It is clear that there are several Least Grebes in Cattail Marsh at various places in the marsh.  The ones just inside the gate have been somewhat less visible, but they are still there. Others have been seen further to the north in the same cell (cell 2), and at least three others in the cell (cell 3) that is across the first levee from that cell.

The Harris's Hawk found January 11 was seen January 12 in the evening, January 13 in the evening (most probable ID), and on the morning of January 14.  It is in the same general area, just to the left of the entrance to Cattail Marsh, but on Saturday, it was only visible from the Tyrrell Park side of that area.  As far as we know, it was not seen January 15.

Bald Eagles were seen January 11,12,13 and 14, and there is some possibility there is a nest nearby. 

Probable Glossy Ibises have been seen again.

Cinnamon Teal are still being seen, but can remain well hidden for long periods. 

On January 15, there were about 1,500 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks in the cell (cell 8) that is in the right corner (SE corner) of the Marsh.  (It is a one mile walk to that cell!)

A Green-tailed Towhee was found in Tyrrell Park January 15.  To reach the location, continue counterclockwise round the main loop past the entrance to Cattail Marsh. Park at the next parking area before you reach the toilets (gray building with red roof).  Walk back to the gully you crossed just before reaching that parking area, and walk along the north side (the side nearest you as you approach from that parking area) of the gully about 50 yards to the point where you have to turn left because another gully come in from the left.  The towhee was in the underbrush, a lot of which is palmetto, at this corner.  (Coordinates are 30 deg 00 min 32.8 sec N, 94 deg 08 min 36.1 sec west.)

With thanks for reports from Gerald Duhon, John Haynes, Steve Mayes, Harlan Stewart.

John A. Whittle

Yesterday afternoon (Jan 11), John Haynes found a sub-adult Harris's Hawk perched in the trees along the west edge of Cell 2, the cell that is the one you see as you enter and go to the top of the levee.  The bird was seen in mid afternoon to the north (left as you walk in) probably between 1/8 and 1/4 mile.  Today, we found the bird at about 3:30 p.m. perched in a tree on the north edge (left) of the interior parking area.  It was being buffeted by the wind, and eventually flew off, but we relocated it perhaps 150 yards further north, perched in a tree and readily visible from the levee.  This is only the second Harris's Hawk sighting in Jefferson County that we know of.

Both yesterday and today, an American Bittern flushed near the northwest corner of Cell 2.  If you want to try to refind this bird, turn left on the levee and walk until just before the bulrushes and other vegetation give way to more open water, almost at the corner of the cell.

Least Grebes were easily seen yesterday and today.  There seems to be one grebe usually in the deeper water channel that greets you as you walk up the levee from the entrance. There may be several grebes, as one has been a little way south (right) and another some distance north (left).  There are also a good number of Pied-billed Grebes everywhere in the Marsh.

Scanning the dark ibis (there are about 150 around) has produced at least two birds that are very likely Glossy Ibis.

After the three Bald Eagles last Sunday (Jan 8), one young eagle was seen in mid morning yesterday (Jan 11) and an adult bird in the afternoon.  An adult Bald Eagle flew in around 3:30 p.m. today (Jan 12), landed on a coot, held in underwater to drown it, and then carried it off to the levee to the south, presumably to consume it.  Northern Harriers have been seen apparently doing the same thing, but they apparently cannot lift a coot, and have to consume it in the vicinity of where they catch it.

In Cell 2 today just inside the gate were lots of Green-winged Teal, a good number of Blue-winged Teal, at least three male Cinnamon Teal, many Ruddy Ducks, many Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails and Gadwall, a few American Wigeon a few Mallards, several pairs of Mottled Ducks and two or three Redheads.

Cell 1, the deep water cell at the north end of the Marsh, has lots of Ring-necked Ducks and Ruddy Ducks, as well as Canvasback, some Redhead, a few Northern Pintail, a few Gadwall and one male and two female Bufflehead.  There are two or three Lesser Scaup also in that area.

