December Bird Walk at the San Marcos Aquatic Resource Center

The first Saturday bird walk was well-attended as 26 birders met at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife facility on McCarty Lane. Most impressive were the pair of Harriers hunting the grasslands for a small snack. They flew low over the tall grass and turned and wheeled over the open fields.

The area with its open grasslands and pond with cattails draws different birds than the Hill Country. Killdeer and Loggerhead Shrikes are noticeable before leaving the car. The walk to the pond brings the sparrows, Meadowlark and Red-wing Blackbirds. At the pond we witness the Marsh Wrens, Pipit, Great Blue Herons and Great Egret.

The monthly walk, sponsored by the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance, is ably led by Stephen Ramirez and Colton Robbins.

Great Blue Heron  2
Great Egret  1
Black Vulture  1

Northern Harrier  2

Red-tailed Hawk  2
Killdeer  6
Wilson’s Snipe  2
Crested Caracara  2
Eastern Phoebe  1
Loggerhead Shrike  3
Marsh Wren  2     Pair chasing each other through the cattails on the pond. Heard singing and calling.
Carolina Wren  1
European Starling  1
American Pipit  2
Common Yellowthroat  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1
Savannah Sparrow  14
Song Sparrow  1

Lincoln’s Sparrow  2

Western/Eastern Meadowlark  8
Red-winged Blackbird  40
Brown-headed Cowbird  1
Common Grackle  1
Great-tailed Grackle  3

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S40866521