I'm still catching up on posts from April. This is as much a personal scrapbook / photo album documenting my journey along the Texas wildlife trails as anything else, so I want to include each and every site I've visited so far. I'm thinking of having it turned into one of those books I see advertised at the end of each year. Has anyone done that?
The first photos were taken at the Connie Hagar Wildlife Sanctuary, which the map suggests visiting on the way to site 51.
From the tiny parking lot , I observed a Willet, Laughing Gulls, Brown Pelicans, and a Mottled Duck.
Even now I keep checking my books to make sure he's a Laughing Gull. He's missing the large white wingtip spots of a Franklin's Gull, though. I never knew there were so many types of gulls.
These last two photos were taken on the grounds of the Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary. Connie Hagar seems to be well known to the birders in this area. She and her husband owned and operated a motel here, the Rockport Cottages, in the 1930's and she was responsible for putting this area on the map. Apparently, before she alerted the birding world, no one knew about the migratory flyways on the Texas Gulf Coast.
I found no kiosk or daily bird list, even though the map mentions them. I did identify several species, including a new one for me - the Magnolia Warbler. I didn't get any good photos of the birds, but the trails and flowers are pretty enough.
The guide map also mentions that Rockport is the base for boats that visit the feeding grounds of Whooping Cranes and nesting islands for colonial waterbirds. I did not have the time or the funds for such a tour on this trip, but I will be back.
4/27/2014, early morning
CTC051
Overcast
80's
Species Identified: Willet, Laughing Gull, Brown Pelican, Mottled Duck, Eurasian Collared-dove, Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Magnolia Warbler, Great-tailed Grackle, European Starling, Great Egret, Roseated Spoonbill, Northern Mockingbird
I'm linking with Our World Tuesday this week.
Great photos - it looks like a really good place to visit. Thanks for your comments on my blog and I think Terns have the same names all around the world.
ReplyDeleteI really like the last one with the flowers! Wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteMy family used to go to Rockport for family vacations when I was little. Brings back the memories. I really enjoy your photos. Keep up the trip reports.
ReplyDeleteThe Laughing Gull looks rather like it is wearing eye make-up and lipstick! Cute. The Texas photos take me back, I used to go to Corpus Christi on field trips. So many birds you saw, that is quite a list!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy shore birds.....the wildflowers are so beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, loved the birds and the wildflowers.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that picture of the gull :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. I am now back in the land of humidity and such bird life.
ReplyDeleteWillet eat some little clams?
ReplyDeleteI bet it will!
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Wonderful photos. That's the thing about those danged gulls! In fact, all the critters have twins! Or triplets! My caterpillars have been the perfect example.
ReplyDeleteI looove the photo of the wildflowers!
ReplyDeleteTexas has the best birding anywhere -- we absolutely LOVED it when we spent some winters there. (One in Rockport -- we've been to this sanctuary) and several in Port Aransas. You are so lucky to be able to do what you're doing. Thanks for sharing and for the memories; I look forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteGulls can be a real challenge! We only have 3 resident species - and almost no rarities - so its a bit easier here.
ReplyDeleteThe Iron Beach did have a bit of life on it - much of the slag is pretty inert, so it's more of a eye sore than a pollution problem.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne