadee, Photo by Shaun Owen

Carolina Chickadee, Photo by Shaun Owen

Note the spider web in the top of the picture. This thing just amazes me. The plan for the weekend are more trips around the Houston area. I should have a larger repertoire by the end of the 4 day weekend. Until then Happy birding!!!

No new birds. Just a new lens :)

Bird Migrants

I was able to enjoy the wonderful weather and travel down to Galveston at Lafitte's Cove. Now this place is cool because it gives the migrants the opportunity to rest up. The reason why the birds choose this location is because it has a stand of trees. Pretty much the only stand of trees in the area. Well if this attracts birds it also attracts the birders. It was crowded! It was also crowded with mosquitoes. I think I lost a pint of blood just because of the mosquitoes.

Anyways it was a productive day for birding and I was able to add two birds to my list. The first was hooded warbler. It was funny because there were two other birders looking for something... As they were looking one way a hooded warbler sat right next to them. I couldn't get a great picture because of the shade of the trees but here's a picture of him. See if you can find him.

Hooded Warbler, Photo by Shaun Owen

After a watching this little guy for a while we decided to wander down the path and got a blue gray gnatcatcher. There were a few of them in the tops of trees with their scratchy songs. The song is soft, warbling, complex series of rambling jumbles. Call a thin, nasal "spee."

Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, Photo by Shaun Owen

Until next time, Happy Birding.

Current Moderate Year Bird Count - 122 Species
Recently added - Scissor tailed flycatcher, Hooded Warbler, Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

Scissor tailed flycatcher

I know I haven't been on in a while... I actually have been very busy. I haven't even been able to bird. Although even on my travels I have been able to do some roadside Birding and ony way back from San Antonio I was able to spot a Scissor tailed flycatcher on the utility wire.

Yay... Going out today. I will try to post later. Happy Birding

Alvin was a bust

I woke up very earyl this moring to get my bird on. I went down to a greenway in Alvin, TX. First of all Alvin is dirty... This stream running through the middle of town was disgusting. I wish people would take better care of their surroundings. The only thing I got out of the trip was a good look at a red shouldered hawk.

Red Shouldered Hawk

I think I actually interrupted their breakfast... My bad hawk... So after a depressing birding trip I traveled up to my usual spot trying to get a look at the Merlin that I always miss. And yippee I got it.

Merlin

Merlin is a small raptor much like the kestrel but is much darker. I was also able to see a royal tern from a distance. So that was two additions to my bird list just from my usual spot. Very cool.

Before I left I got a great picture of a Caracara bringing dinner home. If you look closely you can definitely see it.


Crested Caracara

The folks at the park were also putting up this sign. I guess I should be more careful.

Until next time, be careful and happy birding.

Current Moderate Year Count - 119 Species
Recently Added - Royal Tern, Merlin

North Houston

I needed to take Meghan to the airport so I decided to take advantage of the trip up north for a little birding. It worked out to my advantage.

I went to an arboretum and nature center near Bush Intercontinental Airport and that place was noisy! Tons of birds and for a Thursday afternoon the actual nature walk wasn't that crowded. I was able to sit and see an Eastern Box turtle and tons of birds including an American Pipit. (new bird)

The entrance of the nature center has some wonderful flowers. They even have a natural wildflower center. It was wonderful.

Well when I started walking around I didn't get fifteen feet away from the main area when the birds were calling. I was able to get a good picture of this guy. I thought I had him earlier in the year but now I definitely have him on my list.

Orange Crowned Warbler

This is a good picture that I really enjoy. Each time I look at it all I can think to myself is, "What does that bird think when he looks back at me?" I was also able to get a Pine Warbler. This one isn't as good of a picture but he's definitely there.


Pine Warbler

Tomorrow the plan is to get up early and take a trip out so I can be back before lunch and I will have a full new blog to update and hopefully a ton new birds. So until then, Happy Birding!

Current Moderate Year count - 117
Recently Added Species - American Pipit, Orange Crowned Warbler, Pine Warbler

Double the trouble...

I am going to catch up and write two blogs in one... I have gotten behind and with my plan to take a long birding trip this weekend I hope to have alot more to write about...

Well first I ended my trip to San Antonio with a visit with a friend. She has a wonderful set up behind her house with some wonderful birds. She also has some wonderful stories, including a scary northern harrier.

Before I get to the cool picture I picked up at her house I was able to get some birding in down at Hardberger park. This place is pretty cool but the place where I was able to find more birds was at the Salado Creek greenway. I was able to get a golden crowned kinglet. He was cruising around with some tufteds and I definitely saw the golden crown on top of his head. I couldn't get a good picture of him but I did get a great picture of a carolina wren.


Carolina Wren

On the way there and the way back there was a Lesser Goldfinch hanging out in the trees. Not a great picture but one more addition to the list.


Lesser Goldfinch

One thing I did notice is that they are going into breeding plummage much earlier than their counterparts the american goldfinch. This brings me to my picture I was able to get out at the family friend's house. Here is an american goldfinch that was just hanging out right outside her window. It was lovely but as you can see he is just starting to turn golden.



American Goldfinch

And off I went... Traveled back to Houston. Hoping to have an even better Spring Break down here (with the birds of course).

Here are a few pictures that I was able to get on the way home. Just of the countryside.

Until next time... Happy Birding! Which should be in about 30 minutes
Current Moderate Year Count - 114
Recently added species - Spotted Towhee, Lesser Goldfinch, Golden Crowned Kinglet

Adding the usuals...

Grandma's house has a plethora of birds. Now they really aren't anything spectacular but they are still countable birds. So I decided to sit out and watch a few perch and eat off of her feeder. Had to scare away the squirrel a few times but finally got him to stay away. It is funny to see this never ending battle between Grandma vs. Squirrel - Good vs. Evil. I feel many birders that set up feeders have this constant battle and most of the time the squirrel wins.

I did finally get some birds a few feet away from me which allows for some good pictures.

House Sparrow

White winged Dove

So here I was able to add two new birds just sitting there. I had seen them previously but just figured I'd add them at a later date. Well a new post will show up later this week. I have already gone birding since then but I'll post that trip in a different blog post. Until then Happy Birding.

Current Moderate Year Count - 111 Species
Recently added - White winged dove, House Sparrow

It's Spring time...

For spring break I am taking a trip through Central Texas to visit family and see more birds. It has been a very productive trip and has only been two days. We started in New Braunfels and worked our way towards Bulverde. Even before we could get into the car to drive to the first birding location I was able to see a beautiful House Finch in breeding plummage. Yes, Spring is here.

We that's one to tally up. We drove on down towards Canyon Lake where we went up to the look out. There were more mockingbirds than one could count. We were able to see some black crested titmouse and got a look at a chipping sparrow. (That's second new one of the day.)

Chipping Sparrow

We continued to walk along. Texas Parks and Wildlife said there were kingbirds in the area so that's what we looked for. Every mockingbird was a decoy to distract us. We did not see one but did see this large shape on the ground...

Greater Roadrunner

At first I thought it was a hurt baby vulture or something like that but it ran off when we walked a little closer. It definitely was a roadrunner. I felt very happy about the entire trip at this point.

We decided to move on down the road and I was able to share some cool birds with Meghan. Yellow bellied sapsucker, American Goldfinch, and Canyon Wren (heard it only and it's a new bird).

Of course had to get a picture of a butterfly for Meghan.

I would have to say that so far this has been a productive trip. Heck I would be happy with half of the birds that I saw. Until next time happy birding.

Current Moderate Year Count - 109 Species
Recently added - Canyon Wren, House finch, Chipping Sparrow, Greater Roadrunner