John A. Whittle

The recent area Christmas Counts did not produce any "first ever for the area" sightings. Interesting birds that are in locations that are routinely accessible include the continuation of at least one Green-tailed Towhee at Sabine Woods, in the original location near the dead oak tree in the "open" area to the east of the main entrance.  A Short-eared Owl was seen at dawn at the Intracoastal Canal bridge on Highway 87.  The male Vermilion Flycatcher at the Sabine Pass Cemetery (on the left as you enter) is still there (as are those at the Old League Road/Willis Road intersection, and the young male on South China Road at the corner formed by the limestone roads about 2.2 miles south of China).  It is possible that the Least Flycatcher and the Winter Wren both seen near the drip in Sabine Woods on the count on January 3 are still there.

On January 8, John Mariani found two Least Grebes in Cattail Marsh.  They were in the area of cell 2 immediately inside the walk in gate, and were seen by many observers during the course of the afternoon.  A true "Patagonia Picnic Table Effect" then set in. Steve Mayes, before he even got to look for the grebes, found a immature male oriole that appeared to be a Baltimore Oriole in Tyrrell Park at the entrance to Cattail Marsh.  Then, two adult and one third year Bald Eagles flew over calling vigorously.  They flew towards the northwest, but then soared back to the southeast.  One adult was seen later in the day perched in the distance, and a Peregrine Falcon was in the same area!  At least two Glossy Ibis were in Cell 2 in the Marsh, and, later, one or two male Cinnamon Teal.  Cell 2 is currently home to a large number of ducks including Blue- and Green-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, Ruddy Ducks, Northern Pintails and a few Gadwall. The more distant deep water cell in the north, Cell 1, has Ring-necked Ducks and Canvasback.

There is a small flock of Redheads in the lake ("Willow Lake") on the east side of US69 just after the exit for Jimmy Johnson Boulevard.

The Sandhill Cranes in west Jefferson County have seemingly been looking for a change in scenery, we have a report that they are regularly in a field of the south side of Old Sour Lake Road, east of Imes Road (a.k.a. Aggie Drive) and just before the railroad crossing.  About 300 were there near dusk on January 8.  (The birds were at about 30 deg 04 min 60 sec N  94 deg 16 min 47 sec W). About 35 were also seen January 8 in a field north of Walden Road about 9/10 mile east of South Pine Island Road and between the two canal crossings.  (The birds were at about 30 deg 02 min 22 sec N  94 deg 14 min 27 sec W).

Hummingbirds wintering in the area include a Buff-bellied, a Calliope, several Rufous, a Ruby-throat and a possible Broad-tailed.  A mini-field trip to the homes with these hummers is planned for Friday morning, January 20.  Details are on page 3 of the January Brown Pelican which will be mailed and posted on the website (www.goldentriangleaudubon.org) later this week.

There are unprecedented numbers of raptors, especially Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels around the area, both along the beach road, and in west Jefferson County. Enjoy them while you can as the Red-tailed Hawks will begin to thin out noticeably next month.

With thanks for reports from John Mariani, Steve Mayes, Jana Whittle and others whose reports I received indirectly.

John A. Whittle

Christmas Bird Count Reports 2011-12

Sparrow variety along the immediate shoreline has been good.  At least three Harris's Sparrows have been frequenting a non-public area of Sea Rim State Park since Nov 28.  Call Terry Ferguson on 409-332-3608 to find out if access will be possible at the time you would like to look for them.  Generally, fairly early morning or late afternoon seem best.  Access, if available, does not require beach driving or lengthy walking. Other sparrows in good numbers in the Golden Triangle include Field and Vesper Sparrows.  The Green-tailed Towhees at Sabine Woods have not been reported recently, although they are shy.  (There are Green-tailed Towhees this year scattered along the coastal areas of east Texas and Louisiana.)

