![]() |
Magnificent Frigatebird |
Thursday was another spectacular day. We did not see high numbers of species but we did get to see some rare ones. Our morning started early at Norias, a southern section of King Ranch. Our goal for the day was to find the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl which nests on the ranch, the Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, and the Tropical Parula.
As soon as we arrived we heard the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl sing. Its song is a continuous series of rapidly repeated, slightly rising, whistled notes: pwip pwip pwip (as explained by David Sibley in the Eastern Field guide). Within seconds the owl flew up and perched itself for a long time giving all of us a clear look at this adorable small owl. I particularly enjoyed seeing its false eyes on the back of its head.
![]() |
Vermillion Flycatcher |
![]() |
Tropical Parula |
Finally, at our last spot, we heard the Tropical Parula! After a good amount of searching I spotted the bird! It cooperated and stayed still long enough for everyone to view it through the scope. It was tremendously gorgeous! Then we thought we heard another one, but what we were hearing was a Northern Parula which sounds very similar but with Tom and Brian's trained ear they knew it was not the tropical. We never got a good look but sound was enough to identify it. It was a perfect way to end a wonderful day of birding.
Darcie didn't make it to Rockport as she stayed back to take care of a sick member of the group. Other species seen there included oystercatchers, roseate spoonbills, great blue, little blue, tricolor herons, great, snowy & red egrets, brown pelicans, herring, ring bill & laughing gulls-the latter doing a lot of fornicating and then enjoying a cigarette.
ReplyDelete