Three Greater White-fronted Geese moving south
over TX 147 on Jan 1 were late (DW, RT), while
single Snow Geese on Kurth Lake Nov 12 (LD) and
Ellen Trout Lake Jan 9 (AM) were
surprising. A lone Ross’s Goose
was off Etoile Park on upper Rayburn Dec 24 and
again Jan 1 (DW). 600 Snow Geese
going north over the Azalea Trail Feb 14 must
have been quite a sight (LD). A Cackling
Goose on Kurth Lake Nov 27 (LD) was a rare find
and the first Angelina County record in over 10
years. I received a report from a farmer
in w. Nac Co that 100 “Canadians” landed in his
wheat field in mid-Feb. He was quite sure
that they were not “specklebellies” and thought
that some of the birds were larger, and it may
be that both Canada and Cackling were
present. The first push of Mallards was 87
at the TX 147 causeway on the very cold morning
of Dec 7 (DW). The first spring migrant
Blue-winged Teal were 4 off Townsend Park on
Rayburn on Feb 3 (PB). Northern Pintails
were more frequent than expected, perhaps due to
low water levels. 40-50 on the Etoile
flats Dec 28-Jan 1 (DW, RT) was a high count,
while small numbers (1-6) were also seen at TX
147 and Ayish Bayou on Rayburn, Kurth Lake and
Ellen Trout (5 on Dec 6; LD). 30 Redheads
on Kurth Lake on the Nov 19 field trip (LD et
al; PAS) increased to 100 on Nov 27 (LD), but
declined to very few after the New Year.
Small flocks of 15-30 utilized the Nac ponds all
winter; 22-28 were on a pond near Melrose in
early Feb (PB, RT, DW); and a few were in the TX
147 area (PB, DW). The first Greater Scaup
were 2 on the Nac ponds Nov 26 (CW) and one off
Cassells-Boykin Park Dec 7 (DW). The first
Bufflehead was one at Ellen Trout Park on Nov 13
(LD), and 35 there Dec 2 was a good count
(DW), as was 50 at Country Club Lake Feb 23
(LD). The first (and only?) Common
Goldeneye was one at Ellen Trout Dec 6
(LD). A well-described female Common Merganser
visited the Nacogdoches sewer ponds on the Nov
26 cold front (CW), but was not found
again. This is a first for Nacogdoches
County, though we have at least 5 records from
Angelina County. There were also 129
Hooded Mergansers at the ponds Nov 26, a high
count (CW). A Red-breasted Merganser was
off Rayburn Park Feb 5 (DW). A Pacific Loon
seen from the TX 147 causeway Feb 19 (DW, MHW,
Travis Aud Soc) may have been present all
winter, as a “suspicious” loon were seen here
Dec 7, 2011 and Jan 1, 2012, but only in flight
(DW). The first Common Loon was one on the
Nov 19 Kurth Lake field trip (LD et al; PAS),
while 45 off Rayburn Park Feb 5 was a high count
(DW, RT). A few Horned Grebes wintered on
Kurth (LD et al) and Lake Rayburn (DW et al),
but no more than 3 were seen in a day in either
area. A few Neotropic Cormorants lingered
around the shallow sloughs off Etoile Park on
upper Rayburn, with 2 seen Dec 2 & 7 and
singles Dec 24 & Jan 1 (DW). This
species was the most numerous ever on Rayburn
this year and may be establishing a pattern of a
few wintering birds. An Anhinga was found
at Ellen Trout Jan 1 (DW, RT) and Jan 5 (LD);
then a bird was a the VFW pond in Lufkin in
Jan-Feb (LD et al), perhaps the same
individual. The last White Ibis of the
fall were 3 adults at TX 103 at the Angelina Oct
27 (DW). 16
Roseate Spoonbills were still around a
pool at TX 103 at the Angelina (Angelina Co) on
27 Oct (DW), the last date for their long stay
this fall.
An Osprey at TX 147 on Rayburn Feb 19 (DW, MHW,
Travis Aud Soc) was a rare winter sighting
(though possibly an early arrival). An
migrant adult Bald Eagle soaring over the SFASU
stadium during the homecoming game on Oct 29 was
apparently undetected by most of the thousands
of football fans, except CS (and at least one
friend of the Wolfs who mentioned seeing
it). Northern Harriers were reported more
often than expected, including a one-day high
count of 5 around Lake Rayburn (TX 147 and TX
103 at the Angelina) on Dec 7 (DW) and one that
spent the entire winter along the dam at Kurth
Lake. A Merlin at Kurth Lake Dec 3 was a
rare winter sighting (LD). On Dec 7 a Peregrine Falcon
was harassing 2 eagles at TX 147 (DW).; quite
possibly the same bird was seen there Jan 1 (DW,
RT). 2
Sandhill Cranes were in s. Nacogdoches
County on Oct 30 (Monty Whiting); this species
is very rare in the Pineywoods. A
single
was reliably found at the same spot on Kurth Lake from Nov 30
through Jan 14 (LD et al); it was found on the
CBC Dec 17, the first ever on the count.
An American
Golden-Plover photographed on Oct 27 on
the flats at Ewing Park (DW) was only the 2nd
one recorded this fall. 2 late
Black-bellied Plover were at the base of the TX
147 causeway Nov 22 (DW). Killdeer numbers
on upper Rayburn peaked at 220 at TX 103 at the
Angelina on Oct 23 (DW, RT). 25 American
Avocets at the TX 103 crossing of the Angelina
on Nov 20 (LP) was peak count for the season; 12
were still there Nov 22; 3 on Dec 2 and 7 on Dec
7 (DW). A Spotted Sandpiper wintered at
Ellen Trout through at least Feb 17 (m.
obs.). 42 Greater Yellowlegs at TX 103 at
the Angelina on Dec 2 was the fall high count
(DW), while one at Ellen Trout Park Nov 6 was a
surprise there (LD). 32 were still on
upper Rayburn on Dec 7 (DW), while the last were
8 on upper Rayburn Jan 1 (DW). One in s.
Nacogdoches Co Dec 14 was found again on the Dec
17 CBC (DW, MHW et al), a new (and long overdue)
species for the count. 2 late Western
Sandpipers were with Least on the flats off
Etoile Park on upper Rayburn on Dec 2
(DW). A few Long-billed Dowitchers
lingered around the base of the TX 103 crossing
of the Angelina (Angelina Co), with 9 there Nov
22 and 3 on Dec 2 (DW); one was at the TX 147
causeway Dec 7 (DW). The first American
Woodcock were singles in Pecan Park Nov 12 (CS)
and Loco Valley Nov 15 (RH), while one flushed
at close range in Nac Jan 5 gave the observer a
thrill! (CDF). The last Franklin’s Gulls
were 2 on the Angelina arm and 1 off TX 147 on
Nov 22 (DW), while the first Bonaparte’s Gulls
were 5 at Kurth Lake Nov 27 (LD). A
Herring Gull at the base of the TX 147 causeway
Nov 22 was the first (DW). On Feb 19 a
first-cycle Thayer’s
Gull was photographed on an island just
off the TX 147 causeway (DW, Travis Aud
Soc). This is our first area record and
one of the few confirmed records for the
Pineywoods; the bird may have been seen as early
as Dec 7, 2011, but not well enough to identify
(DW). Our first-ever winter records of White-winged Doves
were 15 together in Nac on Dec 15 (DW) and 10
still in the same area on the CBC Dec 17 (CW et
al). A single bird was a one-day wonder at
a feeder in Douglass Jan 7 (CW). A pair of
Common
Ground-Doves in s. Nac Co on the CBC on
Dec 17 (MHW) were a rare surprise, though not
unprecedented.. This was the best winter
for hummingbird
sightings in our area in a long
time. Solicitations for feeder watchers
for the Nac CBC brought to light an immature
male Anna’s
Hummingbird in Nacogdoches that had
been present since at least early Nov at the
home of Tim and Vicki Baggett. Its
identity was confirmed when it was seen and
photographed by Vicki on Dec 17 on the Nac
CBC. DW photographed it on Dec 19, and
several more observers got to view it before the
bird was last seen on Dec 29. Special
thanks go to the Baggetts for letting us come
view it during the hectic holiday season.
A beautiful adult male Black-chinned
Hummingbird at Molly Smith’s feeders in
Nacogdoches Oct 25-Nov 7 was confirmed by CDF;
great photos are posted on the PAS
website. Almost certainly the same bird
appeared nearby at the Native Plant Center on
Dec 1 (JS) and then was seen very sporadically
at Molly’s again through at least Jan 22
(CDF). An apparent immature male Rufous
Hummingbird showed up at the Native Plant Center
in Nac Dec 2-12 (JS, CS et al) and then
disappeared until seen again Jan 23 (JS).
Female or immature Selasphorus (Rufous/Allen’s)
hummingbirds were in Central Hts Nov 3-Dec 16
(MHW, DW) and in Lufkin Nov 26-Jan 19 (Gene
Hallmark).
The last Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was one in
Nac on Nov 16 (SL). The first Purple
Martins were 3 at Kurth Lake Feb 11 (LD).
A migrant Bewick’s Wren was in Central Hts Oct
29-31 (MHW). Single Marsh Wrens wintered
at Kurth Lake (LD et al; PAS) and Ellen Trout
(LD et al; PAS). From 1-3 Blue-gray
Gnatcatchers were at the base of the TX 147
causeway all winter through Feb 19 (DW et
al). 3 Hermit Thrushes in Central Hts Nov
4 were the first reported (MHW). Small
flocks of migrant American Robins were first
noted over Central Hts Oct 27 (DW); by late Nov
they were numerous in northern parts of our
area, but they did not reach further south in
numbers until Jan. A Gray Catbird on the
Azalea Trail Jan 31 was the only one reported
(LD). Several Sprague’s Pipits again
wintered at the Nac Airport (SL, DW et
al), The first Cedar Waxwings were 3 in
Nacogdoches Nov 13 (LS). They were “on the
move” in good numbers in early December, with
high counts of 450 in s. Nacogdoches Co Dec 3
(DW) and 2838 total on the Nac CBC on Dec 17;
they remained reasonably widespread and common
through Jan-Feb. A Common Yellowthroat at
Ellen Trout on the Jan 22 PAS field trip (LD, SL
et al) was the only one found this winter.
A female-plumaged Summer Tanager on the Nov 13 PAS
field trip to the Native Plant Center was late
(CS, JS et al; PAS). Possibly this same
bird was confirmed here on Jan 24, after seeing
a “flash of yellow around for weeks” (JS).
It was seen here again Jan 30 (CDF), then
photographed at a nearby feeder Feb 1 (Diana
Walker) and seen for several more weeks.
Does anyone have a last date for this
bird? A migrant Spotted Towhee was in Central
Heights Nov 13 (MHW) and another was at Alazan
Bayou WMA Dec 15-17 (DW). The first
Eastern Towhee was one in Loco Valley Nov 15
(RH). Up to 5 Lark Sparrows were seen
sporadically in Central Hts from Nov 7 through
Feb (MHW, DW); a flock has wintered here in most
recent years. At least one Henslow’s
Sparrow was at the Nac Airport from late Nov-Dec
17 (SL et al), but none were found later in the
season. An out-of-place migrant
Grasshopper Sparrow was found on the SFASU
campus Nov 4 (TR) and seen later in the day by
MHW. Another found in s. Nac Co Dec 14 was
re-located on the CBC Dec 17 (MHW), while 2 were
at Etoile Park Jan 1 (DW, RT). The first
Fox Sparrow reported was one at the SFA Exp
Forest on Dec 3 (DW). This was a big
winter for Harris’s
Sparrows in our area. One in
Central Hts on Oct 30 was our earliest ever by
six days (MHW); at least 2 were present
there by Nov 23 and more showed up in Dec
(DW). Another one turned up about 1 ˝
miles away on FM 698 on Nov 24 and 3-6 were here
through Feb (LS et al). One at the SFA Exp
Forest gate on Dec 3 (DW) stayed through the CBC
and on Jan 1 there were 5 at this spot
(CW). Another showed up in Nac town Jan 22
(CDF). The first Dark-eyed Junco was one
in Central Hts Oct 29 (MHW). This species
was more common and widespread than it has been
for many years and a high count of 504 was
tallied on the CBC Dec 17. Three Lapland
Longspurs were flushed at the Nac Airport Jan 28
(DW, MHW et al). At least 2 Western Meadowlarks
were singing in Central Hts on Feb 4 (DW, MHW);
this species was also heard in the same general
area by people waiting for the redpoll to show
(DW, CS et al); and one was singing in e. Nac Co
on Feb 12 (SL). Though few blackbirds (and
no cowbirds) were present at the time of the
CBC, very large flocks (up to 10,000 birds or
more) appeared widely from late Jan through Feb,
including hundreds of cowbirds (m. obs.)
Unlike the previous winter, rather few Rusty
Blackbirds were found: one at the Nac ponds Dec
5 was the first (DW); 15-20 were in Central Hts
Dec 28-30 (MHW, DW); 1-6 in were in Nac Jan
22-30 (CDF, CS); and 7 were near Libby (e. Nac
Co) Feb 12 (SL). The only Brewer’s
Blackbirds were one with cowbirds in Nac on Jan
24 (CDF) and 20 in w. Nac Co on Feb 24
(DW). The only reports of Purples Finch
were 1-2 in Central Hts Jan 15-Feb 18 (MHW), and
one in Nac Jan 18 (CDF). Were there any
others around? A Common Redpoll
discovered in Central Hts Jan 27 stayed through
at least Feb 21 (DW, LS et al) and was
photographed to confirm the sighting.
There are fewer than 10 records for Texas and
this is the first for the Pineywoods, so this
was a very exciting and rare bird. Quite a
few people got to see it, including visitors
from out-of-town, and we especially thank Brian
and Julie Farrell for so patiently putting up
with the birders who came to watch for it!
The first Pine Siskin was one heard in Central
Hts Dec 5 (DW); on Dec 6 there were 15 in Ellen
Trout Park (LD) and 12 were seen on the Nac CBC
Dec 17. Numbers remained low and only a
few were seen in Jan-Feb. Small numbers of
American Goldfinches over Central Hts on Nov 4
were the first (MHW); one at a feeder in Loco
Valley Nov 9 was the first there (RH).
Observers:
PB = Peter Barnes; LD = Louis Debetaz; CDF =
Charles Dean Fisher; RH = Ruth Heino; SL = Susie
Lower; AM = Allison Maxwell; LP = Linda Price;
TR = Thomas Riecke; CS = Cliff Shackelford; JS =
Julie Shackelford; LS = Les Stewart; RT = Robert
Truss; CW = Carol Wells; DW = David Wolf; MHW =
Mimi Hoppe Wolf; m. obs. = many observers.
Localities in
Angelina County: Azalea Trail (in
Lufkin); Cassells-Boykin Park (on Rayburn);
Country Club Lake (Lufkin); Ellen Trout Park;
Kurth Lake; Ewing Park (TX 103 at the Angelina
arm of Lake Rayburn in Angelina County); Lufkin
town.
