Thursday 12 April, 2010

The first substantial Spring Neo-Tropical Fallout began yesterday, Sun. 11 April, 10. The yard filled with birds and remains so today. Species observed included Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Lincoln Sparrows, Blue Grosbeak, male and female Summer Tanagers, Baltimore Orioles and high numbers of Orchard Orioles. With possibility of rains and East winds forecast throughout the week these birds might well linger. This is the beginning. It will just get better and better now.

Good Birding. Capt. Billy

Orchard Oriole

Thursday 04 March, 2010

Hasn't been much going on locally with the Cold Fronts coming in one behind the other about three days apart and it's been in the 30s numerous mornings. This is the only time of year we really get the Goldfinches this close to the coast and I always look forward to them. Especially when I know their presence means better days are approaching. On the beach it's Willets, Long-billed Curlews, Black-bellied Plover, Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings. A few N. Gannets and a Peregrine or 2 per day but over all real low numbers of birds. Royal and Forester's Terns, Ring-billed and Herring Gulls, Caracara and White-tailed Hawks are seen daily along with a few small species of Plover. Purple Martins can be expected any day now. Things will all began to change in mid March and after reviewing years of logs books it shows a very distinct pattern I'll share with you. The last 10 days of April are our birdest days of the Spring migration year after year. Black and White Warblers and Wilson's Warblers will show in mid March along with Golden Plover and our first returning Hummingbirds and then it just gets better and better till it peaks in late April. But some excellent birding will remain throughout May. Many of these Neo-tropical migrants are traveling across the open Gulf. If and when we get a Cold front it will force them to the coastal shoreline to keep from fighting a strong headwind on the open sea. Should rain accompany the frontal passage it really puts them on the shore line in large numbers. At times they will rest for several days before continuing on their migration. These are the famous "fallouts" you hear about all the time and they can really be a sight to behold and one long remembered. I'd like to make a suggestion to out of state or inland birders visiting the coast. Purchase a copy of the latest ABA/Lane Birdfinding Guide "A Birder's Guide To The Texas Coast" by Mel Cooksey and Ron Weeks. I'm obviously partial to this book as Mel Cooksey has been my birding mentor for many years but I assure you it is an invaluable tool for birding the coast and will add greatly to the enjoyment of your trip.

Life's Good; Live it. Capt. Billy

American Gold Finches in the Backyard

Thursday 21 January, 2010

I scouted the entire beachfront of PINS on 18 Jan., 2010 and it was a high quality day as long as you weren't interested in fishing as there were no fish. Very large staging flocks of Willets and Sanderlings along the beach and all the usuals; Black-bellied Plover, Ruddy Turn Stones, Dunlin, Long Billed Curlews, Royal and Forester's Terns and a few gulls but some good birds as well. Between the 32 and 35 mile beach I had 153 sub adult Northern Gannets. WOW. All going North. Some in groups of 15 and quite nearshore. On the remaining 57 miles of beach I only had 3 other Norther Gannets. Sure something going on. 12 Red Knots were at the 34 mile beach in the morning. None had tags. 2 Scoters were in the surf at the 42 mile but they swam offshore before I could get positive species id. 1 Peregrin at the 22 mile. 3 Reddish Egrets. 3 flocks of small ducks overshore flying North. 8 Savahanna Sparrows, 2 Northern Pipits and 4 Horned Larks were also observed. Red-breated Mergansers, Redhead Ducks and 16 Black Skimmers were at the Port Mansfield jetties. Osprey, Caracara, White-tailed hawks and Turkey and Black Vultures were also seen. I've had close to 300 Northern Gannets along the entire 60 mile beach front a time or two over the years but never this many concentrated in such a small area.

Life's Good; Live it. Capt. Billy

Bonaparte's Gull on Padre Island National Seashore

Thursday 07 January, 2010

Lots of shore birds on the beach and we had a grand day on 05 Jan., 10. 2 Surf Scoters in the channel at the Port Mansfield channel were the highlight of the day but we have several other good birds. Red-breasted Mergansers, American Avocets, and Brown and White Pelicans were also seen at the jetties. We had 2 Sandwich Terns at the 42 mile beach. Extremely rare this time of year. 5 live Northern Gannets were observed at the 18 mile and 2 dead sub adults were observed on the beach North of the 15 mile.1 Bonaparte's Gull was observed at the 55 mile. 1 Peregrine, several White-tailed Hawks and Caracara and one Merlin were observed on the beachfront. Large numbers of Willets, Sanderlings and Long-billed Curlews were present as were small groups of Horned larks, Snowy Plover, one Redhead Duck and many Double-creasted Cormorants. Forester's and Royal Terns were common as were Herring, Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls. Black-bellied Plover and Ruddy Turnstones were also common. I have studied my past records and have written up a synopsis of how and when and why the Neo-Tropical migration unfolds in our area. Visit this site again as this is information we will be posting on the web site in the near future that simply can not to be found anywhere else and will be a great aid to planning and timing your birding trips to the Coastal Bend to get the most bang for your buck.

Good Birding, Capt. Billy

Juvenile Northern Gannet

Surf Scoters in Mansfield Channel

Saturday 05 December, 2009

Red Knots are present in numbers of over 100 per day on the PINS beachfront. Good numbers of Sandwich Terns remain along with the Forester's, Royal and Caspian but the other tern species have moved on for the Winter. Good numbers of Dunlin are being observed and Franklin's Gulls are mixed in with the flocks of Laughing Gulls. Large numbers of Brown Pelicans are seen daily and Long-billed Curlew are in good supply with at least 30 seen daily. N. Harrier and White-tailed Hawks are observed regularly as are one or 2 Peregrine Falcons and Caracara. We had a stray female hummngbird in the yard the last day of November.

