Christmas Bird Count Season in West Texas

Beautiful scenery and interesting species diversity should make a CBC detour through West Texas worthwhile, more dates will be added as we hear about them:

19 December - Davis Mountains CBC
20 December - Balmorhea CBC

For more information, contact  Mark Lockwood mark.lockwood@tpwd.texas.gov

West Texas Christmas Bird Counts

Better late than never!

Get out there and count: there's no such thing as a 'normal' year!

Please refer to the Houston Audubon 2013-2014 CBC website for additional details.

Alphabetically arranged:
Balmorhea (TXBA) 12/15
Big Bend NP (East) (TXBG) 12/29
Chisos Mountains (TXCM) 12/28
Comstock (TXCO) 12/28
Davis Mountains (TXDM) 12/14
Del Rio (TXDR) 12/29
El Paso (TXEP) 12/29 probable
Guadalupe Mountains (TXGM) 1/4

Chronologically arranged:
Davis Mountains (TXDM) 12/14
Balmorhea (TXBA) 12/15
Chisos Mountains (TXCM) 12/28
Comstock (TXCO) 12/28
Big Bend NP (East) (TXBG) 12/29
Del Rio (TXDR) 12/29
El Paso (TXEP) 12/29 probable
Guadalupe Mountains (TXGM) 1/4

Last Minute CBC announcement!

 Hueco Tanks CBC information!

***

Hi everyone,

Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site will have a Christmas Bird Count and birding tour at 8 a.m. Saturday, December 15. Our volunteer birdwatching guide will start his CBC outside the park, and then meet any interested visitors at park headquarters at 8 a.m. to continue inside the park. If any of you are in the area, I'd love to see you at the park for the CBC!

The CBC and birding tour will go into the guided area of the park. Please arrive at 8 a.m. to register for the tour. Fees for guided tours are $9 for adults, and $2 for ages 5 to 12.  Call 915-849-6684 if you'd like to make reservations for the tour. Space is limited.

I apologize for the late notice, and happy birding!

Jane McFarland
Interpreter/Resource Specialist
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
jane.mcfarland@tpwd.state.tx.us
915-857-1135

West Texas Christmas Bird Counts

Sorry we're a bit late geting the Christmas Bird Count schedule posted!
Click here for Texas-wide count information.

*** COUNTS ARE FREE THIS YEAR!!!
Participation fee of $5 in the past... is a thing of the past!

Straight from Houston Audubon itself:

West Texas CBCs, by DATE:
Davis Mountains (TXDM) 12/15
Balmorhea (TXBA) 12/16
Comstock (TXCO) 12/26
Del Rio (TXDR) 12/27
Chisos Mountains (TXCM) 12/28
Big Bend NP (East) (TXBG) 12/29
El Paso (TXEP) 1/1 (probable)
Guadalupe Mountains (TXGM) 1/5

Count details:

Balmorhea (TXBA): Sunday, December 16, 2012
The Balmorhea CBC traditionally falls on the day following the Davis Mountains. The count circle includes the state park, Phantom Springs, Balmorhea Lake, and wide open spaces around town. The count routinely records 100 species and, as with most rural counts, more observers are always welcome. If possible, please contact Mark Lockwood ahead of time of your interest in participating in the Balmorhea count. Meet at the Balmorhea State Park entry station at 7:30 AM CST. Compiler: Mark Lockwood (Mark.Lockwood@tpwd.state.tx.us).

Big Bend NP (East) - Rio Grande Village (TXBG): Saturday, December 29, 2012
We will meet in front of the Rio Grande Village Campground Store at 7:15 AM. Birds of note seen during recent counts include: American Bittern, Sora, White-throated Swift, Green Kingfisher, Red-naped Sapsucker, Gray Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Sage Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher & Green-tailed Towhee. Participants always appreciated and needed. Please contact Bryan Hale at bmhale@swbell.net (email preferred) or phone 512-474-5499 (h) 512-912-4412 (w) 512-426-6033 (cell) for further details.

