Kingbirdfeeders.com Blog

Not So Dead of Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:49:00 +0000

Despite the lack of leaves on the trees and sunny skies most days there are quite a few birds around. Life is still abundant and evident. I look out my back window to see a ton of Robins and Cedar Waxwings at the bird bath. I am amazed when I go out to find it drained of all the water. There are also many of what the old-timers call “Butterbutts”—Yellow Rumped Warblers. Flocks of these three species have graced our corner of the world. And “flocks” doesn’t begin to describe the numbers.

One of my favorite visitors from the north is the Northern Junco. Juncos flit around the yard under feeders and under bushes cleaning up the seeds drop by other birds at the feeder. We enjoy Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, House Finches, American Goldfinches which visit the sunflower feeder and the Orange Crowned Warbler, Downy and Red Bellied Woodpeckers visiting the peanut feeder. Carolina Wrens and Ruby Crowned Kinglets dash in the bushes. Mourning and White Winged Doves and Cardinals grace the trees and the yard.

This yard is a grand spot for birding. How many people can make that boost about their yard?

Day is Done

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:21:00 +0000

Bird Worthy Binoculars

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:04:00 +0000

There is not a lot of equipment required to engage or stay engaged in birding. Yet, to think that one can get started using your favorite uncle’s old binoculars leads far more often than not to frustration and failure. It’s too heavy, too hard to hold steady, too slow to focus, too hard to locate the bird in time. So, while everyone else enjoys a grand view of the bird, you come away empty, confused, and maybe a little peeved. So, leave those relics to memories. You need a good pair of binoculars.

What should you know to find the right binocular for you? First, please consider that birding is something that can be enjoyed for many years. That’s the goal. We want to find something that lasts, gives us enjoyment for a long period of time, and is something in which we can engage under many different conditions and circumstances. Invest in a good binocular. There are many attributes that need to be considered before examining price.

Okay, first, do you wear eyeglasses? This is a huge consideration. If you do and you wish or need to wear your glasses at all times, then pay attention to eye relief. What is eye relief? It is how far the image is projected out of the ocular lens. A large eye relief is best for those wearing glasses. Look for binoculars with eye relief of 19-22 mm. Those who do not wear glasses can be satisfied with eye relief in the 15-18 mm range.

The next most important attribute of a binocular is its field of view. Beginning birders sometimes struggle finding the bird in the binocular. This effort is greatly assisted when the field of view is large. Field of view is measured in two ways, by degree or by feet. Field of view in feet is most easily understood. It is often stated in feet at 1000 yards, for example 345 feet at 1000 yards. This means that the area being viewed is 345 feet across the binocular objective lens if the area is 1000 yards away. As a beginner, one should consider finding a binocular with a field of view around 400 feet. More experienced birders will do fine with a field of view ranging from 315 to 350 feet. Below 300 feet presents many people with difficulty.

A subsequent attribute to consider is quickness of focus. Look for a center focus in which the wheel can easily focus near to far in approximately one and a half turns. This is critical when viewing such active little birds as kinglets, warblers, and wrens.

Now, let’s look at the numbers. What does 8 x42 mean? Is it better than 10 x 32?

The first number in both the above has to do with magnification. Magnification is somewhat misleading. Bluntly, it does not mean what it says. If it did, then a five inch bird in an 8x binocular would have an image of 40 inches—not possible. 8x means that is what the bird looks like in your naked eye at one eighth of the distance. 10 x means that is what the bird looks like in your naked eye at one tenth of the distance. Most of us do quite well with 8x. There are some good binoculars out with 7x and even 6.5 x. Higher magnifications may lend themselves to greater resolution and fine detail, but this decreases the field of view and the light gathering ability of the binocular.

The second number is the size of the objective lens. 42 mm is larger than 32 mm. The size of the objective lens affects the field of view, the light gathering ability, and the weight. There is no hard and fast rule here, though. Manufacturers have been able to affect these three characteristics several ways, such as coatings and the type of glass employed.

