July NASWC Bird Walk

It was a cool, overcast morning for the July NASWC Bird Walk. Four of us had a pleasant walk around the T&C playing fields and found 30 species of birds. The highlight was getting 2 great looks at a Bronzed Cowbird. We clearly saw the bronzy color, puffed out neck feathers, and bright red eyes. This bird has been expanding its range northward from south Texas over the years. We also saw Snowy Egrets, American Robins (mostly juveniles), Eastern Phoebes, and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. At the eastern-most creek crossing I took this picture of a family of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. The adults were making forays out to catch bugs and then delivering them back to juveniles, who could fly on their own but were still getting fed by their parents.

At the same spot we found this soft-shelled turtle. Look at the snout on that thing. What a beast!