Good Birding, Capt. Billy

Black-Necked Stilt on Padre Island

Wednesday 18 November, 2009

165 Red Knots were observed on the PINS beachfront on a trip to the Port Mansfield jetties on Sun., 15 Nov. 1 Peregrine was observed at the 32 mile beach. North Harriers, White-tailed Hawks and Caracara were also observed. Approximately 60 Long-billed Curlews were observed as were 300+ Brown Pelicans and 100+ Double-crested Cormorants. Ring-billed, Herring and Laughing Gulls were observed as were Caspian, Royal, Forester's and Sandwich Terns. Our typical Winter shorebirds were all present. A recent trip inland showed Pollywog Pond to be the most productive area with numerous Red-shouldered Hawks, 2 Anhingas, 8 Least Grebes, Pied-billed Grebes and a variety of duck species present. Farther West Cassin's Kingbirds were common as were Lark Sparrows and one Green Jay was observed along with an occasional Red-tailed Hawk and several Sizzortailed Flycatchers that remain.

Good Birding, Capt. Billy

Tri-Colored Heron in Port Aransas

Wednesday 04 November, 2009

On 2 Nov. I scouted the entire length of PINS beachfront. No Red Knots were observed. Peregrine Falcons were obseerved at the 30 1/2, 33 1/2 and 46 mile beach. 3 White-tailed Hawks, 1 Eastern Phoebe and one Sizzertailed Flycatcher were observed. Sandwich Terns remain in good numbers and all the tern species are present except the Least, Gull-billed and Black. Hundreds of Brown Pelicans were observed in the last 30 miles of beach. Clay-colored Sparrows, Winter Wren, Meadow Larks and one Mockingbird were reported by boaters up to 25 miles offshore this past weekend. We have one Buff-bellied and one Archilochus female Hummingbird are regular in our yard and occasionally a pretty male Rufous visits. Yesterday I joined Mel Cooksey hoping to re-locate some Mountain Plover he has seen recently West of Corpus Christi in the open farm lands. We did not find them but did see Sprague's Pipit, an abundance of Savannah Sparrows and 2 Burrowing Owls.

Capt. Billy

Hundreds of Brown Pelicans on Padre Island

Thursday 29 October, 2009

There are now 2 wood storks hanging around the Flour Bluff shoreline of the N. Laguna Madre. Pics taken by Capt. David Rowsey.

Birding is trapped in a lull right now. Most of the Fall migrants have passed trhough and it's still too early for our Winter birds. A few more cold fronts and this will change. There are 3 or 4 Black-chinned/Ruby-thoated female Hummingbirds here at the house and I've seen single species of Yellow-breasted Chat, female Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Grey Catbird in the past few days. The beach of PINS is to be avoided until the red tide event runs it's course and all the dead fish are permanently washed high on the beach. DO NOT attempt to drive through dead fish or you WILL get flat tires. Hang in there.

Capt. Billy

Wood Stork photographed by David Rowsey

Wood Stork photographed by David Rowsey

Monday 12 October, 2009

Up to 9 Peregrines are seen daily with an average of 4 individuals per day on the PINS beach front. 1,300 Brown Pelicans were present between the 54 and 59 mile beach on 11 Oct. Red Knots are still present but numbers are down. Many Common Terns are being seen. Ospreys, White-tailed Hawks, Caracara, Long-billed Curlews and occasional wimbrels are seen daily. Few Black Terns remain and it appears Least Terns have migrated for the year. Sandwich, Royal and Caspian Terns are in good numbers as are Ring-billed, Herring and Laughing Gulls and a variety of Plovers. We still have 20 + hummingbirds in the yard and I have seen both Grey Catbirds and a female Scarlett Tanager this morning. As of 11 Oct. the aerosol effect of red tide was present along tyhe beachfront although no dead fish were observed.

Good Birding. Capt. Billy

Lesser Black Backed Gull presumed to be of the intermediate or Fuscus race seen several days in the 18 mile area of PINS. Our typical Lesser Black Backed Gull is the lighter race; graellsii

Friday 2 October, 2009

As my days have all been spent on the beach that is where I have the most news from. On 23 Sept. I had a total of 778 Red Knots (highest number of the season so far), the first Northern Harrier of the year, 450 Brown Pelicans, 37 Long-billed Curlews, 4 Peregrine Falcons and 27 Fulvous Whistling Ducks. White-tailed Hawks, Caracaras, and tens of thousands of Terns are seen daily.

Capt. Billy

Adult Lesser Blackbacked Gull observed on PINS on 9/20 and 9/21. Not seen since.

Sunday 13 September, 2009

On 12th September 2009, a total of 121 Red Knots were observed from the 6 to the 33 mile beachfront. Only one bird was observed in Breeding plumage and no tags were seen. Small groups of Black-necked Stilts were encountered as were occasional Egrets, various Heron species and occasional "peep" Sandpipers. 3 American Oystercatchers and one large group of Black-bellied Plover were seen. Occasional Warblers and Hummingbirds were seen coming inland to escape heavy rains offshore. Overall numbers of fish eating birds are increasing down on the beach. Our yard remains full of Hummingbirds and occasional warblers and flycatchers. We have received a total of 7.4" of rain in Flour Bluff in a week. Enjoy the cooling weather.

Good Birding. Capt. Billy

Two adult Sandwich Terns with their chick. The chick is the bird in the middle.

