I'd Rather B Birdin': Marsh Wren

Showing posts with label Marsh Wren. Show all posts

§ Winter Birds....

I titled this post "winter" birds seen this past December, but some are considered year 'round residents here in South Texas...

EASTERN BLUEBIRD
photos taken: Goliad, Texas
habitat map: Bluebird

BLACK SKIMMERS
photo taken: Hans Suter Park - Corpus Christi, Texas
habitat map: Skimmer

ANHINGA
photo taken: Hans Suter Park - Corpus Christi, Texas
habitat map: Anhinga

GREEN KINGFISHER
photo taken: Lion Shelly Park - Refugio, Texas
habitat map: Kingfisher

MARSH WREN
photo taken: Leonabelle Refuge - Port Aransas, Texas
habitat map: Wren

GROOVE BILLED ANI
photo taken: Oso Bay Wetlands - Corpus Christi, Texas
habitat map: Ani

YELLOW CROWNED NIGHT HERON [2nd image - juvenile]
photos taken: Hans Suter Park - Corpus Christi, Texas
habitat map: Heron

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§ The Salt Flats & Port "A"

You've often read that Bud and I traverse the trail at Charlie's Pasture North on Mustang Island just outside the fishing village called Port Aransas. There IS a Charlie's Pasture South on the other side of town, but it's been closed to the public off and on the past year because of highway construction. I've been told eventually this area to the south will connect to the north pasture, making it about a 4-5 mile biking/hiking/birding trail. Eventually in dry seasons, the salt flats are nothing but desolate drylands. By the name, it is FLAT for as far as you can see. During the rainy seasons, the area can be filled with water pools and very lively with waterfowl. Recently, this is what we see...

The trail is mixed with boardwalks when water is on both sides or through the grassland the trail is gravel. Bird life, along with other wildlife like snakes, skunks, deer, rabbits, and raccoons can be seen. Oftentimes, when we're walking along, in the muddied flats we've seen tell-tale signs [footprints] of bobcats. The birdlife goes with the weather patterns; from grassland/prairie species to waterfowl. Near the beginning of our walk a week or so back, we spotted this beauty:

...and just as I began to zoom in even closer, it flew off!!

AMERICAN KESTREL
photos taken: Charlie's Pasture North
habitat map: American Kestrel

Besides abundance of sandpipers, egrets, herons, pelicans, stilts, ibis, osprey, frigatebirds, larks, sparrows, mockingbirds, hawks, shrikes, spoonbills, dowitchers, curlews, dunlins and knots...to name a few, many different species of plovers can be spotted. Such as this:

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER
photo taken: Charlie's Pasture North
habitat map: Semipalmated Plover

In this area of the Coastal Bend of Texas there are five other 'hot spots'...the beach and jetty of course, the community park, the Marine Institute [there is also a rehabilitation facility here], Paradise Pond, and Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Sanctuary. Lately the Sanctuary is by far the 2nd best area for birding. With the Sanctuary, there is an open tree-lined walkway for birds such as migrating hummingbirds, warblers, kingbirds, sparrows, etc. Farther on the pathway, it opens to a huge lake where waterfowl can be seen yearly. Shovelers, ducks of all kinds, frigatebirds, hawks, wrens, ibis, spoonbills, bitterns, grebes, blackbirds, grackles, coots, pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets. Often, in one outing, a birder can see ALL the above mentioned...and even two resident alligators are often seen. On this particular day I'll share these few:

MARSH WREN & BLUE WINGED TEAL
photos taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Center
habitat maps: Marsh Wren - Blue Winged Teal

LEAST BITTERN
photos taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Center
habitat map: Least Bittern

* * *

Along the tree lined walkway and near the run-off creek, these were spotted:

BLUE GRAY GNATCATCHER
photos taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Center
habitat map: Blue Gray Gnatcatcher

WILSON'S SNIPE
photos taken: Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Center
habitat map: Wilson's Snipe

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§ In Search of ...

...Insects, Spiders, and Bugs, OH MY!!

A species I've only heard of, but never seen, 'til a few weeks ago. I spotted this little one flitting around in the drying reed/cattail. It rarely stopped, so active it was. I stood at the railing, zooming in on it, focusing, only to have it leave my viewfinder!! With a bit of perseverance, and frantically just snapping the shutter button in hopes of getting a few photos, out of probably 30 or so attempts I ended up with six pretty good images of it. So, I share these:

MARSH WREN

photos taken: Leonabelle Birding Center/Refuge - Port Aransas, Texas

Habitat Range: Marsh Wren

TRIVIA:

According to what I've been reading about the wren, research now concludes [probable] that there are actually TWO separate species of the marsh wren. Eastern and Western. Being more the song and the size of the bill for each. Referring: The Eastern Marsh Wren is more of a songster comparing to the Western Marsh Wren. Often it is referred to being the "Long Billed Marsh Wren" only to distinguish its difference to another wren...the Sedge Wren.

Nests are in the cattail marshes and domed shape with a side entrance...I'm thinking 'side' entrance would perhaps meaning instead of a topside entrance?!!

Male Marsh Wrens are quite predatory and protective of its food supply. Known even to kill its own kind.

Now, share your birding experiences:

§ Winter Birds....

§ The Salt Flats & Port "A"

§ In Search of ...

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