Localities in
Nacogdoches County: Central Heights;
Douglass; Etoile Park and Flats (TX 103 at the
Angelina arm of Lake Rayburn); Libby; Loco
Valley; Melrose; Nacogdoches town (= Nac);
Nacogdoches Airport; Nacogdoches sewer ponds (=
Nac ponds); Native Plant Center (in Nac town);
Pecan Park; SFASU = Stephen F. Austin State
University; SFA Exp For = SFA Experimental
Forest.
Localities in
San Augustine County: Ayish Bayou
(lower Rayburn); Rayburn Park (lower Rayburn);
Townsend Park (Attoyac arm of upper Rayburn); TX
147 causeway (across upper Lake Rayburn).
************************************
The 42nd
Nacogdoches, TX
Christmas Bird Count December
17, 2011
It’s hard to believe, but this was our
42nd Nacogdoches Christmas Bird Count,
held on December 17, 2011. A big thank you
goes to all who helped make it a success.
We had a beautiful day to be out birding and
found 114 species, a very respectable and
surprising total right on our 40-year
average. I say surprising because this has
been our second year of exceptional drought and
it doesn’t seem like there are very many birds
around, yet we found almost all of the regular
winter species. Remarkably, we had three
species for the first time ever: Common
Gallinule, Greater Yellowlegs and White-winged
Dove. An Anna’s Hummingbird was the most
notable rarity (but we also had one on the 1998
count), while 2 Common Ground-Doves were
unexpected.
However, the numbers of many birds were
low. This includes some of our favorite
resident songbirds, such as Carolina Wren,
Northern Mockingbird and Northern
Cardinal. Many winter residents were also
in low numbers, most notably sparrows and birds
of the rank fields, like Savannah, LeConte’s and
Swamp sparrows. All of the marsh birds
were missed – it is so dry there aren’t any
marshes left – and most small insectivores were
down in numbers. It is risky to draw
conclusions from one count, but I would surmise
that the on-going drought limited breeding
success for residents and left relatively little
food available for arriving winter residents,
reflected in the low numbers on the count.
As always, there were exceptions. Up in
numbers were Brown Creeper and Hermit Thrush,
while notable “invaders” were Cedar Waxwing,
Harris’s Sparrow (8 total), Dark-eyed Junco and
Pine Siskin (18 total, by 3 parties). I should
also note that residents like woodpeckers,
Carolina Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse were
found within the range of expected numbers,
while waterbirds were in decent numbers and
variety. Thanks again for your
participation and keep those winter sightings
coming in – David &
Mimi Wolf,
compilers (dewolf@myinu.net) phone: (936)
569-6531
Photo by Kara Kaplowitz, 12-17-2011
This is our most complex season for
birds, one of “firsts and “lasts”, migrants,
and post-breeding wanderers, and over
200 species were found by area
observers during these months.Many
of them were seen on Pineywoods Audubon
field trips.As we are all acutely aware, our
weather was extreme this fall.For
the entire season we were classified as in “exceptional
drought”, the highest category of
drought, as was most of Texas.For
the 12-month period ending Sept 30 we were
down 30-33 inches of rain below average and
this was considered the driest year ever
recorded in Texas.Temperatures
continued
extreme in August, with only one day
that didn’t reach 100 deg. or higher.September
brought relief from the extreme heat, but
almost no rainfall.October
is normally one of our driest months, and we
had many clear and cool days, but we were
also blessed with three good rains
associated with frontal passages.The
effects of this on-going drought will be
with us for a long time to come.
Shorebirds
and
other waterbirds are a major feature
of this report.With
reservoir levels very low they have been
prominent, especially around Lake Sam
Rayburn, but also on smaller bodies of
water.For example, by the end of August
Louis Debetaz had recorded 11 species of
shorebirds on the tiny VFW Pond in Lufkin,
including such scarcer ones as Baird’s and
Stilt sandpipers.This
is a great example of how profitable it can
be to check a good spot regularly, even if
only briefly.Passerine
migrants were generally in low
numbers, but persistent observers did find a
wide variety, especially around the Rayburn
shore and the parks in Lufkin,
in areas with rank vegetation – and
therefore food and water.There
were exceptions of course, and more
Olive-sided Flycatchers, Wilson’s
Warblers
and Clay-colored Sparrows were seen than
expected.Raptors
passed over largely undetected against
the relentless clear blue skies, but
exceptional numbers of Merlins were noted.Most
wintering
species arrived on schedule or later
than normal, with the exception of several
sparrows for which there were record early
sightings.
Some first
dates for winter residents:
Gadwall - 10 at Kurth Lake Sept 14 (LD);
American Wigeon - 35 at Kurth Lake Oct 21
(LD); Northern Shoveler - 2 at TX 147
causeway Sept 4 (DW et al, PAS);
Green-winged Teal - 3 at TX 147 causeway
Sept 5 (RS); Redhead - 6 at Kurth Lake Oct
15 (LD et al, PAS); Ring-necked Duck - 2 at
Kurth Lake Oct 21 (LD); Ruddy Duck - 2 at
Kurth Lake Oct 15 (LD et al, PAS);
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1 in Central
Heights Sept 27 tied
our earliest ever (MHW); Blue-headed
Vireo - 1 at TX 147 causeway Oct 21 (DW);
House Wren - 1 in Loco Valley Sept 28 (RH);
Winter Wren - 1 in Ellen Trout Park Oct 17
(LD); Sedge Wren - 1 at Alazan Bayou WMA Oct
1 (DW et al, PAS); Golden-crowned Kinglet -
1 at TX 147 causeway Oct 21 (DW); American
Pipit - 1 over Central Hts Oct 4 (MHW);
Orange-crowned Warbler - 1 at Ewing Park Oct
18 (DW); Yellow-rumped Warbler - 45 at Ewing
Park Oct 18 (DW); Chipping Sparrow - 1 at
Alazan Bayou WMA Sept 17 (DW); Field Sparrow
- 1 very early migrant at TX 147 causeway
Oct 9 (DW et al, PAS); Vesper Sparrow - 3 at
Alazan Bayou WMA Oct 18 (DW); Savannah
Sparrow
- 1 at Ewing Park Sept 11 was our earliest
ever by 9 days (DW, CS et al, PAS);
LeConte’s Sparrow - 1 at Ewing Park Oct 6
was our earliest
ever
by 2 days (DW); Song Sparrow - 1 at
Ewing Park Oct 18 (DW); Swamp Sparrow - 1 at
Ewing Park Oct 6 (DW); White-throated
Sparrow - 1 in Central Hts Oct 19 (DW); and
White-crowned Sparrow - 1 at Ewing Park Oct
6 (DW).
Main bird
report:
The first geese were 45 Greater
White-fronted over TX 103 at the Angelina on
the Oct 18 cold front (DW). The first
Blue-winged Teal were 5 at TX 103 at the
Angelina August 14 (DW et al, PAS).Significant
counts were 100+ on upper Rayburn August 27
(DW); 500+ at Kurth Lake (LD) and 580+ at TX
103 at the Angelina (DW et al) on Sept 14
(season peak); 385 around upper Rayburn Sept
30 (DW); and 250 still at Kurth Lake Oct 15
(LD et al, PAS).Northern
Pintail is a scarce migrant in our area, but
they apparently like our lakes shallow and
we had more reports than usual, from 4 at
the TX 147 causeway August 30 (CW) to 4 on
Kurth Lake Oct 15 (LD et al, PAS).The
highest counts were 12 at Kurth Lake (LD)
and 15 on the Etoile Flats (DW et al) on
Sept 14; and 35 at the TX 147 causeway Sept
30 (DW).50 Pied-billed Grebes already on
Kurth Lake Oct 1 had increased to a high
count of 250 on Oct 15 (LD et al, PAS).The
first American White Pelicans were 13 on the
Etoile Flats August 19 (early), but they did
not stay around (DW).From
1-10 Neotropic Cormorants were seen on every
trip to LakeRayburn
this fall through Oct 23 (DW et al, PAS).More
unusual was one at EllenTroutPark
Sept 30 (LD).Double-crested Cormorants were only
slightly more numerous, until the arrival of
migrants in late Oct (DW et al, PAS).Lingering
Anhingas were 2 at Kurth Oct 15 and 1 there
Oct 17 (LD et al, PAS).Great
Egret numbers on upper Rayburn peaked Sept
15-30 (295-320+), with the largest
concentration at TX 103 at the Angelina (DW
et al, PAS).Season high counts of Snowy Egrets
were 45 at TX 103 at the Angelina August 24
and 55 on upper Rayburn Sept 15 (DW).There
were frequent sightings of 1-6 Tricolored
Herons around the upper third of LakeRayburn
July 12-Sept 18, especially in the Eagle
Point area (DW et al, PAS).Single
immature Black-crowned Night-Herons
were at Eagle Point (Ang Co) Sept 30 (DW)
and EllenTroutPark
Oct 2-4 (LD).This species is a very uncommon
migrant in our area.The
season high count of White Ibis was 97 at TX
103 at the Angelina Oct 11 (DW).“Dark
ibis” were found in extraordinary
numbers and were seen on most trips to
Rayburn from August 7-Oct 18..All
adult birds examined were White-faced,
as presumably were all or most of the birds.The
first were 2 in the Marion Ferry area August
7-27 (DW et al; PAS) and one at TX 147 on
August 21 (DW et al, PAS).High
counts were 37 at TX 103 at the Angelina
Sept 14 (DW et al) plus 25 at Kurth Lake the
same day (LD), and then the next day (Sept
15) a remarkable
95 left an island roost on the Etoile
Flats (Nac Co), almost 10X as many as have
ever been seen in our area (DW).Numbers
here dropped after this, to 54 on Sept 27;
16 on Sept 30; 4 on Oct 6; and 2 on Oct 18
(DW).To
the delight of many observers, Roseate
Spoonbills were seen on upper Rayburn
from July 26-Oct 23, in record
numbers.The first were singles on the Attoyac
arm and at TX 147 July 26 (DW).The
first numbers were 27 on the TX 103 at the
Angelina flats August 14 (DW et al, PAS) and
then consistent counts of 37- 45 were seen
here August 19-Oct 11, with a one-day peak
of 63+ on Sept 1 (DW et al, PAS).14
were still here Oct 23 (RT, DW).Up
to16 were along the Attoyac arm (Nac Co)
from August 21- Sept 18, with 4 still there
Sept 30 (DW et al, PAS).Wood
Storks were scarcer than expected this fall.The
first
was one at TX 103 at the Attoyac July 26
(DW) and the season high count was a paltry
40 at TX 103 at the Angelina Sept 27 (DW).
The first migrant Mississippi Kites
were 2 over Central Hts July 26 (MHW); the
first numbers were 4 near Appleby (CW) and
10 over Nacogdoches (MHW) on August 6; and
the season high count was 30 over Nacogdoches
August 8 (TR).The first Northern Harrier was a
juvenile over the Etoile Flats Sept 14 (DW
et al), while several remained in this area
through the period.A
noisy juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk at Marion
Ferry Sept 6 likely had been raised nearby
(DW).Cooper’s
Hawks outnumbered Sharp-shins through
mid-October, but no significant flights of
either were detected.The
first migrating Broad-winged Hawk was one
over EtoilePark
Sept 15 (DW).The prolonged clear skies made
hawk-watching difficult, and the only
sizable flight of Broad-wings was 259 over Central Hts Sept 28
(DW, MHW).We had a phenomenal number of Merlin
sightings from Sept 7-Oct 21, the most
noteworthy of which were 2 early migrants at
Townsend Park Sept 7 (DW, SL); 4 on the Sept
18 field trip to upper Rayburn (3 off
Townsend Park and 1 at the Etoile Flats; DW
et al, PAS); and a high count of 7 in one
morning over TX 103 at the Angelina Sept 27
(DW).The
only
Peregrine Falcons were singles over TX 103
at the Angelina Sept 27 (DW) and Kurth Lake Oct 21 (LD).An
adult Common
Moorhenaccompanied
by a juvenile at KurthLake on Sept 18
(LD) was a first record for AngelinaCounty– and breeding confirmed at that!American
Coot was also confirmed breeding at KurthLake
when 2 juveniles were seen Sept 7-18 (LD).By
Oct 1 over 500 coots had arrived there,
increasing to 2000 on Oct 15 (LD et al,
PAS).
With Sam Rayburn Reservoir at its
lowest level ever this was an excellent
season for shorebirds.David
Wolf and members of PAS surveyed the lake
regularly from July 1 through the end of
October, recording a remarkable 25 species
of shorebirds.Habitat was accessible along the
upper Angelina and Attoyac Bayou arms of the
lake and around the base of the TX 147
causeway throughout the season, shifting as
the lake continued to recede.It
is likely that there were other sites
attracting shorebirds that we never located
and to my knowledge nobody checked the lower
2/3 of this huge reservoir.A
more complete report on our shorebird
surveys will be posted in a later report,
but here I include the rarities and a few
highlights.An American
Golden-Plover on the Etoile Flats (Nac
Co.) Sept 15 (DW) was the first fall record
for the Pineywoods since 1977.We
have 7 previous fall records, all from CDF
surveys from 1971-77.A
bright adult Snowy
Plover on an island off the TX
147 causeway (San Aug Co) July 26 (DW) was
only our 3rd local record ever;
all have been in the fall.The
endangered Piping
Plover, a rare migrant inland, made a
good showing, with one adult at TX 103 at
the Angelina (Ang Co) August 7; 5 (together)
at the same spot the next day (August 8);
and 4 on an island off the TX 147 causeway
(San Aug Co) August 16 (all DW).The
first American Avocet was one at Kurth Lake
August 24 (LD); 6 were here on the Oct 15
field trip (LD et al, PAS); and one was on
the tiny VFW pond in Lufkin Oct 24 (LD).A
late Solitary Sandpiper was at the VFW pond
Oct 24 (LD).Upland Sandpipers were widespread in
small numbers on the grassy Rayburn flats.The
first were 2 over TX 147 on July 26; peak
count was 19 on August 19 at TX 103 at the
Angelina; and the last at Rayburn were 3
over the Etoile Flats on Sept 12 (DW et al,
PAS).However,
the last sightings were singles 5 miles east
of Nacogdoches on Sept 19 (LS) and over
Central Hts Sept 20 (MHW), our latest fall
dates ever by 2-3 days.A
Whimbrel
at the AngelinaCountyAirport
on Sept 19, after overnight storms, was a
remarkable find and a first
record for AngelinaCounty
(LD); I know of only one other fall record
for the entire Pineywoods region.A
distant Long-billed Curlew over
the Marion Ferry flats (Nac. Co.) on the August 7
field trip (DW, PAS) was our 3rd
local record ever, and the 2nd
for fall.A Marbled
Godwit photographed at the TX
147 causeway (San Aug Co) on August 16 (DW)
was also our 3rd local record
ever; all have been in the fall migration.One
then showed up on the Marion Ferry flats
(Nac Co.) on August 24 (DW).Yet
another was further down the Angelina arm on
the Etoile Flats (Nac Co) Sept 12-15 (DW et
al).It
is possible that all three reports involved
the same bird.First dates for a few shorebirds
included 2 Semipalmated Plover at TX 147
August 4 (DW); 1 Spotted Sandpiper at Kurth
Lake July 16 (LD); 1 Greater Yellowlegs over
Central Hts July 21 (MHW); 10 Least
Sandpipers at Marion Ferry July 17 (DW, RT);
and 3 Pectoral Sandpipers in Central Hts
July 14 (DW).An adult Laughing
Gull at Kurth Lake August 3 (LD) and 2
juveniles on an island off the TX 147
causeway August 16 (DW) were the only
reports of this rare wanderer from the
coast.4 Franklin’s Gulls on an island off
TX 147 on Sept 30 were on the early side
(DW), while the first flock was 40 over
Kurth Lake Oct 15 (LD et al, PAS).An
adult Ring-billed Gull on an island off TX
147 on July 26 was our earliest
ever by six days; 3 were in this area
August 4 (DW).Single Least
Terns, always a rare migrant, were at
the TX 147 causeway August 16 (DW) and Sept
4 (DW et al, PAS).The
first Caspian Tern was an early adult over
TX 147 causeway July 26 (DW).The
season
high count for Black Terns was 80 in the TX
147 area during Tropical Storm Lee (DW,
PAS), plus more off Townsend Park later that
morning (SL), while 20 at Kurth Lake Oct 15
were somewhat late (LD et al, PAS).3
Forster’s Terns at Kurth Lake July 9 were
the first of the season (LD).Two
adult Sooty
Terns over the main basin above
the TX 147 causeway (San Aug/Nac Cos) during
Tropical Storm Lee on Sept 4 were a
remarkable surprise (DW, PB et al, PAS field
trip), though I later read that this storm
brought many inland in Louisiana.They
were observed off-and-on for over 1 ˝ hours
during the height of the blowing rain and
wind produced by this rather minor storm.This
was only our 2nd record ever of
these storm-driven waifs, the first being
1-2 adults in this same area Sept 12-13,
1998, after Tropical Storm Frances.
