The newest addition to nesting is the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. On 5/16, a pair began building their nest in a pecan tree. On 5/19, the female begins the two weeks of sitting on the eggs. After the eggs hatch, the young ones will fletch in 14-16 days.
Ash-throated Flycatchers appear to be nesting in the pecan grove. They are cavity nesters and have selected this stag for nesting.
The warblers have finally arrived throughout the area.
A great number of Dickcissels have returned to the park. They can be seen and heard singing early mornings throughout the park. They will be pairing up and nesting soon.
The spring migration is underway with new birds arriving at the park everyday. Watch the skies overhead to see groups of species moving north to their breeding grounds, such as Franklin's Gulls, Double-crested Cormorants, and various hawks. (Broad-winged Hawks)
A Lesser Nighthawk has returned to the park. For the third year, this nighthawk has rested in the same tree and branch.
A male Red-bellied Woodpecker was heard and seen in the pecan grove today. This is a rare sighting for Bexar County.
The Eastern Bluebirds nest in the park every year. They are cavity nesters and are now very active. Some have been observed carrying insects into their nest which means their eggs have hatched.
Wild Turkeys have returned to the park and can be seen along Cibolo Creek and in the pecan grove.
Black-chinned Hummingbirds are returning to the park. Several males were seen on the feeders at the bird blind.
There are many signs in the park that spring is just around the corner. American Goldfinches feeding on new buds in the tree tops. Some birds are starting to prepare for nesting such as the Ladder-backed Woodpecker.
A pair of Barred Owls have been seen in the area of the pecan grove. They have nested in this area every year. Nice to have them back.
Activity at the blind has been slow during the past month. It's now starting to pick up with 20 species seen yesterday in a couple of hours. Visit "At the Bird Blind" gallery to view recent photos.
There were several groups of Harris's Sparrows within the park today. Also found was a Fox Sparrow. Both species are winter sparrows and uncommon in the county.
An Egyptian Goose was seen on Cibolo Creek for the first time. This brings the total number of species for the park to 229.
Many of the winter sparrows have arrived in the park. They will be staying until spring when they migrate back north to breeding grounds. It's possible to find over ten species of sparrows on any day.
Large groups of Monarchs are migrating through the park. They can be seen hanging from the branches of the pecan trees in the woodlands area.
Today there was a red-shafted Northern Flicker near the first parking lot. We usually have yellow-shafted Northern Flickers in Bexar County so this find is a rare species. Also, there were an estimated 400 Swainson's Hawks flying overhead, migrating to the south this morning.
Today a male Red-bellied Woodpecker was seen in the pecan grove. This is a rare sighting for Bexar County. Last October, the park had a female Red-bellied which stayed for several months.
A Coral Snake was seen this morning crossing the road near the bird blind path. Be careful where you step!
Today a Vermilion Flycatcher was photographed at the park. This is the first time this species has been verified as being in the park and brings the total numbers of birds species to 227 for the park.
Cibolo Creek is on the rise from recent rains. With deeper water, the kingfishers are moving up and down the creek more often. Today the Ringed Kingfisher was heard and seen along the creek near the picnic tables.
A Bell's Vireo was photographed at the bird blind today. This is a first sighting and new species for the park.
The area around the bird blind is getting more active as fall approaches. There are two Yellow-billed Cuckoos visiting the bird baths several times a day. Yellow Warblers, Eastern Bluebirds, and Orchard Orioles are also visiting. A juvenile Mississippi Kite was seen overhead migrating to the south. Visit the bird blind gallery to view more photos from the blind.
For about two months, we have been seeing a White-tailed Deer orphan fawn roaming the park between the first and second parking lots. The fawn will sometimes come into the bird feeding area to drink from the bird baths. Today the fawn was seen in the pecan grove. Nice to know its doing well.
The Lesser Nighthawk has been sitting in its usual spot in the tree near the restrooms for the last five days.
The high temperatures and lack of rain have caused most of the park's wildflowers to stop blooming. This Pipevine Swallowtail has discovered a new source for food.
