by Amanda Anderson The nesting season for Wilson’s Plovers has officially begun at Bryan Beach and the Matagorda Bay Nature Park! The breeding habitat at Bryan Beach is located behind the primary dunes and consists of predominantly mudflats and ephemeral wetlands with some upland/dune areas along the edges. This nesting habitat is preferred because it provides abundant food resources. I … Read More
Oystercatcher Diaries 2016: Field Week 4
By Susan Heath I made another round of West Galveston Bay on Wednesday, April 6th. I was joined by John Wright who chauffeured us in his boat along with Scott Buckel and Debbie Repasz. We started in Jones Bay checking on the two pairs that have chicks there. The wind was really blowing so the chicks were all hidden in … Read More
Beach Nesting Birds Project 2016: Update 1
By Susan Heath We kicked off our Beach Nesting Birds project this week! This year we are fortunate to be joining Houston Audubon and the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program monitoring nesting Wilson’s Plovers through an American Bird Conservancy grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Our shorebird technician, Amanda Anderson, will be monitoring nesting Wilson’s Plovers at … Read More
The Oystercatcher Diaries 2016: Entry 3
By Susan Heath I can’t believe that March is coming to a close but that it is and the oystercatcher breeding season is in full swing. I was going to build up to it but I just can’t hold it in. We’ve got chicks folks! We headed out from Tim Long’s dock to check on the pairs in Jones Bay. … Read More
The Oystercatcher Diaries 2016: Entry 2
By Susan Heath On March 11 I made another round of West Galveston Bay with Alan Wilde, Chuck Snyder, and John Wright. John took us out on his boat and again it was a sweet ride! John did a great job chauffeuring us around to the different locations. Last time we found six nests and Alan found an additional one … Read More
Quintana Spring Fling
Migration is heating up on the Gulf coast. Twice each year, billions of birds, entire species, swarm across the globe, traveling thousands of miles as they migrate between breeding and wintering grounds – stopping en route to refuel at coastal stopover sites. Every year this spectacle attracts hordes of local and out of town birders who descend upon stopover sites throughout … Read More
Smith Point Hawkwatch report for Nov 15
Smith Point Hawkwatch report for Nov 15. Moderate northeast wind shifted to east midday. The last day, always a little sad but you know it is the right time to wrap it up. This is a wonderful site to hawkwatch and to enjoy the species richness of all the other flying creatures. Thanks to all […]
Smith Point Hawkwatch report for Nov 14
Smith Point Hawkwatch report for Nov 14. Moderate northeast winds with healthy gusts shifted to strong east winds around 1000. Joe Kennedy and Jana and John Whittle helped with the count. Bob Migrants 28 Turkey Vultures 1 Osprey 2 Northern Harriers 1 Sharp-shinned Hawks 2 Cooper’s Hawks 2 Broad-winged Hawks 3 Red-tailed Hawks 4 Swainson’s […]
Smith Point Hawkwatch report for Nov 13
Smith Point Hawkwatch report for Nov 13. Moderate northeast winds with healthy gusts shifted to easterly around 1100. Bob Migrants 24 Turkey Vultures 6 Northern Harriers 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks 5 Cooper’s Hawks 7 Broad-winged Hawks 3 Red-tailed Hawks 3 Swainson’s Hawks 2015 Smith Point YTD Black Vulture 117 Turkey Vulture 1086 Osprey 71 Bald Eagle […]
Smith Point Hawkwatch report for Nov 12
Smith Point Hawkwatch report for Nov 12. Light north winds got stronger in the second hour and the overcast started breaking around noon. Mixing in with the overcast were lots and lots of American Robins, some Eastern Bluebirds and balls of Franklin’s Gulls. A good show. An adult White-tailed Hawk gave us all wonderful views. […]
Smith Point Hawkwatch report for Nov 11
Smith Point Hawkwatch report for Nov 11. Strong south winds all day an overcast from noon on. Few birds of any kind were up in the air. Tad Finnell had 161birds yesterday with nice diversity including a Bald Eagle. Bob Migrants 4 Northern Harriers 1 Sharp-shinned Hawks 2 Peregrine Falcons 2015 Smith Point YTD Black […]