After two days inside due to heavy rain and then sleet and ice, I was able to get back to Arcadia Trail Park when the temperature got above freezing in the afternoon. The birds were much more numerous than they have been lately, all trying to get enough to eat to deal with the below freezing temperatures and the ice covering the ground. Many were taking advantage of the feeders maintained by Naturenut. Many that aren't as common in that area decided to get a free meal today like the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Brown Thrasher, Spotted Towhee. While lately there have been few Harris's Sparrows, today there were many. However, the birds that are most often seen lately, the Yellow-rumped Warbler and the Ruby-Crowned Kinglet were not seen at all. There were many female Red-winged Blackbirds and White-winged Doves as usual. The Robins were out on the grassy areas taking advantage of the moist soil once the ice had melted. We haven't seen our Great Horned Owl in quite some time so wonder if she has found somewhere else with an available nest for her. We have not found any nest in the park of sufficient size for an owl's nest so it has been two years since we have had an owl's nest. A snow storm is predicted for tomorrow. While over all it has been a mild winter, the harshest weather is coming here at the end.
with a female Red-winged Blackbird
male Northern Cardinal with three female Red-winged Blackbirds and a male Harris's Sparrow
a Mallard pair were back at the temporary pond which had a lot more water after the recent storm as well as ice after last night's freeze
We saw this hawk from across the park. When we got next to it, unfortunately it took off and went back near to where I was standing when I took these pictures. Hard to ID from this distance but thinking it looks like a Red-shouldered but maybe it just isn't possible to tell.
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Really interesting, Judith. Same sort of winter here in the Austin region....mild up till now, but past few days dark, a little sleet and cold. Some damselflies were starting to come out as well as butterflies, but now I'm sure they are set back again. In some years we have had early records of many dragons in mid February, I don't think that will happen this year. We have not had any snow, but lots of cold and wind.
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