Port Aransas Nature Preserve South 2016-08-15

On Aug 15, 2016 I spent about 3 hours on the southern extension of the Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture, starting at about 11:00 AM. Here are some highlights:

Just about the whole time Black Terns flew over heading ESE, in groups ranging from 2 to 25 birds. I estimated seeing over 130.

Near the observation tower I watched juvenile Red-winged Blackbirds begging from and get fed by a female. I realized that one of the begging birds looked and sounded different. It turned out to be a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird! I guess having a cowbird chick in the nest doesn't necessarily mean none of the others will survive?

I was excited to find a beautiful tiger beetle near the end of the trail. See the attached observation. Does anyone know what kind it is?

On my way back two coyotes barked and howled at me as I got closer to them. They stopped after I'd passed them. Does anyone know why they'd do this? Was I close to a den with pups maybe? By this time my camera's battery had run out but I got this photo with my iPhone through my spotting scope:

Barking Coyotes - 1

Here's my complete eBird list. And see the attached observations.

Posted on 16 August, 2016 21:55 by mikaelb mikaelb

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

August 15, 2016 01:40 PM CDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

August 15, 2016 12:52 PM CDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

August 15, 2016 12:51 PM CDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Coastal Tiger Beetle (Ellipsoptera hamata)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

August 15, 2016 01:08 PM CDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Coyote (Canis latrans)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

August 15, 2016 01:22 PM CDT

Description

On my way back from the end of the trail on the southern extension of the Port Aranasas Nature Preserve, two coyotes started barking and howling at me from about 100 yards away. After I passed them at the closest point and started walking away from them, they stopped. Does anyone know why they'd do this? Was I near a den with pups maybe?

Photos / Sounds

What

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

August 15, 2016 12:15 PM CDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

August 15, 2016 12:16 PM CDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

August 15, 2016 12:14 PM CDT

Description

This is the cowbird I saw begging from a female Red-winged Blackbird along with two juvenile Red-wings.

Photos / Sounds

What

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

August 15, 2016 11:36 AM CDT

Description

This severely molting Red-winged Blackbird was eating seeds on this Silverleaf Sunflower plant.

Photos / Sounds

What

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)

Observer

mikaelb

Date

August 15, 2016 11:27 AM CDT

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