Rice-Houston Audubon bird survey Apr 23, 2019

We met this morning at Rice. In attendance were Mark Kulstad, Stuart Nelson, Chris Hysinger, and Mary Hamill.  We started at Harris Gully. Last week rains have resulted in some standing water, so we were first treated with Yellow-crowned Night Herons.  The resident Sedge Wren was singing on schedule.  Most exciting though were the two fruiting mulberry trees, with the large one being most productive (this is along the fenceline between the track field and harris gully).  Scores of waxwings were feeding on the berries. Mixed in with the waxwings were several Summer Tanagers, singing and chattering Baltimore Orioles, and a pair of Orchard Orioles.  We also had bright blue indigo buntings flying around, along with a striking male Blue Grosbeak. Warblers were very low, but one Tennessee Warbler and a Common Yellowthroat called. The mulberries will likely continue to bear fruit for a few more days. 

With the pools of water and fruiting mulberries, the conditions are ideal right now for the migrants.  All of this set with the backdrop of the tall buildings of the medical center. Urban birding at its best.

Another highlight today was having Mary Hamill join us.  She shared her incredible knowledge of Rice's history and the trees on campus.  We stopped by the old post oak by Martel college. This is the oldest tree on campus!

Our next official birdwalk will be in two more weeks, but because the birding is going to only get better and better in the next week or so, I will run another one next Tuesday to make sure we don't miss anything.

White-winged Dove  30
Chimney Swift  8
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron  5
Red-shouldered Hawk  1
Red-tailed Hawk  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Blue Jay  10
Purple Martin  5
Barn Swallow  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
Sedge Wren  1
American Robin  12
Northern Mockingbird  8
European Starling  20
Cedar Waxwing  40
House Finch  20
Orchard Oriole  2
Baltimore Oriole  3
Great-tailed Grackle  20
Tennessee Warbler  1
Common Yellowthroat  1
Summer Tanager  2
Northern Cardinal  1
Blue Grosbeak  1
Indigo Bunting  4
House Sparrow  10