3rd April
An early start as we were booked onto the King's Ranch birding tour for Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and Northern Beardless Tyrannulet. We were with 5 others, mostly quite novice and more concerned with taking photos. The meeting point was a long way from the part of the ranch to be toured and as the day progressed we found that the ranch is divided up into pastures and we could only really bird the allocated pastures. We were allowed out of the bus to see a few birds, but not for long and certainly not allowed to straying from the side of the van. One woman was happy to view through the window at anything large and colourful that we happened across and that ate into out chances to find the owls.
Crested Caracara
There were a total of 4 toilet stops at a large barn with some staff housing nearby. Again, we had to stay by the vehicle. By this time the other 5 had got 'lifers' and of course we had not. That day was rather windy and on toilet stop 2, I just happened to be looking at a tree and see the Tyrannulet blown in, and off again within about 5 seconds. Chris missed it and no one else saw it, and it was just one of those things that happens when the chance for a view is exceedingly brief.
Western Kingbird
The stand of trees where the guide said everyone must stay behind him. He only looked from the clearing shown, saying he didn't want to risk disturbing them. Chris and I tried, but given the restrictions placed on us it's not surprising that we dipped. Tapes are not allowed and we knew that, but not going into the trees made it impossible.
We found out quite a lot about the ranch, and ranching. These are American Reds. But from the effort made, we were never going to get the owls and we just have to put the $365 spent as a missed opportunity.
Texas Longhorn
Quarter horses, bred for fast speed over a quarter of a mile.
Black-throated Green Warbler
The place was crawling with ticks as well.
We finshed the day off at Dick Kleberg Park. We found our first Lark Sparrows here, some fairly distant waterbirds and a Black-chinned Hummingbird attempting to nest build. The wind was still strong and the material that she'd collected wouldn't seem to remain in place.
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
4th April
A big transfer day, north along the Gulf Coast, around Corpus Christi and through Houston to Jasper.
On the way we visited Pollywog Ponds in the hope of finding Audubon's Oriole with no joy. A local birder told how there were no recent reports.
We continued on knowing that the weather, although cooler now was due to take a turn for the worse and a day may be lost.