After Clapp, I headed to Ransom Canyon. The duetting Great Horned Owls at the
Audubon meeting had me itching to hear the owls at the canyon. Well, last week
I HAD to say that I never failed to see them there, because for the first time
I can remember, I did not see or hear the owls. There were two kids walking the
canyon rim who were loudly talking and howling like coyotes. Don’t know if that
kept them down or if I just got there too late and missed them.
One adorable raccoon popped its head out of the holes I saw them in last time,
but no one emerged.
Other highlights included hearing a Canyon Wren, great looks at the Bewick’s
Wren again, a softly singing Curve-billed Thrasher, and a Spotted Towhee that
popped out of some dry reeds close to dark. There was so much noise coming from
the reeds, that I was sure a raccoon was going to pop out. One could have been
in there, but all we saw were a few birds quickly bouncing around when they
dared to come close to the edge. With it almost being dark, the only one I was
able to get eyes on was the towhee.
I hope everyone else was able to enjoy at least a little of the nice weather
today.
Lake Ransom Canyon and Chapel Garden
Feb 9, 2018
5:42 PM
Traveling
0.18 miles
66 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: With Jim. Sunny and clear at 73 degrees. Fairly certain we heard a
flicker. Saw one raccoon face stick out of the holes from last time. A large
raccoon was strolling down the road when we got back to the car. No sign of the
owls. Fixed distance.
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 1.6.4 Build 31
27 Cackling/Canada Goose
1 hawk sp. -- Soaring just above the houses in the distance at sunset. Tail was
flared and wings looked narrow for a Red-tail, but it may have also been the
angle.
1 Blue Jay
1 Canyon Wren -- Heard. Gave its standard call a couple of times and lots of
location calls (Merlin app).
1 Bewick's Wren
1 American Robin
1 Curve-billed Thrasher -- Very quietly singing. Gave its “wheet wheet” call
near dark.
1 Northern Mockingbird
2 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)
1 Dark-eyed Junco (Pink-sided)
1 Lincoln's Sparrow
1 Spotted Towhee -- Male. Saw pop out of tall reeds in middle of stream. One
had been calling, not sure if it was the same individual. Lots of activity in
the reeds with lots of noise at 6:43pm - almost dark in the canyon. At least
3-4 birds flew out or in, but didn’t get good looks at any but the towhee.
2 Northern Cardinal -- Female and male
Number of Taxa: 13
Jennifer Miller
Lubbock, TX
{o,o}
/)_)
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