Birding Trip in Hayes County

We started the hike with a Painted Bunting and ended it listening to a Golden-cheeked warbler (song and sighting, no photo). We

These were serious birders familiar with their area. We were novices...all the way. It was a rich day with saw many of the usual suspects whether birds, bugs, plants, and flowers and a number of firsts - our first porcupine (and then there were two!); a first Summer Tanager; and a long list of first plants. I suppose the most exciting first had to be the Golden-cheeked warbler. We heard it in both locations and saw it streak by at the end of our outing.

There were also hundreds of Antelope Horns Milkweed plants. We observed a number of adult Monarchs, but I never got a photo. A single Monarch caterpillar clung to a plant in one spot. I had to stop checking the plants - there were too many and I was BIRD WATCHING. Still many of the insects observed were on the milkweed - a ladybug, hairstreak, many Large milkweed bug, ants, and a rather scary true bug with coloring almost mimicking that of the milkweed bug.

[I took a little survey over lunch - there were current Texas Master Naturalists from 3 chapters, Native Plant Society folks, Audubon Society members, and former Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Campfire girls attending.]

Posted on 28 April, 2018 03:38 by alflinn329