Golden Triangle Audubon Bird Alert -- January 8, 2012

Golden Triangle Audubon Bird Alert – January 8, 2012

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