Finally, some recommendations—a beginner might start with a Vortex 8 x42 Diamondback for its wide field of view is tremendous. If cost is a consideration, look at the Vortex 8 x 42 Crossfire. If you are a birder that enjoys hiking and weight is something to think about, try the Vortex 6.5 x 32 Fury or the Vortex 8 x 28 Fury. A great, all-around binocular, whether a novice or veteran, would be the Vortex 8 x 42 Viper. High end quality and style at an affordable price can be found in the Vortex 8 x 42 Razor.

Christmas Cheer

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 17:33:00 +0000

We had a dusting of snow, cold penetrating wind and a cloudy day on Christmas Eve. We also were graced with the return of Goldfinches at the feeders. It is always grand to see them and brightens every winter. The Goldfinches were late returning to our area this year. Thus, the appearance on that day was a gift that everyone could enjoy.

Other hungry birds visiting the yard and feeders were an Orange Crowned Warbler, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinals, Downy and Red Bellied Woodpeckers, House Finches, and White Wing Doves. The Red Bellied perched on the peanut feeder in such a pose that everyone could see its red belly.

Thanksgiving at Daingerfield State Park

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:05:00 +0000

November 25-27, 2009
We decided to spend this Thanksgiving in the woods, camping at Daingerfield State Park (Texas). We took the canoe since there is a very nice lake there. We fished a little with worms, but mostly fought the wind. No fish, but the birding was better. Days were sunny and mild (mid 60’s); the nights were cold (mid 30’s).

Broadwing Hawks
Turkey Vultures
American Robin
Yellow Rumped Warbler
Ruby Crowned Kinglet
Northern Junco
Carolina Wren (h)
Carolina Chickadee
Nuthatch sp.
Tufted Titmouse
American Coots
Great Blue Heron
Great Egrets
Double Crested Cormorants
Red Bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Yellow Bellied Sapsucker
Northern “Yellow Shafted” Flicker
Golden Crowned Kinglet
Yellow Warbler
Eastern Bluebird
Black and White Warbler
Blue Headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Pine Warbler
Eastern Phoebe (h)
White Throated Sparrow
American Crow

Photo by Bill Ravenscroft

Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Again this year Kingbirdfeeders.com ventured to the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival (RGV) in Harlingen, Texas. RGV is a grand event (no pun intended). This year marks its sixteenth year. Having attended last year as a vendor, I was convinced that it would be a good deal to repeat. Birders and experts come from all over the United States and Canada--some even from other parts of the globe. There are several species of birds particular to the Valley--Green and Red Crowned Parrots, Green Jays, Buff Bellied Hummingbirds, Great Kiskadees to name a few. If you want to see these, a host of opportunity is afforded you.

The trip down can be great for birding, too. The highway between Kingsville and Harlingen often is populated with hawks. It is not uncommon to see Crested Caracaras, Harris’ Hawks, Red Tails, Ferruginous Hawks, and American Kestrels.

When in need of a break from the wonderful birding, RGV offers a great trade show where all kinds of vendors offer equipment, feeders, plants, art, reading material, and information about the area and its refuges, parks, and birding centers. Organizations which support and promote conservation of birding habitats have booths at RGV, too.

When the day is done, there is always good food. One evening we closed up for the night and took the drive to South Padre Island. There we dined on the deck of Amberjack’s. The view of the bay and the cool of the evening made for a grand experience. The Oysters Rockefeller were delicious.

For five days, we talked and shared our stories, provided some good products, enjoyed hearing from where people came, marveled at some who migrate to the Valley every year for the winter. And then it was homeward bound. We had a great time; we’re looking forward to next year.

Kinglets

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:55:00 +0000

Finally, they've arrived in our neck of the woods. Kinglets are birds with high activity: they just do not stand still. Their constnt movement makes it difficult to near impossible to get a decent photograph, and they tend to flick their wings often. You catch as catch can. Kinglets are active foragers. Arthropods, small insects, and the eggs of spiders are gleaned from the banches and leaves of trees and shrubs. Kinglets forage from tree top to the ground. They will sometimes catch prey acting a bit like flycatchers.