The only Common Nighthawks were 12
about 5 miles east of Nacogdoches
Sept 19 (LS).With almost no flowers “in the wild”
due to the drought large numbers of
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds visited local
feeders.A big push of migrants appeared Sept
10-20 and then numbers peaked the last days
of September.Most abruptly disappeared as a major
cool front came through Sept 30-Oct 1 (m.
obs.).A juvenile Northern Flicker on the TX
147 causeway July 20 confirmed local
breeding at a site where they have nested in
the past (RT, DW).The
first migrant flickers were one near Nacogdoches
Sept 24 (CW) and 4 around upper Rayburn on
Sept 30 (DW).It was a good fall for Olive-sided
Flycatchers, with more sightings than usual:
1 in Central Hts August 18 (DW), 1 at Eagle
Point August 19 (DW); 1 at Townsend Park
August 25 (DW); 2 at Townsend Park August 27
(DW et al, PAS); 1 in Central Hts Sept 7
(MHW, SL); and 1 at Etoile Park Sept 14 (DW
et al). The
last Eastern Wood-Pewee was at EwingPark
Oct 18 (DW).Single Yellow-bellied Flycatchers
were at Eagle Point August 14 (DW et al,
PAS); Central Hts August 18 (DW); near
Appleby August 19 (MHW); Marion Ferry Sept 6
(DW); Central Hts Sept 8 (DW); and 2 at EtoilePark
Sept 12 (DW).Alder Flycatchers were vocal in the
Eagle Point area from August 14-24 (DW, PB,
PAS), with a maximum of 5-10 on August 19-24
(DW).Willow
Flycatchers
were either less common or less vocal to
confirm the identification, but a few were
recorded August 27-Sept 1 (DW).The
first Least Flycatcher was in Central Hts
July 28-29 (DW); peak count was 10 in the
Eagle Point area Sept 1 (DW); and the last
was one still at Ellen Trout Park Oct 10
(LD).6+
Red-eyed Vireos were very vocal in Central Hts August
17, but gone the next day (DW).A
Philadelphia Vireo in Lufkin
on Sept 21 was noteworthy for fall (LD).The
first Bank Swallow was one over Eagle Point
August 8 (DW) and the last was one over the
TX 147 causeway Oct 9 (TR, PAS).A
few Cave
Swallows were found amidst the hordes
of Cliff and Barn swallows gathering on
upper Lake Rayburn in late August, with 2
over Eagle Point (Ang Co) August 19; 1 off
Townsend Park (San Aug Co) August 25; and 1
at Ewing Park (Ang Co) Sept 1 (all DW).A
migrant Bewick’s Wren visited Central Hts Oct 7
(DW).Migrant
Marsh Wrens were found Sept 27-Oct 15 (DW,
LD et al), with a peak of 5+ at the TX 147
causeway Oct 9 (DW et al, PAS).An
extremely early Ruby-crowned Kinglet was at
the NativePlantCenter
in Nacogdoches
Sept 7 (JS).Large numbers of Blue-gray
Gnatcatchers were on the move from at least
July 31-October 11 (m. obs.).The
first big push was 55+ at Eagle Point August
19; the next was 110+ at Ewing/Marion Ferry
Parks Sept 1; and the season high count was
190+ around upper LakeRayburn
Sept 6 (DW).A just-fledged Gray Catbird
photographed in Nacogdoches
on July 17 was a nice confirmation of
continued breeding in the area (CS).The
first Brown Thrashers were moving by late
August (1 in Central
Hts August 29; DW), but the
species did not become widespread until the
last days of Sept and first week of Oct (m.
obs.).The first flock of American Pipits
was 20 at LakeNacogdoches
Oct 14 (CW).
Warblers were not especially
numerous, but persistent observers had some
nice sightings.Single
Blue-winged Warblers at Marion Ferry Sept 6
(DW); EtoilePark
Sept 12 (DW); and the Azalea Trail Sept 12
(LD) were the only ones.The
first Nashville Warbler was at EtoilePark
Sept 12 (DW).The first Yellow Warbler was at TX
103 at the Angelina on August 7 (DW et al,
PAS) while the best counts were 20 in the
Eagle Point area August 19 (DW); 25 total at
Ewing and Etoile Parks Sept 11-12 (DW et al,
PAS); and 32+ (at four sites) on upper
Rayburn Sept 15 (DW).One
at EllenTroutPark
Oct 6 was the last (LD).Single
Magnolia Warblers were at TownsendPark
Sept 15 & 18, perhaps the same
individual (DW et al, PAS).A
beautiful female Black-throated
Gray Warbler at Alazan Bayou WMA
Oct 20 (DW) was a first
record for NacogdochesCounty
and surrounding areas.The
only previous records that I know of for the
entire Pineywoods are both from WalkerCounty
in the far southwest of the region, in 1984
and 1989.The first Black-throated Green
Warbler was at EtoilePark
Sept 11 (DW, LS).A
Yellow-throated Warbler at EwingPark
Oct 11 was somewhat late (DW).Five
migrant
Prairie Warblers was more than usual, with
singles at Marion Ferry July 31 (DW); Eagle
Point August 7 (DW et al, PAS); Ewing and
Etoile Parks Sept 6 (DW); and at the base of
TX 147 Sept 15 (a late date; DW).More
migrant American Redstarts were seen than
usual, from Sept 6-Oct 17 (LD, DW et al).The
peak count of Prothonotary Warblers was 5 at
Eagle Point July 31 (DW); this species is
largely gone by mid-August and singles at
Kurth Lake
August 31 (LD) and Eagle Point Sept 1 (DW)
were the last.The first Northern Waterthrush were 2
at Eagle Point August 24 (DW); the high
count was 10 at various sites on upper
Rayburn Sept 6 (DW); and the last were
singles in Lufkin Oct 2 (LD) and Etoile Park
Oct 6 (DW).Mourning Warbler sightings included
one found dead in Nacogdoches August 30
(Bonnie Lacey); 1 in Central Hts Sept 5
(DW); great looks at 2 on the PAS field trip
to Ellen Trout Park Sept 17 (LD et al, PAS);
1 at Kurth Lake Sept 18 (LD); and 1 at
Etoile Park Sept 30 (DW).The
first big push of Common Yellowthroats was
25+ at the TX 103 at the Angelina flats on
Sept 27 (DW).Canada
Warbler sightings were 2 at Eagle Point Sept
1 (DW); 2 on Sept 15 (EtoilePark and TX 147;
DW); and 1 at TownsendPark
Sept 18 (DW et al, PAS).It
was a banner fall for Wilson’s
Warblers and far more than usual were seen.The
first were 7 (at 3 sites) on upper Rayburn
(DW) Sept 6, a high count.Other
good counts were 8 (at 4 sites) on upper
Rayburn Sept 15 (DW) and 4 at EllenTroutPark
Oct 6 (LD).1-3 were found on numerous other days
(m. obs.), while the last were 2 at Ellen
Trout Park Oct 17 (LD).A
Yellow-breasted Chat at EwingPark
Oct 11 was late (DW).A
Scarlet
Tanager in Central
Hts August 18 (DW) was a rare
fall sighting and the earliest fall record
ever for the Pineywoods by two days.It
was the best fall for Clay-colored
Sparrows in more than a decade, with
at least 16 records of 1-2 birds at various
sites from Sept 11-Oct 21.The
first
was a very
early adult at EtoilePark
Sept 11 (DW, LS).Grasshopper
Sparrows were also more frequent than usual,
with singles at Alazan Bayou WMA Oct 1 (SL,
DW); Ellen Trout Park Oct 6 (LD); and Ewing
Park flats Oct 6 (DW); and then 3 together
at the TX 147 causeway Oct 21 (DW) and at
least 2 at Alazan Bayou WMA Oct 22 (DW, LD).The
first Lincoln’s
Sparrow was one at EtoilePark
Sept 27 (DW), while the first numbers were 5
in Lufkin
Oct 2 (LD).Dickcissels were a common sight
around upper LakeRayburn
this fall, frequenting the dried-up flats
covered with tall grass and weeds.The
highest count was 105 at TX 103 at the
Angelina Sept 27, but they were seen on
every trip from July 17-Oct 23 (DW, m.
obs.).One at EllenTroutPark
Oct 17 was new for that site (LD).This
is a very prolonged migration period, quite
different from the mad northward rush of
this species in the spring.A
male Yellow-headed
Blackbird in Diboll on Sept 15
(RT) was a very rare surprise and one of our
very few fall records.A
Great-tailed Grackle over EtoilePark
Sept 12 (DW) was a rare sight away from
town, while high counts of up to 25 were
noted at the Wal-Marts in Lufkin (LD) and
Nacogdoches (RT) through early October.They
seemed to disappear after this.The
best push of migrant Orchard Orioles was 32
in the Marion Ferry area July 17 (DW).This
species leaves very early and the last
sighting of an adult male was July 24, while
females and immature birds were seen through
Sept 11 (DW et al).A
few Baltimore Orioles were seen Sept 4-Oct
7, including at hummingbird feeders, but the
numbers were low (m. obs.).A
rare out-of-season American Goldfinch was
detected over TownsendPark
Sept 18 (TR).
Observers: PB = Peter
Barnes; LD = Louis Debetaz; CDF = Charles
Dean Fisher; RH = Ruth Heino; SL = Susie
Lower; PAS = Pineywoods Audubon Society
field trip; LP = Linda Price; PAS
= Pineywoods Audubon Society field trip; TR
= Thomas Riecke; RS = Rick Schaefer; CS =
Cliff Shackelford; JS = Julie Shackelford;
LS = Les Stewart; RT = Robert Truss; CW =
Carol Wells; DW = David Wolf; MHW = Mimi
Hoppe Wolf; m. obs. = many observers.
Localities
in Angelina County:
Angelina County Airport; Diboll; Eagle Point
(receding pools and shoreline woods just
above TX 103 at the Angelina arm of Lake
Rayburn in Angelina
Co); Ellen Trout Park (in Lufkin);
Ewing Park (mudflats and shoreline brush
just below TX 103 at the Angelina arm in Angelina
Co); Kurth Lake; Marion Ferry (Ang
Co).
Localities
in Nacogdoches County:
Alazan Bayou WMA; Appleby, Central Heights;
Etoile Flats (the maor receding basin just
above TX 103 at the Angelina arm of Lake
Rayburn in Nacogdoches
Co); Etoile Park (woods adjacent to
Etoile Flats on the Angelina arm of Rayburn
in Nacogdoches
Co); Lake Nacogdoches; Loco Valley;
Marion Ferry (Nac Co); Nacogdoches (town).
Localities in San
Augustine County:TownsendPark;
TX 147 causeway and
Prolonged
record-setting extreme heat and severe
drought sums up the weather this
summer.We went into the season hotter and
drier than average, and then it proceeded
to just get worse...and worse...and worse,
until by early August we were reaching
temperatures to 106-108 deg. F. daily.Only
a few areas received any significant
rainfall after mid-June and rare were the
days when it even clouded up enough to
give us hope.By
August much of the vegetation was looking
very stressed and some trees were clearly
dying.Huge Lake Rayburn continued to
recede dramatically and by mid-August was
11 ft. below pool.This
record-setting drought now covers most of
the state and in many areas is the worst
in 116 years of record-keeping.
With temperatures in the
upper 90s or higher daily only a few
observers were crazy enough to be out
birding!However, this weather has to abate
eventually and the upcoming months offer
some of our best birding of the year.Two
suggestions for enjoying our local
birds:first, if you do not
already provide water for the
birds in your yard now is the time to
do so.It might be anything from a pan to
a fancy water feature, but it should be a
big help to our local birds and any
migrants passing through, since many
creeks, ponds and marshes are bone-dry.A
“drip” is especially appreciated.Keep
an eye out – you never know what might
sneak in.Secondly: Lake Rayburn and
other bodies of water are extremely
low, with extensive shoreline and
islands exposed, so we have a chance
to see shorebirds and other waterbirds
that are normally scarce or lacking
in our region.If
you are anywhere near the lake it is worth
carrying your binoculars and checking the
shorelines and any islands.There
may just be something of interest there.Please
report sightings to me at dewolf@myinu.net
for inclusion in the Fall Report.
