Port Aransas Nature Preserve South 2016-08-15

On Aug 15, 2016 I spent about 3 hours on the southern extension of the Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture, starting at about 11:00 AM. Here are some highlights:

Just about the whole time Black Terns flew over heading ESE, in groups ranging from 2 to 25 birds. I estimated seeing over 130.

Near the observation tower I watched juvenile Red-winged Blackbirds begging from and get fed by a female. I realized that one of the begging birds looked and sounded different. It turned out to be a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird! I guess having a cowbird chick in the nest doesn't necessarily mean none of the others will survive?

I was excited to find a beautiful tiger beetle near the end of the trail. See the attached observation. Does anyone know what kind it is?

On my way back two coyotes barked and howled at me as I got closer to them. They stopped after I'd passed them. Does anyone know why they'd do this? Was I close to a den with pups maybe? By this time my camera's battery had run out but I got this photo with my iPhone through my spotting scope:

Here's my complete eBird list. And see the attached observations.

Publicado el 16 de agosto de 2016 a las 09:55 PM por mikaelb