While killing time between doctor appointments in Temple, I found a store called Wild Birds Unlimited. I decided to check it out since I am an avid birder and struck up a conversation with the lady working in there. I found out that she is also a Texas Master Naturalist, and we had great conversations.
We talked about the different ways we get volunteer hours and different projects we are involved in. I really enjoyed meeting her. She told me about a nearby pond that had migrating Roseate Spoonbills and White Ibis, and that there is also a Bald Eagle that hangs out around there.
I got super excited and decided to check it out on my way home. She drew me a map on some scrap paper and I found the location easily. I was excited to immediately find the White Ibis. I keep binoculars in my car for such an occasion, and tried to get some good pictures to share. I didn’t see any Spoonbills or an Eagle but I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful find.
I had another appointment today and decided to take the long way home so I could revisit the pond and hopefully see something new. Well, it was even better than the day before! I saw some White-Faced Ibis, American Avocet, and a Bald Eagle! This really made my day.
A few days ago, I was observing birds at Orchard Park in Cameron, when the juveniles of the resident family of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks decided to show off their synchronized swimming skills. One wasn’t quite as synchronized as the rest! This gave me a good laugh.
The duck parents were nearby watching the shenanigans. These beautiful and interesting ducks (they roost in trees) are great parents, as all ducks tend to be.
Today we met with Linda Burgess, coordinator of the new Little Free Seed Library project (here’s a link to an article explaining how they work and an article from Mother Earth News). This project involves creating nice boxes for storing labeled native seeds that can be shared and exchanged. We hope to have more than one location in Milam County. The Wildscape will provide many native seeds for the project, as will members of our chapter.
Check the blog for updates on this project as we build it out. Share any ideas you may have for locations for the seed libraries.
Johnson Homestead Wildlife Update
At my house we are winding down the nature events. The Barn Swallow colony expanded this year, and there have been a record number of toads and frogs. I allowed a family of mice to live in a small section of my kitchen then successfully trapped and relocated them. We found them after they ate my daughter’s chocolate bars.
Barn SwallowsMice ready to relocateBeautiful moth
We are rehabbing another leopard frog that was hit by a weedeater. One foot had to be removed, so he is learning to swim again. When it is cold, I will put him in the yard next to our other frogs.
The picture with chairs, fans, etc., was an attempt to protect and keep cool a second batch of wrens at the house.
Wren protection setup
We had few snakes but an over-abundance of fire ants. Lessons were learned for next year.
This month’s bird count at the Wild Wings Bird Sanctuary took place on September 14. Ann Collins, Sue Ann Kendall, and Phyllis Shuffield not only looked for birds with their eyes, binoculars, and ears, but they practiced their Merlin Bird ID skills. We identified 25 different birds in the two hours we spent at the sanctuary. Highlights were a juvenile and adult male Eastern Bluebird and a chatty Downy Woodpecker. Merlin identified other new birds, Alder Flycatcher, Blue Grosbeak, Lark Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, and White-breasted Nuthatch. These are all plausible birds to have around this time of year in Milam County.
Eastern Bluebird. Photo by Skyler Ewing on Pexels.com
The group decided to take an informal forest walk in the wooded part of the sanctuary (not an official Shinrin-yoku walk, since we were identifying plants and birds. It’s quite pretty back there, where a creek often flows when it’s wet outside. We found some late wildflowers, such as Marsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata) and Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum). We observed lots of berries for the birds, including many coralberry plants (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus). There was evidence of animals who hang out in the sanctuary, especially deer who had been there very recently judging from the fresh scat and urine.
Ann and Phyllis head into the woodsThe pasture behind the woodsMarsh FleabaneLate BonesetVelvet ant, not sure which kindCedar elm leaves are fallingDeer evidence
Ann and Phyllis refilled some of the hummingbird feeders, which were primarily being used by the local honeybees of Bird and Bee Farm and a few butterflies. There are now many feeders, and it appears that the birds (primarily Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice) are eating out of them all. There were dozens of Northern Cardinals flying around, but they were not coming to the feeders.
Bird feeders and the seating area
Since our last visit to the bird sanctuary, the intrepid Gene Rek has put in more raised beds and planted some new shade-loving plants in them, including beautyberry and Turk’s cap. They have drip irrigation to help get them established. The new bird bath is still working great, too. There’s lots of progress being made.
Drip irrigation and beautyberryTurk’s cap
And as a bonus, Sue Ann left with two new Cochin hens! It was a good morning at the Wild Wings sanctuary!
Cathy the hen is much happier now that she’s in a hen house.
Nature Along the El Camino Real 