Pied-billed
Grebes bred on Kurth Lake again, with 3
adults and 2 juveniles seen July 7 (LD).A
late Am. White Pelican was on an island off
the TX 147 causeway on Lake Rayburn on 6
June (DW).Two Least Bitterns at the TX
147 causeway on Rayburn (San Aug Co)
provided one of our few regional records in
the last 20 years (DW), but they were not
found again and the marshes dried up.It
is likely that a few pairs of Tricolored
Herons again nested in the large
rookery on the island off TX 147 on Rayburn
(San Augustine Co) as breeding-plumaged
adults were seen several times in June and
July (DW).The first wandering Roseate
Spoonbills were 2 on upper Rayburn
(in San Aug Co) on July 26 (DW).The
only Wood Stork this period was one
on the Attoyac arm of Rayburn (Nac Co) on
July 26 (DW).Two Osprey nests on Lake
Rayburn (both in Nacogdoches Co) fledged
young this summer (DW).A
Swallow-tailed Kite photographed on
FM 1669 near Huntington on August 4 had
apparently been around for “several weeks”
(Beverly and Tim Johnson, fide LD).We
have very few records of this species this
far north into the Pineywoods.After
no early summer sightings of Mississippi
Kites in Nacogdoches a very vocal pair was
found on July 8; their behavior indicated
that they were in the vicinity of a nest
(CS).This
species nested here for the first time last
summer.The first migrant kites were 2 over
Central Heights on July 26 (MHW) and the
first numbers were 10 over Nacogdoches
August 4 (CS).Cooper’s Hawks nested on the
Azalea Trail in Lufkin again this summer
(LD) and 2 begging fledglings in Central Hts
July 26-August 1 confirmed breeding there
(DW).A
fledgling Broad-winged Hawk that
could barely fly was seen in Nacogdoches
town August 1 for confirmed breeding there.Three
adult and one juvenile Purple Gallinule
were at Kurth Lake July 9 (LD) and this
species was still present into August.This
species is rare and local in our region and
this is the only consistent site for it.4
American Coots were at TX 147 on Rayburn
July 1 (DW), one was at Kurth Lake July 9
(LD), and another summered at the VFW pond
in Lufkin (LD), but there was no indication
of breeding.A very late Ring-billed Gull was at
TX 147 on Rayburn (San Aug Co) on June 6
(DW).
Perhaps the
biggest bird news of this hot summer was yet
another southern “invader” moving into the
Pineywoods.White-winged Doves were
present in Lufkin (Angelina Co) in
significant numbers all summer, and were
confirmed breeding for the first time in
our region.I
first heard of them through Louis Debetaz in
late May and then Cliff Shackelford tracked
down further information.In
mid-July they were photographed by Richard
Rowlett (including 14 birds at once) and he
also found a nest.On
August 3 Cliff heard at least 5-6 singing
from one spot near Winston Park and saw one.It
is likely that White-wings will soon be a
regular part of our avifauna, but for now
this is an important range extension.Both
adult Greater Roadrunners were observed
feeding young in a nest behind Kinfolk’s
Restaurant on NW Loop 224 in Nacogdoches in
early to mid-July (fide CS).Beginning
in mid-June a fledgling Barred Owl,
typically accompanied by one or both adults,
regularly came to a sprinkler in Carrizo
Creek at night, providing quite a show (SL).Recently
fledged
Red-headed Woodpeckers were found in
Nacogdoches on July 13 & 18 (CS) and
Central Hts on August 3 (DW).A
juvenile Northern Flicker on the TX 147
causeway on July 20 confirmed local breeding
(RT, DW).
The first Least
Flycatchers were single adults in Central
Hts July 28-29 and at Marion Ferry July 31
(both DW).An immature Tree Swallow at TX 147 on
Rayburn on July 1 had likely been raised
locally (DW).A singing Swainson’s Thrush in
Nacogdoches
June 11 was our latest spring
migrant ever for anywhere in the Pineywoods
(CS).A
Prairie Warbler at Marion Ferry July 31
(DW), a Louisiana Waterthrush in Central Hts
June 20 (MHW), and a male Hooded Warbler in
Cushing on June 24 (DS) were already away
from breeding territories.Are
these birds long-distance migrants or just
local wanderers?Large
areas of dry lake-bed on upper Rayburn grew
up to grass and weeds this summer, and great
numbers of singing Common Yellowthroats,
Indigo Buntings and Dickcissels moved in to
take advantage of this new habitat.Even
a few Northern Bobwhite were heard at Marion
Ferry and the base of the TX 147 causeway
(DW).Great-tailed
Grackles were confirmed breeding in
Nacogdoches for the 2nd year in a row (the
first juveniles were seen June 27 by DW),
and they have become locally numerous in
Lufkin, with more than 20 at one site (LD).They
are becoming established, whether we like it
or not.The peak count of migrant Orchard
Orioles around the Marion Ferry shoreline on
Lake Rayburn was 32+ on July 17 (DW); few
adult males were seen after this.Bright
adult
male Baltimore Orioles were seen within
blocks of downtown Nacogdoches on June 11
(CS) and July 9 (MHW), likely indicating a
local breeding attempt.This
species is rare breeder anywhere in the
Pineywoods, but has been confirmed in the
past.
Observers:
LD = Louis Debetaz; WF = Wayne Forrest; SL =
Susie Lower; DS = Dennis Scheef;
CS = Cliff Shackelford; RT = Robert Truss;
DW = David Wolf; MHW = Mimi Hoppe Wolf
Localities
in Angelina County: Marion Ferry
on upper Lake Rayburn; Huntington; Kurth
Lake; Lufkin. In
Nacogdoches County: Carrizo
Creek; Central Heights; Cushing;
Nacogdoches town.
In San Augustine County: TX 147
causeway on middle Lake Rayburn.
*********************************************
Spring
Report 2011
Corrections and
Additions to “Spring Bird Report for
2011"
In my haste to get the Spring 2011
Bird Report done I overlooked some very
important sightings.Thanks
to all who sent in corrections/additions and
here they are.We
are well into the summer doldrums now,
especially acute as we experience prolonged
heat and drought, but remember that with
area lake levels so low we should have
shorebirds around soon if anyone cares to
brave the heat and get out birding!Please let me know
what you see – David E. Wolf (dewolf@myinu.net)
Cattle Egret - Carol Wells had the
first one, at the Nacogdoches sewage ponds
March 11.
Eastern Kingbird - one in
Douglass (Nac Co) by Carol Wells on March 27
was the first.
Swainson’s Thrush - Cliff
Shackelford had one in Nacogdoches on June
11, our latest date ever by 15 days!
Western Tanager - one
beautiful male in a mulberry at Kent and Ann
Richardson’s off TX 103 in Angelina County
on April 27 was one of only a very few
spring records for the entire Pineywoods
region.My
apologies to Kent and Ann for overlooking
this very important record of a bird
extremely rare in our region.
Orchard Oriole - 2 males in Douglass
on April 7 were the first; Carol Wells.
Baltimore Oriole - a
brilliant adult male near downtown
Nacogdoches on June 11 may have been a local
breeder rather than a late migrant, but was
never seen again in the area; Cliff
Shackelford.
Pine Siskin - Ruth Heino had one
linger in Loco Valley until May 8, the last
one from the minor winter invasion.
(June 10, 2011)
Migrants
were generally scarce this spring.What else can I
say?Although
a nice diversity of species was found by a
few persistent observers, the numbers were
consistently low.And
though we had a number of cool fronts, we
had very little rain.This would seem to be a key
ingredient needed to produce good fallouts
here, so it is no surprise that they were
lacking this spring.As I write this, we continue
setting near-record high temperatures
daily and the prolonged drought continues
unabated.This
report is lengthy – spring is a complex
season! – and if I have missed any
important sightings, or if any information
here is incorrect, please let me know.Thanks and have
a good summer: David Wolf at dewolf@myinu.net
Spring
firsts:
many species seemed to be a week or more
late in arriving.
Little
Blue
Heron - 3 at Alazan Bayou March 19 (DW).
Cattle
Egret
- 2 over the Azalea Trail March 22 (LD).
Green
Heron
- 1 in Diboll April 6 (RT).
Chuck-will’s-widow
-
1 in Central Hts April 9 (DW, MHW).
Chimney
Swift
- 1 over Marion Ferry March 22 (DW).
Ruby-throated
Hummingbird
- 1 in Huntington March 18 (NB).
Great
Crested
Flycatcher - 1 in Huntington March 18 was
very early (NB); the next report was one
at Alazan Bayou April 2 (RT, DW).
Eastern
Kingbird
- 1 in Central Hts March 31 (DW).
Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher
- 1 e. of Cushing on March 21 (DS); first
for Angelina Co was one at Angelina Co AP
March 24 (LD).
Red-eyed
Vireo
- 3 at Alazan Bayou April 2 (DW).
Purple
Martin
- 1 at Kurth Lake on Jan 15 was extremely
early (LD).
Wood
Thrush
- 1 singing in Melrose April 6 (RT).
Yellow-throated
Warbler
- 1 in Central Hts March 21 (MHW); 1 at
Marion Ferry March 22 (DW); and 1 at Kurth
Lake March 23 (LD).
Prothonotary
Warbler
- 1 at Alazan Bayou April 2 (RT, DW).
Louisiana
Waterthrush
- 1 heard in Carrizo Creek right on
schedule on March 16 (SL).
Summer
Tanager
- 1 in Nacogdoches April 7 (RH); 1 in
Carrizo Creek on April 10 (SL).
Blue
Grosbeak
- 1 at Alazan Bayou April 9 (RT, DW).
Indigo
Bunting
- 1 in Central Hts April 7 (DW); 1 in Loco
Valley April 10 (RH)..
Orchard
Oriole
- 4 at Alazan Bayou April 9 (RT, DW).
Main
report:
Black-bellied
Whistling-Ducks
are present in the Diboll area again this
year, with a pair near Ryan Lake (s.
Angelina Co) May 20 and again May 26 (LD);
they were also seen closer to Diboll
several times in late May-early June (RT).A pair of
Gadwall at TX 147 April 27 were the last,
as were 20 Northern Shovelers there the
same day (DW).The
first Blue-winged Teal were 3 at Ellen
Trout Park March 20 (KK) and 2 at Kurth
Lake March 23 (LD); the last were 8 late
birds at TX 147 on May 25 (DW).Late migrant
waterfowl included a Lesser Scaup at Kurth
Lake May 14 (LD); a female Common
Goldeneye at TX 103 at Etoile March 27
(DW, RT); and a Red-breasted Merganser on
Kurth Lake May 11-14 (LD).A Northern Bobwhite heard on the
Diboll BBS May 26 was the first in 15
years (LD).4
Eared Grebes on Kurth Lake April
27 were a good find (LD).3 Neotropic Cormorants at TX 103 at
Etoile March 22 were the first, while at
least 50, along with 100 Double-crested,
were around the nesting island off TX 147
April 27 (both DW).A
flock of 40 Anhingas over Alazan Bayou
April 8 was the only sizable number of
migrants reported (DW).A lingering American White Pelican
was on an island n. of TX 147 June 6 (DW).The only
American Bittern reported was at Alazan
Bayou March 19 (RT, DW).The first Snowy Egret was one at
Marion Ferry March 27 (DW).A Tricolored Heron at TX 147 May 2
and 2 there June 6 hint that there may
again be a few pairs breeding on the
nesting island (DW).Noteworthy White Ibis sightings
were 120 at Alazan Bayou March 15 (DW);
270 there March 26 (DW); 30 at Marion
Ferry May 15 (LD); and 11 non-breeders at
TX 147 June 6 (DW).Rare
White-faced Ibis sightings were 7
bright adults at TX 147 May 2 (DW) and 2
there May 25 (DW).A
Black Vulture flushed from an abandoned
building on FM 1878 (Nac Co) already had a
single egg on March 6 (SL).An Osprey was back at the nest site
off TX 103 at Etoile (Nac Co) March 22;
the nest off Shirley Creek was also active
this year (both DW).The first Mississippi Kite was an
early single over Alazan Bayou April 9
(RT, DW), while 9 over the Azalea Trail on
May 1 was the only flock reported (LD); 2
over Alazan Bayou May 24 seemed to be late
migrants (DW).One
around Diboll in early June was more
likely a local breeder; though no nest has
yet been found in that area a few seem to
be present every summer (RT).Bald Eagles
nested at both Ellen Trout Park in Lufkin
(m. obs.) and Lake Nacogdoches, where a
juvenile learning to fly was accompanied
by an adult on May 2 (CW).There were also numerous juveniles
around upper and middle Lake Rayburn this
spring, indicating a good breeding season
locally (DW).Swainson’s
Hawks were seen in our area for the
first time in several years, a light morph
adult low over Central Hts April 8 (DW,
MHW) and a dark morph at Alazan Bayou
April 16 (DW, RT).The
first Broad-winged Hawks were 2 over
Nacogdoches March 26 (MHW), while the only
significant flight detected was on April
2, when 526 came over Alazan Bayou in two
hours (DW).The
first calling bird, presumably a local
breeder, was heard in Carrizo Creek April
10 (SL).The
only Merlin reported was a late one at
Kurth Lake May 18 (LD).
4
Purple Gallinules were back at Kurth Lake
May 14, our only regular site for this
species (LD).6
American Coots were at the TX 147 causeway
May 25-June 6, but there was no evidence
of breeding (DW).A
smattering of shorebirds appeared this
spring, on rare stormy days or around the
extensive exposed flats on Lake Rayburn.11 American
Golden Plover at the Angelina Co Airport
on rainy March 8 had diminished to 4 on
March 11 (LD, SL); 9 were in Central Hts
March 14 (DW); 3 were at the Angelina Co
AP March 22 (DW); and one at Kurth Lake
April 2 was a first ever for that locality
(LD).One
Black-bellied Plover was at the TX 147
flats April 27 (DW).The first Greater Yellowlegs were 3
at Alazan Bayou March 19 and the last was
one at the Nac ponds May 26 (both DW).A Solitary
Sandpiper at Alazan Bayou March 25 was the
first (DW).The
only numbers of Lesser Yellowlegs were25 at TX 147
April 27 (DW).The
spring high count of Spotted Sandpipers
was 25 at Kurth Lake May 21 (LD).It was a good
spring for Upland Sandpiper sightings:2 at Alazan
Bayou March 25 were the first (DW); 3 were
on FM 1878 in Nac Co on March 26 (SL) and
22 went over Central Hts that same day
(DW); 17 were in Central Hts April 4 (DW);
16 at the Angelina Co AP April 5 increased
to a spring high count of 43 the next day
(LD, CM); and the last was one at the
Angelina Co AP April 26 (LD).Semipalmated
Sandpiper sightings were 2 at TX 147 April
27 (DW), one at the Nac ponds May 2 (DW)
and 1 at Kurth Lake April 30 (LD).The spring high
count of Least Sandpipers was 90 at TX 147
on April 27 (DW).14
Baird’s Sandpiper at TX 147 April 27 was a
good count, while a single late one was at
the Nac ponds May 26 (both DW).The only
White-rumped Sandpipers were one at Kurth
Lake April 30 and 2 there May 11 (both
LD).A
Sanderling at Kurth Lake May 21 was the
only one this spring (LD).The first Pectoral Sandpipers were
6 at the Angelina Co AP March 8 (LD).A Dunlin was at
Kurth Lake May 21 (LD) and 2 came over the
TX 147 causeway May 25 (DW).30 Wilson’s Snipe at Alazan Bayou
March 25 was the spring high count (DW).A flock of 70
Wilson’s Phalaropes at TX 147 on April 27
was a high count, while a single visited
the Nac ponds May 2 (both DW).The first
Franklin’s Gull were 2 over Central Hts
and 1 at TX 103 at Etoile on April 15
(DW); on April 27 there were 300 on an
island offTX
147 (DW); and 100 were at TX 103 at Etoile
April 28 (LD).Late
Bonaparte’s Gulls were one at TX 103 at
Etoile April 15 (DW) and 3 at Kurth Lake
April 27 (LD).A
very late Ring-billed was at TX 147 on
June 6 (DW), where 3 Herring Gulls were
tallied both April 27 and May 2 (DW). 6
Caspian Terns were at the TX 147 causeway
April 27 and 7 were there May 2 (DW).
