Hi All,
I visited a few playas this evening. First I visited the one east of
Abernathy at the intersection of N CR 2800 and CR 5200. This is a dirt road
that is in good shape. There are two low vegetation spots to view the
playa, one along each CR that borders it. Highlights included the
continuing Snow Geese (including 1 blue morph and 2 immatures), all three
teals, Ruddy Ducks, at least 40 Avocets, a few Least Sandpipers, 4 Lesser
Yellowlegs, 2 Wilson's Phalaropes, Chihuahuan Ravens, and Brewer's,
White-crowned, Vesper, and Savannah Sparrows.
Then I visited one off of FM 400 (Vetch Ave) right before CR 5800 as you
are heading south. This one was a decent size, but it was dry. Just 2
Avocets and a Killdeer here.
Next was a possible playa that I had saved on my map awhile ago at the
intersection of CR 789 and CR 6300 just SE of Idalou. This one was a small
depression at the corner of the intersection that has promise, but was also
dry.
I decided to head home via E 50th St. and try to find Lena's dark morph
Swainson's. I didn't find the dark morph, but what a road! I turned off of
E 50th onto CR 2800/Boles Rd/Wood Ave (who knows what the correct name is)
and had a plethora of hawks within less than half a mile. Four were perched
on 3 poles along the road. I called this spot "Lubbock's Hawk Alley" on my
map! From what I could ID in the fading light: 1 light morph adult
Swainson's, 1 female/immature Northern Harrier, 3 Red-tailed Hawks (1 adult
and 2 immature), 2 I didn't get a good enough look at to identify, and my 1
mystery hawk. I have made an educated guess on this one, but I would like
to hear what others think. On the way out I also had a Loggerhead Shrike
and Ash-throated Flycatcher. I regret not visiting this spot sooner...I
should have known that it would be a hit when Lena told us about it!
Happy Birding!
Jennifer
--
Jennifer Miller
Lubbock, TX
(o,o)
/)_)
" "
Blog - http://foundnature.weebly.com/index.html
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