Chisos Mountains (TSCM): Friday, December 28, 2012
We will meet in the Basin in front of the grocery store at 7:15 AM. Areas will be assigned. Birds of note seen during recent counts include: Golden Eagle, White-throated Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Plumbeous Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Mexican Jay, Townsend's Solitaire, Sage Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher & Green-tailed Towhee. Participants always appreciated and needed. Please contact Bryan Hale at bmhale@swbell.net (email preferred) or phone 512-474-5499 (h) 512-912-4412 (w) 512-426-6033 (cell) for further details.

Comstock (TXCO): Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Located 45 miles west of Del Rio, the count circle includes parts of the Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers. Meet at the Visitor's Center in Seminole Canyon State Historical Park at 7 AM. Some routes on this count require a lot of walking. Should anyone wish to assist please contact compiler Sue Wiedenfeld at suewie@hctc.net or phone 830-995-2300 to sign up and for further details.

Davis Mountains (TXDM): Saturday, December 15, 2012
Davis Mountains counters will meet at 7:30 AM at the Jeff Davis County Courthouse unless otherwise noted below. There will be no potluck on Saturday evening this year because Marty is unable to host it, and Chris needs to leave town the next day. Since there will be no potluck, counters should plan to get their tally sheets to Chris within a week or two after the 15th. We can meet up later in the day, you can scan and e-mail, or send them to Chris via regular mail to PO Box 2073, Ft. Davis, TX 79734. If you would like to participate please contact the compiler, Chris Pipes (ccpipes@hotmail.com or 432-413-1554).

Del Rio (TXDR): Thursday, December 27, 2012
Open to all participants. Please preregister. Interested persons can e-mail compiler Karen Gleason at mgleason@stx.rr.com. Please include your phone number in your email. Your participation is appreciated. Within the count circle there is Lake Amistad, Rio Grande River, San Felipe and Spring Creeks, Amistad Recreation Area, Laguna de Plata, and much of Del Rio. We will be meeting at Fisherman's Headquarters at 7 AM on count day.

El Paso (TXEP): Tuesday, January 1, 2013 (probable date)
If a new or returning participant, please contact the compiler, Jim Paton at jnpaton@att.net prior to the count or phone 915-585-2628 for more information about joining. El Paso / Trans-Pecos Audubon Society.

Guadalupe Mountains (TXGM): Saturday, January 5, 2013
Please contact the compiler, Michael Haynie, at Michael_Haynie@nps.gov before count day because coverage areas will be assigned before count day. Most areas require moderate to strenuous hiking. Participants will meet at 6:45 AM at the Pine Springs Cholla Chateau (call 915-828-3251x2314 for directions) to be sure all areas are covered. This is one of the few places in Texas you can find Stellar's Jays. Other birds of note from recent counts include: Golden Eagle, Mountain Chickadee, Juniper Titmouse, Pygmy Nuthatch, Mountain and Western Bluebirds, Townsend's Solitaire, Sage and Crissal Thrasher, Green-tailed Towhee, Sage Sparrow and a variety of Dark-eyed Junco ssp. Preliminary post-count tally will be at the Cholla at the end of the day. Some dormitory style shared housing or RV space may be available for Friday and Saturday nights for $8.00 per person per night. Advance reservations required (phone number above).

West Texas Christmas Bird Counts

(originally posted 11/29/11, reposted 12/11/11)

From Houston Audubon Society's compilation of statewide Christmas Bird Counts:

The details provided at the bottom are taken directly from the HAS website, but do let me know if there are any errors found! There stands a good chance that we will only be able to attend the Davis Mts,

By date:
Davis Mountains (TXDM) 12/17
Balmorhea (TXBA) 12/18

Comstock (TXCO) 12/26
Del Rio (TXDR) 12/27
Chisos Mountains (TXCM) 12/28
Big Bend NP (East) (TXBG) 12/29

Guadalupe Mountains (TXGM) 12/31


By location:
Balmorhea (TXBA) 12/18
Big Bend NP (East) (TXBG) 12/29
Chisos Mountains (TXCM) 12/28
Comstock (TXCO) 12/26
Davis Mountains (TXDM) 12/17
Del Rio (TXDR) 12/27
Guadalupe Mountains (TXGM) 12/31