Good numbers of raptors are also present.  Red-tailed Hawks are especially numerous along Highway 87 between Sabine Pass and McFaddin NWR, with 33 being count in that 12-mile stretch on one recent late afternoon.  Bald Eagles are being seen in west Jefferson County (two adults and two immature birds) and at Anahuac NWR (seven birds).  These eagles are usually found in association with duck and goose flocks.  One accessible are that has been holding ducks in Jefferson County has been either side of Lawhon Road, just west of the community of New Bethel.  Green-winged Teal and Northern Pintail have predominated, with lesser numbers of Northern Shoveler and Gadwall.

The geese and Sandhill Crane flocks in west Jefferson County have been rather nomadic, and may well be roosting outside the county, and flying in to feed some days.  Most often when they are found – which does not happen on every trip in the area – they have been in the extreme western part of the county, west of FM1406/FM365.

A pair of Vermilion Flycatchers has been around the farmyard at the intersection of Willis Road and Old League Road, and the male at the Sabine Pass cemetery is back.

Wintering Hummingbirds are seemingly plentiful this year with Rufous, Black-chinned and Calliope all being seen.  Call Jana Whittle 409-722-4193 if you want to try to see a Rufous.

John A. Whittle

Hummingbird Program Nov 17, 2011

For those of you not on Texbirds, here is Steve Mayes' post about two Long-eared Owls found in Sabine Woods today. Apologies for "duplication" to those who already know about the owls.

Birders,

John Whittle, John Haynes and I discovered a Long-eared Owl at TOS Sabine Woods near Sabine Pass in Jefferson County this morning and Harlan Stewart discovered a second bird later in the day. One bird was very cooperative and stayed in the exact same spot from 11am until at least 5pm. The other bird was more skittish and flushed a couple of times and was not refound later in the day. Both birds were in the western section of the woods near the southern fence line (the one that borders Hwy 87) probably 2/3 of the way out to the western fence line. Be warned that there are numerous Barn Owls (at least a half dozen) around so you may have to sort through several owls before you find the right one(s). If the birds do hang around, please be respectful of them and do not unduly harrass them. Please do not play Long-eared tapes/MP3's to locate them and if you are taking photos, don't get too close, be careful with your use of flash and be respectful of other birders trying to see them. Several good photos have already been taken and will hopfully be posted at some point. The one bird was very tame (as this species can be) and allowed lots of good looks all day long so hopefully it will stick around for everyone to see, let's try to make sure we, as birders, do our part to keep them around. Good luck to anyone who goes out looking. I will be out there again tomorrow, so I'll probably see you there!

Steve Mayes Port Arthur, TX

 John A. Whittle

In Sabine Woods, there is significant evidence of wintering birds "overshooting" but calling a halt to migration on seeing the Gulf.  Many of these birds will either retreat a short distance back into the Big Thicket, or perhaps proceed further west and then south again.  The number of western species showing up has been well above average. 

The western parts of Jefferson County, although mostly dry, seem to have a normal raptor population.  Sandhill Cranes have been seen (Nov 6) but are not yet numerous, and sparrows seem a little below normal.  Several fields (most notably east of the southern part of South China Road) have been flooded for some time, and are attracting shorebirds in increasing numbers.

Because of the drought, there are very few nearby readily accessible waterfowl friendly areas this year, and we therefore have not yet any feel for the number and variety of wintering waterfowl this year. 

Lingering neotropical migrants seen recently in Sabine Woods include:

Nashville Warbler (Nov 4, 5, 8, 10)

Yellow-breasted Chat (Nov 4)

Northern Parula (Nov 5)

Black-throated Green Warbler (Nov 5)

American Redstart (Nov 4, 5, 8, 9)

Ovenbird (Nov 5)

Magnolia Warbler (Nov 8, 9)

Tennessee Warbler (Nov 8)

(Yellow-rumped, Wilson's, Orange-crowned, Common Yellowthroat are considered likely to be wintering, although the numbers of Wilson's seen are still quite high!; overshooting Pine Warblers seen Nov 5 and 10))

Indigo Bunting (Nov 4, 5, 8)

Painted Bunting (Nov 4, 5, 10)  -- maybe turn out to be wintering bird(s)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (female Nov9)

Blue Grosbeak (female plumaged Nov 10)

Gray Catbird (Nov 4,5,8,9,10)

Eastern Wood Pewee (Nov 4, 5, 8)

Arriving and overshooting  -- Sparrows and related species

Green-tailed Towhee – this species was first reported Oct 21.  Two were seen together Oct 29; one without a tail was seen Nov 5, and one was glimpsed Nov 9 associating with the 200 White-throated Sparrows.

