Sunday morning Dee and I went over to Paul Rushing Park to see which ducks had moved in.
On the way we stopped to watch a flyover of 17 Sandhill Cranes, a species I'd somehow managed never to see before in Harris County.
We also had to stop to move a turtle off the roadway.
The weather was glorious.
No sooner had we reached the park than a flock of 8 Long-billed Curlews flew in.
What beautiful birds they are!
The grassy areas had the usual Red-winged Blackbirds, Great-tailed Grackles, Killdeer and Eastern Meadowlarks (below), as well as a flock of American Pipits.
The ponds were very busy with scores of American Coots and half-a-dozen duck species, including some Northern Pintails (below).
Several Wilson's Snipes flew off before I could get a photo but an American Pipit was too absorbed in checking out the handrail of one of the boardwalks to notice us.
There were surprisingly few large wading birds: We saw only a couple of Great Egrets and a Great Blue Heron(below).
Ending the Year
My final birding outing of 2013 was a half-mile drive over to the Fairwood Retention Pond on Huffmeister to see if the pair of Bald Eagles that nested there in the Spring had returned.
I was thrilled to see that both adult birds were hanging out around their huge nest, so presumably they'll be re-using the nest again in 2014.
OOOH!We had planned to go to Paul Rushing yesterday but had to postpone at the last minute. I'm hoping we'll be able to go on Friday. You have whetted my appetite!
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of ducks there, including some Canvasbacks!
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon this blog looking to identify wintering hawks in Katy. I am interested in finding out more about this eagles nest. It is one of my husband's birding goals to see a Bald Eagle in the wild.
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon this blog looking to identify wintering hawks in Katy. I am interested in finding out more about this eagles nest. It is one of my husband's birding goals to see a Bald Eagle in the wild.
ReplyDeleteThe eagles are nesting in the tall trees on the east side of the retention pond. From junction with Telge, drive south 0.5 miles on Huffmeister. Opposite Bergenia Drive turn left onto a short patch of road (where a decorated truck advertises collectibles). Park at the end of the road and look at the trees across the pond and to your right. You will see a huge nest atop one of the trees.
ReplyDeletePLEASE don't walk over to the trees: Eagles are easily spooked and may abandon the site for ever.