Ruby Crowned Kinglets are more prevalent than Golden Crowns in our area. The red erectile top-knot is often not visible. A male Ruby Crown will generally not display unless it is in dispute with another male. It is a sign of aggression.

In migration, kinglets will flock with other species such as chickadees and wood warblers.

One final bit of trivia, these birds which do no stand still are also quite small. Interestingly, it would take three ot five of them just to make one ounce. That is truly remarkable.

Regardless, kinglets are a sure sign of fall. I'll still grab my binoculars in an effort to find...and see if the bird is a Ruby or a Golden.

Photos by Bill Ravenscroft

Birding and Hiking or Biking Binoculars

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:38:00 +0000

The trails beckon and the birds await and you know you’re ready. The problem has been what to carry that is lightweight but capable of rendering a good sighting. Problem solved when you carry the Vortex 8 x 28 Fury. This binocular weighs in at a scant 11.8 ounces. It measures 4.7” x 4.5”—small enough to fold into a pocket. It’s compact, durable and the optics are great. It is argon purged for water and fog proofing. Silver coated, phase corrected prisms and advanced coatings deliver superb images even in low light conditions.

Consider this gem of a binocular for travel, too. Every airplane ride causes us to consider total weight of our luggage. Yet, the Fury won’t add enough with which to be concerned. And when you get there, you still will have a great time in the field chasing down those species not found in your neck of the woods.

Afternoon Raptors at Lake Waco Dam

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:04:00 +0000

Photo by Bryan Stone

A little after noon yesterday we headed to the Hike and Bike Trail at Lake Waco. We thought a little picnic and walk would be nice on such a sunny day. The lake is up quite a bit. From the dam we can see that half the pavilions at Airport Park are under water. All gates were open. The roar of the water released was evident from the parking area. The wind was up, too much for small songbirds to be out. However, the raptors were prevalent. Two Ospreys were hunting the area, one below the gates and one above the dam. Other birds spotted include three Turkey Vultures, half a dozen American Crows. Additionally, a Northern Harrier was sighted near the tree line in the field below the dam. One hawk gave us a little trouble identifying it. However, I can confidently say that it was a Fuertes’ Red Tail. It flew just over the dam where the gates are and headed toward the Airport end of the trail, proving us with a long and very good look.

October Visitors

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:35:00 +0000

This Praying Mantis was discovered lurking outside the front door, yet still near the bushes. These creatures are intriguing. They can sit still for hours, but are extremely fast when they attack.

The butterflies have not been plentiful this summer. It is good to see them now.

Well Equipped

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:16:00 +0000

Well equip your birder with an outstanding birder binocular, The Vortex 8 x 42 Viper. This binocular is excellent in low light conditions often present in early morning or evening when much activity is evident. Watching Short Eared Owls frolic across open pastures feeding at dusk is greatly facilitated by the light gathering power of these wonderful binoculars. The Viper has XD glass and XR coatings to enhance image resolution and color accuracy while providing extraordinary brightness. The Viper is argon purged to extend the useful life of the binocular while providing superb water and fog proofing. It is lightweight and possesses excellent eye relief.

Couple the Viper with a wonderful field guide like the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America and your birder is set for a grand experience. The Fifth Edition of this field guide is touted as one of the best guides on the market today.

Vortex Razor HD Spotting Scope

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:35:00 +0000

This scope is the latest entry from Vortex Optics into the realm of spotting scopes on the market today. Its design is for ruggedness and bright, clear images. It possesses a triple apochromatic lens to eliminate fringing and chromatic aberration. This scope comes equipped with dual focus. Here is what Bird Watcher’s Digest has to say about the new Vortex Razor HD Scope.

“Truly comparable to high-end European-made scopes, the Vortex Razor amazed us when we compared all the top scopes for our review in Bird Watcher's Digest (to appear November, 2009). This is a beautifully designed, bright, sharp, rugged scope. It comes with a 20-60 power zoom eyepiece. Angled-eyepeice design. We recommend it highly. It's the only scope with truly high-end optical quality at a moderate price.”