Eastern Towhee {Nov 4(2), Nov 10 (2 – male and female)}

White-throated Sparrows {Nov 4 (30), Nov 5 (10), Nov 8 (none?), Nov 9 (200), Nov 10 (500)}

Field Sparrow {Nov 4(7), 5(22), 9(20), 10(35)}

Lincoln's Sparrow {Nov 4(8), 5(13), 8(5), 9(2), 10 (1)}

Swamp Sparrow {Nov 4(10), 5 (16), 8(6), 9(3), 10(2)}

Savannah Sparrow (mostly along sides of highway al days)

Chipping Sparrow  {Nov 4(1), 5(2), 9(1), 10(8)}

White-crowned Sparrow {(Nov 4(2), 5(2), 10(10)}

Song Sparrow {Nov 4 (2), 5(3), 8(1), 9(1), 10(1)}

Dark-eyed Junco {Nov 4(3), Nov 5(1), Nov 10 (2)}

Vesper Sparrow {Nov 5(3), Grasshopper Sparrow {Nov 5(2), 9(1)}

Brown Creeper {Nov 4(3), 5(2), 10(2)}

Golden-crowned Kinglets {Nov 4(21). 5(2), 8(2), 9(4), 10(3)}

Raptors

Numbers of Red-tailed Hawks soaring over the coast are high, and there are more Accipiters (both species) around than normal.  Northern Harriers are also more plentiful than usual for this time of year,  American Kestrels are normal.  Merlins are now perhaps not quite a numerous as in recent winters, although there were many earlier.  Two White-tailed Kites are in residence along the highway at Sea Rim State Park.  There are good numbers of raptors over western Jefferson County, including at least three Crested Caracaras.

Western "vagrants"

The Green-tailed Towhees are noted above.

Bullock's Oriole (Nov 4 in Sabine Woods)

Western Tanager (female in Sabine Woods Nov 4, female in Nederland Nov 9)

Say's Phoebe (near Sea Rim Nov 9).

Hummingbirds

Rufous and Rufous/Allen's Hummingbirds are being seen at feeders in Nederland. Lingering Ruby-throats were seen through Nov 8.  A Broad-tailed Hummingbird (fem) and a Black-chinned (imm. male) were seen in Nederland Nov 6. A Buff-bellied Hummingbird was seen briefly in Nederland Nov 8.

With thanks for reports from Terry Ferguson, John Haynes, Steve Mayes, Harlan Stewart, Jana Whittle.

John A. Whittle

Fall 2011 Migration Table. 

Fall 2011 Migration Table - Larger Print

After the passage of the cold front Thursday night (Oct 27), there were a few late warblers and other migrants and some arriving winter residents in Sabine Woods and elsewhere in the Sabine area.

On Friday (Oct 28), there were two each of Nashville Warbler, Northern Parula and Black-throated Green, as well as one American Redstart, an immature male.  There were still Nashville and Black-throated Green Warblers on Saturday (Oct 29).  In addition, on both days there were Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped and Wilson's Warblers as well as Common Yellowthroats, all of which are species which do winter in the area (in small numbers in the case of Wilson's).  A Pine Warbler Friday represented an overshooting migrant that likely went back north.  There was a Palm Warbler early on Saturday morning. Also on Saturday, there was a single Golden-crowned Kinglet.  On Friday there was a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak, while on Saturday, there was an immature male of the same species.  There were large numbers of Hermit Thrushes on Saturday. Indigo Buntings were present both days, as was at least one Eastern Wood-Pewee.  A Common Nighthawk was seen Friday.