White-winged
Doves
have rapidly been expanding their range in
Texas for decades and we’ve been waiting
for them to show up in our region again.This spring they
did, when 2 were at feeders in Nacogdoches
April 18; on April 23 there were 3 and 2
were singing (CE).They
were also found in Lufkin, apparently
nesting and not for the first time (fide
LD).Whip-poor-wills
were heard in Central Hts March 25 and
April 1 (MHW).Northern
Flickers independently found in both the
Marion Ferry and TX 103 at Etoile areas
from 22 March-late May (LD, DW) were
likely local breeders.An Olive-sided Flycatcher in
Douglass May 3 was the only one this
spring (CW).Empidonax
were largely lacking this spring, but a 2
Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were in Central
Hts May 17 (MHW) and a Willow Flycatcher
was in Pecan Park May 2 (TR).An Eastern
Phoebe on the Diboll BBS May 26 was about
as far south as they are known to summer
(LD).The
first fledged phoebe was in Pecan Park May
2 (DW).No
great numbers of migrant vireos were
reported, but 2 Philadelphia were in Pecan
Park May 2 (DW). 40 Tree Swallows at
Angelina Co AP on rainy March 8 was a good
count (LD).Two
extremely early (or wintering?) Northern
Rough-winged Swallows at Kurth Lake on the
Feb 12 PAS field trip were unexpected (LD
et al).A
large flight of swallows at the TX 147
causeway on May 2 included 30 Northern
Rough-winged, 35 Bank, 800+ Cliff and
1200+ Barn (DW).Cave
Swallows continued to rapidly
expand in our region this spring.On March 19 at
least 12 were back at the Alazan Bayou
bridge where they nested last year and by
late April they had nests built.This species was
then found at a small culvert on TX 7 at
the Nacogdoches AP April 10 and 10 nests
were confirmed there April 28 (DW).On May 24 at
least 6 were a TX 7 bridge over the
Angelina Riverbottoms (Nac Co) (DW).They were also
confirmed to be breeding again on the TX 7
bridge over the Neches River (Angelina Co)
(LD, DW).A
Veery, one of our scarcer spring migrants,
was on the Azalea Trail April 21 (LD),
while a Gray-cheeked Thrush on the Lanana
Creek Trail April 27 was the only one this
spring (DW).I
received two reports of Red-breasted
Nuthatches coming to feeders in
Nacogdoches in the late winter, one in
mid-Feb (TD) and one in Feb-March (fide
SL).A single
Golden-crowned Kinglet and Brown Creeper
were late migrants through Central Hts on
March 28 (DW).A
huge flock of 2000+ Cedar Waxwings feeding
on berries at SFASU March 27 was an
impressive sight (CS, JS).
A
very early Nashville Warbler on the Azalea
Trail March 21-22 was the first, as was an
early Tennessee Warbler there April 5
(both LD).The
first numbers of Tennessee in Pecan Park
were 12 on April 26 (DW); they peaked
there at a paltry 35+ on May 2 (DW).The first
Chestnut-sided Warblers were singles in
Nacogdoches April 27 (TR, DW), while the
first Magnolia Warblers were 2 in Pecan
Park April 28 (DW).A
female Black-throated Blue Warbler
on the Azalea Trail May 10 was a stunning
find, a first for Angelina Co and a first
spring record for our region of the
Pineywoods (LD).The
first Black-throated Green Warbler was
heard in Central Hts March 27 (MHW), but
this species was notable for its absence
most of this spring.Single Bay-breasted Warblers were
in Pecan Park May 1 and Old Orchard Park
May 2 (DW).A
male Blackpoll Warbler on the
Azalea Trail May 22 was another great find
by Louis and the only one this spring
(LD).An
Ovenbird was on the Lanana Creek Trail
April 27 (DW) and a Mourning Warbler was
at the Angelina College Trail May 17 (LD).A male Common
Yellowthroat at Alazan Bayou March 15
likely had over-wintered (DW).The only
Wilson’s Warbler was one on the Azalea
Trail May 22 (LD).A
female Scarlet Tanager at Kurth Lake May
11 was somewhat late and the only reported
this spring (LD).A
migrant Cassin’s Sparrow singing
at Alazan Bayou April 27 was the 4th
spring record for Nacogdoches County and
the Pineywoods (DW).Later this species was found in
numbers and singing on territory in the
stripmines and clearcuts well to the north
of our region in the NETFO area, a
stunning surprise (further info available
on the NETFO website).These birds were likely displaced
by the drought in central and west Texas.Clay-colored
Sparrows were found in relatively good
numbers this spring, with 6 at Alazan
Bayou on April 16 and 27 (DW, RT); 3 in
Pecan Park April 27-28 (TR, DW); one on
the Azalea Trail April 30-May 1 (LD); and
2 at Alazan Bayou May 2 (DW).Single migrant
Field Sparrows were in Central Hts April
17 (DW) and on the Azalea Trail April 26
(LD).The
first Lark Sparrow was back at the
Angelina Co AP March 9 (LD), while the
wintering flock of 15 in Central Hts
dispersed in mid-March (DW, MHW).A Grasshopper
Sparrow in Pecan Park on April 11 was a
surprise (TR), while the only others were
2 at Alazan Bayou April 16 (DW, RT).4+ Henslow’s
Sparrows singing at Alazan Bayou
at dawn on April 8 were a surprise (DW);
they were not present the next morning.This is our
latest date ever for this species and may
also be the first report of singing birds
in our area.The
first migrant Lincoln’s Sparrow appeared
in Central Hts March 17 (DW), while the
only large numbers were 55 at Alazan Bayou
April 16 (RT, DW).The
last Harris’s Sparrows wintering in
Central Hts was seen March 14 (DW).A migrant
White-crowned Sparrow in Pecan Park May 2
was the last (DW).The
last Dark-eyed Juncos were 2 in Central
Hts March 18 (DW).The first Rose-breasted Grosbeak
was one in Loco Valley April 17 (RH).Large numbers of
Dickcissels at Alazan Bayou April 27 (210)
and May 2 (230) included many flocks of
migrants (DW).Bobolinks
made a decent showing this spring,
with 4 males at Alazan Bayou April 27 down
to 2 on May 2 (both DW); 6 were found in
Central Hts May 13 and a few remained
through May 21 (MHW); and 10 were at
Marion Ferry on May 15 (LD).At least 6 Brewer’s and 6 Rusty
Blackbirds amidst other icterids at the
Angelina Co AP on March 11 were the last
sightings this winter (LD, SL).At least 2 male
Great-tailed Grackles were back in
the vicinity of the Nacogdoches Wal-Mart
by March 1 (SL); they were also present in
Diboll (RT) and at the Lufkin Wal-Mart (LD
et al) from March onwards.They are likely nesting at all
three locations – and are now becoming a
regular, if unwanted, part of our
avifauna.No
large numbers of Baltimore Orioles were
reported, but the first was one in Central
Hts April 13 (MHW) and 15 were in Pecan
Park April 26 (DW).While
most
American
Goldfinches left the feeders by late Feb,
Pine Siskins stayed around and even
increased:20
siskins were in Huntington March 10 (NB);
5+ were singing in Nac March 16 (TR); then
a high count of 140 was found in Nac April
14 (TR); and the last was one in Pecan
Park May 3 (DW).
Observers:
NB = Nancy Bird; CE = Chuck Ely; TD =
Thelmas Dalmas; LD = Louis Debetaz; RH =
Ruth Heino; KK = Kara Kaplowitz; SL = Susie
Lower; TR = Thomas Riecke; DS = Dennis
Scheef; CS, JS = Cliff and Julie
Shackelford; RT = Robert Truss; CW = Carol
Wells; DW = David Wolf; MHW = Mimi Hoppe
Wolf
Localities:
in
Angelina County:
Angelina College Trail (Lufkin); Angelina
County Airport (= Angelina Co AP); Azalea
Trail (Lufkin); Diboll; Ellen Trout Park
(Lufkin); Huntington; Kurth Lake; Lufkin;
Marion Ferry; Old Orchard Park (Diboll);
Ryan Lake (near Diboll); and TX 103 at
Etoile (unless specified as Nacogdoches Co).In
Nacogdoches County: Alazan Bayou
WMA; Carrizo Creek; Central Heights;
Cushing; Douglass; Lanana Creek Trail (in
Nacogdoches); Loco Valley; Melrose;
Nacogdoches town; Nacogdoches sewage ponds
(= Nac ponds); Pecan Park; SFASU (= Stephen
F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches);
and Shirley Creek (upper Lake Rayburn).In San
Augustine County: TX 147 area on
Lake Rayburn (unless specifically indicated
as Angelina County end of causeway).
Late
Fall/Winter Bird Report (November 1, 2010 -
February 25, 2011)
Though the first part of this winter started
off relatively mild, the weather sure changed
after Christmas, as repeated Arctic blasts
brought some of the coldest weather that we
have had in many years (remember the 80s?).
Throughout the season we had occasional rains
to help alleviate the near-drought conditions,
but they were not enough to replenish ground
water. Lake Rayburn remained extremely low,
due to both the prolonged dry conditions and
purposely lowering the level for bridge
repairs. There were few trends with the birds
this winter, the most notable being flights of
Harris’s Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird, Purple
Finch and Pine Siskin. My apologies for not
getting some of this report out to you sooner,
but please keep sending your sightings. Our
winter birds are leaving and spring migration
is already here! Many thanks – David and Mimi
Wolf ( dewolf@myinu.net
)
25 Ross’s Geese amidst a flock of
150 Snow Geese over Nacogdoches Nov 23 was a
high count (TR), while 3 circled low over
Alazan Bayou WMA on the Dec 18 Nac CBC (DW).
The only Northern Pintail were one at Kurth
Lake Nov 20 (LD, CM) and 3 at the TX 147
causeway 23 Feb (DW). Redheads were prominent
on Kurth Lake and the Nac sewage ponds in the
latter half of Dec, with a high count of 204
at the Nac ponds Dec 30 (DW), but they were
largely gone by early January. The peak count
of Canvasback on Rayburn was 2100 off the TX
147 causeway Jan 2 (DW). 6 Greater Scaup
wintered at the Nac ponds from at least
mid-Dec to Feb 10 (DW et al). The first Common
Goldeneye were 3 at the Nac ponds Nov 29 (CW)
and up to 4 were here into early January (DW
et al). Another was in n. Nacogdoches County
on Dec 4 (RT). Hooded Merganser numbers peaked
at the Nac sewage ponds Nov 27, when 38 were
counted (CW). They were largely gone from here
by early January, but pairs and small flocks
were seen on several area ponds during Jan-Feb
(m. obs.). 9 Red-breasted Mergansers were at
Lake Nacogdoches Nov 4 (CW) and a single
female was off the TX 147 causeway Dec 5 (DW).
The season high count of 28 Common Loons off
of TX 147 came on Feb 23 (DW), while 24 Horned
Grebes there Nov 27 was a high count for Lake
Rayburn; they did not stay around (DW).
American White Pelicans were scarce on Rayburn
until after the New Year, when 206 were
counted along the Attoyac arm Jan 2 and 195
were off TX 147 Feb 23 (both DW). With their
general increase throughout the region we are
now getting occasional winter records of
Neotropic Cormorant. This season single adults
were along the TX 147 causeway Dec 5 and Feb
23 (both DW). An Anhinga was at Ellen Trout
Lake in Lufkin Jan 1 (AK, KK); does anyone
know if it continued to be seen? Up to 13
Great Egrets were at Ellen Trout Lake through
January (m. obs.), but very few were present
elsewhere. Two late Cattle Egrets were at the
Nac ponds Nov 2 (CW). Two Wild Turkeys on FM
225 west of Nacogdoches Dec 26 were a surprise
(CW).
A migratory flight of 500+ Turkey Vultures
came over Central Hts Nov 25 as a front
approached (MHW). An Osprey at Kurth
Lake on the Dec 18 Nac CBC was a first ever
for count day (CM, HG), whilea
surprising late migrant came south over
Central Hts Jan 3 (MHW). A late Peregrine
Falcon was at the TX 147 causeway on Dec 5
(DW), but was not seen again during the winter
(unlike the previous two years). Different
late Merlins were chasing robins around
Central Hts on Dec 11 and Dec 17 (both DW),
while another near Melrose Dec 25 was a nice
Christmas surprise (RT). Additional fall
American Avocets were 7 at Lake Nacogdoches on
Oct 12 and 9 there Oct 22 (both CW). A
Semipalmated Plover on an island off TX 147 on
Nov 27 was very late (DW). 10 Greater
Yellowlegs on the flats off the TX 147
causeway Dec 5 were the last fall migrants
while one here on Feb 23 may have been an
early spring migrant (both DW); none were
found during the mid-winter. Two Spotted
Sandpipers were at Ellen Trout Lake on Jan 1
(AK, KK). In spite of extensive habitat around
Lake Rayburn only a very few Least Sandpipers
were found, including 2 at TX 147 causeway on
Jan 2 and 16 there on Feb 23 (both DW). Two
were at the Nac ponds Feb 10 (DW). A single
Long-billed Dowitcher was at Townsend Park on
Rayburn on Nov 27 (DW). 4 American Woodcock in
Douglass on Nov 14 was a good count for so
early in the winter (CW). A Bonaparte’s Gull
at Lake Nacogdoches Nov 4 was the first
reported and a bit early (CW), while a late
Franklin’s Gull was at the TX 147 causeway Nov
27 (DW) and 4-6 Herring Gulls were there on
several Jan-Feb visits (DW). An adult Lesser
Black-backed Gull was photographed at
the Lake Livingston spillway on Dec 28 (DW,
RT). This remains the only locality within the
Pineywoods from which this species has been
reported. Even more significant was the
first-cycle Black-legged Kittiwake
discovered there on the same day (RT, DW) and
seen again by RS on Jan 1. It remained through
at least Feb 10 (TR) and was seen by many
observers in January once word got out on the
hot-lines. The high count for Forster’s Terns
on Rayburn was 410+ on Jan 2 (DW).