Balmorhea: Sunday, December 18, 2011
The Balmorhea CBC traditionally falls on the day following the Davis Mountains. The count circle includes the state park, Phantom Springs, Balmorhea Lake, and wide open spaces around town. The count routinely records 100 species and, as with most rural counts, more observers are always welcome. If possible, please contact Mark Lockwood ahead of time of your interest in participating in the Balmorhea count. Meet at the Balmorhea State Park entry station at 07:30 AM CST. Compiler: Mark Lockwood (Mark.Lockwood@tpwd.state.tx.us).

Big Bend NP (East) - Rio Grande Village: Thursday, December 29, 2011
We will meet in front of the Rio Grande Village Campground Store at 7:15 AM. Birds of note seen during recent counts include: American Bittern, Sora, White-throated Swift, Green Kingfisher, Red-naped Sapsucker, Gray Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Sage Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher & Green-tailed Towhee. Participants always appreciated and needed. Please contact Bryan Hale at bmhale@swbell.net (email preferred) or phone 512-474-5499 (h) 512-912-4412 (w) 512-426-6033 (cell) for further details. Mark Flippo will also be a contact person out there. He is a ranger at the park and his phone is 432-477-1110.

Chisos Mountains: Wednesday, December 28, 2011
We will meet in the Basin in front of the grocery store at 7:15 AM. Areas will be assigned. Birds of note seen during recent counts include: Golden Eagle, White-throated Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Plumbeous Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Mexican Jay, Townsend's Solitaire, Sage Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher & Green-tailed Towhee. Participants always appreciated and needed. Please contact Bryan Hale at bmhale@swbell.net (email preferred) or phone 512-474-5499 (h) 512-912-4412 (w) 512-426-6033 (cell) for further details. Mark Flippo will also be a contact person out there. He is a ranger at the park and his phone is 432-477-1110.

Comstock: Monday, December 26, 2011
Located 45 miles west of Del Rio, the count circle includes parts of the Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers. Meet at the Visitor's Center in Seminole Canyon State Historical Park at 7 AM. Some routes on this count require a lot of walking. Should anyone wish to assist please contact compiler Sue Wiedenfeld at suewie@hctc.net or phone 830-995-2300 to sign up and for further details.


Davis Mountains: Saturday, December 17, 2011
Help with the Davis Mountains Christmas Count is always welcome. Participants will be divided into small groups that will bird the prairies, canyons, and mountains of Jeff Davis County. The count day is followed by a super potluck supper and tallying of the count. Hope to see you all there. Some of the highlights of recent counts were Long-eared Owl, Violet-crowned and Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Montezuma Quail and Grasshopper Sparrow. Compiler: Martha Hansen (birdsinflight@mac.com)

Del Rio: Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Open to all participants. Please preregister. Interested persons can e-mail compiler Karen Gleason at mgleason@stx.rr.com. Please include your phone number in your email. Your participation is appreciated. Within the count circle there is Lake Amistad, Rio Grande River, San Felipe and Spring Creeks, Amistad Recreation Area, Laguna de Plata, and much of Del Rio. We will be meeting at Fisherman's Headquarters at 7 AM on count day.

Guadalupe Mountains: Saturday, December 31, 2011
We are always looking for enough people to cover the count circle. It would be great to have anyone from across the state to come out to far west Texas for the count. This is one of the few places in Texas you can find Steller's Jays. Other birds of note from recent counts include: Golden Eagle, Mountain Chickadee, Juniper Titmouse, Pygmy Nuthatch, Mountain and Western Bluebirds, Townsend's Solitaire, Sage and Crissal Thrasher, Green-tailed Towhee, Sage Sparrow and a variety of Dark-eyed Junco ssp. Please contact the compiler before count day because coverage areas will be assigned before count day. Most areas require hiking. Participants will meet at 6:45 AM at the Pine Springs Cholla Chateau (call 915-828-3251 x2314 for directions) to be sure all areas are covered. Preliminary post-count tally will be at the Cholla at the end of the day. Some housing or RV space may be available for Friday and Saturday nights for $8.00 per person per night. Advance reservations required (phone number above). Contact Michael Haynie (Michael_Haynie@nps.gov) for more information about joining.