 Sparrows were not very evident on Friday, but a good variety was seen on Saturday.  In Sabine Woods, there were Swamp and Lincoln's Sparrows and one Chipping Sparrow as well a brief sightings of White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows.  Around the parking lot at Texas Point NWR, there was a flock of about five Field Sparrows, as well as Swamp Sparrows and a Savannah Sparrow.  Field Sparrows were also seen on the road to the site of the former Pilot Station at Texas Point, along with a Grasshopper Sparrow, a few White-crowned Sparrows, two White-throated Sparrows, one Lincoln's and one Savannah Sparrow as well as the more expected Swamp and Nelson's Sparrows.

As of yet, we have no reports from west Jefferson County for the past couple of days, but there was an excellent selection of raptors along the coast from Sabine Pass to Sabine Woods on Saturday. These included Crested Caracara, White-tailed Kite, Broad-winged Hawk (two), Red-shouldered, Red-tailed, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks.  American Kestrels and both vulture species were also seen. An Osprey was on Pilot Station Road.

Several small flocks of Geese, some mixed Snow/Ross and White-fronted flew over on Saturday morning.

With thanks to Richard Atkins, Gerald Duhon and John Haynes for their contributions to this report.

 John A. Whittle

 We have not sent any out during September and early October – perhaps we should have!  What has happened from the last few days of August has been something we have not seen before in a fall migration.  As always with migration, it is likely weather related.  While it has been very dry, the other unusual feature has been relatively long periods of light north winds, and when there have been south winds, they have generally been quite light, and any stronger winds have not persisted for long.  (A plus has been the relative paucity of mosquitoes – some localized areas and one of two days excepted – and very, very few deer flies.)

What we have seen has been six weeks now of days in which there have been a good variety of migrant warblers in Sabine Woods essentially every day. Ten to fifteen warbler species have been seen virtually every day, 14 or 15 being about normal but reaching 18 or 19 on several occasions.  It has all the appearance of birds coming in from north of us one night, leaving the next evening and being replaced by more birds from the north.  To a large degree, it has only been warblers and flycatchers that have been present in such good variety.  So far, thrushes, grosbeaks and most other larger birds have not participated.

In the middle of September, the birds seemingly were most active around the middle of the morning, possibly because birds that reached the coast the previous evening took a little time to move "laterally" into the Woods from wherever they hit the coast.  More recently, the birds have begun to exhibit normal winter "feeding flock" behavior, and mixed species flocks have been roaming the woods, present in one place for a while and them moving away.  The trick has been to find these feeding flocks.  They have been using the drip most days, but there are periods of frenzied activity and other periods of nothing. We can expect Warblers to continue to pass through in good numbers through the end of the month.

A few species stand out.  Mourning Warblers have been seen very close to every day since late August.  Wilson's Warblers have been present in much larger than normal numbers since about mid-September.  Early on, there were Golden-winged Warblers, Blackburnians, and Cerulean Warblers.  Prairie Warblers and Yellow-throated Warblers have been frequent.  Worm-eating Warblers have been scarce, as have Waterthrushes.  Black-throated Greens have not been as numerous as usual, nor have Hooded Warblers.  Tennessee Warblers were late in starting and still are not in large numbers.

All the expected flycatchers have passed through in good numbers, with many Olive-sided Flycatchers seen.  Baltimore Orioles were numerous but Gray Catbirds have got off to a slow start.  Although there is still a little time for them to show, thrushes have been virtually absent.  Cuckoos depart early, and there have been very few stragglers this year. Vireos were fairly normal as to species, excepting the Cassin's Vireo mentioned in a previous Bird Alert and a Bell's Vireo, but numbers of White-eyed and Red-eyed have been modest. Two or three early Blue-headed Vireos have not been followed by many more as of yet.  Chuck-will's-Widows have been seen almost every day, with up to seven or eight on peak days.

One or two early sparrows have already been seen, but the first real push of them, and the expected overshooting woodland birds such as Brown Creepers, nuthatches, Golden-crowned Kinglets can be expected in a couple of weeks.