Thursday 10 September, 2009

I drove the entire length of the Padre Island National Seashore beachfront Tuesday 8th of Sept. Approximately 20,000 Black Terns showed up in the first 15 miles late in the day. The most I've seen in some time. Anchovies must be nearshore in that area. A total of 28 Red Knots were observed in small scattered bunches. Lesser numbers of Little Blue Herons, Yellow-crowned Night Herons and Snowy Egrets were observed migrating. At 2:35 p.m. at the 59 mile beach I observed an adult Sabine's Gull steadily headed South about 100 yards offshore. No brown was visable in the wing which leads me to call this individual an adult. I tried in vain to get a picture but the distance was too far away by the time I could get to the camera. Mel Cooksey reports the 2 Brown Noddies are still on the bouy at the Port Aransas jetties and that a black backed type gull was reported from the 5 mile on PINS yesterday afternoon. I never saw the bird and no photo was taken by the observer. Keep your eyes open. Could be a Kelp Gull. Had a Mourning Warbler in the yard this morning and my wife is now tending 17 hummingbird feeders. Numbers seemed down today. One Allens/Rufous first year bird remained among the regulars.

Good Birding. Capt. Billy

Yellow-Crowned Night Herons Waiting out the storm

Tuesday 1 September, 2009

The hummingbird migration has started with unusually high numbers this early in the season in my yard. Usually the hummingbirds peak in numbers in Flour Bluff around 22 Sept. but we had 30 on the last day of August. Maybe they are getting out of parched country affected by the drought. My wife says in the 20 years of living at this location she's never had this number of feeders out this early and they are steadily emptying them. Currently there are 4 species of humming bird in my yard. Rufous, Buff-bellied, Black-chinned and Ruby throated. Water Thrushes and various flycatchers are occasional visitors. Last I knew the Curlew Sandpiper was still on the Western mud flats of Oso Bay.

On the beach of PINS migrants observed included 2 Green-backed Herons, 480 White Egrets (lighting didn't allow for telling which were Snowy and which were Cattle Egrets), 5 Yellow-crowned Night Herons, 22 Little Blue Herons, 37 Blue-winged Teal and 2 Wimbrel. Lots of other bird species seen and large numbers of Black Terns remain. Nearshore to 15 miles has been all Black Terns and other Tern species. As the anchovy migration arrives in our area in the next few days the numbers of fish eating birds will increase dramatically.

Good Birding. Capt. Billy

Yellow-Breasted Chat, The Largest Warbler in my backyard

Wednesday 26 August, 2009

Quick update from Mel Cooksey about the buff bellied sandpipers in Corpus Christi

This is unfreakingbelieveable...

Yesterday, Derek Muschalek and Clay Taylor counted over 5000 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at the Robstown Sod Farm!!!

The WORLD population of these birds is estimated at between 10,000 and 15,000 birds. There has NEVER been a concentration like this reported anywhere in history. These birds nest waaaay up around the shores of the Arctic, from Victoria Island to McKenzie Bay. No white man there. Then they go to southern Argentina for the winter. 8000-9000 miles.

Mel

Tuesday 25 August, 2009

LOTS going on the bird world for those willing to get out without A.C. LOTS. Mel Cooksey reports 2 Brown Noddies being seen at the end of the Port Aransas jetties at once. To my knowledge that is the first time 2 of this species have ever been seen in TX. at once. Red-necked Phalarope has been seen at Port Aransas as well. The Curlew Sandpiper has been seen once again on the mud flats of the West side of the Oso, Yellow-breasted Chats are moving through in large numbers; especially at Pollywog Pond and will continue through early Sept. 1,100 Buff-bellied Sandpipers are being seen at the sod farm South of highway 664 across from Hazel Bazemore Park. This sod farm is going to be invaluable as a birding resource. It's the first habitat of it's kind in the Coastal Bend and as folks frequent it more and more there are going to be some really great sightings. The Ruby-throated and Black-chinned Hummingbirds are beginning their migration through our area in ever increasing numbers and I have a beautiful adult Rufous Male Humingbird in my yard the past 3 days as well as the resident Buff-bellied. I've also had Orchard Orioles, Yellow-breasted Chat and female Canada Warbler here in the yard. I've been fishing offshore lately and large numbers of Black Terns are everywhere. I did see one lone Sooty Tern 6 miles offshore of PINS on Sat. 22 Aug. Awful cool stuff. Get out and see some of it.

Capt. Billy Sandifer

Male Rufous Hummingbird in my backyard

Curlew Sandpiper in Corpus Christi photo by Derek Muschalek

Monday 17 August, 2009

On 17 Aug., Mel Cooksey reported 700 Buff-bellied Sandpipers at the sod farm off Highway 664, a Zone-tailed hawk and Least Grebes being regular at Pollywog Pond and an unusually high number of shorebirds on the mud flats on the West side of Oso Bay. We saw our 1st. Orchard Oriole of the season on 22 July and the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are beginning to move though in small numbers. This will increase dramatically in Sept. By the third week of Sept. we usually have 70+ Ruby-thoated and Black-chinned Hummingbirds in our yard here in Flour Bluff daily.

LOTS of birds on the beach. I observed 2 Hudsonian Gobwits on 20 July. These birds are typically not seen here this time of year. I'm seeing 20,000+ Black Terns daily as well as good numbers of Tri-colored, Little Blue and Great White Herons, Snowy and Cattle Egrets, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons and occasional Reddish Egrets migrating daily. Some Red Knots are usually seen daily in the area between the 15 1/2 and 20 mile beach although numbers are small. Piping, Semi-palmated, Snowy and Wilson's Plover are seen daily as are RuddyTurnstones, Sanderlings, Willets, Long-billed Curlews, Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls, Brown Pelicans and all of the resident and migrating Tern species. Occasional "peep' and Spotted Sandpipers are seen as are Turkey Vultures, Caracaras and White-tailed hawks. Sept. is THE month to see a Sabine's Gull in TX. and PINS is the most reliable place to see this bird in TX. I have 1-3 sightings every Sept. The tremendous numbers of birds on the beaches of PINS this time of year is genuinely spectacular and one of the most overlooked wonders in the Natural World of Texas.

