It's Always Greener on the Other Side...

This week, I'm only showing one bird species since I'm gonna fill you in on the outing with a longer, more wordy, commentary than normal...

...I'm gonna start right off with the rare sighting!! Now, it may not be 'rare' to you, but it sure was to me!!! Walking the area that is usually quite 'back-woodsy' with a lot of high grasses and dense woods, this birding area is called Pollywog Ponds. Through the gate the pathway begins with a short incline of open area with a drainage pit from interstate highway run-off to the left and a small meandering creek on the right. The further you walk [no vehicles allowed] you then enter a dense wood. This area is where the bird calls and birds flitting from one tree to another begins!! Spring and early Fall are the best times to see/spot migrants; of course. About a half mile inward into the dense thicket the path splits into a three-way direction...off to the right, a bridge that crosses the creek and heads into a small outcropping of trees only to open into an open field. Off to the left, more dense growth of grasses and trees...straight on you walk and come upon an ancient [reminds me to stay clear] birding blind that faces into a swampy area---I don't go into it 'cause I can just 'hear' the copperhead and water moccasins beckoning me to enter and become their target! Nope...nope, not gonna go there !!! I walk on, straight ahead to the ponds!! After you walk beyond the swampy area ---which always reminds me of the Louisiana swamps except for the lack of bald cypress trees....you then come to two large ponds. Of course still to the right side of the path, the creek continues. Usually the area is quite active with coots, ducks, snakes, cat birds in season, cardinals, flycatchers, egrets, herons, --typical year 'round birds. During migration, a whole slew of different birds arrive for a short time along their south/north trek. Once you get beyond the last of the two large ponds, the path curves to the left to circle and head around to merge into the path heading back to where the cars have to park before entering. But wait....as the the path begins to circle the last of the ponds, straight ahead the Nueces River is in view. At this point, the river is widening to empty into the Corpus Christi Bay [North Shore] a few miles downstream.

As we had already turned to the left at the end of the path around the ponds, the river was on our right side, the last pond was on the left. Bud and I had watched a Green Heron fly in and land in an outcropping of fallen wood along the bank. A Tri-colored Heron was sunning and patiently awaiting its breakfast to show, also along the bank of the pond. Quite a few flycatchers followed us along the path. But as we turned left heading away from the river and walk along the opposite side of the pond, some bird action caught my eye...I looked over into the dense growth of oak, cottonwood and ash trees to finally spot where the bird landed. I whispered to Bud that this was one I don't think we've seen before. And with my luck, by the time I get my binoculars down, and bring my camera up to view through the viewfinder, most times...the bird has flown off. Not this time. And I didn't take time to really focus, nor did I take time to use my binoculars...I was afraid it would fly away before being able to see it clearly and photograph it after binocular use. I just clicked the shutter twice in hopes by the time I got home I could see what it was and ID it. It flew off as I released the shutter the 2nd time, to not be seen again.  [there is an egret on the bank!]

Now that you have a bit of 'background' of the area...here goes. As I stated last week, this particular bird, [tho its cousins: the belted and nearly close in markings (except for much larger size)...the ringed - are seen a bit more frequently in the Rio Grand Valley of Texas which equals to about a 3 hour drive from Corpus Christi]; from what I've read/researched, this kingfisher species I spotted is listed as RARE throughout the 12 months of the year on my birding record chart. It has not been recorded anywhere else in the United States except for one confirmed sighting in Arizona and only a handful of recorded/confirmed sightings in Southern Texas. Mainly because their habitat is keeping farther south in Old Mexico's mountains and down into South America. I share with you the:






GREEN KINGFISHER

General description...The Green Kingfisher is a small kingfisher found in Arizona, Texas, and Mexico and South America. This bird is often hard to spot due to the fact that when it is hunting it perches close to the water when it is quiet. In order to hunt, this bird perches close to the water in a secluded and quiet area and when it spots prey, the Green Kingfisher catches it in a dive. Unlike larger kingfishers, this bird does not hover over the water, but instead perches. The Green Kingfisher nests in burrows in the ground. Populations of Green Kingfishers are put in danger by water pollution and habitat loss.
Female appearance...Similar to male, but without the brown chest. The chest of the female Green Kingfisher is gray. The female also does not have a crest like the male does.
Flight pattern...Direct.
Breeding habits...Monogamous.
Calls or song...tick tick or cheep
Population and distribution...Uncommon to rare. May have declined due to loss of habitat.
Nesting habits...The Green Kingfisher nests in burrows and lays 3-6 white eggs.
information courtesy of Birding Birds dot com
photos taken: Pollywog Ponds - Calallen/Corpus Christi, Texas [area]
Habitat Range: Green Kingfisher