A very late male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
visited Central Hts Nov 11 (MHW). A Cave
Swallow at the Lake Livingston spillway
Feb 10 (TR) was only the 2nd winter
record for the Pineywoods of which I am aware,
and 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallows
at the VFW Pond in Lufkin on Feb 3 (LD) were
almost as unusual. A Red-breasted Nuthatch in
Nacogdoches Oct 27-31 (SS) did not
prove to be the vanguard of a good flight; the
only other report all winter was 2 at the s.
end of Davy Crockett NF (Trinity Co) (RS). A
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was still along the TX
147 causeway Jan 2, but none were found here
later in the winter after it got really cold
(DW). The first big push of American Robins
was 750 over Central Hts Dec 11 (DW); they
were widespread this winter but not in huge
numbers. A Gray Catbird was at Kurth Lake Jan
12 (LD). The first Cedar Waxwings were 3 over
TX 103 at the Attoyac Dec 5 (DW); this species
was in low numbers all winter. At least one
Sprague’s Pipit was still at the Nac Airport
Feb 10 (DW). A late Black-throated Green
Warbler came through Central Hts Nov 2 (MHW)
and a Common Yellowthroat was at the base of
the TX 147 causeway Nov 27 (DW). Most
surprising was an adult male Summer
Tanager nicely photographed at a suet
feeder in Nacogdoches Jan 13-14 (JR); it was
not seen again after this. On Jan 4 a male Spotted
Towhee was seen with 6 Eastern Towhees
at Alazan Bayou WMA (DW), our most regular
local site for this rare western visitor. A
flock of 15 Lark Sparrows again
wintered in Central Hts and were seen through
at least Feb 25 (MHW, DW). A single Henslow’s
Sparrow was found in Central Hts Feb 25 (MHW,
DW), but LeConte’s were almost non-existent
anywhere this entire winter. 18+ Fox Sparrows
at Alazan Bayou Jan 4 was a definite increase
from mid-Dec (DW). Harris’s Sparrows were in
good numbers again this winter, with a total
of 10 found by 3 parties on the Nac CBC Dec
18; several were back in Central Hts for the
third winter in a row, with a first sighting
Dec 14 (DW). The super-cold weather seemed to
push more Dark-eyed Juncos into our region; on
Jan 25 at least 30 were in Central Hts and
many were acting like restless migrants (DW).
A single Lapland Longspur on the dried-up
flats off the TX 147 causeway on Dec 5 was a
surprise at this site (DW, RT), while 5 were
at the Nac Airport Dec 17 as a norther blew in
(DW); 2 were still there the next day on the
Nac CBC (SL); and 2 were there on Feb 10 (DW).
A late Indigo Bunting in Houston
County (s. of TX 21) on Dec 26 was an
unexpected late migrant (PB). The northern
Pineywoods, including the Tyler and Longview
areas north of us, had the best flight of
Rusty Blackbirds in years. Significant local
reports included from 8 in Central Hts Dec 17,
increasing to 22 on Jan 5 (MHW, DW); 125
between Center and Joaquin (Shelby Co) Dec 30
(RS); and 30 in Loco Valley Jan 8 (RH);
smaller numbers were also seen at Alazan Bayou
WMA and the Nac sewage ponds. The only reports
of Brewer’s Blackbirds were 75 near Chireno on
Nov 26 (RS) and 70 in s. Angelina County Feb
23 (DW). We finally got our first winter
records of the dreaded Great-tailed
Grackle, when 4 were at the Lufkin
Wal-Mart on Dec 31 and 2 were seen again on
Jan 5 (LD). A flock of 4500 Common Grackles
over Central Hts on the very cold day of Dec
23 was the first big push reported (DW).
Purple Finches staged their best "invasion" in
several years, though few came to feeders. The
first report was 2 near Peavey Switch on Nov
26 (JP), while the largest single flock
reported was 12 in n. Shelby County on Dec 30
(RS). They also showed up at Alazan Bayou WMA;
around Lake Rayburn; at Kurth Lake; and at the
SFA Exp Forest (m. obs.) and 2 appeared at
feeders near Huntington Jan 11 (NB). The first
American Goldfinches were 2 in Central Hts Nov
5 (MHW), while possible Pine Siskins were
there Nov 15 (MHW). The first confirmed
sighting of Pine Siskin was 9 in the SFA Exp
Forest Dec 4 (RT, DW). A few siskins were
found on the Nac CBC and then they showed up
amidst the hordes of goldfinches at feeders in
January. Numbers were never very high (most
observers had fewer than 10 at once at their
feeders) and most had seemingly disappeared by
mid-February (m. obs.).
Observers: PB =- Peter Barnes;
NB = Nancy Bird; LD = Louis Debetaz; RH = Ruth
Heino; HG = Heinz Gaylord; AK = Allan
Kaplowitz; KK = Kara Kaplowitz; SL = Susie
Lower; CM = Carroll Moore; JP = Jimmie Putnam;
TR = Thomas Riecke; JR = Jack Rohrer; RS =
Rick Schaefer; SS = Sarah Stovall; RT = Robert
Truss; CW = Carol Wells; DW = David Wolf; MHW
= Mimi Hoppe Wolf; m. obs. = many observers.
Localities in Angelina County
are Ellen Trout Park and Lake (Lufkin);
Huntington; Kurth Lake; Lufkin (town); Peavey
Switch. In Nacogdoches County
are Alazan Bayou WMA; Central Heights;
Chireno; Douglass; Lake Nacogdoches; Loco
Valley; Melrose; Nacogdoches (= Nac);
Nacogdoches Airport; Nacogdoches sewage ponds;
Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest (= SFA
Exp Forest). In San Augustine County
are Townsend Park on Lake Rayburn and the TX
147 causeway over Lake Rayburn (unless
specifically noted as the Angelina County
end).
The 41st
Nacogdoches, TX Christmas Bird Count (December 18,
2010) by David Wolf
It’s hard to believe, but this was our 41st
Nacogdoches Christmas Bird Count, held
on December 18, 2010.A big thank you goes to all who helped
make it a success.We
had a beautiful day to be out birding and
found 114 species, a very respectable
and surprising total right on our 40-year
average.I say
surprising because it doesn’t seem like there
are very many birds around, yet we found
almost all of the regular winter species.However, the numbers
of many birds were on the low side.This includes some
of our favorite resident songbirds, such as
Blue Jay, Eastern Bluebird, Northern
Mockingbird and Northern Cardinal.Many winter
residents were also low, most notably
sparrows; waterbirds like Great Blue Heron and
Belted Kingfisher; and birds of the rank
fields, like Sedge Wren and Swamp Sparrow.All of the marsh
birds were missed – it is so dry there aren’t
any marshes left – and some insectivores were
down in numbers.It
is risky to draw conclusions from one count,
but I would surmise that the on-going drought
limited breeding success for residents and
left relatively little food available for
arriving winter residents, reflected in the
low numbers on the count.As always, there were exceptions.Up in numbers were
Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned
Kinglet and Hermit Thrush, while notable
“invaders” were Harris’s Sparrow (10 total, by
3 parties); Purple Finch (14 total, by 5
parties); Pine Siskin (18 total, by 3
parties); and American Goldfinch (1384 total,
one of our highest counts ever). I should also
note that residents like Red-bellied and Downy
woodpeckers, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted
Titmouse and Carolina Wren were found in
expected numbers and seem to be doing just
fine.Thanks
again for your participation and keep those
winter sightings coming in – David & Mimi
Wolf, compilers (dewolf@myinu.net)
phone: (936) 569-6531
To sum it up, it was a long hot and dry
summer.Rain
was generally scarce and spotty and some
areas were very dry by late August.Few interesting
sightings were reported – it was too hot to
enjoy getting out birding!The pace did pick up a bit in late
August, when a “cool” front August 24-27
dropped temperatures to the upper 60s at
night and low 90s in the day, bringing the
first significant push of migrants.By this time Lake
Rayburn had receded enough to attract
shorebirds and long-legged waders,
especially in the Marion Ferry and Attoyac
Bayou areas.The
lake should remain productive for some time
to come, plus every weather shift and front
in the upcoming month brings the potential
for great birds, so get out and enjoy them!
A Black-bellied
Whistling-Duck in Diboll Aug 25 was
the first report this year (RT), plus a pair
raised young near Corrigan (Polk Co; fide
RT).255 Wood
Ducks concentrated in the shallow marshes at
the TX 147 causeway on Aug 25 was a high
count, while 360 migrant Blue-winged Teal
were tallied there and along the Attoyac
Bayou at TX 103 the same day (DW).Waterfowl firsts
for fall were 5 Northern Shoveler at TX 103
at the Attoyac Aug 25 and a single
Green-winged Teal at Marion Ferry Aug 26
(both DW).Two
Pied-billed Grebes summered on Kurth Lake
(LD).Over 50
pairs of cormorants nested on the island
south of the TX 147 causeway on Lake Rayburn
again this year, but the exact proportion of
Neotropic to Double-crested wasn’t clear;
both species were present in numbers (DW).A Great Egret in
Central Heights June 28 was the first
post-breeding wanderer (DW), while 16 Snowy Egrets were
already at Alazan Bayou WMA July 9 (DW, RT).An adult
Tricolored Heron over the TX 147 causeway
July 16 was perhaps a local breeder, but 1-4
seen on daily trips to upper Rayburn Aug
25-27 were likely post-breeding wanderers
(all DW).A
fuzzy-headed juvenile Green Heron was at the
TX 147 causeway on July 1 (DW).A juvenile White
Ibis over Central Heights July 8 was the
first post-breeding disperser (DW), while 35
at Marion Ferry Aug 11 were the first
numbers (DW).By
late August this species was widespread
around the receding upper end of the lake.Two Plegadis
ibis sp? at TX 147 Aug 25 and 2 at Marion
Ferry Aug 26 were too distant to identify to
species (DW).A
distant Roseate Spoonbill at Marion
Ferry Aug 11 was the first and then good
numbers appeared in late August as the lake
went down, with 7 at Marion Ferry Aug 26 and
9 at TX 103 at the Attoyac Aug 27 (all DW).60 Wood Storks at
TX 103 at the Attoyac Aug 25 was the highest
count so far this year (DW)
By June 30 three
fledgling Ospreys had “jumped”
from the nest on a pylon on upper Rayburn at
TX 103 at Etoile (Nac Co), but were still
clumsy and fairly helpless; an adult was in
the vicinity (DW). Several Mississippi
Kites spent the
entire summer in Nacogdoches and apparently
nested here for the first time, with
repeated sightings by TR, CS, JS and others
in the North Raguet St neighborhood
throughout June and July, to at least Aug
10. The adults became more vocal in
mid-July and at least one recently-fledged
juvenile was seen in late July (TR).
By mid-August a few migrant kites were
appearing, but no large numbers were
reported. A family group of Sharp-shinned
Hawks, with 3
screaming juveniles just learning to fly and
an adult bird hiding nearby, was near Boykin
Springs July 16 (DW); they have nested at
this site in the past. Another rare
summer sighting of a Sharp-shin was one in
s. Lufkin June 27 (LD). An adult
Cooper’s Hawk stole prey from a juvenile
bird on the Azalea Trail in Lufkin on June
27, near where a nest was found earlier in
the season (LD). A Common Moorhen
was at the TX 147 causeway July 16 (DW); this
species is inexplicably rare in our region. A Purple
Gallinule was at Kurth Lake Aug 28, our only
regular locale for this species, and the
first 2 American Coots of fall were there
the same day (LD). The first
southbound shorebirds were 7 Least
Sandpipers in Central Heights July 13; a
Spotted Sandpiper there July 16-17; and a
Solitary Sandpiper there July 17 (all
DW). August 25, the day after the
“cool” front, was a good day for shorebirds
at TX 103 at the Attoyac, including one
Black-bellied and 5 Semipalmated plovers; 2
Lesser Yellowlegs; and 25 Semipalmated, 12
Western; 90 Least; one Baird’s and 3 Stilt
sandpipers (DW). 33 Pectoral
Sandpipers were at Marion Ferry Aug 26 (DW)
and one American Avocet was at TX 103 at the
Attoyac Aug 27 (DW, RT). A very early
adult Ring-billed Gull flew south over the
TX 147 bridge Aug 25 (DW).
A
late fledgling Red-headed Woodpecker was in
Central Hts Aug 12 (DW).A Northern Flicker was at the base of
the TX 147 causeway July 16, where they have
nested in the past (DW), while a fledged
juvenile was at Marion Ferry Aug 26 (DW).Two Least
Flycatchers at Marion Ferry Aug 11 were the
first this fall (DW), as was a Warbling Vireo
in Central Hts Aug 29 (DW).A Tree Swallow at Etoile Park on June
30 was likely a local breeder; 5 at TX 103 at
the Attoyac Aug 27 may also have nested
locally (both DW).The
first Bank Swallows were 5 over Marion Ferry
Aug 26 (DW).Local
records of Cave Swallow continue to
accumulate, with several family groups in
central Cherokee County on May 31 (BW), and at
least 6, including at least one fledged
juvenile, at the Alazan Bayou WMA breeding
site July 9 (DW).10
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers in Central Hts Aug 12
was the first push of migrants there this
fall, while the first numbers were 55 at the
TX 147 causeway Aug 25 (both DW).Two Gray Catbirds
were on the Azalea Trail Aug 23 (LD).Three Yellow
Warblers at Marion Ferry Aug 11 were the first
this fall (DW).A
juv. male Prairie Warbler well out the TX 147
causeway on July 16 gave a strange whisper
song several times; this bird was presumably a
migrant (DW).Migrant
Black-and-white Warblers were at Marion Ferry
and Etoile Park on Aug 11 (DW).The first Northern Waterthrushes were
singles on the Azalea Trail Aug 24 (LD) and at
Etoile Park Aug 26 (DW); the first Mourning
Warbler showed up in Central Hts Aug 28 (DW,
MHW); the first Wilson’s Warbler was on the
Azalea Trail Aug 24 (LD); and a Canada Warbler
was at Marion Ferry Aug 26 (DW).A migrant Yellow-breasted Chat was on
the Azalea Trail Aug 23 (LD).Chipping Sparrows nested in Huntington
this summer (NB) and a juvenile Lark Sparrow
at Millard’s Crossing (Nacogdoches) Aug 6
confirmed breeding here (SL).A Yellow-headed Blackbird
(probably an immature male) passed by Marion
Ferry on Aug 11 with a flock of Red-winged
Blackbirds, for one of our very few fall
records (DW).The
first Baltimore Oriole was one at the TX 147
causeway Aug 25, a bit early (DW).A bright male American
Goldfinch at TX 103 at the Attoyac Aug
27 was a surprise (RT, DW) and one of very few
local records at this season.What was it doing here?
Observers:
NB = Nancy Bird; LD = Louis Debetaz; SL =
Susie Lower; TR = Thomas Riecke; CS = Cliff
Shackelford; JS = Julie Shackelford; RT =
Robert Truss; BW = Becky Whisenant; DW = David
Wolf; MHW = Mimi Hoppe Wolf.
Localities
in Angelina County: Azalea Trail
(Lufkin); Boykin Springs; Diboll; Huntington;
Kurth Lake; Lufkin; and Marion Ferry.In Nacogdoches
County: Alazan Bayou WMA; Central
Heights; Etoile Park; Millard’s Crossing; and
Nacogdoches.In
San Augustine County: TX 103 at the
Attoyac Bayou on upper Lake Rayburn; and TX
147 causeway on middle Lake Rayburn.
