Content and photos by Jaya Ramanathan
Winter led us to the fresh beginnings of spring, a perfect time to spot a variety of birds – all-year residents, lingering winter visitors, summer arrivals, and ones recharging during migration. Parks with varied habitats for birds, showcase this spectacle.
Female Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warbler (left), and Ladder-backed Woodpecker (right), at Freeman Park
Dense woods, and Brushy Creek attract birds to Freeman Park. Wintering Yellow-rumped Warbler, perches nearby, striking a perfect pose. Ladder-backed Woodpecker drums rapidly on tree trunk, challenging me to find it. Great Egrets love to fish at the creek here.
Male Ruby-crowned Kinglet displays ruby crown (left), and Orange-crowned Warbler snatches bug (right), at Raab Park
Grassland, dense woods, undergrowth, and Brushy Creek, welcome birds in Raab Park. American Pipit forage in grass, and as if on cue, all take off to perch on trees. A grassland patch awaits Painted Bunting’s summer arrival. Cave Swallows prepare nests under highway for this year’s young. Waterfowl flies by the creek, too quickly to allow identification. Song Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbirds perch in undergrowth. Wintering Ruby-crowned Kinglet reveals its elusive ruby crown. Acrobatic Orange-crowned Warbler snatches a bug, fortifying for its upcoming trip north.
Loggerhead Shrike (left), and Great Blue Heron (right), at Old Settlers Park
A pond with reeds, grassy areas, and trees, draw birds to Old Settlers Park. Northern Mockingbird forages in grass, while Loggerhead Shrike perches on a tree, its band reminding me of its decline. Wintering Gadwall family rest on the pond shore, while Canvasback swims. All-year Great Blue Heron and Pied-billed Grebe, fish.
Lincoln’s Sparrow (left), and Savannah Sparrow (right), at Rock Hollow Park
Dense thicket, expansive grass, trees, and waterfront with reeds, entice birds to Rock Hollow Park. Wintering Lincoln Sparrow, sunlit, surfaces in thicket, distinguished by its peaked crown, white throat and belly, and bright buffy breast. Appearing wet, it grooms itself, after bath? More Sparrows forage in grass, including Savannah, with its distinct yellow patch in front of eye. Hermit Thrush calls, but stays hidden. Red-bellied Woodpecker and Blue Jay, perch on trees, with acorns. Red-shouldered Hawk catches prey near water.
Vesper Sparrow (left), and Western Meadowlark (right), at Meadow Lake Park
A large meadow and reservoir, welcome birds in Meadow Lake park. European Starling nest near its entrance. Sparrows are plentiful near the reservoir bank, where I spot a lifer, wintering Vesper Sparrow. Cormorants fish at a distance. Barn swallows draw arcs in the sky, catching insects? Western Meadowlarks, brown streaks above, and yellow below, forage in the meadow, showing off their distinct black V. A dozen birds fly into the thicket, still hiding, when I leave.
Snowy Egret (left), and Yellow-crowned Night Heron (right), at Memorial Park
Brushy Creek, lined with trees, attracts birds in Memorial Park. Yellow-crowned Night Heron have arrived to breed. One munches prey it caught in the creek, another watches, in envy? Snowy Egret, fishes, its black bill and yellow feet, the exact opposite of Great Egret. American Goldfinch, in striking yellow breeding plumage, is all ready to breed, up north.
Indigo Bunting (left), and Nashville Warbler (right)
Parks treated us to a wide variety of birds. Travel birding in Texas hill country and Colorado, added delights. Playing peekaboo with warblers, migrating Nashville Warbler visiting us almost daily, Hummingbirds sipping at our garden blooms, courtship, nest building, young being fed, new backyard lifers in Northern House Wren and Indigo Bunting, were exciting. Spring arrived with a stunning medley, prepping us to enjoy its full splendor.
Red-bellied Woodpecker Pair (left), and Canyon Wren with nesting material at Pedernales Falls State Park (right)
Credits – Cornell Lab of Ornithology, AllAboutBirds
