Yippie! I love painted buntings. I was going to head there this week and
really contemplated going out today but decided to wait till this weekend
when I can take the truck. Thanks fir the report!
On Tue, May 25, 2021 at 5:32 PM James Crites <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hi All,--
I had an interesting late morning/early afternoon visit to the canyon
today. It was fairly birdy. Painted Buntings are in full force with 12
sightings, six males and six females. I had a beautiful male Summer
Tanager and he was singing for all to hear. Two Yellow-billed Cuckoos were
calling. I also had a Bell’s Vireo singing his distinctive little song.
And I had a Red-headed Woodpecker along the paved stretch of road, he was
flying from pole to pole.
I always park near the crossing of county roads and walk a bit. Water had
been flowing over the road on the stream crossing but was receding. It was
still fairly high so I parked up the hill in case there was a rise. By the
time I got back to the car, water was lapping at the top of the culvert. I
drove the county roads for about an hour and when I came back the road was
flooded with 6 to 12 inches of water. I guess it takes a while for flood
water from Lubbock to make its way through the lakes to the lower canyon.
While driving back to Lubbock on CR 835 (East 50th
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/835+(East+50th?entry=gmail&source=g>)
I estimate there were 40 to 60 Mississippi Kites flying over the field near
those buildings that used to be convenience stores. Still migrating?
Enjoy birds!
Jim Crites
Sent from my iPad