EXPLORING NATURE: BIRD SIGHTINGS

I am enjoying birds of all sizes at my place. A tiny black-chinned hummingbird feeds at my sugar-water feeder on the back deck while down below, a large black vulture stands on my birdbath and sips the water.

My wet-weather creek, thanks to recent rain, is bubbling along, and I marvel at the torrent of water rushing along. How does that much water get stored up from one five-inch rain?

While I am mostly restricted to black vultures, black-chinned hummers and an assortment of house sparrows, black-crested titmice and Carolina wrens, other folks in this area are chalking up some rare sightings.

In Travis County, there have been reports of a groove-billed ani at Bastrop State Park, a red-headed woodpecker was seen and at Cibolo Nature Center a black-billed cuckoo was identified. A western tanager showed up in Gonzales and a whimbrel was seen at Belton Lake.

What are you seeing as spring turns into summer? With 9,000 bird species, the possibilities boggle the mind. I well remember when Vic Fandrich saw a blue-throated hummingbird at his home in Wimberley. He was kind enough to invite me over for a peek and it was a great experience to see that rare bird.

Whether you are seeing unusual birds or familiar favorites, I wish you bountiful birding.