May 12, 2015 by birdmeister

2015)

Arizona Woodpecker

Brown-crested Flycatcher at St. David

Gila Woodpecker at the Paton’s feeder

An interesting gnatcatcher from Proctor Rd. I was pretty sure initially that it is a Black-capped, but am now not so sure any more. Undertail graduation is not easily determined, with the mess of molting feathers. Wait, if it’s molting now, does it have to be a Black-capped as Blue-gray would be nesting later (if at all at this location) or be a migrant? The black line above the eye extends significantly behind the eye. Is the bill large enough for Black-capped?

Grace’s Warbler

Greater Pewee at Carr Canyon

Olive Warbler at Carr Canyon

Painted Redstart at Carr Canyon

Phaino at St. David

Red-faced Warbler at Carr Canyon (ok, not so great a shot …)

Summer Tanager at the Paton’s

Thick-billed Kingbird at the Patagonia Roadside Area

Townsend’s Warbler at Carr Canyon (one of many ..)

Vermilion Flycatcher

A juvenile Zone-tailed Hawk from Rio Rico. An adult Zone-tailed was also present there mid afternoon.

May 3, 2015 by birdmeister

The Baskett Slough NWR White Wagtail (04/30/2015)

This ocularis White Wagtail was at Baskett Slough NWR in a field just north of the narrows for just one day. I’m glad I pulled the trigger on this one. The black eyeline and large big will make it an ocularis.

May 3, 2015May 3, 2015 by birdmeister

TX migration (4/23-4/27/15)

After waiting for 4 long years, I finally indulged again to experience the spectacle of spring migration around High Island. 22 species of warbler (including several Golden-wingeds and a female Cerulean) were seen, plus Black-billed Cuckoo and Philly Vireo. The Anahuac rail walk was a bust this time around, probably due to the threatening storm which was keeping the rails quiet. Nice shorebirds included White-rumped Sandpiper and Hudsonian Godwit, yet I failed to turn up an Upland Sandpiper. The Big Thicket performed, as usual, with the highlights being Swainson’s Warbler, oodles of Mississippi Kites, Bachman’s Sparrow and Red-cockaded Woodpecker.

The full report is here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10qeaBiuS-Yii6X0AfKJfH65OYVB74eVO4BytQz_NREg/edit?usp=sharing

I was not really able to take any pictures as the pace was too high … So, here’s just a few crappy ones …