Rice - Audubon bird survey 23 July 2019

We ran our Houston Audubon - Rice University bird survey again today.  I was joined by Stuart Nelson, Mary Grace and Dennis Hamill, Janet Neath and others. Urban birding in mid July is almost never very exciting, but a cold front passed through. Add to this slightly overcast conditions, we had 79 F degree weather this morning, making for a most pleasant stroll.

We started off again at Harris Gully and eventually made our way towards the oak and azalea grove at the front of campus, near Huff house.  As expected, bird life was low at this time of the year, but we still enjoyed the Blue Jays, House Finches, and White-winged Doves moving about at Harris Gully.  Our eyes strayed at times to the low ground as we looked for insects. Although we were not here for the insects, at some level, birding is just as much about the bugs as the birds. After all, the bugs are what many birds eat.  We encountered many dragonflies, the most striking being the Roseate Skimmers, which are passing through right now. A Common Buckeye butterfly flew low over the sedges, giving us all great views.

After Harris Gully, we wandered over to Huff house, sharing each of our insights on how to build sustainable habitats, how to restore all the natural components and connections within an ecosystem, even in the disturbed ones we have in our urban areas.  Just as we passed Cohen House, a medium sized, dark raptor with slender, pointed wings appeared out of nowhere through the canopy of the oaks. There is only one raptor with this shape - Mississippi Kite! Thankfully, the kite circled overhead for several minutes allowing us to get photo documentation. While flocks of Mississippi Kites migrate over in the spring and fall, we have never had one at Rice in the summer.  Upon close inspection, we realized it was carrying prey in its mouth, which turned out to be a cicada.  Mississippi Kites are known for preying on insects, picking them off the tops of trees. Could this kite have summered here or even nested in the wooded neighborhoods just north of campus?  There are active nests not too far from here along Buffalo Bayou.

I continue to be amazed that there is never a dull moment in nature. Even when it seems like you've seen it all, there's always something new.  I am not sure, but I think this is how to stay young forever.

Our next birdwalk will be Aug 27. We will skip Aug 13 as I am tied up that day unless one of you can run it.


Rice U. Campus, Harris, Texas, US
Jul 23, 2019 7:23 AM - 8:53 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
13 species

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  5
White-winged Dove  30
Mississippi Kite  1   
Downy Woodpecker  2
Blue Jay  10
Purple Martin  2
Tufted Titmouse  3
American Robin  5
Northern Mockingbird  8
European Starling  10
House Finch  10
Great-tailed Grackle  10
House Sparrow  5