A
season as complex as these two months is
hard to summarize...but, in general, most
breeding species were somewhat late in
arriving; few large pushes of migrants were
observed; and May was the worst spring for
warblers in recent memory. Conversely, the
cool fronts in late April produced a good
push of species at best uncommon in our
area. May was extremely dry and I would
surmise that the lack of visible migration
was due to the lack of strong fronts and
especially rain. Special thanks go to
Carroll Moore for posting the sightings on
the PAS website as they came in, and
apologies go to anyone with significant
sightings that I over-looked.
The
only
noteworthy late waterfowl was a female
Bufflehead on the Winston 8 pond on US 59
(Angelina Co) on April 8 (LD, DW). Different
female Hooded Mergansers with broods
of tiny ducklings were at Alazan Bayou April
5-7 and April 25 (DW et al); this species is
a rare breeder here. The last 3 Horned
Grebes were on Kurth Lake March 23, but more
unexpected were 2 Eared Grebes there
the same day (LD). The only report of
migrating Am. White Pelicans was 10 over
Alazan Bayou on April 10 (RH, CW). The first
Anhingas were 2 at the Nac ponds March 27
(CW). Single American Bitterns were at
Alazan Bayou April 27 (DW) and May 8 (DW,
RT; late). More unexpected there were a Tricolored
Heron May 8 (RT, DW) and 3 Black-crowned
Night-Herons April 27 (DW). The first
Green Heron was one in Carrizo Creek April 4
(SL). The first White Ibis were 8 at
Alazan Bayou March 12, an early date (TR),
while the season high count was 125 there
May 8 (DW, RT). Nine ad. White-faced
Ibis flew over Alazan Bayou April 25
(DW) and a beautiful adult was there May 8
(RT, DW). The first Mississippi Kite was an
early one over Alazan Bayou April 5 (DW);
the spring high count was 44 over Alazan
Bayou April 27 (DW); and the last was a late
one in Nac May 16 (TR). A Northern Harrier
at the Angelina Co AP April 4 was the only
report (LD). A pair of Cooper’s Hawk were
seen copulating on the Azalea Trail March 29
and then the nest was found on April
4 for the first confirmed breeding for
Angelina County (LD et al). The first
Broad-winged Hawk was one on the Azalea
Trail March 20 (LD), but no large flights
were reported all spring. Single Merlins
were at the Ang Co AP on March (LD, SL, CM)
and April 8 (LD). Shorebirds came on strong
early in the season, especially after spring
storms. American Golden-Plover visited the
Angelina Co AP from at least March 23-April
8, with 12 on April 4 the highest count (LD
et al). Two tiny Killdeer chicks were found
in Douglass April 18 (CW). It was a good
spring for Upland Sandpipers. The first were
11 at Ang Co AP on March 29 (LD), while peak
counts were 50 at Angelina Co AP April 4
(LD) and 12 in Carrizo Creek the same day
(SL); 45 at Angelina Co AP April 8 (LD, DW);
and 23 in Central Hts 12 April (DW). Five
Semipalmated Sandpipers at Alazan Bayou May
8 (DW); 2 Western at the Angelina Co AP
April 8 (LD); and 4 Baird’s at the Angelina
Co AP April 27 and one at the Nac ponds May
6 (DW) were the only reports of these
species. The first Pectoral Sandpipers were
4 at the Angelina Co AP March 23 (LD). Three
Buff-breasted Sandpipers at the
Angelina Co AP April 4 (LD) and 4 there
April 8 (LD, DW) were unusual for spring. A
Wilson’s Snipe lingered at Alazan Bayou
until April 27 (DW) and a flock of 25
restless Wilson’s Phalaropes was there April
25 (DW). Single White-winged Doves
in Loco Valley April 22 (RH) and Central Hts
April 25 (CS) coincided with the peak of
spring migration for this species, which has
not yet established itself as a breeding
bird in the Pineywoods. A Black-billed
Cuckoo in Cushing May 14 was the only one
reported this spring (DS). A Greater
Roadrunner was photographed in San Augustine
Co on April 6 (MA), confirming their
presence this far east. Whip-poor-wills were
heard in Crown Colony April 6 (LD) and near
Douglass on April 24 (CW). One Chimney Swift
over Crown Colony on March 21 was the first
(LD). A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird in
Lufkin March 11 was first (LS), while the
female Rufous Hummingbird at the
Rohrer’s in Nac was last seen on March 21.
The
first
Least Flycatcher was an early one in Pecan
Park April 26 (DW). A male Vermilion
Flycatcher was seen and photographed
on the SFASU campus on March 23-26 (SS et
al) for one of our very few spring records
ever. The first Great Crested Flycatchers
were 2 in Pecan Park April 11 (CW), while
the first Eastern Kingbird was near
Huntington March 29 (RT). Western
Kingbirds appeared with the late
April fronts, with 2 seen in Central Hts
April 25 (MHW, DW) and another there April
28 (DW). The first Red-eyed Vireo was one in
Douglass March 24 (CW). The first 4 Cave
Swallows were back at the Alazan Bayou
bridge April 7 (DW, TR) and by early May
several nests were visible and at least 10
birds were present (DW). A late Brown
Creeper visited Hudson April 8 (JP). A
singing Marsh Wren was at Alazan Bayou April
7 (DW, TR) and 3 were there April 27, along
with 12+ Sedge Wrens (DW). The first
Swainson’s Thrush was one in Pecan Park
April 16 (DW, TR), while the only
Gray-cheeked Thrush was there April 28 (DS,
DW). Seven American Pipits at the Angelina
Co AP April 27 were the last (DW). It was
generally a poor season for warblers and
observers struggled to find even singles of
the more common migrants. I received
second-hand reports of two sightings of
Golden-winged Warblers in Pecan Park in
early May. The only Blue-winged Warblers
were a singing male at Alazan Bayou April 7
(DW, TR) and 2 in Pecan Park April 22 (TR).
The first Tennessee Warbler was one at
Alazan Bayou April 10 (RH, CW), while a
Nashville in Pecan Park May 15-17 was late
(DW). Two singing Prairie Warblers near
Douglass May 9 were at a new site for this
species (CW). A male "western" Palm
Warbler in Pecan Park April 27 (DW)
and a female Blackpoll Warbler there
May 11 (DW) were the only unusual warblers
seen this spring. A singing Swainson’s
Warbler showed up in Carrizo Creek April 20
(SL). A migrant Louisiana Waterthrush was at
Lakeside Park in Nac on April 1 (TR). Single
Wilson’s Warblers in Pecan Park May 8 (DW)
and Douglass May 9 (CW) were the only ones,
as was a Canada in Pecan Park May 7 (DW,
DS). The first Hooded Warbler was one on the
Azalea Trail April 1 (LD). The first Summer
Tanagers were just south of Lufkin on April
3 (JP) and Huntington on April 7 (NB), while
2 male Scarlet Tanagers on the Azalea Trail
April 11 were early (RT) and a male in Pecan
Park May 7-8 was a little late (DW, DS). The
only Clay-colored Sparrows were singles in
Pecan Park April 25 and at Alazan Bayou
April 27 (DW). Two Grasshopper Sparrows were
at Alazan Bayou April 27 and one was there
May 8 (DW). A Harris’s Sparrow lingered in
Central Hts until the late date of April 17
(MHW). The first Rose-breasted Grosbeak was
a male in Central Hts April 20 (MHW). More
firsts were a Blue Grosbeak in Huntington
April 9 (NB), single Indigo Buntings in
Central Hts April 3 (DW) and near Hudson
April 4 (JP), an early Painted Bunting in
Central Hts April 7 (DW), and a Dickcissel
in Central Hts April 24 (DW). Yellow-headed
Blackbirds were unusually frequent in
late April on the westerly winds, with 8 low
over Alazan Bayou April 25, 3 females in
Central Hts April 27 and 2 males there April
28 (all DW). Great-tailed Grackles seem
to have finally conquered the heart of the
Pineywoods. The first report this year was a
male in the Wal-Mart area in Nac on March 20
(SL); the high count there was 3 males and 3
females April 21 and a few days earlier
(CS). A male was seen in San Augustine town
April 20 (RS) and then 2 were in Henderson
town on May 16 (RS). The first big push of
Baltimore Orioles was 18 in Central Hts on
April 24 (DW) and they were numerous in
Pecan Park in late April-early May (DS et
al). The last Purple Finch were 2 late males
at feeders in Hudson on April 1-2 (JP),
while a single Pine Siskin was in
Nacogdoches March 19 (TR) and 10 appeared in
Loco Valley April 20 (RH).
Observers:
MA = Marcus Arreguin; NB = Nancy Bird; LD =
Louis Debetaz; RH = Ruth Heino; SL = Susie
Lower; JP = Jimmie Putnam; DS = Dennis
Scheef; CS = Cliff Shackelford; LS = Lynn
Smith; SS = Sarah Stovall; TR = Thomas
Riecke; RT = Robert Truss; CW= Carol Wells;
DW = David Wolf; MHW = Mimi Hoppe Wolf
Localities
in:
Angelina County
are Angelina Co Airport (= Ang Co AP);
Azalea Trail (Lufkin); Crown Colony; Hudson;
Huntington; Kurth Lake; Lufkin
Nacogdoches
County
are
Alazan
Bayou
WMA;
Carrizo
Creek;
Central
Heights;
Cushing;
Douglass;
Loco
Vallely; Nacogdoches (town); Nacogdoches
sewage ponds (= Nac ponds); Pecan Park;
SFASU campus
Late
Winter Bird Report
(Late January - March 15, 2010)
Wet
and cold pretty well sums up our late winter,
with the exception of the two dates in
February when we had major snowfalls!They were still wet
and cold, but at least it was beautiful
outside.For the
longest time it seemed as if this winter would
hang on forever – and then suddenly spring
burst forth March 8-15.Many
of our birds were late in appearing, just as
many of our plants were later to bloom or
re-appear than in recent years, and there
still is little evidence of spring migration.Have faith – the
birds WILL get here!As
they arrive, please send reports to dewolf@myinu.net
Almost
no
significant
movement
of
northbound
migrant
waterfowl
was
reported
this
season
and
locally
wintering
ducks
had largely disappeared by mid-March.A pair of Mallards
was lingering at Alazan Bayou March 10-15
(DW).Females
have raised broods here in the past, so it
will be interesting to keep an eye on this
pair.The first
Blue-winged Teal were 4 at Alazan Bayou March
10 (DW) and 2 near Alto (Cherokee Co) on March
14 (CW).50
Redheads were on Kurth Lake Feb 10-20 (LD,
CM).From 2-4
Greater Scaup at the Nac ponds since Dec
increased to a tight flock of 8 present at
least Feb 11-23; they stayed apart from the
Lesser Scaup (DW et al).10 Horned Grebes on Kurth Lake Feb 13
was the high count this winter (LD).Five Brown
Pelicans were at the Lake Livingston
spillway on Feb 6 (DW, RT); they have been
somewhat regular here since Hurricane Ike.An American Bittern
in the swamp on the Dorr Creek road on Feb 9
was a nice surprise (CS, JN).The first Cattle Egrets were 2 in
Douglass March 16 (Ron Wells).A Crested Caracara over Pecan
Park in Nacogdoches on Feb 25 was a first
record for Nacogdoches and surrounding
counties (TR).This
species has steadily been increasing in
distribution and numbers along the western and
northern edges of the Pineywoods.A flock of 55
Sandhill Cranes over the Angelina NF (n.
Jasper Co) was remarkable for the Pineywoods
(RS); this species is very rarely seen in our
region and most of the few records have
involved single birds or flocks of less than
6.Two Ospreys at
the Lake Livingston spillway on Feb 6 again
confirmed that they over-winter here. (DW,
RT).The first
Ruby-throated Hummingbird reported was a male
near Nac on March 14 (Jerry Winker).Thanks to careful
note-taking by the observers, we had good
documentation for the three Rufous
Hummingbirds that successfully wintered
in Nacogdoches this season.The adult male at the Rohrer’s was
present from Oct 24, 2009-March 9, 2010 and
was likely the same bird that wintered here
last year (when it was last seen March 1,
2009).The female
at Chuck Ely’s was present from December 2009
through at least March 13, 2010. it was banded
Jan 21.As of
this writing (15 March) the female at the
Rohrer’s was still present.
The
first Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was in Nac
March 17 (RT, DW).A
few single White-eyed Vireos were heard or
seen in early March, but some of these may
have been over-wintering birds: Alazan Bayou
on March 4 (CW); near Nac on March 9 (BB); in
Carrizo Creek on March 14 (SL); and at Alazan
Bayou March 15 (DW).As
I write this (March 18) they are still late in
arriving and there are very few around.The first
Yellow-throated Vireo was detected along Dorr
Creek March 17 (RT, DW); several singing
Blue-headeds were in the same area.Purple Martins were
generally late in returning; the first were 6
at Kurth Lake on Feb 10 (LD), but no others
were reported until March: 1 at Lake Nac on
March 4 (CW); 4 in Loco Valley on March 10
(RH) and 2 at Alazan Bayou that same day (DW).
few others were seen until well into March (m.
obs.).Spring
firsts for other swallows were 1 Tree at
Alazan Bayou March 10 (DW); 1 Northern
Rough-winged in Nac March 14; 20 Cliff at the
TX 147 bridge March 11; and 15 Barn at TX 147
March 11 (all DW).The
first Northern Parula was one at Alazan Bayou
WMA March 10 (DW), while the first
Black-and-white Warblers were 3 singing males
along the Dorr Creek road March 17 (DW, RT).Two Louisiana
Waterthrush were also along Dorr Creek March
17 (RT, DW). Common Yellowthroats at Ellen
Trout Park in Lufkin March 11 (JP) and Alazan
Bayou March 10 (DW) were likely over-wintering
birds rather than early arrivals.
At
least 4 wintering Lark Sparrows were still
present in Central Hts March 13 (DW).A Henslow’s Sparrow
was flushed at a Red-cockaded Woodpecker
colony in Angelina NF (n. Jasper Co) on March
5 (RS) and one was still present at a known
site in s. Nac. Co March 17 (DW, RT).On the Feb 12 snow
day at least 8 Harris’s Sparrows were seen in
Central Hts (in three places), the high count
for the winter.At
least 4 were still present March 13 and one on
March 14 (DW, MHW).A
male Great-tailed Grackle was back at the
Nacogdoches Wal-Mart on March 5 (SL), the
first reported since fall.A singing oriole near Douglass
on March 11 was most likely an Orchard,
but this is almost a month early for this
species, and the bird was not seen well enough
to eliminate the possibility of a rare stray
like the very similar Hooded (CW).Purple Finches
were almost entirely absent all winter, until
they suddenly showed up in small numbers at
many places in late Feb-March.Were these birds that were (1).
returning north?From
where?; (2).Still
moving
south?In search
of food?; or (3).A
low-density winter populatin suddenly
fattening up at feeders before heading north?The first report
came from near San Augustine on Feb 11 and
there were still 3 here on March 11 (MA).Then several showed
up in Huntington Feb 28 and were last seen
March 14 (NB).One
near Hudson March 1-4 was the only one there
all winter (JP).Two
in Central Hts March 11 were the first here
all winter, but only stayed at the feeders for
30 minutes and were never seen again (DW).One near Melrose
March 15 was the first here all winter (RT).Three were seen “in
the wild” at Alazan Bayou March 15 (DW, RT).
