By Georgean and Paul Kyle
Photos by Paul Kyle

Even though Hurricane Beryl skirted Central Texas to the east, it provided a return to mild temperatures in mid-July as well providing more rain than we have had July in for several years:  4.59” for the month making it the second wettest month of the year to date just behind January.

We completed construction of the north access steps and stairs for the HVAC installment.  By the end of the day on July 16th the new system was in place and working great.  While building the access stairs, we re-routed the condensation drain to a pottery dish creating a small water feature for the birds and other wildlife on the north side of the residence.  It was readily accepted and frequently visited by Painted Buntings, White-eyed Vireos, Northern Cardinals and Carolina Wrens.  We seldom spend much time in that area, and the locals seemed to enjoy being able to access water away from the constant activity around the water features on the south side.

Our evening custom this time of the year is to venture out to the main deck at sunset to see if any Chimney Swifts gather.  After a few years of only the nesting pairs and their offspring coming home, this year we once again have been treated to a roost of 100 to 175.  This is reminiscent of pre-covid days when the large summer roosts were common.  This is hopefully a trend back to those days.

Paul often takes a guitar to play while the swifts gather.  One evening as he started to pick a tune something moving up on the Perch (upper deck) caught his eye.  A Grey Fox who had apparently been snoozing up there reared its head to see what the noise was.  After a moment or so it laid back down while Paul continued to play.  As the swifts began to enter the North and South Towers, the fox became restless and finally came down the stairs right past us and hurried around the corner.  Our first thought was that it did not like the music.  However, over the next few evenings it repeated the ritual of checking us out from the Perch and then leaving just as the swifts were entering the towers.  This continued through the end of the month.  One morning Georgean was filling the bird feeders and noticed that the fox was already up on the Perch – sleeping on top of a small table.  It remained there until the sun hit its shady spot before moving off.  We have no desire, nor would it be appropriate to encourage any closer relationship with our wild neighbor, but we revel in the fact that the fox finds the Perch a safe and comfortable place to hang out.

We will be taking the month of August off from hosting any events at the Canyon as we expect the temperatures to climb back into the uncomfortable range.  Birding by Ear classes will resume in September, and registration is available online:  BIRD-120: Birding by Ear Sept 14, BIRD-120: Birding by Ear Oct 12, BIRD-120: Birding by Ear Nov 9

Best Regards,