John A. Whittle

Everyone always seems to want to know how many warbler species, so we will start there:  we know of:  (Cumulatively 25 species)

Fri 2 September   10 species

Sat 3 September   11 species

Sun 4 September   rained most of day, no full report received yet

Mon 5 September   16 species

Tue 6 September   18 species

Wed 7 September   14 species

Thu 8 September   18 species

Fri 9 September   16 species

Ovenbird – Sep 2 and 6 thru 9 (with about 5 on Sep 9)

Worm-eating – reported Sep 6 only

Northern Waterthrush – every day

Golden-winged Warbler – Sep 5 (two males), Sep 8 and 9 (imm male)

Blue-winged Warbler – every day except Sep 2

Black-and-white Warbler – every day, large numbers peaking on Sep 6 with about 50

Prothonotary Warbler – every day except Sep 9

Nashville Warbler – reported Sep 6 only so far

Mourning Warbler – seen every day except Sep 6 (and heard that day)

Kentucky Warbler – Sep 3, 6 and 8 – brief looks only

Common Yellowthroat – reported Sep2, 7, 8, 9 but possibly overlooked other days

Hooded Warbler – males seen every day except Sep 7 – no more than two.

American Redstart – females seen in increasing numbers from Sep 6; immature male Sep 9, no adult males yet

Cerulean Warbler – females on Sep 3 and 6

Northern Parula – females Sep 3 and 6 thru 9

Magnolia Warbler – seen Sep 5, 6 and 9 – very faintly marked birds on  each day

Blackburnian Warbler – females Sep 5 and 8

Yellow Warbler – every day, apparently peaking on Sep 5 – some males

Chestnut-sided – September 5 only

Yellow-throated Warbler – September 6 and 9.

Prairie Warbler – September 3, 5 and 9

Black-throated Green – September 7 and 8

Canada Warbler – every day except September 3

Wilson's Warbler – September 6, 8 and 9 (good number of Sep 9)

Yellow-breasted Chat – every day except Sep 3 and 6

It would not be fair not to note there are many, many Blue-gray Gnatcatchers every day!

Flycatchers have been very evident, with Empidonax in significant numbers every day.  Birds probably of the Traill's complex were most numerous early in the period, but more probable Yellow-bellied, Least and Acadian later.  Eastern Wood-Pewees are increasing in number.  Great Crested Flycatchers very numerous throughout the period.  Olive-sided Flycatchers seen Sep 6, 8 (two) and 9 (four).

Red-eyed Vireos seen every day; White-eyed Sep 8 and 9; Philadelphia Sep 6; Warbling Sep 6, 8 and 9, Blue-headed Sep 6 (very early, but well marked bird seen well) and an unequivocal Cassin's Vireo (probably a first fall bird) on Sep 9.

Chuck-will's Widows have been numerous most days with a least six present on several days.

The summer resident Orchard Orioles have left, but one or two migrant have been seen, but many Baltimore Orioles essentially every day.

Yellow-billed Cuckoos have been present most days (two to four birds).

One Gray Catbird was reported Sep 8.

Broad-winged Hawks are being seen in increasing numbers, and probably four spent the night of Sep 8-9 in the Woods.

A few Summer Tanagers have been seen, mostly females but one or two males; and a male Scarlet Tanager was seen Sep 9.

Painted Buntings, mostly young birds which probably hatched in the Sanctuary are still around, but only two reports of Indigo Bunting so far.

Hummingbirds, almost all Ruby-throated, are increasing in number in the Woods and at feeders, and a Selasphorus was seen in Nederland.

Accessible shorebird habitat is scarce still but Pectoral Sandpipers, Stilt Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs an Least Sandpipers were reported on Aggie Drive in west Jefferson County.

With thanks for reports to Richard Atkins, Howard Davis, Gerald Duhon, Terry Ferguson, John Haynes, Rose Ann and Harrison Jordan, Steve Mayes, Kelley Sampeck, Harlan Stewart, Dottie and Gene Schulz, and Jana Whittle.