Enjoy. Capt. Billy

Massive flock of birds on Padre Island

Wednesday 22 July, 2009

On the PINS beachfront on 15 July I took writer, Larry Boska and photographer Mark on a 1/2 birding tour to the 17 miles beach for the Visitor's Convention and Tourist Bureau of Corpus Christi. They will be writing an article in Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine this Winter. Usual birds were seen including 24 Red Knots at the 17 mile.

On Friday 17 July I took Rick Underbrink and Gabe Goodman on a scout in the Gulf on my Panga and we saw and photographed a sub-adult Brown Booby on a weather buoy about 30 miles offshore. This is a Texas Review species bird. On 20 July while on a fishing charter on PINS Danny and Kay Parks and Andy and I observed 2 Hudsonian Godwits flying with a Marbled Godwit. What a wonderful opportunity to compare the 2 species. We also observed 8 Yellow-crowned Night Herons, 10 little Blue Herons, the first Forester's Tern over the season, 2 semi-palmated Plover and all the usuals. The fledgling Terns and Gulls are showing up on the beach now.

Mel Cooksey had a wonderful day Sunday at Pollywog Pond seeing 75 Least Grebes, 50 Fulvous Whistling Ducks, 1 Green Kingfisher (strange sighting here for this time of year) and 1 Zone-tailed Hawk; which is a rare sighting here anytime. July isn't known for high numbers of birds but we've sure had some great ones. Currently there are thousands of Black Terns on the beach and more arriving daily. I check each one to insure it's not that White-winged Black Tern. They will be here till the Northers begin.

Enjoy the wonders of creation. Capt. Billy

Brown Booby observed while fishing offshore

Thursday 16 July, 2009

On 10 July, while scanning flocks of mixed Terns for the earlier reported White-winged Black Tern at 11:24 am. 1 mile North of the Port Mansfield jetties I observed a Black Noddy. Smaller and shorter legged than a Brown Noddy. Black; not brown. Very small white patch on forehead. A life bird for me and the 4th. seen in Texas; although I was unable to get a photograph. My finger was about to push the button when the entire flock did one of those unexpected instant fly offs in mass and I never saw the bird again.

On the 12th of July 58 Red Knots were observed near the 17 imile beach front. The first 6 returning Piping Plover were seen as were 10 Common Terns, 1 Wimbrel, 1 Marbled Godwit, 6 Little Blue Herons, 2 Whit-tailed Hawks and 2 Caracara. Fledgling Caspian, Royal and Sandwich Terns are showing up now on the beach. On 14 July 24 Red Knots were observed at the 17 mile.

Good Birding. Capt. Billy

Glossy Ibis, Snowy Egret and Fulvous Whistling Ducks observed while birdwatching in a local farm pond

Thursday 9 July, 2009

Yesterday, 8 July, was a great day for birding on PINS. The highlite of the day (actually there were 2) was being able to closely observe a breeding plumage adult White-winged Black Tern at 2 pm. 1/4 mile North of the Port Mansfield jetties. The bird was flying about 12 feet high 20 yards inland of me and crossed the channel onto SPI; not allowing for a 350 yard dash to the truck to get my camera. We were on a fishing charter and I can't always carry my camera with me throughout the day as I tend to the needs of my fishing customers. There are no sight records for this species in TX. although I have seen 5 or 6 others over the year. Never when I have a camera. We also observed an adult Bridled Tern at the 46 mile beach flying offshore at 4:42 pm. Other species seen included 3 Great Blue Herons, 1 Great Egret, 60+ Long -billed Curlews, 1 Semi-palmated Plover, Snowy, Black-bellied and Wilson's Plover, 1,500 Black Terns, 18 Cattle Egrets, 2 Yellow-crowned Night Herons, 3 Little Blue Herons, 1 Marbled Godwit and 14 non-breeding Red Knots at the 17 mile beach. High tide is tedious driving in soft sand in the Big Shell and to the South. Will look for the White-winged Black Tern while down island tomorrow and see if we can get this guy in the record books.

Good birding. Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

My good friend and talented wildlife photographer, Jimmy Jackson, of Beeville contributed this outstanding picture of a Green Heron.

Green Heron

Tuesday 30 June, 2009

The fledgling Purple Martins started learning to fly on 20 June here in our yard. On 22 June, 240 Brown Pelicans were seen on the PINS beach front and this is birds through nesting. Small numbers of Little Blue and Tri-colored Herons are now seen daily migrating to the South but just 1 to 4 per day. On 23 June I saw a Brown Noddy (very probably the same bird I saw earlier this month) 4 miles offshore of the 5 mile PINS beach while on a nearshore fishing charter. Long-billed Curlews began to show up post breeding on 24 June and I had a beautiful adult Masked Booby at the 52 mile beach at 3:45 pm. Red Knots were seen through 25 June, when I counted 94 individuals. Since that date none have been seen. Black Terns are in good supply and Caspian, Royal, Sandwich, Least and an occasional Gull-billed Tern are seen daily as are a few Black Skimmers. Willets are beginning to be seen in flocks of 5 to 15 and probably these are returning birds post breeding. Numbers of birds on the beach will gradually increase from mid July on into the Fall.

Buff-bellied and Black-chinned Hummngbirds are regular in my yard along the the other "home boy" Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, American Cardinals, Inca, Mourning, White-winged and Eurasian-collared Doves. Sure is hot out there.

Have a good 4th. of July weekend. Capt. Billy

Wednesday 24 June, 2009

On PINS today I saw 15 Red Knots. These birds must be non-breeders. None were in breeding plumage. 6 Long-billed Curlews, The Brown Pelicans are showing up post breeding with about 250 seen on the beach. Numerous Black Skimmers. 4 Little Blue Herons. 800 to 1,000 Black Terns, 2 Common Terns and other Tern species. As I look at this pic of Inca Doves in my yard I realize why my bird seed bill was $142, recently.

