Fall Bird Census

By: Jane Jones

Some more not-so-great weather for the Fall count. Perhaps that’s the tradition and I should just get used to it.  Or as Dale suggested, next time you need rain, call out the birders and you’re sure to get some.  Interestingly, we saw exactly the same number of species (40) as last year but lots more birds (nearly 400 largely due to sparrows and a couple of large flocks of Robins that swelled the numbers).  It was no surprise that the warm fall kept some species away… most notably the ducks & hawks.  

At the 11th hour some turkeys finally decided to show themselves but nary a quail. The most fun was all of the sparrows. Last year, hardly any, this year everywhere…including 2 LeConte’s Sparrows which are the first reported on the property.  The sparrows are no surprise though since the grasses are high and bursting with seed.

   
The mud and the rain kept us out of the north and south hay pastures, the bowl, and the canyon. So surely there was some other cool stuff hiding out in those areas.

Birders this year included, me, Dan Calloway, Ethel Kutac, Catfish Kelly, Bobby Hughes, Wilda Nelson on Wednesday.  Me and Cindy Vint (1/2 day) on Thursday. The Audubon group enjoyed themselves as always and requested some drier weather next year if you don’t mind. Thanks to Jasmin & Dale for providing the Mule even though the rain kept us from using it. And thanks to Bonnie & Bob who make it possible for me to count for 2 days without driving back to Austin!