Big Bend area CBCs

Now that the official Christmas Bird Count results have been posted, I've backdated some entries to account for Big Bend area counts; I may add other regional counts as time allows (Balmorhea and the Guadalupe Mountains come to mind). Hopefully next year we'll be able to make a few more of the counts.

...if these lists don't tempt you to spend at least one CBC season in west Texas, I'm not sure what will!

Dec. 18 - Davis Mountains CBC (HT)
Dec. 28 - Big Bend - Chisos Mountains CBC (HT, MY)
Dec. 29 - Big Bend NP - east CBC (HT, MY)


Ribbon of green along the Rio Grande, taken in early January.

Resist Temptation

Gentle reminder, dear birders.

National Parks are no 'pishing' zones.
They are also no 'playback' zones.

This applies to State Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, Wildlife Management Areas, areas that are birded, ANY area that has endangered species, and at any time of year that birds could be nesting. It's in the better interest of the bird to avoid undue stress, activity, etc.

While iThings and eGadgets and crazyphones might be required for surviving the urban jungle, avoid temptation. Leave the devices off, or in your car while out birding. Use headphones if you want to double check a call you've heard. Don't know what you saw? Wait, look harder, or walk away. Don't know what you heard? Look for the source; not all recordings will cover all vocalizations.

***

This topic came up due to recent discussions at a CBC, and it highlights the technology gap that many birders have never experienced. Birders who have never birded without the technological crutch would have a very different experience without it. I have never used playback; Matt and I never even carry equipment capable of it. We go through a mental checklist of whether or not it's worth it for the bird and situation before 'pishing' - birds may go unseen, but it's better for the bird. The welfare of the creature is of utmost importance, our sighting/documentation is not even on the radar. For CBCs, in some situations, it may be worth it 'for the count' to get a better look at a bird. Still, all of the above checks and balances apply.

Learn calls. Leave the gear at home.

Our backgrounds are in conservation; perhaps this makes us more aware, but perhaps it also shows that bird-ing does not give birds the respect that is due.


Edit:
As of April 10, 2011 there is a fantastic post on David Sibley's blog,
the proper use of playback in birding with thoughtful comments and good discussion... and mention of Brown-headed Cowbirds being opportunistic re: playback.

Big Bend NP - east CBC

This entry is backdated to reflect the date of the count; these numbers are via the Christmas Bird Count web site and the 'current year' results (date of reference 2/18/2011). I've removed number/party hour for the sake of the blog format which already crunches the columns awkwardly.

Big Bend N.P. (east) [TXBG]
Texas Region
29.1833°, -103.0°
Christmas Bird Count
Count Year: 111


















Rio Grand overlook near Rio Grande Village; not taken during the count.

CW = count week
PS = present for some time
GD = good details

Species / Number

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 4
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 11
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 3
Mexican Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) 13
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 24
duck sp. (Anatinae) 10
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) 1
Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) 50
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 1
Great Blue Heron (Blue form) (Ardea herodias) 0 0 CW
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 2
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 2
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 3
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 5
Buteo sp. (Buteo) 1
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 2
Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) 0 0 CW
Sora (Porzana carolina) 1
American Coot (Fulica americana) 3
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 7
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) 6
Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) 3
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 17
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1
Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) 5
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) 5
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) 1
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) 2
hummingbird sp. (Trochilidae) 3
Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) 2
Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) 1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) 9
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 7
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1
Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 3
Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus) 1 PS
Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii) 3
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) 14
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 19
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) 21
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) 5
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) 2
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) 4
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 14
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) 19
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) 2
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 26
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 2
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1
Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 7
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) 6
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 23
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 8
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura) 32
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 2
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 1 GD
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 21
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) 2
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) 3
Crissal Thrasher (Toxostoma crissale) 3
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) 13
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 8
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) 25
Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler (Dendroica coronata) 6
Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler (Dendroica coronata) 2
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 8
Canyon Towhee (Melozone fuscus) 1
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 29
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 4
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 4
Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) 6
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 4
sparrow sp. (Emberizinae) 1
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 13
Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) 25
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) 185