Capt. Billy

Thursday 18 June, 2009

Terns, Laughing Gulls and small numbers of several species of shorebirds are all that are currently on PINS. 3 Long-billed Curlews, 2 Common Terns and 150 + Black Terns were seen as were Caspian, Sandwich, Least and a couple of Forester's. Scattered Brown Pelicans, Willets and Black-bellied Plover were seen as were numerous Wilson's Plover. The Wilson's Plover nest on the island. One staging flock of 60+ Sanderlings and a few Ruddy Turnstones remain. Here at the house we have male Black-chinned and Buff-bellied Hummingbirds and the usual. Eurasian-collared doves are everywhere nowadays but we have one unlike any other I have so far seen. It is a typical bird other than it lacks the collar. I'm curious if it is a hybrid.

Good birding. Capt. Billy

Tuesday 16 June, 2009

The winds have been in excess of 30 mph daily since the last update. Curtailed both quality birding and fishing. Did see the first ever Summer Black-throated male Hunningbird we've ever had here at the house. 2 females are around most Summers but this is a first for the male. Buff-bellied Hummingbirds, Northern Cardinals, Golden-fronted Woodpeckeers and Mourning, Eurasian-collared and Inca Doves fill the yard as do Great-tailed Grackles. Down the beach tomorrow so hope to see you's about down island.

Mel Cooksey reports that Gene Blacklock found a Jabiru (huge stork of Central and South America, accidental straggler to south Texas) on Wed. 10 June and Thurs. 11 June on the Old McGregor Ranch between Odem and the Nueces River. This is an awful good bird for Texas.

Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

Below is a late migrating Yellow-crowned Night Heron photographed on PINS.

Thursday 11 June, 2009

Seas are big and the tides are high so driving is difficult. We observed and photoed this extremely worn plumage Brown Noddy at the 9 1/2 mile beach at 08:30 am. I'm told this is the 20th. sighting of this species in Texas. 46 Red Knots were observed between the 17 and 19 mile. 2 Common Terns, 2 Long-billed Curlew and 3 Willets were observed along with a few Black Terns, 1 Black-bellied Plover, sanderlings, Wilson's Plover, Ruddy Ternstones and Gull-billed, Sandwich, Forester's, Royal, Least and Caspian Terns and 1 Brown Pelican. This is the time of year when there are the least numbers of birds on the shoreline as most are on nests.

Enjoy Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

Tuesday 9 June, 2009

The pic on the left is a 7' alligator in Agua Dulce creek. 2nd is Rosette Spoonbills, Cattle Egrets and Snowy Egrets nesting on Wright's pond near Old San Patricio. Mel Cooksey and I did a survey of nesting birds in Western Nueces today and saw 61 species. The highlite of our half day adventure was an adult Audubon's Oriole which is extremely unusual this far East. Other highlites were Groove-billed Ani, Green Jays, Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Verdin, Olive Sparrows, Clapper Rail, Cassin's Sparrows, Swainson's Hawk, Fuerte's Red-tailed Hawk and 2 late season semi-palmated Sandpipers. Painted Buntings were calling every where the whole time we were in the brush country as were White-eyed Vireo. Mammals seen included White-tailed Deer, Javelina and Coyote. I'm chartered fishing for 20 of the next 22 days so it will be beach bird reports for a while.

Enjoy Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

   

Thursday 4 June, 2009

Mel Cooksey reports seeing a Hooded Oriole in the 6000 block of Ebonwood. 1 1/2 block West of Ennis Joslin in Corpus Christi. There is a history of nesting Hooded Orioles at this location. Watch in the tall Palm trees. That is an awful good bird for this far North in Texas. Mel also reports an early Wood Stork on 31 May at Tule Lake in Corpus Christi.

On PINS I had 53 Red Knots today, 4 June. All at the 17 1/2 mile beach. Many species are absent now as they have moved North to nest. Good numbers of a variety of Terns and Laughing Gulls remain along with a few non breeding shorebirds. One Tri-Color and 12 Cattle Egrets were seen still migrating in from the South today. There is a Buff-bellied Hummingbird living in my yard as it does every Summer and Northern Cardinals and Golden -fronted Woodpeckers are daily visitors along with Inca, White-winged, Mourning and Eurasian-collar Doves.

The pic below shows the head and upper body of a male Painted Bunting coming to our yard to drink daily.

Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

Monday 1 June, 2009

Friday, the 29th. of May 55 Red Knots were observed but on Saturday the number had increased to 190 individuals. All between the 16 1/2 mile and the 26 mile beach. A few single Dunlin remain but the staging flocks of Sanderlings and Willets are gone. Curlews were absent as well. On Saturday at the 32 mile I had what I believe was a Brown Booby fly by far offshore but could not get to my binoculars in time to get a solid id and it could have been a juvenile of another species although I don't think so.

We have Archilocus and Buff-bellied Hummingbirds in the yard daily along with one male Painted Bunting that comes to water daily. Probably his mate has a nest nearby. The Inca Doves have 2 nests in the yard and there are lots of Mourning and Eurasian Collared Doves and White-winged. Cardinals and Golden-fronted Woodpeckers are here most of the day.

Several species of Terns on the PINS beachfront on Sat. May 30,09. Common, both male and female Black, Sandwich and Forresters are shown along with Laughing Gulls in Summer plumage.

Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

Thurs. 28 May, 2009

Dunlin still remain on the Padre Island beachfront as do Common Terns and all of our typical Terns Species including Skimmers. Heading into Corpus Christi upon leaving North Padre Island if you will look at the LAST spoil island on the right side before reaching Flour Bluff there is a large nesting colony of Black Skimmers there. The picture below is a dunlin in breeding plumage.