Boy Scout Troop 627 from Schertz enjoyed an overnight adventure at the park. This family outing of over fifty are participating in activities to help the scouts earn their badges. Link to photos Troop 627.
Today a Ringed Kingfisher was seen along Cibolo Creek. This is considered a rare sighting during this time of the year.
A Diamondback Rattlesnake is still coming into the bird feeding area. It was spotted Monday evening and again on Tuesday at noon coiled by the large bird bath in the center of the feeding area. A warning sign has been posted to make visitors aware and to use caution when visiting the blind.
The Tawny Emperor butterflies are beginning their mating flights among the Hackberry trees. Ten to twenty pairs can be seen flying around each tree throughout the park. The Hackberry is the host plant for this butterfly; meaning the female will lay eggs on the leaves and when hatched, the caterpillars will feed on the leaves.
A Diamondback Rattlesnake was found today hiding in the tall grass out in the feeding area. The seeds from the feeders not only attract birds but other small mammals such as mice. The rattlesnake was lying in wait for its next meal.
Over the last month, many species of grasshoppers have been hatching and are now very visible throughout the park. The Spotted Bird Grasshopper has invaded by the thousands and devouring the Hops Trees along Lakeview Drive. To read more about this, go to the new article Grasshopper Life Cycle.
Many of the grasses and wildflowers in the park are beginning to produce seeds. The Harvester Ants are busy collecting seeds and taking them down into their nest. These seeds are a major food source for the ants as well as some insects.
The rare Buff-bellied Hummingbird is still being seen at the bird blind. This bird has now stayed for thirteen days. Black-chinned Hummingbirds are abundant this year and nesting throughout the park. Young hummers will be fledging over the next several weeks.
Today we had a rare visitor on the feeders at the bird blind. The Buff-bellied Hummingbird is normally found along the coast and in the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas. The hummer was first spotted on the feeder early in the morning and remained in the area for the rest of the day.
A Black-headed Grosbeak was found in a pecan tree along the creek on May 5th. This species is considered rare for Bexar County.
Also a second new bird was added to the park's bird list; a Chuck-will's-widow seen on May 6th by Doug Begole.
There was evidence this past week that a pair of Barred Owls did nest in the park again this year. One of the adult owls was photographed with a fresh kill. Nearby was one of the owlets waiting for breakfast.
For the last several days, there have been hundreds of Cedar Waxwings feeding on the fruit of Red Mulberry trees. Standing under the trees, you can actually hear them crunching on the berries.
The number of caterpillars in the trees has also increased during the last week. Its interesting to watch the birds catch the caterpillars then beat them against the tree before swallowing them. Here's a Carolina Wren with his meal.
During migration, one should always watch the skies above for a few surprises. Crescent Bend is in a migratory path for hawks and water birds. Today there were Broad-winged Hawks and Swainson's Hawks moving east. These hawks are just starting to migrate so there will be more in the weeks ahead.
The real surprise was a group of 47 Franklin's Gulls.
Now that migration is here, we're starting to see the return of many birds at our favorite parks. We know some of these birds are the same ones returning from years past. Last summer and fall we found several Lesser Nighthawks sitting in the same spots in the same trees everyday at the park for more than a month. Some may remember the nighthawk in the elm tree near the restroom. Yesterday I looked up and there sits the nighthawk. Sitting in the same tree, the same limb, the same spot where we saw it last fall. I find that amazing.
Here are photos of the nighthawk. The first was taken on 4/9/14 and the second on 8/31/13.
A mated pair of Red-shouldered Hawks have established their territory at the north end of the park. Yesterday they were observed attacking a larger bird in one of the trees on the edge of the open field. They were soon joined by three American Crows. After ten minutes of attacking, the larger bird, a Great Horned Owl, was dislodged from the tree and flew off towards the creek as it was chased by the crows. Red-shouldered Hawks will drive Great Horned Owls out of their territory during breeding due to the fact the owls will steal the nestlings from the hawk's nest.
Wild Turkeys are roaming the areas around the picnic tables. Also another group is heard and seen down at the creek near the bridge.
Wildflowers began to bloom throughout the park in March. Visit the "Wildflower" gallery to see photos of what's in bloom.