Lake Waco Nesting Bald Eagles

For several years there have been nesting Bald Eagles on Lake Waco.  This is a great triumph of environmental commitment, law, and effort.  It is a joy worth celebrating.  Local birders hailed the first successful fledge and continue to do so in subsequent years.

 

There have been successful fledges, but there have also been tragic losses. The problem has come in the form of not so sturdy, desirable nesting trees. The fishing is good; the parent birds have proved that. The snags available have not all withstood decay and high winds.

 

To assist future nesting, The Central Texas Audubon Society (CTAS) has proposed building a platform based on a successful design used in Oklahoma for these majestic birds. It is a substantial undertaking and will require raising funds, proper design, and placement such that safety for the nest and the fledglings is assured.

 

For the curious, and to deter the interference of humans about the nest, a camera is being planned for the platform which is hoped will be viewable from the internet.

All photographs by Bill Ravenscroft.

Great Binos for Young or Beginning Birders

We adults recognize we should be doing all that’s possible to foster the upcoming generation of birders and conservationists. Many Audubon Groups have stated this as a goal and mission for the next few years.


The Central Texas Audubon Society a couple of years ago purchased almost two dozen binoculars for their youth education programs. CTAS supplemented these with field guides in a one to one ratio. The San Antonio Audubon Society Education Outreach Committee has done similarly, purchasing new Vortex Raptor Binoculars in its efforts to grow young birders.



Vortex Raptor Binoculars

 The Vortex Raptor Binoculars are designed specifically with Young Birders in mind. The lightweight bins have sharp optics, and the eyepieces and binocular body are just right for smaller faces and hands. The field of view is great facilitating locating the bird. Focusing is pretty easy, too.


Yet, any small adult beginning birder wanting a lightweight alternative would find them perfectly serviceable as well.

These binoculars are great and well worth the price for your youth or beginning birder program.

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.