Hornsby Bend August

I went to Austin for a long weekend and spent some time at Hornsby Bend and Balcones Canyonlands NWR.  Definitely slower than expected in terms of birding.  I got in late in the evening and the first birds I heard were the calls of a Killdeer and the calls of a Common Nighthawk.  Too dark to get any publishable pictures though.  Upon arriving at Hornsby Bend, I really had wanted to walk the trails at Platt lane, but they had not opened the gates yet, so I went to the ponds first.  Driving the area, there were Scissor-tailed Flycatchers every 50 yards.  I saw all ages and it was interesting to see some growing in their tails.

Getting into the entrance of Hornsby, Barn Swallows were everywhere.  There were some Purple Martins interspersed as well as a number of Starlings in their own flock.  The martins and swallows were working really hard and I realized that I was not going to have a chance of getting a good shot of them in flight.  So I just got pictures of them on the wire.  Notice the size difference:

Travelling to the ponds I came upon a group of Black-necked Stilts in the road that made a really nice picture (almost looks like a Christmas tree).

On the ponds I saw a number of Sandpipers.  Here are a Solitary, a Lesser Yellowlegs, and a Spotted Sandpipers:

Here was an American Avocet who lost a leg, but seems to get around just fine:

I saw a White-faced Ibis in the distance feeding next to a Black-necked Stilt:

Least Sandpipers were everywhere:

 Driving towards the back I got a couple of looks at the backsides of Painted Buntings flying away from me.  Too quickly to stop, get out, and get a picture.  But the thing that stood out was the green back and flashes of red and blue as he flew away.  It turns out that I did not get to see another full colored male again.  I did see a "greenie" which is either a female or a juvenal male:

I did not see anywhere near the number of Indigo Buntings this time.  I only saw this individual.

As far as Flycatchers, I saw an Eastern Kingbird that flew off before I could get a shot, a Western Kingbird, Great Crested, and several Least Flycatchers which were lifers for me.

White-eyed Vireos were out there talking away. 

As were several Carolina Wrens

And some Yellow-billed Cuckoos

I saw a Belted Kingfisher and this Duck on the river.  I am guessing that it is a Lessor Scaup based on what has been seen there before, but it could be a Ring-necked Duck also.   eBird does not include either of these species as options for common birds at that time of year.

12:18 PM - August 12, 2009 - post comment

Definitely a Christmas tree

That photo of the black-necked stilts in the road really does look like a Christmas tree. Great view!

This looks like it was a good trip. Isn't it amazing how ubiquitous never means boring...

Of note, your one-legged avocet reminds me of a one-legged black-necked stilt here in the Dallas area. It also gets around fine and doesn't seem to be starving.

And I wouldn't worry too much about what sites and books say regarding time of year for various species. You'll find they contradict what your eyes tell you. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says mottled ducks are the only year-round duck species in Texas--and they say that because that's what all the reputable sources say. The mallards and wood ducks here where I live would say otherwise.

As for your duck, I'd say it's more likely to be a scaup. It's missing the obvious peaked crown of a ring-necked, and its bill looks too blue (as opposed to a ring-necked's grayer bill).

Best regards,

- Jason
xenogere.com

Anonymous - 1:24 PM - August 13, 2009

Untitled Comment

those stilts in the road certainly did make for a great photo. nice!

http://alpinebirds.blogspot.com

Dale - 3:52 AM - August 31, 2009