Much to learn and observe — BioBlitz

Annie Wagner’s drawing of the Least Grebe

   We had excellent hike leaders ready to impart a wealth of knowledge to curious minds. David and Ann Wormer led the birding hike along Tex’s Trail and through the Berms. The list of birds they observed or heard is impressive.  Also impressive was Annie’s drawing of the Least Grebe, one of a pair floating peacefully on the pond.
  Mosquitoes were not the anticipated problem and the only rain was a brief shower at the start of the 9 a.m. event.
   Minnette Marr led the plant walk as the youngsters recorded their observations on iNaturalist and took photos. Mostly of wildflowers but many other discoveries including a goodly number of insects and even a frog or two.
   There was no reason to get hungry as Adam Salcedo led the edible plant walk and talked about the many tasty plants growing along the path. Some hikers indulged in taking a taste.
  The birding list is below and recorded on eBird, checklist S29831595.
  The iNaturalist observations were recorded under the Texas Geo Project.
  The morning event left time for everyone to continue their journey or head out for weekend chores.
— LJ (Photos on our Facebook page)

Bird Observations

Ringtail Ridge, Hays, Texas, US
May 21, 2016 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.5 mile(s)
Comments:     Bio blitz for San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance
44 species (+1 other taxa)
 
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck  2
Least Grebe  2     2 adult birds located within a little pond known on the 
map as "Blood Pit"  Seen well through a scope by all individuals. 
Initially spotted by a 10 year old girl on my walk named Annie, as," 
there are two small birds on the water"! Put digital camera on scope and
took some pictures that are identifiable but not beautiful! Waiting for
them to be e-mailed to me.The kids loved seeing the small size and 
yellow eyes!!
Great Egret  2     Flew over
Green Heron  3
Black Vulture  X
Turkey Vulture  X
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  1     Flew over
White-winged Dove  X
Mourning Dove  X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo  2
Chimney Swift  4
Black-chinned Hummingbird  2
Crested Caracara  1
Empidonax sp.  1     Seen very briefly. Had white eye ring and wing bars and that is all the detail that could be seen
Eastern Phoebe  X
Ash-throated Flycatcher  2
Western Kingbird  3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher  4
White-eyed Vireo  3
American Crow  2
Common Raven  2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow  X
Purple Martin  X
Barn Swallow  X
Cliff Swallow  X
Cave Swallow  X
Carolina Chickadee  X
Black-crested Titmouse  X
Verdin  2     Calling
Carolina Wren  X
Bewick's Wren  X
Northern Mockingbird  X
European Starling  X
Cedar Waxwing  14
Mourning Warbler  1     heard only one but could not see him
Yellow Warbler  1     beautiful singing male seen by all the kids
Summer Tanager  X
Northern Cardinal  X
Painted Bunting  X     several singing males, one of them a "first year" male
Great-tailed Grackle  X
Brown-headed Cowbird  X
House Finch  X
Lesser Goldfinch  X
House Sparrow  X     from nearby apartment complex