John A. Whittle

        Bolivar Flats is one of the great shore-birding spots in Texas (and, for that matter, the World) and it proved so again on this date. The group started out with almost side by side comparisons of Whimbrel and Long-billed Curlew. There was even a young curlew around to allow for that comparison. Ruddy Turnstones, one of the more colorful of our shorebirds were also evident along with more drab Sanderlings. Peeps were in surprisingly small numbers on the flats but great looks at Marbled Godwits and American Oystercatchers more than made up for it. Wilson’s Plovers were immediately obvious but it took a little while to get the first Piping and Semipalmated Plovers. Reddish Egrets are usually easy to find on the flats and this was proved true with sightings of both dark and white versions of this bird. An adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, not displaying much fear of the birders, looked a little out of place along the water's edge. A brief diversion was necessary to rescue a Royal Tern which had become entangled in a monofilament fishing line and lure. Adding Horned Lark and almost all of the common gulls and terns for the area, including two Common Terns, the group decided on a brief respite from the heat with a lunch at the Stingaree Restaurant. An Eastern Kingbird and a presumed family party of five Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were on the fences along Retillon Road as we left the area of the flats.

        After a refreshing lunch, it was on to some of the other top spots on the Bolivar Peninsula. Bob’s Road produced Mottled Ducks, Roseate Spoonbills and a Green Heron. Yacht Basin Road allowed the birders looks at Osprey, Clapper Rails, Common Nighthawk and two of the several Magnificent Frigatebirds seen on the day. Rollover Pass is another great shore-birding spot and it produced many of the same birds at Bolivar Flats. Black Skimmers lounged about the mud flats here with lots of Black Terns. A Black-bellied Plover foraged on the beach with a Greater Yellowlegs in a nearby pool. Lots more Brown Pelicans, American Oystercatchers, Marbled Godwits and Reddish Egrets provided lots for the group to look at. But after a great time birding the Bolivar area, it was time to move on.

        The last stops of the day were, as is traditional for this trip, the Houston Audubon sanctuaries in High Island. First stop was Boy Scout Woods. Although the woods were pretty quiet (not really surprising in the middle of the afternoon with temperatures in the high nineties) some nice birds were still found. Perhaps the best bird was an Olive-sided Flycatcher perched near the top of a dead snag but the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Northern Cardinals were nice too. The group spent more time at Smith Oaks and were well rewarded. A brief look was had at a Barn Owl and a Cooper’s Hawk while several Swainson’s Hawks were more cooperative. A male Belted Kingfisher rattled about one of the ponds while a Spotted Sandpiper and a Stilt Sandpiper worked the edges. Nesting in the rookery appeared to be largely finished but there were still numerous wading birds around. Most interesting among these were several Wood Storks, some on the shoreline and some perched in trees. Great Egrets and Roseate Spoonbills complimented the storks and throw in American Coot and an alligator or too and you have a terrific finish to the day.

        It just goes to show that even on one of the most uncomfortable days of the year in one of the most unpleasant summers on record, there is still great birding to be found in our area. Spots like Bolivar Flats and Smith Oaks have something to offer the birder on every day of the year not just in the spring – if the birder is dedicated enough to brave the heat and a few bugs!

List of birds seen (and reported to the leaders!):

BF = Bolivar Flats; HI = High Island; RP = Rollover Pass; YBR = Yacht Basin Road; TX87 = Highway 87 between High Island and Bolivar Flats:

