Howard Lane to Utley (969) Bridge, Bastrop, Texas, US
Nov 4, 2017 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.0 mile(s)
EPISODE 138: Autumn Colors / Trifecta
When we started this morning I thought I would mention the changing Autumn colors in the trees. How the recent frost made the leaves start changing to yellow. But then … queue dramatic music … the Kingfisher Trifecta. Now the dilemma, do I talk about Autumn colors or the rare and seldom seen Trifecta. Well why not both. There is some color coming in to the leaves along the banks. Yes, all three kingfishers were found and it took the whole team to get it done. Of course there are plenty of Belted but a very early Ringed was found while most of us were doing the shuttle and two Green later in the day. Great to be in the fall and to get the kingfishers on a beautiful day.
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Of course the kingfishers are nice, but wait, that is not all. Winter birds are becoming more numberous with Lincoln Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers, both Yellowlegs and Least Sandpiper. We also found Pileated Woodpeckers and Barred Owl to fill our list to 34 species.
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In the other critters list we have Turtles of several variety, Cottonmouth Moccasin, Sulfur and Swallowtail butterflies and a few Monarchs. Squirrels and Raccoons were out enjoying the cooler weather too. One other observation is the abundance of Astor Daiseys there are now.
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It was good to get Wilda Campbell back on the river with us. Thanks Wilda. Our other volunteers include Leslie Morris, Wendy Harte, Linda Williams, Peg Gavin, Ron Armbruster, CR Smith, Bob West, Denis Brenning, Bobby Hughes, and Charles Petrie. Thank you all for an enjoyable morning.
32 species (+2 other taxa)
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 2
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 15
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned/Cooper’s Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Killdeer 45
Least Sandpiper 22
Spotted Sandpiper 15
Greater Yellowlegs 12
Lesser Yellowlegs 5
White-winged Dove 18
Barred Owl 1
Ringed Kingfisher 1
Belted Kingfisher 9
Green Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 11
Pileated Woodpecker 4
Crested Caracara 2
Eastern Phoebe 21
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 6
Carolina Chickadee 18
Tufted/Black-crested Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 9
Lark Sparrow 12
Lincoln’s Sparrow 6
Northern Cardinal 32
Red-winged Blackbird 24
Great-tailed Grackle 14
