183-Hornsby, Travis, Texas, US
February 6, 2016 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
EPISODE 117: An Osprey Kind Of Day
A general rule of thumb I have noticed is that, in the winter months, there is about one Osprey for every mile of river. This rule held true today. We were seeing Osprey from the time we launched to the time we got off the river. It was not unusual to see two at the same time. Adding to this bonus they were being quite vocal and calling to each other. An exception to this general rule is the presents of Bald Eagles. If Eagles are present they are very good at keeping the Osprey out of their feeding areas.
There was an early morning report of a Bald Eagle in the area but we did not see it during the survey. I will list it as the source is very credible.
We also found dozens of Yellow-rumped Warblers. There are those days when they are everywhere. A treat came in finding an Anhinga. It is very important to look at every Cormorant as one could be an Anhinga. We also found an American Robin. Of course I have the mention the Green Kingfisher. They are always a treat.
In the other critter department we found numerous turtles out sunning themselves. We were also treated to a small group of deer. One lone, small, black butterfly went by.
Since we have had almost no winter and I am still mowing lawn, I have to say something about the flowers I have been seeing. I know where there is a small patch of Maxmillian Sunflowers blooming, a normal fall bloomer. Today I saw the yellow tube shaped flowers of the nicotine bush. I also found Henbit and a small violet. These are normally spring bloomers. Fall bloomers and spring bloomers in the middle of winter…..just saying.
Also, the floods we had last Fall left huge devastation with erosion and plants being ripped for the river banks. On the positive side the trees that were knocked down have provided plenty of food to the local beaver. There are photos showing a little of the damage.
We had a great group of helpers who came out on a cold and blustery morning. Wilda Campbell, Ashleigh Lassiter, Karen Pernell, Lydia Deats, Ryan Lassiter, Bobby Hughes, CR Smith, Kim Parades, John Barr, Denis Brening, and Bob West were great company, thanks to all.
Don’t forget to like the Austin Bastrop River Corridor Partnership Facebook page. Here you will find more information about the river and water issues in central Texas. Learn more about the Austin-Bastrop River Corridor Partnership at the CER website.
****************
50 species (+4 other taxa)
Wood Duck 8
Gadwall 70
Mallard 4
Blue-winged Teal 12
Green-winged Teal 25
Lesser Scaup 8
duck sp. 100
Pied-billed Grebe 8
Double-crested Cormorant 32
Anhinga 1
American White Pelican 8
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 8
Snowy Egret 15
Black Vulture 42
Turkey Vulture 8
Osprey 8
Bald Eagle 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 7
American Coot 9
Killdeer 7
Spotted Sandpiper 12
Greater Yellowlegs 9
Least Sandpiper 22
gull sp. 200
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 33
White-winged Dove 12
Mourning Dove 8
Belted Kingfisher 7
Green Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 3
Crested Caracara 8
Eastern Phoebe 24
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 32
swallow sp. 3
Carolina Chickadee 21
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
American Pipit 2
Cedar Waxwing 15
Yellow-rumped Warbler 100
Savannah Sparrow 12
Lincoln’s Sparrow 5
Northern Cardinal 34
Red-winged Blackbird 32
Great-tailed Grackle 45
House Sparrow 18
