Each month, Claude Morris leads an ecological survey on the Colorado River. Participants bring their own canoes and kayaks. On March 4th, from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM, they surveyed 6 miles of the river (Howard Lane to Utley (969) Bridge, Bastrop). Claude sent us the following report:

It must be nesting season for the Pileated Woodpeckers. They were everywhere. So many on this short trip that we happened to find three in one tree.  I think that tree was the corner of their three territories.  Those three Woodpeckers were putting on a show for each other and created quite a ruckus.  A real treat on a chilly rainy day.

Another interesting sighting for the day was Lark Sparrows.  We do not get many of those.  Barred Owls are always good.  We got our first ducks of the winter, two Wood Ducks. Last but not least was a very nice Ringed Kingfisher.

Flowers are starting to bloom.  Bluebonnets, Mustard, Onions, and there will be a huge crop of Dewberries. Of course Spiderwort are plentiful.

36 species

Wood Duck  2
Double-crested Cormorant  4
Great Blue Heron  2
Black Vulture  5
Turkey Vulture  4
Red-shouldered Hawk  2
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Killdeer  2
Spotted Sandpiper  5
Inca Dove  1
Mourning Dove  12
Barred Owl  2
Ringed Kingfisher  1
Belted Kingfisher  4
Red-bellied Woodpecker  8
Downy Woodpecker  4
Northern Flicker  1
Pileated Woodpecker  9
Crested Caracara  1
American Kestrel  1
Eastern Phoebe  3
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  5
Carolina Chickadee  22
Tufted Titmouse  4
Carolina Wren  12
Orange-crowned Warbler  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  33
Field Sparrow  1
Lark Sparrow  2
White-throated Sparrow  2
Vesper Sparrow  11
Savannah Sparrow  8
Lincoln’s Sparrow  14
Northern Cardinal  42
Red-winged Blackbird  200