A Hot Start to Migration

I was itching to finally get out, even if cloudy weather was imminent. Unfortunately it started to rain, with a shower blowing through. I bolted to the nature center with my camera under my shirt, cursing the birding gods for the rain. Thunder clapped in the East and I almost packed it. The wind started blowing East and the shower was over after a few minutes, and after a pause I decided it was worth the risk.

Migration is in its early stages. Purple Martins have been seen at Country Club Lake, so pretty soon Spring birds will be coming in. One early migrant not on my year list is the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and in the coming days they will most likely be gone. Hoping to see one, I set out down Iron Bridge as Yellow-rumped Warblers and Carolina Chickadees hopped in front of me.

Carolina Chickadee from and earlier trip to LCP

Birds that looked like they had a mask on them were hopping around the treetops at a distance. They looked very similar to Golden-crowned Kinglets, a really solid find for Lick Creek Park, but unfortunately the lighting was awful and I couldn't get a good look at them. 

As the storm moved past I saw some movement in the trees, clearly a woodpecker of some sort. I got some glass on the bird and I could feel my face light up. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker! Huzzah! I normally don't see these birds after the first week of March. I love these birds because I thought Sapsuckers were foreign to Texas when I started birding, and it was only on the Yaupon Loop that I realized you can actually find them here. Every sapsucker reminds me of Lick Creek Park now when I see it.

A very out of focus YB Sapsucker

The light did not stay bad as I rounded Raccoon Run, and the light brought out the birds. Carolina Wrens, Northern Cardinals, and American Robins were calling up and down the trail with the occasional Tufted Titmouse thrown in there. White-throated Sparrows were hopping around and the buzzy trill of a Northern Parula could be heard in the- wait, Norther Parula? They're early migrants as well, and that trill reminds me of Spring whenever I hear it. I have never heard one before March, which I guess I was one day short of March, but that is the first nesting warbler in College Station!

Northern Parula taken at Estero Llano Grande State Park in December

Walking with some pep in my step I got closer to Lick Creek. I was THRILLED. The sun was out and I had just heard a warbler. I thought this day couldn't get better. Then it did. Parula's are impossible to see. They hang out in the highest levels of trees, which means in the woods you won't see them. It's just too thick up there. One relatively isolated tree had a bird flying around with an ascending trill call, this had to be it. The birding gods smiled on me, it was a Northern Parula! I would hear 3 more the rest of the day.

Another elusive bird, the Pileated Woodpecker had been calling as well. I've only ever seen glimpses of them. As soon as they see a person they're gone. Their loud laugh taunts many a birders who want to see them. As I lowered my binoculars I saw a large mass fly into a tree on the trail. Hidden from view I got incredible looks. This bird is magnificent. I always want new birders to see one because they'll have their minds blown. Pileated Woodpeckers and Northern Parulas...wow.

Pileated Woodpecker shot taken by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Isn't it stunning?

But the day was not done. It was now 80 degrees and 11:30. I started towards Deer Run, hungry and sweaty. A booming who-cooks-for-you call thundered through the forest. Barred Owl! A bird that eluded me all though 2017 was present! I sat listening in awe as it called out, only to go quiet for a few minutes. I had never heard one call before. The call rang out again this time at a distance. Dang. I was really hoping to see it, but it moved on. Not so fast! The first owl resumed calling, and through the trees I could see a massive set of wings fly toward the second owl. WOW. 

I didn't see much on my way out but I didn't care, I was hot and tired after being on the trail for almost 3 hours and that hike was one of the best trips to LCP I've ever had. I zipped around Carter Lake on my way back to the house and the only species of note was Purple Martin.

Spring is back and the birding is bountiful! Up to 83 on the year. I'll be back out at Lick Creek for Birding 101 with the Audubon Society on Saturday morning!