Cowbird Control

As part of our wildlife tax valuation, we trap and destroy Brown-headed Cowbirds.  The Cowbird history is one of times when they followed the Buffalo herds across the Great Plains, then man removed the buffalo. So the Cowbirds which used other birds to raise their young and had little impact on those bird populations as they we always on the move, now follow cattle which are fenced in and thus the Cowbird stays put and finds plenty of breeding birds year after year to take care of their young while removing the young of their host.

So man now has to control the Cowbird population or loose many of its critical species that are so easily parasitized by the Cowbird.  The control other than a shot gun, which I used last year to removed 30+ Cowbirds, is a trap for Cowbirds.  I recently upgraded from a smaller trap to the one in the picture.  We started with 7 birds three days ago and now have 11.  All  I do is keep some millet and water plus a few starter birds and the Cowbirds do the rest of the work for me.  Once I get to a couple of dozen, I will remove about half and destroy them by breaking their neck. For us, the Painted Bunting is the bird of concern on the ranch.

Monarchs and Admirals

I have been seeing lots of Monarchs along with Red Admirals all migrating.  The Monarch's have been laying eggs on the Antelope Horns milkweed as their last genetic step in ensuring the next generation will continue its northward migration.  This butterfly flew from the northern states last September, passed through Texas in October and remained on its ancestral volcanic forest wintering grounds before starting its journey north. Once the mating and eggs are laid, this 8 month survival will come to an end, and some 25 days later the next generation will resume the northern flight, only to make it part way before it too will lay eggs and die.  This is to continue one to two more times, before the next southern flight will return back through Texas and into Mexico to repeat the migration done for thousands of years.

Hummers and more

Starting to get good numbers of Black-chinned Hummingbirds in.  I now have 6 feeder up and that number will grow to 8-10 in the next couple of weeks.

Just completed another nest box census - roughly 50% activity with one Black-crested Titmouse already laying 6 eggs.

Martins are just flying around.  Heard my first White-eyed Vireo and Barn Swallows on the ranch yesterday.

Ranch grounds are starting to turn yellow with the emergence of the early blooming Bladderpods.

At the Oasis yesterday there were 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Lincoln Sparrow - all migrants.

Last night after going up to close down the barn, I heard and then found a Great-horned Owl calling from the dead Oak.

At today's Riverside Fauna Census we heard and then saw a Green Kingfisher.  They will be nesting along the dirt banks of Town Creek.

Spring has Sprung

With these recent rains everything that didn't die last year is turning green or flowering.  The Redbuds are exceptional this year - and the little Henry's Elfin that depend on this tree for nectar and host food are abundant around them.

I put up Martin Gourds and waiting to see if I get lucky. About 40% of the 20 nest boxes are showing activity.  Today I had 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers at the Oasis.  Migrants heading north.

Monarch activity has picked up since my first sighting on the 8th.  However there are very few Milkweed plants and those that I have found are very small.

Red Admirals appear to be the most abundant butterfly.

My trek to Love Creek yesterday produced 10 Golden-cheeked Warblers, 4 Hutton's Vireo and one Black-and-white Warbler.  Still no Black-capped Vireos and I've only heard one White-eyed Vireo this year.

Sherry posed in front of one of the Redbuds so that will be my picture for this post.

Cardinalis

Got this lucky shot of our two Cardinalis species - C. cardinalis and C. sinuatus.