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Selected Bird Reports, July 2005
July is a transition month; local breeding is generally finished (first brood anyway) but it is too early for significant passerine migration. Returning shorebirds and post-breeding wanderers usually provide the excitement during July. This year was no exception.

Many observers noted flotillas of baby Black-bellied Whistling Ducks on many local waters. Blue-winged Teal were also present throughout the month (m.o.) at Mitchell Lake and Lake Calaveras, but breeding was not confirmed. Somewhat more unusual was a male Redhead at Calaveras Lake on the 26th (BD) and a female plumaged Ruddy Duck at Mitchell Lake on the same day (BD). A Mottled Duck was found at Mitchell Lake on the 13th (MR).

Least Grebe continue on ponds around the area, but 1 at Southside Lions Park on the 6th (GS) may be new for the site. A Brown Pelican at Mitchell Lake on the 20th appears to have been a “one day wonder”. White Pelicans increased at Mitchell Lake throughout the month (m.o.). White-Faced Ibis (3rd, MC) and White Ibis (16th, MC) are expected during the late summer, and continued throughout the month. Roseate Spoonbill are also expected and were present at multiple sites (m.o.) reaching a high count of approximately 20 at Mitchell Lake (MC). Wood Stork were reported on the 2nd (DE, Mitchell Lake ) and the 8th (HR, Evans Lake). Several observers reported Swainson’s Hawk in the general area bounded by the airport, Quarry Market and Nacogdoches. A Cooper’s Hawk was reported from Camp Bullis on the 9th (LL) and a Harris’s Hawk was reported at Mitchell Lake, also on the 9th.

Shorebird migration is one of the highlights of July, and it started early with a Willet reported at Mitchell Lake on the 2nd and American Avocets and Lesser Yellowlegs reported from Evans Lake on the 3rd (HR). Altogether, 16 shorebird species were reported in Bexar County during the month, including a Snowy Plover at Mitchell Lake on the 29th (BD). A second-year Franklin’s Gull at Mitchell Lake on the 6th (MR) and a Least Tern there on the 26th (BD) were unexpected.

Eurasian Collared-Doves are sporadic in Bexar County, so one reported at Government Canyon SNA on the 19th (GS, HR, CH) is a good find. Monk Parakeets continue to be reported in the area around Rt. 281 and Loop 1604, and as far south as Rt. 281 and Thousand Oaks (AG, GL). One highlight of summer is the Groove-billed Anis at Mitchell Lake. This year breeding was confirmed when an active nest was found on the 25th (HR). Common Poorwill are difficult to find in Bexar County, so one flying up off the road in mid-morning at Mitchell Lake on the 26th (BD) was a real treat. Presumably the same bird was also seen on the 31st (HR). The first Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the season was reported on the 29th (LL) but they were widespread by the end of the month (m.o.)

A Black Phoebe at Mitchell Lake on the 17th (CMc) is very unusual for the summer. Six Ash-throated Flycatchers reported at Avenue A on the 3rd (MC) is a large number. A Brown-crested Flycatcher was well studied by the SAAS field trip to Mitchell Lake on the 31st. Continued presence of a male Vermilion Flycatcher at Mitchell Lake throughout the month, and a streaky-breasted juvenile there on the 31st (m.o.) suggests possible breeding. A Common Raven at Government Canyon on the 19th (GS, HR, CH) was welcome, as were the 3 Canyon Wrens there the same day.

Black-and-white Warblers are among the earliest of migrants, and birds sighted away from breeding areas on the 3rd (SS, Guadalupe County) and the 8th (BD, Comal County) were probably early migrants. Other migrant warblers were a Yellow Warbler at Mitchell Lake on the 24th (BD) and a Black-throated Green Warbler in Guadalupe County (SS) on the 28th. Yellow-headed Blackbirds were reported on the 28th from Mitchell Lake (IP). Finally, multiple observers report Orchard Orioles away from breeding areas toward the end of the month, but a flock estimated to contain 100 orioles at Mitchell Lake on the 29th (BD) is noteworthy.

Reporters: Keith Bartels (KB), Mike Creese (MC), Bob Doe (BD), Dodge Engleman (DE), Mariann Golden (MG), Richard Grant (RG), April Grunspan (AG), Maury Heiman (MH), Chandra Hewitt (CH), Jeffrey Hoefle (JH), Leslie Linehan (LL), Greg Lisciandro (GL), Curt McCamey (CMc), Jan McClintock (JMc), Robin Nowak (RN), Iliana Peña (IP), Bob Rasa (BR), Martin Reid (MR), Helen Rejzek (HR), Ernie Roney (ER), Susan Schaezler (SS), Georgina Schwartz (GS), Brad Weir (BW)

Reports are compiled by Georgina Schwartz and written up by Bob Doe. All reports go to the Bird Records Committee, even if they don’t appear here. Thanks for your submissions! Send your reports to <birdreports@saaudubon.org> or Bob Doe, 748 Copper Rim, Spring Branch, TX 78070. Report your birds using the online form at <www.saaudubon.org/birdreportform.html>, call them to the club’s tape at 308-6788, or paper forms can be had at any SAAS meeting or by mail from the club address.

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