7 February 2017

Woke to fog this morning.  The people next to us have five dogs.  I’m just glad they didn’t make a lot of noise last night, although for most of the evening their generator was pretty noisy.

We drove to the North Beach access and wished we had camped on the beach last night – no generators and better karma.  We walked about ½ mile and watched Sanderlings, Willets, and Ruddy Turnstones feeding along the shoreline.  One Sanderling was missing a leg or it was tucked up, but injured.  It hopped around on the one leg quite well.  Also fun to watch the birds as they race along the beach trying to outrun each other to the next food source.

When we got to our turn-around point we found a garbage bag dispenser so we decided to pick up trash on the way back.  While this beach didn’t have anywhere near as much trash as the beach at South Padre Island, there was still a lot of trash.  Lots of plastic bottles.  Also found several string pieces from balloons.  I’m always amazed at how much trash people leave behind.  Maybe this beach has less trash because it is not as popular as the beach at South Padre Island.

Bird Species Seen or Heard at Padre Island National Seashore

• Greater Yellowleg
• Laughing Gull
• Eastern Meadowlark
• Savannah Sparrow
• American Kestrel
• Sandhill Crane
• Willet
• Ruddy Turnstone
• Sandering
• Black-bellied Plover
• Great Blue Heron
• Pied-billed Grebe
• Great-tailed Grackle
• Forester’s Tern
• American White Pelican
• Brown Pelican
• Ring-billed Gull

Our next stop was the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center at the northern end of Mustang Island.  I love this small little birding area, and obviously a lot of people do as it was quite busy during our short 30-45 minute stay.  While I’ve seen more birds in previous years I don’t think I’ve seen an alligator.  The one we saw today was huge (most likely an old one) – at least 15 feet long.  WOW!!!  I wouldn’t want to be any closer to it than on the boardwalk.

I asked a woman if she was photographing the Green Heron we saw.  She said no and pointed to several Pied-billed Grebes. She then said she saw another bird but didn’t know what it was.  She then pointed to a Wilson’s Snipe.  I told her the name of the bird, she thanked me and moved on.  I went closer to the Snipe hoping not to flush it as I wanted to get a photograph.  The bird would not flush regardless of how close I got.  Of course I couldn’t get real close as I was on a boardwalk and it was not.

Bird Species Seen or Heard at Leonabelle Turnball Birding Center

• Great Blue Heron
• Green Heron
• American Coot
• Pied-billed Grebe
• American White Pelican
• Northern Shoveler
• Neotropical Cormorant
• Double-crested Cormorant
• Laughing Gull
• Ruddy Duck
• Common Gallinule
• Sora
• Marsh Wren
• Wilson’s Snipe
• Gray Catbird
• Yellow-rumped Warbler

We took the ferry from Aransas Pass to Point Aransas.  The ferry is free, surprisingly.  Of course trying to collect money would really slow down traffic as a lot of people use the ferry – the actually had five different ferries operating.

Continuing on we made it to Goose Island State Park around 3:30 pm to find that all the electrical campground sites were taken, but we managed to get a nice non-electrical site.  They have quite a few campground sites so we were surprised to find the electrical ones all taken.  Seems like a lot more people are camping this year than in 2014 when we did our Big Adventure.  I wonder if the reason is cheaper gas (currently $1.95-$1.99 / gallon), more retirees, or both.

I did a short walk on a nature trail and found a whooping five bird species.  Not a good time for birding.

8 February 2017

Woke to fog – again.  The plan today is to drive to the Lions/Shelley Park in the town of Refugio to look for a Golden-crowned Warbler that has been reported there, then drive to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and look for the Whooping Cranes.  We left Goose Lake State Park around 8:00 am and made it to the Lions Park in Refugio around 9:30 am.  We drove slowly along the way looking at the gazillion of American Kestrels perched along the road.  We kept trying to turn one into an Apolmado Falcon.  No luck.

Once at the Lions Park we started looking for the warbler.  The first bird I spotted had the yellow underside, but it was a Tropical Parula.  This bird, along with the Golden-crowned Warbler, have been listed on eBird rare bird alert for several weeks now.  Well, long story short, after 3.5 hours of searching — no luck.  Two other birders think they spotted the bird.  One woman said she was 80% certain. The other woman said she saw all the markings on the bird except the golden crown.  I think she was going to stay all day in search of that crown.

