Big Sit after notes

Somehow I missed being in the group photo during the Big Sit 😥, but here are those that are in it.

And here's me during the Sit. I was up on the viewing roof trying to see over into the big tank where an American Pipit was. I didn't see it so we couldn't count it in the sit tally. Birds have to be seen from within our 50 foot circle.

We agonized as to whether this second kingbird was a Tropical Kingbird, which would have given us an additional species for our tally, but the ebird reviewer said they're both Westerns.

Western Kingbird by Mike Gray

2nd Kingbird by Matt Walter

Next are a few photos taken by Mike Gray of birds we were able to count in our tally. (Black & White Warbler, Elf Owl, and Peregrine Falcon)

Migration is just now getting into full swing. The next two weeks are going to be exciting!

Day of Big Sit!

The day went well. We got about the same number of species we get for every Big Sit. Somehow, maybe because we had more participants than usual, we didn't manage to get everyone together at the same time for a group photo. 

The parking area was full all day and I got a photo of that.

I was too tired to blog last night. No rare or exciting birds yesterday, it's still a bit early in migration. Had a Central Texas Whipsnake, which got mobbed by the birds.

And someone found a dead baby javelina on one of the paths. Didn't look to be newborn. Only cause of death I could think of was in a scramble to avoid birders an adult javelina accidentally stepped on it, but I could find no visible injury on it.

Of the numerous lovely birds we saw, a male Western Tanager stands out. It spent hours cleaning the mulberries off a little volunteer mulberry tree.

We saw Green-tailed Towhees constantly but only counted three because that's the most we saw at one time. (I only got a photo showing two.)

Everyone had a good time, including numerous visiting birders that weren't part of the Big Sit!

Killer day!

I arrived at the oasis around 8:00 AM. Birders were already there, but I needed to get the watering done before it got too hot and I got too tired. I persevered until around 12:30 PM when I was too exhausted to continue. Went to my quarters and fixed a brunch and took a nap. When I went back out to finish watering shortly after 3 PM, the temperature was 102° and stayed that way until 6 PM. I was really dragging, but needed to get it done since tomorrow is our Big Sit! 

I thought the best bird of the day was a Tropical Kingbird even though ebird didn't flag it as rare. At least that's what I think it is based on the white edges of the primary feathers.

The one remaining Tree Tobacco looks quite nice. Surprising since none of the others survived this long.

Too tired to write more. I'll post after our Big Sit tomorrow.

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UPDATE: I think the bird I called a Tropical Kingbird is actually a Western Kingbird that's molting it's white outer tail feathers.

Mini staycation

A few days ago the bird migration radar showed that over 1,800,000 birds migrated over Brewster County that night (https://dashboard.birdcast.info/region/US-TX-043), so I decided to just spend a few days hanging out at home and birding here. The next few days were half as many or fewer migrants, and I didn't see many here, but it was a nice home vacation anyway. The weather was lovely and the ponds area was redolent with the aroma of Black Locust trees in blooms. Flowers everywhere! It felt luxurious!

The best species I saw was a pair of Red Crossbills. For once, I didn't get stuck taking photos out the window. In the lovely weather, I was wandering around outdoors when I came upon the pair relatively close up.

Also enjoyed watching a House Wren, or two, bathe over... and over. It's the first time I've see a House Wren bathe. Looks like two different individuals to me. Even with my naked eye one looked darker than the other. But I only saw one come to the water at a time.

Hard to believe within a week the busiest time of year will be upon me. I feel ready though! I'm not under any illusions that I'll have a minute to mini-vacation at the oasis when I get there in a few days, but I'll be a happy camper I'm sure! Big Sit Friday, large group Monday, and in between constant birders coming and going. Hope the birds cooperate! The frenzy will last for 2-3 weeks at least!

Exciting oasis adventure!

Recently, my intrepid sister and her daughter (Julie & Gaby) discovered a nesting pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers on our properties. Previously, I hadn't been aware that they ever nested here. When I did a little research I could find no record of nesting in the Christmas Mountains. So I was determined to get up the slope to the nest.

Couldn't have made it if my wonderful sister hadn't carried my heavy pack. I'm very grateful!!! Next is a photo she took of me doing my thing.

I was determined to stay a respectful distance from the nest so as to keep the impact on the birds as minimal as I could. That meant perching precariously on a crumbly talus-like slope. Under the challenging circumstances, I'm satisfied with my results... for now. If the eggs hatch I want to take feeding shots in a few weeks. Maybe a good photographer who has knees that work will be persuaded to go with me. Meanwhile, here are the results of my labor. Of course, a labor I love!

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher near nest

Nest with one egg barely visible (in Evergreen Sumac)

Bird headed to nest

Bird on nest

In order to do the trek today, my son had to water the oasis trees. Julie and Gaby even helped Ann up to near where I was perched so she could share in the adventure. The nest is technically on her land. It was a family affair!

Eclipse at CMO

Although the eclipse wasn't total in our region, I think the birds acted pretty much the same as if it had been total. As the sky began to darken there was a noisy rush to feeders. Being so attuned to Lucifers in particular, I noticed their wingbeats sounded like they do when they do their last feedings for the day. I can't describe it, it just had that day's end sound.

Then when the eclipse was all the way in front of the sun, with just a sliver showing on top, all was still and dead silent. Eerily so. Maybe five minutes or so later, the sky began to lighten slightly and birds began to trickle back in. What gets me is that the sky wasn't as dark as if dark clouds were overhead. so there's more to their behavior than the darkness of the sky.

