There's Gold in Them Thar Hills!

Chipping Sparrows and Pine Siskins aren't the only birds we have enjoyed watching this year.  Each year in mid-March, the endangered golden-cheeked warblers that nest on our east “mountain” return from their winter homes in Mexico and northern Central America.  It is the only bird species whose population nests entirely in the state of Texas.  The males arrive first to choose their nesting territories.  They sing in the mornings, and contest with other males to pick out the best nesting sites.  The females arrive a few days later.  Their markings are similar to the males, but often paler with only a few black feathers on the throat.  The warblers begin nesting around April 1, raise their babies in May and June, and leave in late July or August.  We hear them every year, and feel fortunate if we are able to get a good look at one or take a photo.

This year we began our “warbler watch” on March 12 when RV friends Gay and Joe Knight joined us for a walk across the mountain.  We listened and listened, but could not hear their distinctive calls or get them to come to a recorded call from our phones.  

We were in luck on Friday, March 19, however.  When John and I walked the mountain with Brian and Debi, there was plenty of warbler activity.  First we heard the “squeaky tricycle” call of the black-and-white warbler.   We saw one flitting among the branches of a Spanish oak, but were unable to get a photo.  Then we heard the golden-cheeks calling back and forth across the ridge.  We used a recorded call from my Audubon phone app, and were able to call in several of them.  At one point, two met in mid-air right above our heads, and the dominant bird chased his rival away before we could photograph them.  Several others were more willing to sit still, at least for a while and we got several nice shots.

Sunday was a good day, as well.  The birds were singing into the afternoon, and these shots were taken after lunch, around 1:30.

This morning, the warblers were even more cooperative.  I put on camo to be a little less conspicuous, took the dogs and set out.

After an hour or so of walking, calling and looking, I was ready to give up.  I had heard birds several times, but was unable to get close to them, or to call them in.  Then, as I approached our east fence line, I heard a couple of warblers calling back and forth to each other.  I used my phone app, and was able to attract a couple.  Each time I stopped to call, Rosie came running and flopped down, squirming around to get as much of her belly on the cool ground as possible.  I was afraid she would spook the birds, but they didn't seem to notice and came right in.

Fortunately, one of them chose the top branch of a cedar tree to perch and sing, and I was able to get some nice images before he took off for another tree.

It was a great day!

There is another bird that has attracted our attention in the last couple of weeks.  This female turkey vulture has for the third year laid her eggs in the abandoned deer stand near our lower stock tank.  She leaves her “nest” on the floor of the blind when we come too close, but is quite willing to sit in her tree and hiss at us.  

I was able to see her egg one day when she was away from the nest.  It was about the size of a turkey egg, with coloration that blends with the floor of the blind.

Sadly when I peeked in a few days ago, I saw only an egg shell.  Apparently the raccoons or some other predator again took her egg once again.  I had hoped to see a baby vulture, but I guess it won’t be this year.

Other bird sightings have included this pair of Canada Geese.  They have visited both our upper and lower stock ponds.

There is a resident goose population in German Valley to our east, and I suppose these are looking for a nesting site.  We were hoping they would lay a golden egg for us, but this morning Rosie sent them packing.   

Maybe they will have better luck another day on another pond.