In the large ‘live Oak tree’ were the bird was spotted several days ago we did see a Barred Owl.  That was a good find as it is a FOY (First of Year).  And along the stream was a pair of Green Kingfishers.  Despite not seeing the warbler, it was a good birding day at that park.  The birds really came out once the fog lifted.

Our original intent was to bird the park and the wildlife refuge,  then drive on to Brazos Bend State Park (near Houston) for the night.  However, since we spent so much time in the Refugio park searching for the warbler we decided to spend another night at Goose Lake State Park.  We didn’t want to arrive at Brazos Bend State Park in the dark.  Plus now we can come back to Shelley Park tomorrow.

Bird Species Seen or Heard at Lions/Shelley Park (Refugio)

• Tropical Parula (this is our third sighting of this bird on our trip)
• Black and White Warbler
• Orange-crowned Warbler
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• American Goldfinch
• Barred Owl
• Golden-fronted Woodpecker
• Louisiana Waterthrush
• Green Kingfisher
• Northern Cardinal
• Blue-headed Vireo
• White-eyed Vireo
• Turkey Vulture
• Red-shouldered Hawk
• Eastern Phoebe
• Couch’s Kingbird
• Field Sparrow
• Lincoln Sparrow
• Great Kissadee
• White-winged Dove
• House Wren
• Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
• Northern Mockingbird
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Next stop – Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in search of the iconic Whooping Crane.  Generally, the only way to see the cranes is to drive to the viewing platforms and look out over the salt marshes (or pay for a boat trip).  The birds are generally a fair distance away from the viewing platform and one definitely needs either binoculars or even better, a spotting scope to see them.  We saw at least three – most likely a family.

We walked the Rail Trail.  I saw a rail that I suspect was a Clapper Rail but I didn’t get a good enough look at it for proper identification.  We did see a fair number of alligators along the boardwalk, but none as big as the one at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center on Mustang Island.  That thing was HUGE!!!  In additional to several adult alligators we also saw several baby alligators – so cute.   The trail is essentially a mowed pathway along the waterway so you have to watch where you walk because an alligator could be just off the trail.  Supposedly, in winter, gators don’t feed but why test it…?

In the past we have taken the 16-mile auto tour route but we didn’t have time.  In past years we have never seen much bird activity on the route so we didn’t feel bad about not taking it.  As for mammals we did see a Wild Boar sow (feral hog), including its young – are they called piglets or boarlets?  One little guy seemed lost and ran back and forth across the road a couple of times.  I don’t think the refuge would have minded if we accidentally hit the boar since they are considered non-natives, nuisance species.

The 114,657 acre Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1937, and is an important wintering ground for the endangered Whooping Crane, which rely on the blue crab (itself in peril due to climate change) as its main food source.

Bird Species Seen or Heard at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

• Swamp Sparrow
• American Robin (my first one for the year)
• American Kestrel
• Brown Pelican
• American White Pelican
• Caspian Tern
• Belted Kingfisher
• Northern Mockingbird
• Great Blue Heron
• American Coot
• Northern Pintail
• Northern Shoveler
• Redhead
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• White Ibis
• Whooping Crane
• Ring-billed Gull
• Killdeer
• Long-billed Dowitcher
• Greater Yellowleg
• Forester’s Tern
• Eastern Phoebe
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Loggerhead Shrike
• Black Vulture
• Northern Cardinal
• White-eyed Vireo
• Red-winged Blackbird
• White-winged Dove

9 February 2017

A cold, windy morning (cold being relative – 50s).  We broke camp and headed back to the Lions/Shelley Park in Refugio to try once again for the Golden-crowned Warbler.  Again no luck; didn’t see the Tropical Parula either.  Today was much windier than yesterday and I saw less birds.   I spent about 2.5 hours looking for the warbler, along with at least nine other people.  No sightings by the time I left.  Will check the eBird Rare Bird Alert tomorrow to see if anyone sighted the bird.

Bird Species Seen or Heard at Lions/Shelley Lake Park 

• Barred Owl
• Gray Catbird
• White-eyed Vireo
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet
• Great Kissadee
• Green Kingfisher
• Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
• Carolina Wren
• Blue-headed Vireo
• Orange-crowned Warbler
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Black and White Warbler
• Eastern Phoebe
• Northern Cardinal
• Northern Mockingbird
• Lincoln Sparrow
• American Kestrel
• Black Vulture

We headed to Brazos Bend State Park for several nights.  Along the way we spotted a large flock of Long-billed Curlews (about 50) feeding on a lawn in the town of Palacios.  That was a surprise.  We spotted an even larger flock of Snow and/or Ross’ Geese in a field near Bay City.  We estimate this flock size to be several thousands.

