Last Week...

At West Guth Park WNW of town along the interstate, just off an exit road, I stopped and got my window down to listen for any parakeet activity. This time of year for them, it's nesting season. Their nests are more like condos. A community apartment complex. From the car, the loud calls told me they're busy...I got out, climbed the steep hill and waited for their return [they flew out of the tree as I approached]. Upon their return, each had building material:

MONK PARAKEET[S]
photos taken:  West Guth Park
habitat map:  Parakeets [introduced]

...more busy builders were a couple of flycatchers spotted in an oak tree above the duck pond. They'd drop down to the ground, hunt and peck for the fitting puzzle piece and fly back up into the darkened, interior branches of the central area of the tree, and out of harm's way....

SCISSORTAILED FLYCATCHER]S]
photos taken:  West Guth Park
habitat map:  Flycatcher

On a quiet morning, walking in the dew-laden grasses along the trail to the river bank, I stopped at the larger of the two ponds at Pollywog Ponds and saw a vacancy sign up. No early morning activity. Then, out of the depths, up popped a larger pied billed grebe...then a 2nd one! As my eyes adjusted to the reflections of the water's surface I spotted the couple's family off by themselves, at a far distance from ma and pa...

PIED BILLED GREBE[S]
photos taken:  Pollywog Ponds
habitat map:  Grebe

For me, the highlight of the past, last, week [of May] was when I pulled off the island highway to see if there were any new family members on the nesting platform of the rare, Aplomado Falcon. One adult was on the exterior extension of the platform. She [the female at least] has been on the nest incubating for nearly 3 + weeks. I followed the progress now and then, when I had a chance to go to the islands and be able to pull off the park road. I kinda figured they hatched about the week of May 19th [I think I was there that Sunday and she was still on the nest.] Not sure of the date. Anyway, looking thru my binoculars, I could see one up and moving around...then a 2nd one. I again am not sure, but there might've been a third chick [called an eyass - but the term is mostly used in falconry].

At one time Mustang Island, in South Coastal Texas, had quite a large population of this falcon.  With farming, ranching, and pesticides the population dwindled to near extinction in the USA.  The last decade, the Federal Parks have re-introduced them and banned all poisons, applied this species to the endangered list and now federally protected; they are slowly making a come-back.  Hoping that all survive and prosper from this year and many more years to come.  They're beautiful, graceful raptors.

APLOMADO FALCON[S]
photos taken:  Mustang Island
habitat map:  Falcon





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