Katy Prairie

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I didn't have much time to visit the Katy Prairie last week but I did manage a quick drive along Longenbaugh and Sharp Road and a drop-in at Paul Rushing Park.

Longenbaugh was busy with Red-winged Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cowbirds, and there were also a few Brewer's Blackbirds.

Savannah and Vesper Sparrows appeared as expected but a White-tailed Hawk was a pleasant surprise.

Sharp Road had more Savannah and Vesper Sparrows plus a couple of Clay-colored Sparrows, an uncommon bird in our area.

The grass around the easternmost parking lot in Paul Rushing Park was full of birds, of which Eastern Meadowlarks were the most common.

 

More than a dozen American Pipits were grazing and several came within feet of my car.

 

I always feel a visit to Paul Rushing is worthwhile if I see some Horned Larks, because they are such pretty little birds. On this visit I counted seven. Unfortunately, though, they tend to be wary of cars and people and so I ended up with mediocre photos of them.

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