TWIN
LAKES AUDUBON SOCIETY
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TWIN
LAKES AUDUBON SOCIETY |
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February Birding Summary for Bell, Coryell & Lampasas Counties February was a tale of two seasons for the Bell-Coryell-Lampasas counties area. Early in the month, we experienced two strong cold fronts that brought freezing temperatures and wintry precipitation. These fronts undoubtedly pushed some of our wintering birds even further south. In general, although moderately cold-hardy, species such Great Egret and Blue-headed Vireo for example, which were sparse already possibly due to dry conditions, seemed to became even more sparse. However, the weather quickly moderated and we were experiencing warm temperatures and the first flush of spring by the end of the month. By mid-February there was a noticeable influx of American Robins and Cedar Waxwings (difficult to say whether they were pushed south by the cold fronts or were moving northward in anticipation of spring). Several other early migrants such as ducks (including Blue-winged Teal), pelicans, cranes, and swallows were reported before month’s end. However, dry conditions continue to prevail. This is setting up area lakes (Belton and Stillhouse) for a potentially interesting shorebird season as extensive mudflats are currently available. However, overall, habitat is likely to become stressed if we don’t receive some spring showers. GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE BLUE-WINGED TEAL PACIFIC LOON COMMON LOON AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN ANHINGA WHITE-TAILED KITE BALD EAGLE ‘HARLAN’S’ RED-TAILED HAWK MERLIN – Good showing and wide spread. SANDHILL CRANE MOUNTAIN PLOVER – This has been a fantastic
year for Mountain Plover wintering in Bell County. Mountain Plovers
were regularly observed along Aubrey-Messer Rd throughout the
winter. Typically, the seem to choose to winter in nearby Williamson
County fields. AMERICAN WOODCOCK BURROWING OWL SHORT-EARED OWL – As far as I know, the only
report of this species in the tri-county area for this winter. SAY’S PHOEBE – Difficult to find earlier
this winter. COMMON RAVEN HORNED LARK PURPLE MARTIN – The cold fronts early in the
month probably delayed arrival of this species. CAVE SWALLOW – Several sporadic sightings
this winter, but numbers seemingly slow to build. BROWN CREEPER ROCK WREN GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET – It continues to be
a great winter for this species. GRAY CATBIRD – It has been a particularly
good winter for this species. BROWN THRASHER SPRAGUE’S PIPIT- Intensive surveys have revealed
the presence of a decent number of overwintering pipits at Fort
Hood. The species likely regularly winters elsewhere within the
tri-county area, but due to its secretive nature generally goes
unreported. EASTERN TOWHEE RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW – Uncommon and local
within the western half of the tri-county area. LARK SPARROW LARK BUNTING LE CONTE’S SPARROW MCCOWN’S LONGSPUR CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR PYRRHULOXIA RUSTY BLACKBIRD Observer: BHo = Bill Howe, CEn = Catherine Engelman,
DHo = Daniel Hodges, F&JBu = Frank and Jeanette Bumgardner,
GCr = Grant Critchfield, GEc = Gil Eckrich, JMu = John Muldrow,
MDi = Mike Dillon, PBa = Peter Barnes, RKo = Rich Kostecke, RPi
= Randy Pinkston, SDi = Scott Dieni, SJo = Stephanie Jones, TFe
= Tim Fennel |