Lots of birds nesting. Here's one of a pair of Black-tailed Gnatcatchers feeding nestlings.

And here are a couple of birders, Julie and Courtney Campbell from Massachusetts, enjoying the eclipse with me at the oasis.

My above eclipse shot was taken on my camera using Courtney's eclipse filter. He put it back on his camera after my shot, which is why mine wasn't taken at the darkest point. It was very generous of him to lend me his filter. Without it, I wouldn't have any photos of the eclipse at all. Surely the last solar eclipse I'll see in my lifetime.

During the peak of the eclipse the solar water feature stopped working, but as the light started to increase this House Finch managed to find a drink at it. Our House Finches are the Mexican subspecies (Haemorhous mexicanus) and redder than those in other areas, but occasionally I see a yellow one like this one. Notice no sun to make the highlight in the eye that makes photos more pleasing.

Apparently, the yellow is diet related.

CMO on a podcast

Last month I agreed to do a podcast with a visitor to the oasis. I'm not a fan of interviews, but I acknowledge the value of them. Matt is a really good interviewer in my opinion, so that helps. Here's a link to it. It's an hour long, so get prepared before digging in. LOL 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/09OuJpcdxrKhxRB7MkQIRM

The oasis has been having quite a few visitors this time of year, which will be on the increase for the next several weeks. Very few migrant yet, and only some of the summer nesting species, including Scott's Orioles.

Oasis work day

My son and I went to the oasis to water and service feeders. No exciting birds yet, but quite a few birders. Of course, many of them are getting their lifer Lucifers, so that's exciting for them. The Lucifers are busy doing courtship displays, too. Here's a female waiting for a male to do his display to her. She didn't have to wait long, but it was a sloppy display and didn't meet with her approval.

The Texas Claret Cup was blooming at the oasis today. Here's a lovely photo my sister took of one on top of our mountain above the oasis.

I'm only posting this next photo of a pair of Mexican Ducks because it shows how badly the big tank is deteriorating. Nothing can be done about it either. 

But I console myself that the oasis will still be a magnet to birds as long as it has feeders, a water feature, and some native vegetation. Lucifers and other desert specialties come to the feeders.  I'm not going to spend the rest of my life stressing over it. Just gonna enjoy as much as I can for as long as I can.

Trying to keep up

Lucifers were nearly two weeks late arriving at the oasis this year. Here's a photo by Dan Richards of the first arrival, still not finished molting in spite of being late.

Times have been hectic lately what with one thing and another. And time is not kind. Not only are the inground tanks at the oasis hopelessly decaying, but our bodies are too. My oldest son had to have major surgery this week, less than two years after my daughter had that brain tumor removed. My knees do not work anymore and my jaw is still hurting while chewing. No idea if that'll be permanent or not. Gonna call the dentist Monday. He has been closed for spring break. 

Today my grandson celebrated his 50th birthday. That makes me pretty ancient. 

But I'm just grateful to still be around and in as good a shape as I am.

Here's my 18 year old great-grandson. It all boggles my mind. Or maybe it's old age that boggles my mind.

Oasis today

My son and I went to the oasis this morning to service feeders. The weather was perfect. While there I saw a dead bat that doesn't look familiar. I'm not real familiar with bats at all, but sure don't recall seeing one with such big ears. Anyone know what kind it is?

It was disappointing that no Lucifer Hummingbirds have arrived yet, but I did see an Anna's. Maybe it'll nest here this year.

I'm doing pretty well with my teeth. Still can't chew steak. Enjoyed an apple, but a bit painful on the jaw. Gotta build muscles back up. Even chewing macaroni is a treat versus drinking it!

A couple of days ago I got my first Jeff Davis County (at Musquiz Lake) Eared Grebe.

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UPDATE: Bat identified as Western Mastiff

TEETH at last!

 I'm still having to learn to eat with them, but so relieved the ordeal is over. I think the dentist is great and did his best. Naturally, there are things I would like to have done differently, but I'm not complaining. After not being able to chew for 8 months my jaw is weak and doesn't have real strength to chew, but I'm hoping that will improve. I feel it's important to not overdo and develop some kind of painful jaw issues.

I went to Musquiz Lake a few days ago and enjoyed seeing this bobcat there. It's extremely rare for me to see one in the daytime, so always a treat.

An adult Allen's Hummingbird showed up at the town feeder yesterday. Still here today. I hope it hangs around for a while.

Countdown to teeth!

I finally have a sort of date now. The teeth are supposed to arrive to the dentist from the lab on Monday afternoon (Feb. 26). They'll call me the next morning to schedule me. Surely, they'll take pity on me and work me in promptly, either Tuesday or the next day! I guess that's progress. My mouth has now pretty much healed. Some soreness, but no pain, so it's all uphill from here!

I went birding to Musquiz Lake a couple of days ago, probably partly in desperation to divert my attention from my dental woes. LOL It was a fun diversion. I saw elk and got photos of a Black-crowned Night-Heron. Since winter is normally a bleak time, it doesn't take much to make me happy.

Back in Alpine, my husband watered the blue bonnets that were near the apricot tree... for days. Big mistake! Now the tree is in full bloom and it's only February.

Maybe we'll get lucky this year and no March freeze. Inca Doves are mating already.

I feel the excitement in the air! Lucifers are likely making their way toward the oasis as I write this, and next week I'll be able to eat! Life is good!

(My sister with her new book)