Hi All,
I was birding in Yellowhouse Canyon this morning trying to chase the
Black-throated Green Warbler that Anthony and Sheri saw over the weekend. I
was unsuccessful, but I did see a mixed flock of small birds about a mile east
of the intersection of CR 7300 and CR 3600. There is a very small stream near
the ranch house and compound before you start driving out of canyon on CR 7300.
There was a small amount of water in the stream. Here I was able to hear the
nasal call of a Red-breasted Nuthatch and see a White-breasted Nuthatch. Two
Black-crested Titmouse (Titmice?) and a Brown Creeper also flew into view.
While I was sitting there a small flock of Turkey’s wandered through, a
Ladderback Woodpecker, a Golden-fronted Woodpecker, and a Northern Flicker were
also present.
I had pulled off of the road onto a concrete pad that is over the culvert for
the stream. I was clear of the traffic on the road and did not get out of my
car. While I was sitting there, a man in a truck pulled over and wanted to
talk. He was very pleasant (not irate) and informed me that he owned the ranch
land on either side of the CR road. He said the county has right-of-way for
the road but he owns the land and there is not public access. He said he was
not going to make me leave, he just wanted me to be careful and not get hit by
tractors passing by as this is a blind curve. But he did indicate I was
unlawfully on his private land.
This is the same problem Drew Harvey and I had last year in northeast Lubbock
County. It seems the land the road is on is privately owned but Lubbock County
has the right of way for the road. I do not believe the landowner has the
authority to make me leave the Lubbock County’s right of way. Does anyone have
any information on this? I do not want to trespass on someone’s land but if I
am on the right of way I think I am being lawful. If you go chasing the
White-breasted Nuthatch, please be aware of this possible problem.
Jim Crites
Sent from my iPad