The Spring neo-tropical migration will continue into early June but it is winding down. Mel Cooksey reports seeing Grey Catbirds, Mourning Warblers, American Redstarts and Swainsons Thrush at Blucher Park in Corpus yesterday. Out here in Flour Bluff it's been Empidonax Flycatchers, Archilochus and Buff-bellied Hummingbirds and we have one nesting Couch's Kingbird in the neighbor's Cottonwood tree. Jay Gardner is getting Less American Goldfinches in the Southern part of Flour Bluff and that is late for these birds here. The Cedar Waxwings have (as of now) not arrived for their annual feasting on our Russian Mulberry Tree and are expected any day. I'm down island the next 4 days and should have some goodies to share when I return.

Have a good weekend. Capt. Billy

Sun. 24 May, 2009

On Sunday, 24 May on PINS I had 142 Red Knots, 1 Canada Warbler, 2 Spotted Sandpipers, 15 Common Terns and the usual. A few Dunlin remain but less all the time and over a thousand Black Terns were observed in groups ranging from 50 - 200 birds. We only went to the 32 mile beach due to the number of beach visitors present. Below is the report Mel Cooksey sent to me.

Mel Cooksey reported sightings of a Red-necked Phalarope female breeding plumage at Birding Center in Port A. A Black-billed Cuckoo at Rose Hill and Paradise Pond. A variety of birds in all migrant traps. Major numbers of empids, Great-crested Flycatchers, Red-eyed Vireos, and all of the late warblers.

Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

Thurs. 21 May, 2009

The highlight of the day is the pictured immature Masked Booby in heavy molt sitting on the beach at the 26 mile beach at 5 p.m. Dunlin remain in high numbers. All typical Tern species are still present including 4 Common Terns. Large numbers of Black Terns remain in flocks of 50 to 150 individuals. 25 Black Skimmers, 41 Red Knots, 60 Brown Pelicans, 2 Green Herons, 30 Cattle Egrets, 4 Spotted Sandpipers, 3 Semipalmated Sandpipers and Snowy, Piping, Wilson's and Blackbellied Plovers were also observed. Sanderlings continue to be present in large flocks of up to 150 individuals but the overall numbers of Ruddy Turnstones and Blackbellied Plover are declining. Most of the Wintering Gulls are gone now except for a few juveniles.

Have a good holiday. Capt. Billy

Mon. 18 May, 2009

On Friday, 15 May, 09, we traveled the length of the PINS beach. Many species have migrated on through the area and are declining in number. Many are already on nests. Sanderlings were observed in several staging flocks of several hundred birds each, 84 Red Knots, 2 Common Terns, all of our typical tern species and 6 Skimmers were observed as were Ruddy Turnstones, Willets, Black-bellied and Snowy Plover and a few remaining Dunlin. 200 Cattle Egrets and 1 Tri-Colored Heron were observed migrating North.

The previously promised Neo-Tropical Fallout for last Sunday and Monday was a good one with many good birds being seen in the local area. Mel Cooksey reported sightings including all 5 of the Empidonax Flycatchers, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler, Canada, Redstarts, Chestnut-sided, Yellow and Baybreasted Warblers. Cedar Waxwings, 1 Black-billed Cuckoo and 2 Western Tanagers. The Western Tanagers have been unusually common this Spring and the two remain at Paradise Pond in Port Aransas as of this writing. White-rumped Sandpipers are also migrating through.

As I write this I see a Grey Cheeked Thrush outside my window. Numerous Archilochus female Hummingbirds, one male Ruby-throated and one Buff-bellied are also present in my yard. Truth of it is that the Spring migration is winding down now and we will see less numbers of species although June is THE month for possibly seeing a very rare Brown Noddy on the beach of PINS. Magnificent Frigatebirds, Masked and Brown Boobies, Pomarine and Parasitic Jaegers, Sooty Shearwaters and Sooty and Bridled Tern are also possible throughout the Summer months. The reality is that one simply never knows what might be encountered birding the PINS beachfront.

Have a good holiday. Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

Wed. 13 May, 2009

We have a Cold Front forecast for Sunday afternoon with winds NE at 15-20 Knots. That should put the water to the dunes Sunday afternoon and should cause a Neo-Tropical Migrant Fallout late Sunday, Monday and maybe Tues.

Good Birding "Ahead". Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

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Sun. 10 May, 2009

We Fished the eastern shoreline of Corpus Christi Bay and Lydia Ann Channel today so it was focused on fishing not birding, but I did see 14 Magnicifient Frigatebirds which included adult males, females and juveniles. 12 were in one group and quite the sight. Numerous wading birds such as White Ibis and Egrets, various tern species and 2 American Oystercatchers.

Back at it in the morning. Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

Wed. 6 May, 2009

Bird Species observed included 159 Red Knots (none tagged) and the same other species as previous recent day lists. Sanderlings are gathering in very large flocks; as are Ruddy Turnstones so I guess they are getting ready to move. Only one Double-crested Cormorant was observed so they've moved North and inland as have the "peep" Sandpipers. 3 White-tailed Deer were observed back island at the 42 mile. Captured a photo of a beautiful adult black-bellied plover in breeding plumage (Pic below on the left). Also, 4 Common Terns were observed which is "uncommon" for our area. The common tern is shorter legged but that black carpal bar (black stripe running down the center of his folded wing) is the best dignostic for the species. (Common tern is in the center of the pic below on the right)

Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

   

Tues. 5 May, 2009

Spent the day on PINS beach from end of pavement to 20 miles South of the pavement studying Red Knots with Audubon. Water was murky to green and bait species and feeding birds were present. Saw one Jack Crevalle of 18 lbs. landed at the 4 wheel drive sign and one big stingray extremely shallow and very probably injured by or hiding from a large shark. Water choppy, no new Sargassum and windy to 29 mph out of the SE. Driving was good to fair.

