A Lover of Meadows and Woods

On September 4, 2011, 34,000 acres and over 1600 homes burned in the Bastrop Complex Fire.

What does one do when one loses the environs and surroundings which attracted them?  There is no such event that eventually hones your definition of being and welfare than a devastating loss of home and surroundings.  Sure, this begins as a lament.  Yet, it becomes for this author affirmation of long held belief, articulated long ago by William Wordsworth (1798).

“Therefore am I still

      A lover of the meadows and the woods,

      And mountains; and of all that we behold

      From this green earth”

Some would argue that it was fire that is to blame for this loss.  However, it is we ourselves who shoulder the responsibility for the tragedy that resulted in the loss of several thousand acres of the Lost Pines of Central Texas.  Fire was the agent, but it is how we behaved and the decisions we made as we occupied this part of the world.

Fire is something of which to be afraid.  Fire is something we do not understand. Of course, we know its benefit of warmth so comforting in winter months.  We appreciate it in the preparation of meals.  However, we do not understand fire’s role in maintaining habitat and the environment.  We are so afraid of fire that we often do the very things that cause the worst imaginable outcome. One of the lessons learned from this tragedy is that fire is a necessary ingredient in the propagation of new pines and the control of duff and litter on the floor of the forest.  By suppressing fire, we might create even greater fuel loads in the area. That is precisely what happened.  The consequences of our actions will be evident for many years.

But I am still a lover of woods.  I miss these woods.  Yet, I am determined to do my part to assist in the recovery of the woods.

Remarkable September

 

The month of September will be an unforgettable one for us.  After several years of drought and over 100 days of triple digit days, what has become known as the worst and most devastating fire in Texas history struck Bastrop County.  34000 acres and 1600 homes were burned and destroyed.  The toll on livestock and wildlife is enormous.  The environment will not recover for some 40 years according to experts.  The Lost Pines are truly lost.

 

Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to attend as faithfully and diligently as we can to the area.  Campaigns are beginning to formulate ecologically sound restoration of the area.  The burned area included Bastrop State Park.  95% of the park was damaged or destroyed.  The good news is that the CCC built buildings were saved.  Some 100 acres were kept free of fire.  Still efforts to replant are necessary, require thoughtful planning and execution, and must guard against harmful invasive species. 

Landowners in and around the area are also asking what might be done in good stewardship of their own property.  Many of us have much to learn in hopes that our children and our grandchildren will be able to enjoy the land and the environs once again.

Personally, I look to the future with hope.  To all, I say, “The Sun Also Rises”.

Drought’s Imperative

The drought drags on.  In Central Texas, we have broken a record and have now counted 70 days of triple digit weather.  The stock ponds do not exist, and the surrounding lakes are at 45 percent capacity.  The land is parched.  None of this is news to us who endure it.

The consequence to wildlife is severe.  There is little or no natural food available.  While migration of our avian friends has begun, speculation is that possibly many birds will simply pass this region by, opting for a chance at better fair along the coast.  Those of you who are feeding need to continue feeding; many should consider taking up feeding.  Those who are may be the difference in so many visitors’ journeys.  And you may well be rewarded by some fantastic (perhaps, unusual) sightings.

Keep your feeders full and clean.  Fill them daily.  A clean feeder deters the spread of disease among of avian friends.  They are under severe stress. Therefore, let us not add to their plight with the spread of disease.  For an easy cleaning feeder, please examine the one above.  It is the latest innovation from Droll Yankees—part of their “ring pull” series.  The central rod pulls out releasing the ports so the entire cylinder can be easily cleaned with a bottle brush.  Reassembly is just as easy.

Same should be said for your birdbaths.  Water is a key attractant to all wildlife in good times but is imperative now.  It is the only substitute for this drought. Clean water will be a life saver.

American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins

 American Goldfinches accompanied by Pine Sikins are now visiting my new Finch Flocker Thistle/Nyjer Feeder. It is also a grand event when these birds find the feeders in our neck of the woods. To me, even in winter plumage, the American Goldfinch is a stunning and beautiful bird. When you see one, you will see many.


Impressive is the diversity among finches. The family, Fringillidae, contain fairly large species, such as the grosbeaks while also being represented by such small species as the Lesser Goldfinch.

