Birding at Blanco Shoals

Viewing the hawk on the far-side of the river August 2nd.

  An even dozen birders hiked Blanco Shoals natural area Saturday, August 2nd. Sightings were impressive as 29 different species were either seen or heard.
  Jonny Scalise and Stephen Ramirez led the group through the tall grasses that were in the process of being mowed.
  Birding was productive as the riparian area is bordered by the slow-moving, but wide Blanco River and is home to  huge pecan, cypress, sycamore, cottonwood and anacua trees. The city-owned property at the end of River Ridge Parkway is mostly undeveloped with no trails or amenities.
  Birding hikes are sponsored by the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance and led by volunteer, Stephen Ramirez on the first Saturday of each month. Contact Stephen@birdsiview.org to be placed on the mailing list for future bird walks.  --LJ

Blanco Shoals Natural Area August 2, 2014

1    Great Blue Heron

2    Green Heron

3    Black Vulture

1    Mississippi Kite

1    Red-shouldered Hawk 

1    Rock Pigeon (feral pigeon)

53  White-winged Dove

2    Mourning Dove

2    Common Nighthawk

1    Hummingbird sp.

1    Golden-fronted Woodpecker

2    Red-bellied Woodpecker

1    Eastern Phoebe

1    White-eyed Vireo (heard only)

2    Blue Jay

10  Barn Swallow

8    Cave Swallow

3    Carolina Chickadee

1    Black-crested Titmouse

4    Carolina Wren

3    Northern Mockingbird

1    European Starling

2    Northern Cardinal

1    Indigo Bunting

73 Common Grackle (flew overhead in groups)

4    Great-tailed Grackle

8    House Finch

20 House Sparrow

Thanks to Colton Robbins