A Tower for Flying Cigars

 

Flying Cigars—What?  Birders know; the Chimney Swifts have long been happily known as such.  The birds spend most of their time on the wing, coming to roost only at night.  This and their shape, cigars on wings with a very short stubby tail, earn them this name.

 

However, for all the joy one derives from observing these delights, they are in trouble.  Their nesting sites were once old hollowed trees and open chimneys.  Our modern penchant for removing old growth forests coupled with building chimneys with covers has reduced the number of swifts.

 

The Bastrop County Audubon Society (BCAS) has joined other communities and entities in building a Swift Tower to provide nesting and roosting for these wonderful birds.  The tower is also built in memorial to one of its long standing members and officers, Judy Ing.

 

Chimney Swifts are quite beneficial.  They feed upon flying insects; mosquitoes, biting flies, and termites. One generally notices these birds high up in the sky as they feed on the wing.  They chatter incessantly.  Even though these birds appear quite small, and their bodies are only five inches, they have a large wing span of 12.5 inches.  These birds are built for speed and pump their wings alternatingly making them adept at aerobatics.  Couple with a wide mouth bordered by whiskers, they are indeed feeding machines.

BCAS erected this tower to attract swifts knowing full well their benefit to Bastrop and the surrounding area.  This project, offered to the community of Bastrop, is one small testament of its mission: “to promote the conservation, restoration, and enjoyment of natural resources and habitats for birds and other wildlife.”

Red Headed Woodies

The Red headed Woodpecker—so aptly named.  Far too often I hear people tell me they’ve seen a Red Head.  When I ask them to describe the bird, it turns out to be a Red Bellied.  Once you’ve seen a true Red Head, you won’t mistakenly identify a Red Bellied.  The Red Head pictured above was found at the Smith Oaks Woods on the Upper Texas Coast.  Note, it’s in a mulberry tree.  Red Heads are uncommon in its range having suffered from habitat loss as small family farms disappear.  The other cause for its decline is European Starlings which compete for the same cavities in which to nest.

A fascinating group—Woodpeckers—for any number of reasons;  I am astounded, and I’m certain I’m not alone, that any creature can bang its beak and head against wood with such force and not sustain a concussion.  However, that is but one reason for my fascination.

Woodpeckers are zygodactylous, having four toes with two facing forward and two facing to the rear.  The arrangement coupled with stiff inner tail feathers enables these birds to easily scale tree trunks. 

This is a very diverse group.  There are 219 species of woodpeckers worldwide.  Twenty five species are found in North America.  Their feeding habits are diverse, as well.  One cannot assume that all woodpeckers chisel away at wood to get to beetles. Yes, there was a reason I earlier pointed out the Red Head was in a mulberry tree.  It will feed on fruit and berries as well as insects.

A Terrific Tripod

I have been to Anahuac on the Upper Texas Coast when the wind was substantial.  I was glad to have a good scope and a wonderful tripod to support it.  It is a great experience to see clearly, to view sharp images of Avocets and Godwits and other shorebirds even when fighting the wind.

I have been on one side of Lake Waco viewing and photographing a Bald Eagle’s nest on the opposite shore—over a mile away.  We did not have a tripod that day and it was sorely needed.  Yes, the photographer got the shot, but it was difficult and some improvising had to be done.

Whether scoping, digiscoping, or photographing all would agree that a strong, stable, supporting tripod is a necessity.  So, consider this one, the Vortex Skyline.

For rock-solid performance in the most demanding situations, you need a Skyline tripod. Rugged anodized legs, variable leg angles, a split center column and a smooth, precise fluid head provide solid support for your optics set up.  Learn more.

Visit us at www.kingbirdfeeders.com for quality binoculars, spotting scopes, bird feeders, bird houses, field guides, and gear.

The Rookery at Smith Oaks, High Island

Actually, the rookery is named Heron Island and is horseshoe shaped.  It sits at one end of the Clay Bottom Pond.  It is a nesting and roosting habitat for herons, egrets, cormorants, and spoonbills.  This is a predator free sanctuary for these and many other species as it is completely surrounded by water.  However, any visitor is afforded a variety of viewing opportunities as many well designed viewing platforms have been constructed.  Close enough to get grand looks at the waterfowl while leaving the birds safe and undisturbed.

By the way, have you ever heard Roseated Spoonbills “talking”.  It’s hilarious.