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Hi all,
Thought you might enjoy reading an article in the Bellaire Examiner from July 9th, 09.
Go to www.examinernews.com Immediately to the right of the title, you'll see a search box. Type in "Willow Waterhole" and you'll turn up an article entitled, "Life's for the Birds at Willow Waterhole." All this is taking place in my neighborhood, but I haven't had a chance to see the Retention Basin near here with all the birds that are described in the article, as they've taken residence in that revived nature area. It's just tucked behind some trees that I pass up most every time I drive anywhere.
If you're interested in how all this partnering on this project came about, there are links that will tell you more about it. The federal government's part in all this has to do with flood control, but the community is working to make these areas beautiful and useful for more than just catching water.
Yours, Luce
Bird and nature lovers/ Very interesting concept
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Here's a direct link to the article:
http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/ ... wbirds.txt
They seem to be surprised at the number of hawks there. I don't understand why that would be surprising - it's a bird buffet.
That's a neat little built-in slide show.
Thanks for sharing.
Tex
http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/ ... wbirds.txt
They seem to be surprised at the number of hawks there. I don't understand why that would be surprising - it's a bird buffet.
That's a neat little built-in slide show.
Thanks for sharing.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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kscolorado
- Adélie Penguin
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Wayne,
Could be the type of hawk it is -- not the kind we see behind the house, at least.
By the way, a birder friend (from out of state) told me recently that she thought we must be the furtherest north that those laughing ducks mentioned are found.
I thought you might know whether they are found further into the state since you know alot about critters.
Luce
Could be the type of hawk it is -- not the kind we see behind the house, at least.
By the way, a birder friend (from out of state) told me recently that she thought we must be the furtherest north that those laughing ducks mentioned are found.
I thought you might know whether they are found further into the state since you know alot about critters.
Luce
Luce,
Cooper's hawks seem to prefer forested areas more than the open areas frequented by most species of hawks, because they're better adapted for flying at high speed though foliage. Since about 80% of their diet is birds, you'll find them where birds are plentiful, and urban and suburban sightings are becoming more and more common, I believe. I see them around here, now and then, close to the house, but I live out in the country, of course, and a small tree-lined creek, runs right next to the yard.
Those Black-bellied whistling ducks are mostly residents of South Texas, Mexico, and South America. Houston is about as far East as they are found, (but they do breed in a small local area on the coast of southern Louisiana, about half-way across the state). Apparently, they range over to the Houston area, from the valley, because of the abundance of rice fields. I also always thought that Houston was about as far north as they range, but I looked it up, and according to the experts, they also range northward from the valley, following the narrow strip of blackland farm land, that runs from south of San Antonio, along and east of I35, up to about Paris, Texas. Presumably, the reason why they inhabit that area, is because this is where most of the corn acreage is found in Texas, (except for all the corn in the Panhandle, of course), and they love corn. I live in the middle of that blackland strip, but if I have ever seen one of those ducks around here, I failed to recognize it, so they aren't exactly common, outside of Mexico and South America, (they're very common in Brazil, of course). I don't know how common they are around Houston, but I would have to say that they certainly aren't very common where I live.
Wayne
Cooper's hawks seem to prefer forested areas more than the open areas frequented by most species of hawks, because they're better adapted for flying at high speed though foliage. Since about 80% of their diet is birds, you'll find them where birds are plentiful, and urban and suburban sightings are becoming more and more common, I believe. I see them around here, now and then, close to the house, but I live out in the country, of course, and a small tree-lined creek, runs right next to the yard.
Those Black-bellied whistling ducks are mostly residents of South Texas, Mexico, and South America. Houston is about as far East as they are found, (but they do breed in a small local area on the coast of southern Louisiana, about half-way across the state). Apparently, they range over to the Houston area, from the valley, because of the abundance of rice fields. I also always thought that Houston was about as far north as they range, but I looked it up, and according to the experts, they also range northward from the valley, following the narrow strip of blackland farm land, that runs from south of San Antonio, along and east of I35, up to about Paris, Texas. Presumably, the reason why they inhabit that area, is because this is where most of the corn acreage is found in Texas, (except for all the corn in the Panhandle, of course), and they love corn. I live in the middle of that blackland strip, but if I have ever seen one of those ducks around here, I failed to recognize it, so they aren't exactly common, outside of Mexico and South America, (they're very common in Brazil, of course). I don't know how common they are around Houston, but I would have to say that they certainly aren't very common where I live.
Wayne
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Wayne,
That sort of backs up what my birder friend said. Thanks for all that information! I'm still a novice at all this, but I've had lots of help whenever I've spotted alot of birds. Unfortunately, this isn't in the safest area to just venture out on my own. Maybe there will eventually be enough birders in the "park" when it's complete that I'll feel safer going there, or else there will be people patrolling the area on a regular basis.
Shirley,
Are you talking about Pennsylvania now or Fla? I think I read that you'd had an accident and were delayed in getting to Fla? Maybe I'll send you a message some day by carrier laughing duck since they visit both places!
Don't you just love trees!!! Luce
That sort of backs up what my birder friend said. Thanks for all that information! I'm still a novice at all this, but I've had lots of help whenever I've spotted alot of birds. Unfortunately, this isn't in the safest area to just venture out on my own. Maybe there will eventually be enough birders in the "park" when it's complete that I'll feel safer going there, or else there will be people patrolling the area on a regular basis.
Shirley,
Are you talking about Pennsylvania now or Fla? I think I read that you'd had an accident and were delayed in getting to Fla? Maybe I'll send you a message some day by carrier laughing duck since they visit both places!
Don't you just love trees!!! Luce
Hi Luce,
At the time of that post, I was in Pa. I did have an accident last Sat. but only delayed my trip by one day. Probably should have delayed it longer, but had apts to keep.
Yea.... I'll be waiting for that message.
Love, Shirley
At the time of that post, I was in Pa. I did have an accident last Sat. but only delayed my trip by one day. Probably should have delayed it longer, but had apts to keep.
Yea.... I'll be waiting for that message.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill