We recently spent some time on property located in Hill County on FM 1263 east of the City of Whitney. It consists of 135 acres and is Blackland Savannah and Post Oak through which runs the Little Aquilla Creek.

The survey took place on Sunday, March 9, 2008. The team consisting of Randy, The Edwards, and myself spent from 9:10 AM to 12:15 PM on the property. Conditions were sunny with clear skies and temperatures ranging from 43F to 71F.

A total of 21 species of birds were identified both by visual and auditory means. The team was able to visually identify eight Purple Finches, both males and females, in the bottom. This species is considered uncommon in our area, that is, normally present in proper habitat but one can not be sure of finding one in a day. The team notes that the property is within the western boundary of the species range. Sightings included but were not limited to three different species of woodpeckers, two species of hawks, two species of wrens, one species of vireo, and one species of warbler. A complete listing and numbers of individuals is below. The “numerous” designation is assigned when the number of individuals is too many to accurately count or were moving in patterns not easily counted.

Northern Cardinal 50
Carolina Chickadee Numerous
Carolina Wren 9
Northern Junco 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 6
Purple Finch 8
White-eye Vireo 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
American Crow, h* Numerous
Turkey Vulture 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk, h 1
Blue Jay, h Numerous
Sparrow, sp.** 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Tufted Titmouse Numerous
Eastern Bluebird, h 1
Bewick Wren 1
Mourning Dove 14
* h--species call or song was heard
** sp.—species was not definitively identified