Mottled Duck (Bob's Rd 5); Wood Stork (HI 8); Magnificent Frigatebird (BF 2; RP 1; YBR 2); Neotropic Cormorant (Bob's Rd 5; BF 5); Brown Pelican (BF 200; RP 100; TX87 150; YBR 5); Great Blue Heron (BF 3; RP 2); Great Egret (Bob's Rd 5; (HI 25); Snowy Egret (Bob's Rd 20; HI 15); Snowy Egret (YBR 1); Little Blue Heron (Bob's Rd 1; RP 3); Tricolored Heron (Bob's Rd 2; BF 1; RP 1; YBR 6); Reddish Egret (BF 6; RP 5; YBR 1); Cattle Egret (TX87 4); Green Heron (Bob's Rd 1; YBR 1); Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (BF 1); White Ibis (Bob's Rd 10; HI 3); Roseate Spoonbill (Bob's Rd 40; BF 2); Roseate Spoonbill (HI 5); Black Vulture (HI 4); Turkey Vulture (HI 2; YBR 2); Osprey (YBR 1); Cooper's Hawk (HI 1); Swainson's Hawk (HI 3); Clapper Rail (RP 1; YBR 5); American Coot (HI 1); Black-bellied Plover (BF 3; RP 4); Wilson's Plover (BF 10; RP 5); Semipalmated Plover (BF 8; RP 15); Piping Plover (BF 5; RP 2); Killdeer (RP 1); American Oystercatcher (BF 3; RP 4); Black-necked Stilt (BF 1; HI 5); Spotted Sandpiper (HI 2); Greater Yellowlegs (RP 4); Willet (BF 15; HI 5; RP 10; YBR 1); (Eastern) Willet (BF 2); Whimbrel (BF 2); Long-billed Curlew (BF 6); Marbled Godwit (BF 1; RP 15); Ruddy Turnstone (BF 2; RP 2); Sanderling (BF 25; RP 10); Least Sandpiper (BF 1); Stilt Sandpiper (HI 1); Laughing Gull (Bob's Rd 3; RP 50; YBR 3); Ring-billed Gull (BF 2); Herring Gull (BF 1; RP 1); Least Tern (Bob's Rd 1; BF 15; RP 50); Caspian Tern (BF 3); Black Tern (Bob's Rd 75; BF 150; RP 200; YBR 3); Common Tern (BF 2); Forster's Tern (RP 10); Royal Tern (BF 50; RP 100); Sandwich Tern (BF 3); Black Skimmer (BF 16; RP 100; YBR 4); Mourning Dove (Bob's Rd 1); Barn Owl (HI 1); Common Nighthawk (TX87 1; YBR 1); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (HI 2); Belted Kingfisher (HI 1); Olive-sided Flycatcher (HI 1); Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (HI 1); Eastern Kingbird (Bob's Rd 2; BF 1); Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Bob's Rd 5); Loggerhead Shrike (TX87 1); Blue Jay (HI 2); Horned Lark (BF 4); Cliff Swallow (Bob's Rd 5); Barn Swallow (HI 10; RP 2); Carolina Wren (HI 1); Northern Mockingbird (Bob's Rd 1); Northern Cardinal (HI 2); Great-tailed Grackle (BF 5; RP 1); Orchard Oriole (HI 3).

Steve Mayes

There was also a good collection of warblers – ten species were seen -- even if the increasingly windy conditions made it somewhat difficult to find them.  At least three Northern Waterthrushes were very vocal.  One female plumaged Mourning Warbler was seen, but calls suggested there were at least three others.  Perhaps most surprising were three male Prothonotary Warblers in one binocular view in the eastern section of the woods, along with one female.  There were still a few Yellow Warblers (at least four female/immature and one male).  Other species seen were Black-and-white (two females), Hooded (one male), Canada Warbler (two, perhaps three females), an Ovenbird, two or three female/immature Common Yellowthroats and a Yellow-breasted Chat.

There were relatively few of the larger species, only two Red-eyed Vireos, but no orioles of any kind, no tanagers, no cuckoos, no grosbeaks.  There were many Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and three or four immature Painted Buntings.  One Great Horned Owl and a Cooper's Hawk probably were causing many birds to stay in thick cover.

While no hummingbirds were seen at Sabine Woods, there are many around flowers and feeders in Nederland, mostly male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.  Note, however, that the Smith Point Hawk Watch has documented a Black-chinned and a Rufous.

If you venture out to bird Sabine Woods tomorrow, please recognize that the Woods have not experienced strong winds at all or much rain in the last few months, and there are numerous dead trees and branches that have the potential to fall if they become waterlogged and/or are subject to strong winds.

John A. Whittle