Just like the Purple Finches, almost no Pine
Siskins showed up this winter, quite a
contrast to last year’s huge invasion.A few were present
in Cushing Jan through mid-March (DS); 1-2
came to feeders in Central Hts Feb 4-mid March
(DW, MHW); one was banded in Nac this winter
(CE); a migrant was in Huntington March 10
(NB); and one appeared in Loco Valley March
12, while 4 were there on March 15 (RH).A number of
observers reported not having any this winter,
in spite of lots of goldfinches at their
feeders.
Observers:
MA = Marcus Arreguin; NB = Nancy Bird; BB
= Brent Burt; LD = Louis Debetaz; CE = Chuck
Ely; RH = Ruth Heino; SL = Susie Lower; CM =
Carroll Moore; JN = Jim Neal; JP = Jimmie
Putnam; RS = Rick Schaefer; DS = Dennis
Scheef; TR = Thomas Riecke; CS = Cliff
Shackelford; RT = Robert Truss; CW = Carol
Wells;DW = David
Wolf; MHW = Mimi Hoppe Wolf
LocalitiesIn Angelina
County: Hudson; Huntington; Kurth Lake;
Lufkin.In
Nacogdoches County: Alazan Bayou WMA;
Carrizo Creek; Central Heights; Cushing; Dorr
Creek road; Douglass; Loco Valley; Melrose;
Nacogdoches (= Nac); Nac ponds (= Nacogdoches
sewage ponds).In
San Augustine County: San Augustine;
the TX 147 causeway over Lake Rayburn (unless
noted as the Angelina Co end).
Thanks to
everyone who sent in records over this long
“season” and my apologies for the tardiness
of this report. There are some great
sightings in it.The
late fall and early winter were mild, and
our first freeze did not come until early
December, but the fronts got stronger after
this.Early
January brought the coldest weather we’ve
had in 14 years, and it remained chilly the
rest of the month.Generally
the birds did not seem to be affected by the
weather and there were few discernible
trends, except perhaps that numbers were low
in general.Conversely,
the 40th Nacogdoches CBC on Dec
19 netted 120 species, well above our
average species total of 114.Keep the sightings coming in. Please
note the new e-mail address:dewolf@myinu.net
Initially waterfowl were few and late in
arriving, but numbers picked up as the cold
fronts became progressively stronger.First dates for
arriving ducks included 4 Northern Pintail
at Kurth Lake Nov 8 (LD); 6 Canvasback over
Marion Ferry Oct 23 (DW); 6 Redhead at Kurth
Lake Oct 24 (LD); 3 Lesser Scaup at Kurth
Lake Oct 24 (LD; 2 Bufflehead at Ellen Trout
Park Nov 7 (SL et al); and a female Common
Goldeneye at the Nac ponds Nov 28 (RT).Ofnote were 47 Redheads already at
Kurth Lake Nov 8 (LD); they increased to 100
here by mid-Dec.This
species also appeared on the Nac ponds,
increasing to 29 on the count.By early January almost all were gone
from both sites.On
Jan 5 at least 4000 Canvasbacks were rafting
off the TX 147 causeway on Rayburn (DW).Single male
Red-breasted Mergansers were good finds at
Lake Nacogdoches on Nov 8 (CW) and Kurth
Lake Nov 22 (LD).A
covey of 15 Northern Bobwhite in the Sabine
NF (Shelby Co) Sept 8 (RS) was the largest
reported in our region in years.A probable Pacific
Loon on Kurth Lake Jan 9 did not stay
around (LD).Pied-billed
Grebes on Kurth Lake peaked at 150 on Dec 5
(LD), while the first Horned Grebes were 3
there Dec 13 (LD et al).An Eared Grebe was a rare visitor to
the Nac ponds Dec 16-17, but did not stay
around for the count (DW et al).Small numbers of
Am. White Pelicans lingered, with 2 at Kurth
Lake Jan 2 (LD) and 7 at TX 147 on Rayburn
Jan 5 (DW).The
last Neotropic Cormorant this fall wasan
im. at the Etoile crossing of Rayburn (Ang
Co) on Oct 23, but then two singles were
found on Rayburn on Jan 5, one at the TX 103
crossing of the Attoyac Bayou (San Aug Co)
and another on the Angelina Co side of TX
147 (all DW).This
species has been steadily increasing in our
area in recent years, but we still have very
few winter records.Late
Anhingas were 3 at Ellen Trout Nov 1 (AK,
KK) and 2 at Kurth Lake Dec 5 (LD).A high count of 62
Great Egrets came in to roost at Ellen Trout
Park Dec 1 (RT), while a Snowy Egret at
Marion Ferry Oct 23 was the last (DW).A single late
Cattle Egret in n. Nac Co on Dec 13 was a
surprise (RT).The
last Green Heron was one at Kurth Lake Oct
24 (LD).A
single Black-crowned Night-Heron was at
Ellen Trout Park Nov 1 (AK, KK); this
continues to be the best site for this
species in our region.A late immature White Ibis visited
Alazan Bayou WMA Dec 17-18, but did not stay
around for the count (DP, DW).
Bald Eagles
were widespread around Lake Rayburn and
elsewhere, with 21 in the TX 147 area on Oct
23 the highest count reported (DW).An adult Golden
Eagle at Boggy Slough South (Trinity
Co) on Dec 4 was a great find (CS) and one
of very few records for the central
Pineywoods.A
wildlife tech had reported one here a week
earlier (fide CS).The
only Merlin this fall was one at the Etoile
crossing (Ang Co) on Oct 23 (DW), but then
one was found in w. Nac Co. on the Nac CBC
on Dec 19 (SL).A
Peregrine Falcon on an island off the
TX 147 causeway on Jan 5 & 31 (DW) was
only our 2nd winter record; the 1st
was in the same area last winter.2000+ American
Coots were already on Kurth Lake by Oct 24
(LD).The only
shorebirds of note were single American
Avocet and Greater Yellowlegs along the
Attoyac channel below TX 103 on Oct 23 (DW).Single Spotted
Sandpipers stayed at Kurth Lake through at
least Jan 2 (LD et al) and at the TX 147
causeway through Jan 5 (DW).A Barn Owl was seen alive in
w. Nac Co on Nov 18, not far from where a
dead one was found on June 8, 2008 (CW).These are only our
3rd and 4th local
records in 40 years.Hummingbirds
made news this season, with late
Ruby-throateds lingering at many feeders
into the last 10 days of Oct (m. obs.) and
the last near Douglass on Nov 8 (CW).A female Archilochus
near Huntington Nov 29-Dec 8 was
photographed and identified as a Black-chinned
Hummingbird, one of few confirmed
reports for our area (Stan and Jan Bohon,
MHW).On Oct 23
an adult male Rufous Hummingbird arrived
back in Nacogdoches where one had wintered
last year (presumably the same bird) and
then a second one (female-plumaged) appeared
at the same house around Nov 20 (JR, RS).Yet another Selasphorus
hummingbird showed up in Nac. in mid-Dec
(CE) and all three were seen on the count.
A very late
Eastern Wood-Pewee in Central Hts Oct 27-28
was heard as well as seen (MHW, DW), while
the last Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was one
near Alto (Cherokee Co) on Nov 13 (JP).A Couch’s
Kingbird was seen and heard at
Kurth Lake on Jan 10 (LD, CM, LS) was likely
the same individual that spent over a month
here last winter.4
Cave Swallows near the entrance to
Boggy Slough South on TX 94 (Trinity Co) on
Dec 4 were a great find and provided the first
winter report for the Pineywoods (CS).The last Northern
Rough-winged Swallows were 15 around upper
Rayburn Oct 23 and one over Alazan Bayou WMA
Oct 24 (both DW), while 2 Barn Swallows at
Kurth Lake Oct 24 were the last (LD).A flock of 6 Horned
Larks near Melrose on Dec 13 was
unexpected (RT) and only the 3ndlocal report of
this species in the last 15 years.The first Brown
Creeper was one in Central Hts Nov 1 (MHW).A Marsh Wren was
at Lake Murvaul (Panola Co) on Dec 31 (RS).Lingering
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were seen at a number
of sites in Nov-Dec (m. obs.), culminating
in a record-setting 12 on the Nac
CBC on Dec 19.At
least some were still around after the cold
weather set in, with singles at the TX 147
causeway and near Diboll on Jan 5 (DW); in
Central Hts through Jan 24 (MHW); and at Ang
Co end of the TX 147 bridge Jan 31 (DW).2 Gray Catbirds
were at Kurth Lake on Dec 13 (LD et al) and
2 were found on the Nac CBC on 19 Dec (two
parties).The Black-and-white
Warbler found along Lanana Creek near
Pecan Park in Nacogdoches on the count on
Dec 19 was seen again on Jan 17 (both CW).
A
flock
of
Lark
Sparrows
again
wintered
in
Central
Hts,
with
4-6
seen
irregularly
from Nov 5 through Jan (DW, MHW), plus 3 were
found in e. Nac. Co on the count on Dec 19
(RH). The first LeConte’s Sparrows were 2 at
Alazan Bayou Oct 24 (DW).3 Harris’s Sparrows at Alazan Bayou on
Nov 28 were the first (RT); a flock of 3
showed up in Central Hts Dec 1 and increased
to 6 during the winter (DW, MHW); and 4 were
found on the Nac CBC on Dec 19 (3 parties).This is the second
good winter in a row for this species.The last Indigo
Buntings were 4 in Central Hts Oct 31 (DW).The last report of
the Nacogdoches Great-tailed Grackles
was 3 near Wal-Mart on Oct 22 (DW).Did anyone see
them after this?We
still do not have winter records for this
species in our area and it may be because they
leave.Flocks of
Brewer’s Blackbirds were found at two regular
sites, 70 on Jan 5 off FM 1818 in s. Angelina
Co (DW) and 100 on Jan 8 in w. Nac Co (RS).The first American
Goldfinch were 3 over Alazan Bayou WMA on Oct
24, a bit early (RT, DW).The only Pine Siskins were 2 in the SFA
Exp Forest on the Nac CBC on Dec 19 (RT) and a
small flock heard over Central Hts on Jan 7
(MHW).Among the
very few Purple Finches reported were 2
females near San Augustine on Jan 14 (MA).
Observers:
MA =
Marcus Arrequin
LD =
Louis Debetaz
CE =
Chuck Ely
RH =
Ruth Heino
AK =
Allan Kaplowitz
KK =
Kara Kaplowitz
SL =
Susie Lower
CM =
Carroll Moore
DP =
Dick Pike
JP =
Josh Pierce
JR =
Jack Rohrer
LS =
Lynn Smith
RS =
Rick Schaefer
RT =
Robert Truss
CW =
Carol Wells
DW =
David Wolf
MHW =
Mimi Hoppe Wolf
Localities:
Angelina
County: Diboll; Ellen Trout Park
(Lufkin); Etoile crossing (= TX 103 at the
Angelina River on upper Rayburn); Huntington;
Kurth Lake
Robert
Truss,
Louis
Debetaz,
and
Rick
Schaefer
add
last
minute touches to their reports
at the count dinner.
Photo by Pat Wallace,
12-19-09
The 40th Nacogdoches, TX
Christmas Bird Count December
19, 2009 Dave
and Mimi Wolf
It’s
hard to believe, but this was our 40th
Nacogdoches Christmas Bird Count, held
on December 19, 2009.We
found a surprising 120 species, well
above our 25-year average of 114.I say surprising
because much of the day it seemed like there
weren’t many birds around, but in the end we
were species rich and numbers poor.Everyone did a great
job of finding the scarcer birds and some of
you found some great surprises.As I finish tallying the numbers I am
once again impressed by how much this event is
a migration count and not a census of any
stable winter population of birds.Weather typically
determines the volume of migration on any
given day.This
year the weather was rather ordinary – mild
(34-59 deg F) and clear with a northwest wind
- and it was the second day after a weak cool
front.Some birds
had been on the move all week, as noted by a
turn-over of waterfowl on area lakes and daily
fluctuations in the numbers of birds like
flickers, robins, Ruby-crowned Kinglets,
waxwings, Yellow-rumped Warblers and sparrows,
but the front was not enough to drive large
numbers of birds southward and only a few
migrants were noted on count day.
Another
theme
yet again this count season is changing
distributions.“Hard-weather”
species continue to be scarce to non-existent,
examples including Eastern Towhee, Fox
Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird and Purple Finch.Other hardy species
like Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Brown
Thrasher and Dark-eyed Junco may be starting
to show the same pattern of wintering further
north.Most
sparrows were noticeably down in numbers,
perhaps reflecting the mild weather or maybe a
lack of food resources locally.The flip side of this coin is the
continuing high numbers of “half-hardy” birds
like Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, House
Wren and Orange-crowned Warbler, plus
lingerers that were formerly considered very
rare, like White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher, Gray Catbird and Common
Yellowthroat, were found by multiple parties.Great rarities
included Merlin, Sora and Northern Parula
(only the second time on the count for these
three); 3 Rufous Hummingbirds; and a
Black-and-white Warbler (4th time
in 11 years).
Numbers
of many birds were low, likely for a
combination of reasons, perhaps including:(1).Low breeding success of local residents
due to near-drought conditions and a heat wave
from May-July?; (2). was the weather on count
day simply “too nice”?It
was clear all day and warmed up nicely after
an overnight low of 34 deg. F.By late morning birds were very quiet;
a northwest wind at times also hampered some
observers; (3).At
least some food resources are in short supply,
including a lack of acorns in the
river-bottoms (this especially affecting
woodpeckers and Blue Jays).There were no noteworthy winter
invaders found.Thanks
again for your participation and keep those
winter sightings coming in – David & Mimi
Wolf, compilers
David Wolf is
a senior member of the Victor Emmanuel Nature Tours
staff and one of their most experienced tour leaders. He
has led many fieldtrips for PAS and has been a large
contributor to the society since the early
seventires. After birding the U.S. and Mexico for
over a decade, an interest in the wildlife of Africa led
him to Kenya in 1975, where he spent over a year
studying the birds and other wildlife of the African
continent. Soon after his return to Texas he began
leading Rockport Wildlife Weekends for VENT, at that
time a new company, and he hasn't looked back since. In
addition to Africa, David has extensive birding and
tour-leading experience in North America and the
Neotropics, and has birded widely on all of the
continents. He unites great birding skills with a
wide-ranging interest in all aspects of natural history,
which he shares readily with tour participants. David
and his wife, Mimi, live on a small farm in Nacogdoches,
Texas, with assorted horses, cats, and dogs. They have
two grown children, Matt and Elena, and are now the
happy grandparents of Reimer and Ellison Rose, Matt and
Tiffany's children. Taken from the VENT
site.
Egrets were
already at Alazan Bayou WMA July 9 (DW, RT).