Species observed included 209 Red Knots (none with tags), many Dulin, Plover species and Terns. Minimin of 600 Black Terns observed North of the 20. Other species as per previous reports with the exception of "peep" sandpipers which see to have moved out. I am noticing a very low presence of Common Tern and as I am told numbers of this species are becoming of concern I fear this lack of sightings could be indictive of that decline in overall population. I am down there today and hope to get far South and update entire beach populations status. Had one male adult Rose-breated Grosbeak and several Archilochus female Hummingbirds along with one adult male ruby-throated and one Buff-bellied Hummingbird in the yard along with Mourning, White-winged and Inca Doves and Golden -fronted Woodpeckers and Cardinals which literally live in my yard daily.

Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

Mon. 4 May, 2009

Mel Cooksey and Ron Weeks co-authored the latest ABA/Lane Birdifind Guide "A Birder's Guide To The Texas Coast." This book is available through ABA, at PINS and I think at Barnes/Nobles Books and is a must for visiting birders. Mel is reknowned for his birding skills and is a life long birder who has served in various positions within the birding community. About 17 years ago he took me under his wing and has been my birding mentor ever since. Since we both loved to fish and I shared his long term interest in genuinely studying the gulls and shorebirds that many birders tend to avoid; it was a natural. I don't take time out to visit much but he called me yesterday afternoon telling me of a massive number of Buff-bellied Sandpipers near Calallan and invited me to join him and I jumped at the chance.

We met at 3:15 p.m. and I was back by 6:00 p.m.; so we birded and traveled a bit less than 3 hrs. 50 species were seen. 900 Buff-bellied Sandpipers were observed on a rather new sod farm on Highway 69 South of Highway 624. Mel says, that is the largest concentration he's heard of occurring in at least the past 40 years. I'm not going to list all 50 species as I have to do a Red Knot Survey on PINS today with Audubon but among the "treats" seen were Pectoral, Stilt and Semi-palmated Sandpipers. Wonderful full breeding plumage Wilson's Phalarope, Dunlin, Black Bellied Plover and American Avocets. Fuluous Whistling Ducks, Diskcissel, Indigo Bunting, Gull-billed Terns, Rosette Spoonbills and Neo-tropical Cormorant and Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs. There are good numbers of Archilochus female, 1 Ruby-throated male and one Buff-bellied Hummingbirds hanging around our yard. Obviously, being able to see the massive group of Buff-bellied Sandpipers made the day. I understand the Surfbird was seen again yesterday on the S. jetty at Port Aransas.

Below are some pictures of the Buff-bellied Sandpipers, 2 are displaying (photo by Jimmy Jackson). The second pic is a beautiful Wilson's Phalarope on the pond at Hazel Bazemore Park.

It's all too good. Capt. Billy

   

Sun. 3 May, 2009

Spent most of the day 45 miles West scouting Knolle Farms as I intend to add inland birding charters to my services offered ONCE WE GET OUT OF THIS CURRENT DROUGHT. The Knolle Farm is quite large and located along the Nueces River on the South side between Corpus Christi and Sandia, Tx. We saw many bird species including Green Jays and Great Kisskadee but the brush country is bone dry and we missed other local specialties such as the Groove-billed Ani; which are common there. We were mid day birding and could have gotten many more species if we had started earlier. Got back to my house in Flour Bluff, Tx. and looking out the window I discovered there were 4 Baltimore Orioles feeding on oranges side by side. As I watched them through binoculars an Indigo Bunting landed on a bush between them and me so I assume we have a bit of a Neo-Tropical Fallout going on. Although I would not have expected it with these steady strong SE winds. You just never know; unless you go.

Good Birding. Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

Sat. 2 May, 2009 Padre Island Nat'l Seashore

Conditions 76-90 degrees Winds to 38 SE 7' Swells. Muddy water. Fresh Sargassum. 1/2 sightseeing trip only went 28 miles past the pavement due to having children on the charter and rough conditions. Species observed: 106 Red Knots between the 12 and 21 mile beach (none tagged), 1 Peregrine harrassing a Herring Gull 20 miles. 31 Cattle Egrets migrating North along with 1 Tri-Colored Heron and 8 Blue-winged Teal.

Thursday April 30, 2009

Stuck at the house with articles and paperwork with SE winds forecast to blow 50 mph. Was really suprised to look out the window and see a Blue Grosbeak. Yard talley for the day so far has included 2 Baltimore Orioles, 1 Indigo Bunting, 1 male and 3 female Painted Buntings, 1 Scarlett Tanager, numerous Archilochus Hummingbirds, 1 ruby-throated male Hummingbird and our first Buff-bellied Hummingbird of the year. This is quite late as we usually would have had a Buff-bellied by early March. One has lived all Summer in our yard for years. We have Purple Martins living in 3 of our 4 Martin Houses.

Several Colonial Waterbird Nesting sites have been abandoned. I hope to be offering inland one day birding trips in the near future in addition to the "Around Town" and PINS birding trips I currently offer.
Good Birding, Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

April 28, 2009

Tues. 28 April, 09' Did a Red Knot survey from Bob Hall Pier to 32 mile beach of PINS. 7' Swells, fresh Sargassum and high SE winds and extremely high tides made for a tough trip. The interest in Red Knots is due to the fact there is very little known about their presence and movements through Texas and while David Newstead has observed one tagged Red Knot I have never seen one in the untold thousands I've observed over the years. Supposedly 1 of every 10 East Coast birds have been tagged and it's really a suprise to those involved with the Red Knot research that we have so many untagged birds migrating through our area.

