May 7, 2019. In early May, migration is still in full swing along
the upper Texas coast. Last night, the doppler radar was showing
widespread and intense bird migration across the upper Texas coast, with
both trans-gulf and circum-gulf migration in full swing. However, it
appeared the birds had a good tailwind. The predicted pre-dawn rains did
not materialize, so by 5 AM, the hordes of migrants moving north as
seen by radar had already moved well past Houston. Houston skies were
clear of rain and birds. Nevertheless, we all showed up at 7 AM hoping
to see what birds might have been left behind. Linda Gilbert, Mark
Kulstad, Charles Fischer, Chris Hysinger, Alan Mutt and others joined me
at Harris Gully in great anticipation, but we only confirmed what the
radar had shown. No migrants, not even any bird calls overhead.
Normally, at this time of the year, we hear dickcissels flying over, but
today, not a chirp. A Common Yellowthroat, presumably a bird that's
been lingering around for a few days, called from the cattails.
Night-herons (both species), great egrets, and a great blue heron flew
over and likely represent birds moving back and forth between the
rookery on North Blvd and the bayou. A singing Gray Catbird was the
only migrant we could pull out of the prairie. We were excited to see
two Mourning Doves in the area as their numbers have been steadily
dropping over the years at Rice.
We then
walked over to the oak grove at the main entrance to campus. On the way
there, a warbler chipped and flew off before we could identify it. At
the oak grove, it was quiet until Chris noticed a Red-shouldered Hawk
nest with 3 recently fledged young! What a sight to have such a
majestic bird of prey nesting in this urban environment. The mother
made a few brief appearances and at one point, the mother with a green
anole held tightly between her mandibles was being harassed by a very
brave mockingbird. As we watched the hawks, we started hearing a family
of titmice calling. This is always a good sign as often warblers
associate themselves with the titmice, moving around in mixed flocks.
Sure enough, near the titmice appeared a bright male Bay-breasted
Warbler. Then suddenly, there was that distinct chip of a Black-throated
Green Warbler. We looked up to see a beautiful adult male, and then not
too far from it, another Bay-breasted Warbler, a female.
Unfortunately,
we could not find any more migrants. We learned today that it is
always hard to predict when one's going to see a lot of birds, but what
is predictable, is that even on slow days, there's always something
beautiful to see in nature.
We ended our day
mid-morning, with most of us going back to work. As I returned to my
day job, I could see the circum Gulf migrants moving up the coast on the
NOAA radar, all down near South Padre Island. How long will it take
for them to arrive?
As I write, it is now
late in the evening. Our much anticipated rain finally arrived, complete
with thunder and downpours. Our next official bird survey will be next
Tuesday, but tomorrow morning, wherever you are, wake up and look
outside.
best
Cin-Ty
Rice U. Campus, Harris, Texas, US
May 7, 2019 6:35 AM - 8:35 AM
30 species
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 20
White-winged Dove 40
Mourning Dove 3
Chimney Swift 4
Killdeer 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 2
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 4
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 20
Purple Martin 2
Tufted Titmouse 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 30
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 15
European Starling 30
Cedar Waxwing 40
House Finch 15
Baltimore Oriole 1
Great-tailed Grackle 30
Common Yellowthroat 1
Bay-breasted Warbler 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
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