EPISODE 137:  A FEW MONARCH BUTTERFLIES

We boldly set out on a quest to find early migrants. Our hope was to find the skies filled with Hawks and warblers of all kinds as well as a flow of Monarch Butterflies…..screeching of tires…..then came reality.  The enthusiasm was dampened by silence.  Eerily silent.  Not even a Cardinal was heard.  Yes, it was that kind of day.  I think we happened to catch one of those days when there was just not much moving around.

We did manage to find 36 species that included a juvenile Bald Eagle and two American Coots.  Belted Kingfishers and Osprey are starting to have good numbers.  Also found were 5 Pileated Woodpeckers and a Green Kingfisher.  The best we could do for a migrant was one Swainsons Hawk.  I know there are a few resident Swainsons in Bastrop County but doggonit I want to call it a migrant.

Remember last October we found 11 Water Moccosin.  We found only 2 today.  A few Red-eared Sliders and another unidentified water snake were all we got for Herps.

Lots of Sulfur butterflies. Viceroys were everywhere and only two confirmed Monarch.

We have to thank everyone who helped today. Alexis Baldera, CR Smith, Nate Long, John Barr, Denis Brenning, and Bob West were the team.