There were as many birders as species seen Saturday morning at Spring Lake. Stephen Ramirez, who organized and led the first birding hike in September 2011, was met with a similar crowd of avid birders. The numbers of residents interested in learning more about birds has flucuated between a dozen and two dozen. This is a good number for answering questions about behaviors, migration patterns, field marks, and numerous other bird-related questions.
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| Summer Tanager (Colton Robbins photo) |
In the ensuing years he's ably led the group on the first Saturday of each month. Colton Robbins joined the group about two years ago and has provided the birding list and some great photos. These observations are recorded in Cornell University's eBird database. The list documents migrations and native birds around the San Marcos area.
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| Another beautiful sunrise over Spring Lake (C. Robbins) |
Saturday's hike was rewarded with a close-up view of a Great Blue Heron flying low over the lake. Four Wood Ducks with their colorful markings took flight as we closed-in for the better look. Unfazed were the vultures roosting in the top of a nearby tree. Also unfazed and singing but sitting still for photos was the Summer Tanager. No confusing this one with the common American cardinal; the differences were apparent.
Joining the group is a simple as contacting Stephen@BirdsIview.org or subscribing to the San Marcos Bird Walk Facebook page. Notification of where we are walking and observing usually is posted the afternoon before the walk.
Aquarena Springs, Hays, Texas, US
Sep 3, 2016 7:20 AM - 8:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
0.5 mile(s)
Comments: San Marcos Monthly Bird Walk
28 species
Wood Duck 6
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
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| All ages and interests. (Lance Jones photo) |
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 4
Killdeer 1
White-winged Dove 60
Mourning Dove 1
Chimney Swift 6
Black-chinned Hummingbird 2
Eastern Phoebe 3
White-eyed Vireo 1
Barn Swallow 3
Cave Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Black-crested Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 2
Bewick's Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
American Robin 5
Northern Mockingbird 2
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Common Grackle 1
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Baltimore Oriole 1
Lesser Goldfinch 3
View this checklist online at
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31396248
