Tuesday, January 16, 2001

Afternoon of New Year's Day gives way to more bird species sightings

Birdwatchers' spottings include European starling, American avocet, reddish egret, Harris hawk and northern cardinal

 

On the morning of the first day of the new year, I saw 50 species of birds. The afternoon was considerably less productive but included several interesting species.
   My companion was Kathie Griffith, editor of the newssheet for the Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi. The temperature was still quite cold for South Texas - in the high 40s. We headed north toward downtown Corpus Christi, along the bayfront and onto the T-heads.
   Species No. 51 was a "good'' bird. We had looked for it that morning in vain and there it sat, a large, slender, low-slung bird, a common loon, diving from time to time in the boat docking water beside the T-head.
   The next bird, No. 52, was no surprise, a flocking bird common all over town, the European starling.
   Still traveling north, we went over the Harbor Bridge out the causeway to Indian Point Park. The waters were cold with many previously sighted birds loafing on the bars.
   We finally spotted Species 53, the American avocet. These beautiful wading birds were around in great numbers last winter but have been harder to find this year. The two individuals in winter plumage with gray heads were industriously plowing the water with their long, curved bills.
   A favorite
   Also in the water was one of my favorites, a reddish egret (No. 54). We were not surprised to find this bird even though the species is endangered in some areas. Although named "reddish,'' the birds are really mauve. Their disposition, which seems carefree and jolly, rather than color is their distinguishing feature. The manner in which they fish is called "canopy feeding.'' They lift both wings above their head to make a canopy that shades the water before them, thus enabling them to see their prey and make the catch in a flamboyant lunge.
   Our journey continued. I thought we might find anis on Carbon Black Road off McKenzie Road. Along the way, we picked up two species of hawk. The first, a red-tailed species (No. 55), is our most common wintering hawk. We were glad not to miss it.
   The second was a Harris hawk (No. 56), which recently has become more common in Nueces County. This bird is expected on the road south from Kingsville. A buteo, which is about the same size as a red-tailed, this bird is chocolate-brown colored with rust brown shoulder patches, leggings and wing-lingings. Its legs are yellow and long, and a white patch at the base of the tail is not easily seen when the bird is perched. At a recent AOD club meeting, we learned that they sometimes hunt in groups.
   Included at the last minute
   No anis on Carbon Black Road, which has a hillside full of an unusual remnant ebony tree forest. Species (No. 57), a northern cardinal, was there, though. This cheery, red bird is a resident here in winter and summer, and it sometimes nests in our yards. Cardinals like chaparral and brushy thickets for safety when fleeing. They also love feeders full of sunflower seeds.
   We went quickly then to Hazel Bazemore Park, site of the local fall Hawk Watch and a favorite with birders. We already had seen everything in the pond - no kingfisher.
   A willet-size greater yellow-legs (No. 58) was in a wet ditch, and we saw several great kiskadee flycatchers (No. 59). This tropical bird has become so regular that we no longer put it on a "hot bird'' list when we see it.
   The last listed bird for the day (No.60) was a winter favorite, a ruby-crowned kinglet, working a mesquite tree on the hill.
   We decided we were tired and should stop with this good round number, leaving some for another day.
   However, when I arrived at home, another bird insisted on being included. At the feeder outside my kitchen window was the buff-bellied hummingbird, species No. 61.
  
  

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Phyllis Yochem, a Corpus Christi resident, has studied birds of Texas since 1960.

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