Worldwide the finches hardly ever show seasonal variation in plumage. The one exception is the male American Goldfinch. I suppose this makes these birds all the more remarkable.


American Goldfinches are easily identified with their distinctive darker wings and clearly marked wing bars, white rump, along with white outer tail feathers visible in flight. Of course, note the yellow always found on the bird but more vivid and bright in breeding season.

Winter Irruptive

It is always good to see the titmice and chickadees flitting around the feeder.  But lately, this little  fireball has been visiting area feeders, completing the triad.  This is the second year that the Red Breasted Nuthatch has irrupted into Central Texas.

I heard reports of a signifigcant number of Golden Crowned Kinglets are in the area, too.  So be on the look out for them as well.

Photo by Bill Ravenscroft

Colorado River Refuge

Anyone who has recently moved to a new town knows the joys or frustration of looking for new birding spots. It is a pleasure to have found a very short distance from my new home a set of trails and a nature refuge. The refuge is the joint work of the Lower Colorado River Authority, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Bastrop County Water Control and Improvement District #2. Other entities have contributed to the development of the refuge. This is a 60 acre plot adjacent to the Lost Pines Nature Trails, which is another 30 acres. Together these provide for some wonderful hiking and birding experiences.



The area consists of old growth riparian forest. Having visited only a few times, the birds observed have been Yellow Rumped Warblers, Carolina Chickadees, Northern Cardinals, Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Lincoln Sparrows, Turkey and Black Vultures, Red Shouldered Hawk, and Tufted Titmouse. Lincoln Sparrows are quite numerous at this time. There is more to see, no doubt. This spring, much time will be spent hiking the refuge.

Snowy(ng) in July and August

A pleasure of summer is found on any day whence one looks to stock ponds, creeks, and wetlands in Central Texas and comes to find a Snowy Egret or two slowly shuffling along hunting for small fish it has stirred up. Ah, there goes “yellow feet”, I say even if only to myself. As long as I have been birding in this area, I still get a kick out of seeing those yellow shoes on this smaller and more delicate looking member of the egret family.

Snowies derive their name not from a season but from their plumage. Snowies are commonly found in this area in the summer, not winter. Their plumage in breeding season is snow white, and growing on the back and lower neck are recurved plumes, sometimes referred to as aigrettes. These delicate plumes give the adults an appearance of fresh fallen snow.

In one way the Snowy Egret resembles its larger cousin, the Great Egret in that it is white. Yet, there are many differences; do not assume you are just looking at an immature or smaller Great Egret. The Snowy is identified by a more delicate build, a slender neck, a slender black bill, and black legs which culminate in yellow feet (golden slippers). The Great Egret is larger, almost twice in height; has a yellow, more substantial bill, with legs and feet entirely black.

Photo by Bill Ravenscroft

Texas Wildflowers

The recent rains have assisted Bluebonnets, Texas' State Flower, in blooming everywhere in Central Texas. They adorn our highways and fields. This is the time of year when Sunday afternoons find families gathering for a portrait amongst a field flushed with color and beauty.

The above picture is Thelesperma. There are plenty of colors, shape, and a variety of flowers to tantalized and delight.

Early Arrival?

Many of us in Central Texas think this is an early arriving Nashville Warbler. This photograph was taken by Bill Ravenscroft on February 14, 2009. Your comments and observations would be appreciated.

Pine Warblers

The Pine Warblers seem to be increasing in numbers and frequency in Central Texas. Many are saying it was about three years ago that this species began to show around Lake Waco. Today many local birders are reporting them. A small group of birders went to the Pecan Grove and Soccer Fields last month and were delighted by the sighting of several of these as they hopped along the ground and flew to low lying branches in the grove. Their yellow neck and breasts made sharp contrasts to the blue backs and orange fronts of the Eastern Bluebirds which inhabit this area. Still, others are reporting Pine Warblers at their feeders and bird baths. In fact, this writer has notice far fewer Yellow-rumped Warblers this year and wonders if the Pines are not the cause.

Photographs by Bill Ravenscroft

Ladder-Backs, Broad-wings and more at the Red Corral

We escaped once again to a favorite R&R place, the Red Corral Ranch between Wimberly and Blanco, Texas. There is a cabin stuck way back in the woods where one can lounge around, read, listen to the silence and relax. Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice flit about the cabin grounds.



