Spring is in the Air!

From mid-March through mid-May the Spring migration of birds from South and Central America into North America takes place. Many of these birds pass through or breed in Texas, so Teri and I have been getting out most days during the week to bird. 

We have several favorite nearby areas, including a state fish hatchery, a city park, a wildlife management area, and two state natural areas, not to mention the birds that are arriving in our yard like this Yellow-throated Vireo and Black-chinned Hummingbird. 

Yellow-throated Vireo

Black-chinned Hummingbird

One of the most eagerly awaited birds is the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler. They breed only in Texas and Oklahoma, and have been on the endangered species list for many years. Thanks to habitat protection and other programs they are recovering nicely. We saw our first on March 28th and have seen several others since. 

Golden-cheeked Warblers

Other harbingers of Spring include Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Barn Swallows, and Summer Tanagers. You may remember seeing pictures of Summer Tanagers taken during our Colombia trip. Well, they have traveled back north, just like we did!

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Barn Swallow

Summer Tanager

In addition to the Golden-cheeked Warblers, there are dozens of other warbler species. Many are brightly colored. 

Nashville Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

While many birds are arriving, some are getting ready to leave. Most of the ducks that spent the winter in Texas will head north to breed. We won't be seeing these Lesser Scaup on our area lakes for much longer.

Lesser Scaup female

Lesser Scaup male

And you never know what you might run across on a birding trip. We found this Long-billed Curlew sitting in the mowed grass of a city park.  This is not a bird that you expect to find in the Texas Hill Country, and is only the third time this bird has been recorded in the county. 

Long-billed Curlew

This is a fun time of year to be a birder in Texas.