Weather & Effort

Count Date: Dec 29, 2010
Number of Participants: 17
Number of Party Hours: 35.0
Species Reported: 74
Low Temperature: 33
High Temperature: 80
AM Weather: Clear
Rain: None
Snow: None
PM Weather: Clear
Rain: None
Snow: None

Big Bend CBC - Chisos Mountains

This entry is backdated to reflect the date of the count; these numbers are via the the Christmas Bird Count web site and the 'current year' results (date of reference 2/18/2011). I've removed number/party hour for the sake of the blog format which already crunches the columns awkwardly.

Chisos Mountains [TXCM]
Texas Region
29.2667°, -103.3°
Christmas Bird Count
Count Year: 111














Pine Canyon (our area for the count)

US = unusual species
GD = good documentation

Species / Number

Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) 75
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 1
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
Accipiter sp. (Accipiter) 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 6
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 2
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) 2
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 43
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) 4
White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) 151
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) 3
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) 1
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) 19
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 3
Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) 3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 24
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 3
Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 3
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) 15
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) 1 US GD
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) 6
Hutton's Vireo (Vireo huttoni) 5
Mexican Jay (Aphelocoma ultramarina) 55
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 56
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 42
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) 13
Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) 33
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) 30
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 31
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 22
Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 9
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 34
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 10
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura) 4
Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) 1
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 17
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 37
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) 1
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) 5
Crissal Thrasher (Toxostoma crissale) 2
Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) 1
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 47
Canyon Towhee (Melozone fuscus) 54
Cassin's Sparrow (Peucaea cassinii) 2
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 43
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 17
Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri) 8
Black-chinned Sparrow (Spizella atrogularis) 2
Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) 4
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1
Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 107
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 14
sparrow sp. (Emberizinae) 5
Dark-eyed (Gray-headed) Junco (Junco hyemalis) 6
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco (Junco hyemalis) 3
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 9
Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) 34
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) 1
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) 33
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 45



Weather & Effort

Count Date: Dec 28, 2010
Number of Participants: 18
Number of Party Hours: 55.75
Species Reported: 58
Low Temperature: 36
High Temperature: 66
AM Weather: Clear
Rain: None
Snow: None
PM Weather: Clear
Rain: None
Snow: None

Davis Mountains CBC

This entry is backdated to reflect the date of the count; these numbers are via the Christmas Bird Count web site and the 'current year' results (date of reference 2/18/2011). I've removed number/party hour for the sake of the blog format which already crunches the columns awkwardly.

Davis Mountains [TXDM]
Texas Region
30.6333°, -104.0167°
Christmas Bird Count
Count Year: 111


















Davis Mountains State Park, overlooking Fort Davis.

CW = count week
DD = details described
HC = high count
GD = good details
ND = no details
PH = photo
US = unusual species