Of course, if one wishes, there are plenty of trails through the ranch to explore. One of those trails, appropriately called the Nature Trail, follows the creek from the cabin to the main lodge. It is easy walking, about a mile long, and takes you past open spaces and along cliffs and by terrain where, if one is lucky, one might spot a Golden Cheeked Warbler. Yet, even if one doesn’t there is other avifauna about. On one such walk, we spotted first a female Ladder-Backed Woodpecker and then the male in the oak grove. The sexes look much alike with the exception of red on the head of the male, which the female lacks. The face of this bird is distinctive, and this is what caught our eye. We, also, had a Hermit Thrush run the trail before us as we pressed onward. Pausing as if to wait on us to catch up, it slowly lifted and lowered its reddish tail. Turning once to show us its spotted breast, it darted for cover and left the trail to us.

We walked several trails in addition to the Nature Trail; the Goddess Trail, the Pond Trail and its unmarked offshoot to the north pass a windmill on top of a rise. We saw White Winged Dove, Northern Cardinals, Scrub Jay, Spotted Towhees, Vesper Sparrow, American Robins, Turkey Vultures, and two kettles of Black Vultures. The area just northeast of the Pond netted a pair of soaring Broad-winged Hawks.

The fact that this ranch is managed for the protection of the Golden Cheeked Warbler and the Black Capped Vireo makes this one of our top places to visit, which we do as often as possible.


Photograph of Ladder Backed Woodpecker from Animal Diversity Web.

Owl Prowl

On the East Waco Christmas Bird Count, Short Eared Owls were found off Old Mexia Road. E.G. White-Swift and his son, Joey, had noticed Northern Harriers in this field earlier in the day. Knowing that Short Eared Owls occupy the same habitat at dusk, they returned as the sun was setting to wait in hope of seeing the owls. Those with patience and forbearance are oft rewarded, and so they were.

A week later E.G. promised to lead a group of Central Texas Audubon members and friends to the location. Meeting at 5:00 PM, we traveled to the field arriving about 25 minutes later. With the light and temperature dropping, through binoculars and scopes, we watched three Northern Harriers dance across the field and around the cattle grazing. Then one of the Short Ears started to work the far reaches of the field opposite from where we all stood. A second appeared and both flew directly at us and eventually over the cars. Back around they came and split; one right, one left. Having checked out all four corners of the territory, they began to work the field again. I can tell you that it became almost a party atmosphere as we bore witness to these birds and their crepuscular activity.

A few evenings later some more birders were at the field. Bryan Stone took these wonderful pictures. One includes a pair sparring with each other. These owls are rare sightings in McLennan County, so it is a delight to behold.

Central Texas Black Chinned Hummingbirds

Although Ruby Throats are outnumbering the Black Chins, these Black Chins posed long enough for the camera. Above is an immature female while below is an immature male.

Both photographs are by Karen Arquette.

Central Texas Hummingbirds

Adult male Ruby Throat

Photo by Karen Arquette

Migration seems to have begun. Karen was reporting that 80 to 100 hummers a day would visit her feeders this summer. Yet, recently, the numbers have dropped to around 30 or 40 a day. Flowers are still blooming. The feeders are still being filled. These jewels are tanking up for their flights south. We will enjoy them all we can.

Immature male Ruby Throat

Photo by Karen Arquette

Eastern Bluebirds & The Pecan Grove

I find myself often roaming the Pecan Grove near the Soccer Fields below Lake Waco Dam in Central Texas. This is prime habitat for Eastern Bluebirds. The old grove of pecans provides abundant nesting cavities. Because of its juxtaposition to the open fields and the adjacent spillway for the water flowing from the impounded lake, this is one of the best birding places within the area. Eastern Bluebirds are species of “the edge effect”. They enjoy and utilize to great success places where forest adjoins field.

Often sighted in the vicinity are Downy and Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Great Crested Flycatchers, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice. Overhead Great Blue Heron, Great Egrets, and Double Crested Cormorants fly crossing from the river to the lake and back. Raptors and Vultures are sometimes gliding across the fields high above. In the spring and summer, one is treated to some wonderful acrobatics of low and fast flying Barn Swallows. In winter, Brown Creepers forage in the grove, and overhead you can spy ducks and geese. An hour or two any morning spent at this locale is well worth the time.

Photo by Bill Ravenscroft