Bird Alert - February 9, 2008

Sheri and David Bethard report seeing both an immature Golden Eagle and an adult Bald Eagle Saturday (February 9th) near the intersection of South China Road and Lawhon Road in west Jefferson County.  They have fantastic pictures of both Eagles in the air together.  You can view the pictures at http://dbethard.zenfolio.com/p327743945/. We also hope to be able to show these at the Membership Meeting on February 21st.  This is the first report of a Golden Eagle since one was seen by Marsha Williams in a residential area on Walden Road between IH-10 and Major Drive on Sunday February 3rd.  The Bethards also report that one Bald Eagle was on the nest on FM105 in Vidor.

On Saturday February 9th, Daniel Reed reports three probably scoters (species not determined) in the Gulf off McFaddin Beach near the geotubes early in day.  None were seen in the early afternoon, although an immature Gannet was fishing fairly close to shore.  There were lots of Piping, Snowy, Semi-palmated and Black-bellied Plovers on the beach, mostly close to the McFaddin/Sea Rim boundary.

Other birds on the coast included a Crested Caracara on the poles leading to the H&B Ranch on Highway 87 just east of Sea Rim, and three Ospreys at various places.  There were 45 Redheads on Clam Lake inMcFaddin NWR.

John A. Whittle