As we got close to the Brazos Bend we noticed a lot of smoke so something was on fire.  I suspected a farmer was doing a controlled burn.  Little did we know that the controlled burn was at the park.  Luckily the smoke was blowing away from the campground area.  We got a nice spot (at least for tonight – have to go back tomorrow and see if it is available for another night, and if not, what sites might be available).  Not too many people camped at the park, which is surprising since most of the other campgrounds we’ve visited have been full.

We walked the campground loop and I got six First of Year (FOY) birds, including the Tufted Titmouse.  This small bird sure has a mighty (loud) call – Peter, Peter, Peter.  Check it out at: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tufted_Titmouse/sounds.   I do love this park.   Tomorrow we will explore some of the various trails.

Bird Species Seen or Heard at Brazos Bend State Park

• Hairy Woodpecker
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Pileated Woodpecker (heard)
• Carolina Chickadee
• American Crow
• Tufted Titmouse
• Northern Cardinal
• Turkey Vulture
• Great Blue Heron
• Eastern Phoebe
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet
• Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
• Caroliina Wren
• Hermit Thrush

10 February 2017

Okay first thing I did this morning was check the eBird rare bird alert to see if anyone saw the Golden-crowned Warbler at Shelley Lake park yesterday.  There were two sightings listed – both of 11:30 am.  Jack and I left at 11:30 am.  Rats, Darn, and so much more.  The area where the bird was spotted was one I had been at earlier in the day.  As we were leaving I said to myself “why don’t you take one last look below Green Kingfisher Point”.  Then I talked myself out of it because Jack had been so patient coming back a second day so I could try again for the bird.  We birders are crazy.

I so love Brazos Bend State Park for birds.  Unfortunately we could only have our campsite for one night as we did not make reservations online.  We hate to commit to being somewhere on a certain date, preferring instead the flexibility of changing our plans if we want to stay somewhere longer or visa versa.  So at 8:00 am we went to the office to see about getting a campsite for tonight.  Being as today is a Friday and we are so near Houston, the campground was booked solid.  I guess they don’t have first come, first serve sites.  Too bad.  So we were told to come back at 10:00 am to see if any campsites became available after they purged their system of multiple bookings.  No go.  So they stuck us in the overflow section, which is essentially a parking lot.  I think the area used to be a picnic site.  Not sure where the bathrooms are, if any.  Wouldn’t surprise me if there aren’t any in the immediate area.  I am always amazed that the sites with water and electric and bathrooms nearby go to the RV sites.  Don’t they already have water, electric (via generator), and bathrooms.  What about the people in tents.  Don’t they need water?  Don’t they need bathrooms?  Don’t they need showers?  Their cars don’t come with those things, unlike trailers.  And we know their tents don’t come equipped.  I know our van doesn’t.

We did several hikes – the Creekfield trail, which is 0.5 miles.  Then we did the trail around Elm Lake.  This is where most of the birds – particularly the waterbirds – are located.  I love this lake.  We had an amazing three American Bitterns along a short section of trail and they were all out in the open, rather than hiding in the reeds.  This trail is a 1.7 miles (loop), and heavily used today.  I wonder what it will be like tomorrow on a Saturday?  I think most people go on the trail to see the alligators.  Some were quite large.  They must not have been hungry because Gallinules, Ibises, and Coots would feed nearby and seem undisturbed by the presence of an alligator.

We also hiked the Horsehoe Lake Trail (1.2 miles).  We didn’t see as many birds along this trail.  Might be due to the size of the lake (much smaller than Elm) or the time of day.  And as if poor Doodlebug, our 14-year old dog, didn’t walk enough we did the 1.3-mile White Oak/Red Buckeye trail.  This trail too yielded few birds.

We are now back at our overflow camp with all the other people who didn’t get a space in the park.  Like us they probably thought there would be spaces available.  Not sure if it is busy every weekend in February or whether this weekend is special for some reason.

