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Selected Bird Reports, June 2005
Least and Pied-billed Grebe bred successfully at Mitchell Lake and were present throughout June (m.o.). Neotropic Cormorants are expected in summer, but a report of 92 at Mitchell Lake on the 25th seems more than usual (ER). Anhinga bred successfully at Mitchell Lake and were present throughout the month (m.o.), but 12 on the 25th is a high number (ER). All of the expected long-legged waders were reported throughout the month (m.o.). Particularly interesting is a large rookery which developed at Mitchell Lake, with over 1500 Cattle Egret nests, with smaller numbers of Snowy Egret and Little Blue Heron nests. A White Ibis and 2 White-faced Ibis were found at Mitchell Lake on the 25th (ER). A Wood Stork (CMC) and a Roseate Spoonbill (DE), both reported from Mitchell Lake on the 4th, are good finds.

A report of a White-tailed Hawk in Helotes on the 6th (DG), if correct, would be only the second record from the Hill Country. A Harris’ Hawk on the 12th (HR) near 151 and Potranco, and a Swainson’s Hawk on the 19th (HR, GS, MG) from Mitchell Lake are the only reports of these uncommon hawks, although the Swainson’s breeds sparingly in Bexar County. Cooper’s Hawk also breeds sparingly, so a report from Medina River Park on the 17th (BD) is not unexpected.

Two Buff-bellied Hummingbirds were photographed in south Bexar County on the 26th (TS). Green Kingfishers can be difficult to find so reports of 2 at Medina River Park on the 4th (HR and others) and 1 at Avenue A on the 18th (MC) are welcome. Groove-billed Ani was first reported at Mitchell Lake on the 14th (DE, HR, GS) and remained for the rest of the month.

In the songbirds, vireos provided most of the interest in June, with 6 species reported and presumably breeding. Along with the ubiquitous White-eyed Vireo, Bell’s Vireo was reported repeatedly from Mitchell Lake (HR, GS, MG, DE) and Cagnon Road (HR). Yellow-throated Vireo was reported from Medina River Park on the 17th (BD) and 20th (HR). Red-eyed Vireo was also at Medina River Park on the 17th (BD) and 30th (BD), with newly fledged young present on the later date. Black-capped Vireos were heard at Friedrich Park on the 15th (HR) and 24th (BD), and a Hutton’s Vireo was observed on the 25th (MC). Also at Friedrich Park, Bushtit was reported on the 24th (BD).

Late migrating warblers were represented by a Magnolia Warbler near Cibolo (Guadalupe County, SS) on the 1st and a Prothonotary Warbler along the Medina River on the 4th (BD). Northern Parula were again reported from Medina River Park on the 20th, after a few weeks of not being reported. Golden-cheeked and Black-and-white Warblers were present in Friedrich Park throughout the month (JS, HR, BD). Olive Sparrow was a good find from Cagnon Road on the 20th (HR, DE). Indigo Bunting were present at Medina River Park throughout the month (HR, BD).

Reports from further afield show some of the birds which should be considered POSSIBLE for Bexar County. Three Yellow-Green Vireo in Frio County on the 4th (MR, SC, WS) is a remarkable find fairly close to San Antonio. Green Jays near Pleasanton (MP) are the closest permanent population to San Antonio. A Green Violet-ear (hummingbird) in Hunt, TX on the 14-16th continues a trend for this species to be found in the Hill Country. An Osprey (PM) along the Guadalupe River in Comal County on the 23rd points out that these birds sometimes summer (breed?) around the larger lakes in the area and are not completely unexpected any time of year.

OBSERVERS: BD=Bob Doe; BR=Bob Rasa; CH=Charlie Howell; CMC=Curt McCamy; DE=Dodge Engleman; ER=Ernie Roney; GD=Gail Dugelby; GL=Greg Lisciandro; GS=Georgina Schwartz; HR=Helen Rejzek; JS=Jeanette Scott: LG=Larry Galvez; MC=Mike Creese; MG=Mariann Golden; MGU=Marilyn Guinn; m.o.= multiple observers; MP=Mike Paul; MR=Martin Reid; PM=Paul Mason; SC=Sheridan Coffey; SH=Steve Hawkins; SS=Susan Schaezler; TS=Timothy Stone; WS=Willie Sekula

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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