Birds today

Went down to the oasis today. Saw 41 species in the little time I had to watch between chores. The highlights for me were lots of Lark Buntings, a Field Sparrow, Cardinal (while I have lots of Pyrrhuloxias, I seldom get Cardinals),

          and here's a female Rufous Hummingbird.

Summer residents are still arriving. Now have Bell's Vireo and Ash-throated Flycatcher. Sage Thrasher still around.

Alpine ducks

I noticed that pair of Mexican Ducks is still hanging around (see post of Feb 2, 2011). We have a pair of domestic ducks also, and we've found quite a few duck eggs in the ponds. I don't know which ducks laid the eggs. So today I tried to construct my first duck nest tunnel. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. I know next to nothing about it but it would be so cool to have baby Mexican Ducks running around.

Any advice on how I can improve the nest will be appreciated.

Lovely pre-spring day

Came down from Alpine early this morning hoping to take video clips of the Lucifer courtship displays. After I gave up near noon, and was a ways away, I heard the display briefly. Got there too late. Maybe tomorrow.

Because of the many past dry months I'm rationing water. However, I can't resist putting the sprinkler under a couple of cottonwoods and mulberry trees. It brings so many birds in to drink too. Mulberry below.

If we don't get another freeze this spring there will be lots of mulberries for migrants.

A lovely full moon tonight.

Courtship under way at CMO

Lucifer males are starting to display to the females. This one displayed to two different females this morning. One of them ran for cover.

 Kelly Bryan took a much better photo of the display here last year which you can see on his website http://westtexashummingbirds.com/

CMO very birdy today

It was a surprise to see both the male and female Lucifer Hummingbirds this morning for the first time this year. I had expected the male to arrive first. The only Black-chinned Hummingbirds here are the males.

There are the usual large number of sparrows for this time of year. Among them I located a Field Sparrow, several Brewer's, Lincoln's, Black-chinned, and some I'm not sure what they are.

I love Green-tailed Towhees and since they'll be leaving soon I thought I better take a photo of one.

I saw the badger that was seen by the Dortch's a couple of days ago (see Mar 10th post). I assume the Elf Owls have arrived even though I haven't seen or heard them yet. They don't call every night and I haven't looked for them in the evening. It's getting exciting around here.

Spring is springing

The phainopeplas were nowhere to be seen but the electric company is very visible, still doing their thing. My mantra has become "this too shall pass."

A few new birds have shown up, such as this first-of-season Scott's Oriole.

The Sage Thrasher is still around, which was a lifer for David and Carrie Dortch, who visited yesterday. They got this photo of a badger near one of my water features.

A Black-chinned Sparrow has been around all winter. This photo, taken at quite a distance,  is just a documentary shot.

I heard a male Black-chinned hummingbird. Yes, indeed, spring is springing.

Phainopeplas

male Phainopepla

The electric company is still working on my place. I had so hoped they'd be done by now. Shortly after daybreak today, SUNDAY, no less, they were loudly putting up a new bigger pole beside my guesthouse where a few weeks ago they had replaced the previous pole. I guess the previous replacement pole wasn't tall enough. This too shall pass. Or so I keep telling myself.

 At least by working long hours 7 days a week they should be through quicker, which will benefit the Elf Owls. My reasoning is that they'll have all the old poles down so the owls won't try to nest in them. Woodpeckers won't have time to excavate new holes, but not to worry, I have my place fully out-fitted with nesting options. Just hung two more last week.

Great weather today

Driving down from Alpine I saw a fire on Cienega Mountain (south of Cathedral Mountain).

The electric company is still working in my area. I'll be so glad when they're through and no equipment going up and down the road, and some quiet.... The new heavier cable sure stands out in the early morning light.