Bird Species Seen or Heard at Brazos Bend State Park

• Carolina Chickadee
• Tufted Titmouse
• Wilson’s Warbler
• Northern Cardinal
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• American Crow
• American Pipit
• Carolina Wren
• Black Vulture
• Turkey Vulture
• White Ibis
• Lincoln Sparrow
• Northern Mockingbird
• Great Egret
• American Coot
• Tri-colored Heron
• Common Gallinule
• American Robin
• Pied-billed Grebe
• Snowy Egret
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Great Blue Heron
• Double-crested Cormorant
• Orange-crowned Warbler
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet
• Black-bellied Whistling Duck
• Crested Caracara
• Blue-winged Teal
• Pileated Woodpecker
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Little Blue Heron
• Red-shouldered Hawk
• American Bittern
• Anhinga
• Vermillion Flycatcher
• Black-crowned Night Heron
• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
• Eastern Phoebe
• Tree Swallow
• Wilson’s Snipe
• Belted Kingfisher
• Green-winged Teal

When we went to the visitor center I asked for a bird checklist.  They didn’t have one.  The ranger said he would print me out a copy.  He gave me three pages, and the list only went through raptors.  Texas Parks and Wildlife put out these fabulous Bird Trail maps to show people great places to bird, so why wouldn’t the parks have bird checklists available for people who visit?  I guess I will need to send them an email and suggest they make them available, even for a fee, and to include the lists on their official park app.

11 February 2017

We walked the 40-acre Lake trail at Brazos Bend State Park.  This is another trail that I love, especially the western edge of the lake (at least I think it is the western edge).   Along this section of the swamp/wetland we saw five, yes count them five, American Bittern.  I’ve never seen so many American Bittern in one place at a given time.  Amazing and wonderful.  All but one were out in the open – one just had to look carefully.  They do blend in well with their environment.   While this was amazing to see, what really got our interest up was the alligator that caught a large, black snake and proceeded to kill it.  Wow!!!

Bird Species Seen or Heard at Brazos Bend State Park

• Carolina Chickadee
• Great Egret
• Sandhill Crane
• Northern Cardinal
• Common Yellowthroat
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Swamp Sparrow
• Common Gallinule
• Eastern Phoebe
• Black-bellied Whistling Duck
• American Bittern
• White Ibis
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Orange-crowned Warbler
• Little Blue Heron
• Pied-billed Grebe
• American Coot
• Snowy Egret
• Wood Duck
• Double-crested Cormorant
• Tricolored Heron
• Tufted Titmouse (the mighty singer)
• American Crow
• Lincoln Sparrow
• Turkey Vulture
• Black Vulture
• White-eyed Vireo

After completing our walk we started driving towards W.G. Jones State Forest to search for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker.  We got about 3 miles down the road and decided to turn around and head south.  We figured that this forest, just north of Houston, with its many trails would be busy on a Saturday.  We will save this place for another day.  Maybe we will get lucky and see the woodpecker while we are in Louisiana.

Instead of the state forest we went to San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge.  The 45,000 acre wildlife refuge was established in 1969 to provide habitat for birds, reptiles, and mammals.  The refuge offers a 9.4-mile auto tour route, as well as a number of hiking trails.  The refuge has been designated an Internationally Significant Shorebird Site by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN).

We drove the auto-tour route and witnessed a lot of birds, including a couple hundred Greater Sandhill Cranes.  These cranes are so much larger than the Lesser Sandhill Cranes that breed in Homer during the summer months.  In all, we had 36 different species of birds.  Not bad considering it was a very windy day.  Not always easy to see birds when the winds are strong and steady.

Bird Species Seen or Heard at San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge

• Turkey Vulture
• Black Vulture
• American Kestrel
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Northern Mockingbird
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Loggerhead Shrike
• Eastern Phoebe
• Swamp Sparrow
• Belted Kingfisher
• American Coot
• Common Gallinule
• Ruddy Duck
• Great Egret
• Great Blue Heron
• White-faced Ibis
• Gadwall
• Tree Swallow
• Ring-necked Duck
• Eastern Meadowlark
• White-tailed Hawk
• Boat-tailed Grackle
• Snowy Egret
• White Ibis
• Forester’s Tern
• Snow Goose
• Sandhill Crane (Greater)
• Killdeer
• Lesser Yellowleg
• Greater Yellowleg
• Black-necked Stilt
• Wilson’s Snipe
• Greater White-fronted Goose
• Northern Harrier
• Blue-winged Teal

We spent the night at a motel in Angleton, Texas.  Dinner was at La Casana, a short distance from our hotel.  The food was excellent and the place was hopping for a Saturday night at around 6:30 pm.  When we left an hour later, people were waiting out the door to get a table.  I recommend this eating establishment if you are ever in town.

Tomorrow we head to Galveston Island and more birding.  Until then …

It’s a Great Day to Bird