Species / Number

Gadwall (Anas strepera) 11
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 5
Mexican Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) 2
duck sp. (Anatinae) 2
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) 65
Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) 50
Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) 19
Great Blue Heron (Blue form) (Ardea herodias) 1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1 DD
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 3
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 8
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) 1
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 7
Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) 4
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) 2
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 357
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 12
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) 1
Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii) 7
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) 1
Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) 1 US GD
Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps) 1 US PH
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) 1 US PH
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) 8
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) 5
Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) 2
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) 50
Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) 6
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) 23
Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 13
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) 3
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) 14
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) 1
Hutton's Vireo (Vireo huttoni) 1
Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) 3
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) 104
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 36
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) 2
Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli) 13
Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi) 1 DD
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) 112
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) 1
Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) 30
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 13
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 29
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 3
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) 16
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 12
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 10
Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 21
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 3
Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis) 1 GD
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 104
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) 64 HC
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 4
Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) 44
Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) 1
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 19
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 2
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 28
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) 8
Crissal Thrasher (Toxostoma crissale) 0 CW DD
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) 1
Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) 7
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) 5
Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler (Dendroica coronata) 2
Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler (Dendroica coronata) 1
Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) 8
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 41 HC
Canyon Towhee (Melozone fuscus) 46
Cassin's Sparrow (Peucaea cassinii) 4
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) 36
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 922
Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri) 3
Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) 2
Black-chinned Sparrow (Spizella atrogularis) 8
Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) 20
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) 1
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 13
Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) 30
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) 5
Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) 3 US ND
Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) 1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 17
Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 34
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) 4
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 207
sparrow sp. (Emberizinae) 40
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 27
Dark-eyed (Gray-headed) Junco (Junco hyemalis) 170
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco (Junco hyemalis) 30
Dark-eyed (Pink-sided) Junco (Junco hyemalis) 52
Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco (Junco hyemalis) 60
Dark-eyed (Red-backed) Junco (Junco hyemalis) 116 HC ND
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 26
Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) 69
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) 4
meadowlark sp. (Sturnella) 37
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) 29
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 9
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) 38
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) 170
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 13
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 7
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 41


Weather & Effort

Count Date:
Dec 18, 2010
Number of Participants: 26
Number of Party Hours: 114.75
Species Reported: 95
Low Temperature: 21
High Temperature: 62
AM Weather: Partly cloudy
Rain: None
Snow: None
PM Weather: Partly clear
Rain: None
Snow: None

Trans-Pecos Christmas Bird Counts

The 'Christmas Bird Count' or CBC is a long tradition (see wiki link here) among birders. Perks? It encourages birding during an under-birded time of year as well as covering areas that aren't always included in casual birding. It's essentially a citizen-based bird census that takes place all over the continent between December 14th and January 5th.

Why not celebrate the New Year in a gorgeous part of the state while contributing to science? CBCs are great for people with all levels of bird interest - there's ample opportunity to learn and just because you can't identify them doesn't mean you can't spot them! Also, note-takers are in high demand (without notes, what data have you got?)

For more CBCs check out Houston Audubon's list of Texas Christmas Bird Counts for 2010-2011

In the Big Bend region, we've got a few to CBCs consider:

Sat. Dec. 18 - Davis Mountains

Sun. Dec. 19 - Balmorhea

Contact for both: Marty Hansen, birdsinflight/at/mac.com

Tues. Dec. 28 - Chisos Basin (Big Bend National Park)
Meet at 7:30 am in the visitor center, reconvene in the evening at the Panther Junction auditorium (around 6:00 PM) to compile the day's counts , pay registration fees, and prepare for the next day count.

Weds. Dec. 29 - Rio Grande Village (Big Bend National Park)
Meet at 7:30 am at the Rio Grande Village store. Meet again at Panther Junction auditorium to compile the list in the evening.

Contact for both BBNP counts: Mark Flippo, Mark_R_Flippo/at/nps.gov

Sat. Jan. 1 - Guadalupe Mountains
It is worth noting the dire situation for the Guadalupe Mountains CBC:

We have tried to set our count as the last Saturday of the count period every year so that people can routinely make plans. We would welcome the help. Several of our routine participants have died, moved away, aged to the point of not being able to do the hiking, etc., so I have been crying for help over the past couple of years. In the winter some of the park apartments or RV pads are vacant and I can usually offer a place to stay for $8 a person a night so participants can be here at dawn. Stay in touch and let me know if you or others can join us so I can pre-assign coverage areas. Thanks.

Contact: Fred Armstrong, Fred_Armstrong@nps.gov


Note on dates:
Counts used to start on the "second Saturday in December" and then it was changed to Dec. 14 regardless of day, causing a lot of conflict in areas that have many counts but not enough birders to go around! So when living on the Upper Texas Coast, I could do nearly 20 counts in one season because of ample weekend counts - when the dates changed and counts started to overlap, I was only able to do maybe eight. With only five counts out here, I sure hope there's good attendance!