We observed: 72 Red knots (none tagged), 2 Yellow Crowned Herons, 300 Cattle Egrets migrating and 3 Little Blue Herons migrating. Many Dunlin and all of our usual Terns species are now present in good numbers. Caspian, Royal, Sandwich, Forresters, Common, Gull-billed, Black and Least Terns were observed along with a good supply of Black Skimmers on their nesting colony near the NW end of the raised JFK causeway. There is an unusually large number of Gull-billed Terns on the beach is due to the severity of our current drought which may be causing a lack of inspects. I have never seen the large number of Red-winged Blackbirds stay at our residence in Flour Bluff for the extended period of time they have this year and wonder if this might also be due to the drought. Several Piping-Snowy and Semi-palmated Plover were observed and Wilson's Plover were common. 2 Wimbrel were observed and 4 American Oystercatchers.Sanderlings, Willets and Ruddy Turnstones were in large numbers and often in large groups. Many of the Terns are obviously already paired off.
Good Birding, Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

April 19, 2009

Bird Sighting Report Padre Island National Seashore 04/19/09 Conditions very heavy fog till noon with varying winds speeds and direction up to 30 mph. Temperatures in the 70s and driving a 7 on a scale of 1-10. Seas were 6-7'. Distances are from the end of the pavement.

Species Observed:

Red Knots 251 highest # of year All North of the 24 mile
Franklins Gulls 331 all moving North in groups of 20 to 50
Snowy Egrets 350 resting and moving North
Cattle Egrets 80 resting and moving North
Little Green Heron 1 18 miles
Tri-Colored Heron 2 20 miles
Black Terns 17 First of the season All South of the 30 mile
Dunlin were almost as plentiful as Sanderlings. Most remain in basic plumage. A few beginning To go into breeding plumage
Peeps (Least, Semi-palmated and Western Sandpipers) scattered along the entire beach in fair Numbers. Most single birds.
Peregrine Falcon 1 40 miles in a.m.
Staging flocks of Willets, Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings along entire length of beach
Caspian, Royal, Sandwich, Forrester's and Least Terns in small groups as are Laughing, Ring-billed and Herring Gulls.
Wilson Plover Numerous. Singles up and down the beachfront.
Long-billed Curlews Several sighted. Single individuals
Piping, Semi-palmated and Snowy Plover observed along beachfront.
White-tailed Hawk 1 on highway to PINS
Caracara 2- 19 miles

Stopped at Packery Housing on the way in and observed numerous Orchard Orioles, Archilochus Hummingbirds and one beautiful male Western Tanager. On 04/20/09 Corpus Christi experienced the best Neo-Tropical Fallout this season so far. In my yard in Flour Bluff were 25 Baltimore Orioles, 1 Orchard Oriole, 2 Blue Grosbeaks, 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby Throated Hummingbirds, 1 Indigo Bunting and 1 Wormeating Warbler. Numerous other Warbler species were observed at Blucher Park.

Good Birding, Capt. Billy L. Sandifer

Turtle Report 07/27/09

KEMP'S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE
On July 26, one older Kemp's ridley sea turtle nest was found on the Texas coast, on Quintana Beach. This was at a site found earlier this year, where tracks from the nesting female were found, but a nest could not be located initially.

So far this year, 196 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state):

Bolivar Peninsula 1
Galveston Island 3
Brazoria County, north of Surfside 3
Surfside Beach 0
Quintana Beach 2
Bryan Beach 2
San Bernard Wildlife Refuge 1
Sargent Beach 1
Matagorda Peninsula 3
Matagorda Island 7
San Jose Island 4
Mustang Island 2
Corpus Christ Bay 1
North Padre Island 124, including 117 at Padre Island National Seashore
South Padre Island 33
Boca Chica Beach 9

This sets a new record for the number of Kemp's ridley nests found on the Texas coast during a single year since record keeping efforts began on the Texas coast in the early 1980s. The previous record was 195, set in 2008.

GREEN SEA TURTLE
On July 25, a green sea turtle nest was found on the Texas coast, at Padre Island National Seashore.

So far this year, one green sea turtle nest has been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state):

Padre Island National Seashore 1

Sand Dollars remain in good supply North of the 18 mile beach area. Some Goose-necked Barnacles and a variety of smaller shells are available; notably Pin Shells. The "crucifix" skulls of salt water catfish are very abundant and matted up in large numbers amongst the piles of yellow whipcoral . The Quohag clam shells are really stacking up immediately North of the Port Mansfield jetties. Capt. Billy

Nothing special going on yet in the way of sea shells. We need to get a couple of hard Northers in to have good shelling. Occasional Sand Dollars and Lettered Olives are being found. Look for areas where the sand is black for best finds and items are being brought up from sub surface there and at the Pt. Mansfield jetties. First cold Norther there will be numerous shellfish killed off and shell collecting will improve throughout the Winter months. Capt. Billy

The reason it's been so long since we updated the shelling forecast is there have been very few shells on PINS for some time. The key to finding shells is changes in weather patterns and we don't have a lot of that during the warmer months EXCEPT when we have any type of tropical disturbances in the Gulf. These high wave/tide scenerios kill shell fish and dislodge others and put them on the beach. Behind any high water event is the target time for shell collecting. In the Winter, when we have our first few cold events starfish, Goose-necked Barnacles, Pins Shells and others are killed by the drop in temperature and are available on the beach. Day in and day out the best shelling is within 4 miles of the Port Mansfield jetties. One thing many don't know and others prefer to not pay any attention to is that it is illegal to remove LIVE shellfish from PINS. If you take a shell with the creature still in it alive you kill it. If you take one with a Hermit Crab in it you kill the Hermit Crab. So, leave the living ones to make more for everyone and concentrate on the dead ones. When there are no fresh shells coming in never forget some of the best ones you may ever find may well be on the higher part of the beach where they were swept by high tides and no one ever found them. Enjoy, Capt. Billy

Recently, there have been rumors floating around about some Spanish Reales found near the Mansfield Channel. When the Army Corps of Engineers dredge the channel, the dredging operations historically kick up a few but I've not heard of any truth to these rumors myself. There are and have been very few shells to report. Shelling is usually focused around the jetty area and the last few miles of National Seashore.