Guadalupe Delta CBC 2019-12-19
On Thursday I was fortunate to be able to again participate in the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Womack Ranch near McFadden, TX. Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me up and down a section of the Guadalupe River in a small boat. I bird from the boat and we make many stops where I hop out, walk a little ways into the riparian woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to see what songbirds respond. One of the goals of this count is to find lingering neotropical migrant songbirds, and this year was one of my most successful years in that regard.
The morning was extremely cold and clear. Weather predictions were for temperatures in the middle 30s but it was 23 degrees when we started out on the river at about 7:30! The river had a thick layer of mist:
At one of our first stops a female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was one of the only birds to fly in to the owl recording. Something seemed strange to me about it, and it wasn't until I looked at my photos a few days later that I realized it had a black crown. Females usually have a red crown, and my Sibley guide describes this black-crowned variation as "seen occasionally." It was a first for me.
I counted more Green Kingfishers than any previous year. We encountered at least 6. Here's a female that let us get close enough for a photo:
Lingering neotropical migrants are migratory songbirds that usually spend the winter south of the United States, but that can be found in small numbers in south Texas. Through the morning we found a few Black-and-white Warblers and Wilson's Warblers. Just before lunch I heard the "zeet" call and briefly saw an Indigo Bunting. The afternoon was slow until about 3 PM at our very last stop before we had to turn around. I had the best mixed-species foraging flock of the day which included a male Northern Parula , a male Black-and-white Warbler, and a male Black-throated Green Warbler. There were also expected winter resident Yellow-rumped Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, and Pine Warblers. Six warbler species in one flock! In Texas in the winter! The parula was the least expected species, and I was happy to get a pretty good photo of it:
And here are the Black-and-white Warbler and the Black-throated Green Warbler:
By middle afternoon the temperature was in the low 60s. There was little or no wind and it was an absolutely beautiful day to be on the river. This was my view most of the day:
And this short video shows what it was like to glide along:
Here's my complete eBird checklist.
And here are a few more photos on Flickr.
Below are most of the same photos as iNaturalist observations.
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
I think this is a second-year Bald Eagle that doesn't have its mature white head and white tail plumage yet.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
This species is one of the lingering neotropical migrants that this count is intended to find, species that usually winter further south than Texas.
At one of our last stops, the turn-around point on the river, I got the best mixed-species foraging flock of songbirds that responded to my screech-owl recording. It included Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Parula, and Black-throated Green Warbler.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
This species is one of the lingering neotropical migrants that this count is intended to find, species that usually winter further south than Texas.
At one of our last stops, the turn-around point on the river, I got the best mixed-species foraging flock of songbirds that responded to my screech-owl recording. It included Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Parula, and Black-throated Green Warbler.
Photos / Sounds
What
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
This is a poor photo of a cool bird, a female Indigo Bunting. This species is usually further south than Texas during the winter. One reason this bird count exists is to find lingering neotropical migrants like this one, spending the winter further north than usual.
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
This species is one of the lingering neotropical migrants that this count is intended to find, species that usually winter further south than Texas.
At one of our last stops, the turn-around point on the river, I got the best mixed-species foraging flock of songbirds that responded to my screech-owl recording. It included Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Parula, and Black-throated Green Warbler.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta ssp. elegans)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
I'm used to seeing Black-crested Titmouse in Austin, so it's a treat to see this very similar species that looks and sounds just a little bit different.
Photos / Sounds
What
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
This species is one of the lingering neotropical migrants that this count is intended to find, species that usually winter further south than Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
This species is one of the lingering neotropical migrants that this count is intended to find, species that usually winter further south than Texas.
Photos / Sounds
What
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
Photos / Sounds
What
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)Observer
mikaelbDescription
Taken during the Guadalupe Delta Christmas Bird Count on the Guadalupe River along the Womack Ranch.
Every year the Womack Ranch generously has a staff member take me on a boat up and down the river. We make frequent stops where I hop out, walk into the woods, and play an Eastern Screech-Owl recording to attract songbirds. This year the day started out extremely cold, 23 degrees! But it was a clear day without much wind, and it warmed up to the mid 60s by mid-afternoon. It was beautiful and it was an amazing way to spend a day.
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