So many features go into making this wonderful scope. The Vortex HD System plays its part in eliminating degradation of resolution and producing color fidelity. This scope sports ArmorTek—a new chemically bonded optical lens multicoat to increase light transmission, color fidelity and image resolution. High definition (HD) glass and a special optical element configuration provide unmatched edge to edge detail and accuracy. It is affordably price.

Signs of Migration

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:35:00 +0000

It would appear that migration is well underway. Many immature birds as well as warblers and orioles have been visiting. The last, and welcomed, rains brought in the orioles to our feeders. The rains have seemed to chase the hummers away. We had several hummers at the feeders before the rain, but none now. Such is the nature of migration—here today, gone tomorrow.

Photos by Bill Ravenscroft.

Small is Big, Big is Small

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:22:00 +0000

In late August I began another trip around the sun—my 58th in fact. Now this seems to be quite an undertaking mileage wise. Yet, only 1/365 has to be accomplished every day. So, I find myself contemplating when small is big and big is small. Point in fact 1/365 of a year (small) is a whole day, 24 hours (big). Traveling half way around the world to Africa, something my youngest daughter did this summer, is no big deal to her but substantial to me. Hummingbirds are so very small and their nests are almost unrecognizable. However, their presence is a big deal to birders and non-birders alike.
One degree rise in the average temperature of our climate is the harbinger of the extremes of global warming. A one percent increase in the population of the world is 62 million people. In contrast, the attention you give a child bears tremendous fruit of a loving, caring, and engaged adult.

Well, I beg the question. What small thing can we do that will make a big difference for ourselves, our Society, for the community? It is something we should contemplate every day of this trip around the sun.

Fast but Lonely Travelers

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:27:00 +0000

Decidedly, fall migration has begun. Hummingbirds are once again gathering at the feeders, fattening for the trip south. Our feeders sometimes have five or six at a time seeking nectar. Even the few flowers left are being methodically visited for a last drink by the birds.

It is amazing that these little birds will practically double their weight at this time in preparation of their long flight south to Mexico and Panama. Their routes require nonstop flight of 20 some hours over the Gulf of Mexico at an average speed of 25 mph. Sustaining that seems incredible. Yet, these little dynamos do and mostly as solitaires. Large flocks of hummers do not occur. Speculation as to the reasons for this lonely migration include the declining populations of insects and flowers that prohibit a large gathering of hummers at one place and time, that large flocks are easier pickings for predators, and the possibility that a single storm could conceivably wipe out an entire hummingbird species.

Photographs by Bill Ravenscroft

Fury Binoculars

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:21:00 +0000

Vortex Fury binoculars, very good binoculars indeed, provide great light gathering ability and crystal clear images owing to mirrored prisms and fully multi-coated optics. These characteristics make the Furies wonderful choices for your next binoculars. There is another reason to consider this choice. Now may be a very good time to take a look at a Fury by Vortex Optics because of an offered rebate. Upon purchase, you can take advantage of a $50 mail-in rebate. Take a look and see what is possible.

Fantastic Fury, Fantastic Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:28:00 +0000

Nature observation is an activity many people are finding rewarding theses days. First, it gets you off your duff. Second, it gets you out of the rut. Third, it sometimes surprises you.

On our recent trip to Wyoming, we spent time hiking trails, picnicking at National Forest Parks, and viewing mountains up close and from some wonderful vantage points. We spent our time in the Snowy Range along Highway 130 west of Laramie.

Camping in Nash Fork campground provided us with enough trees and spacious camping area to share with chipmunks and Golden Mantle Ground Squirrels. We thoroughly enjoyed this as our headquarters. It was quiet even while being share by other campers. It proved to be convenient from which to foray into the surrounding countryside. With Laramie to the east and Saratoga to the west we had civilization if we wanted or needed it. Yet, in between, we found nature worth seeing.

We carried some essential equipment: one, a camera, and two, binoculars. I wished that I had my very good camera, but alas, it was not to be. However, the binoculars are fantastic. I carried the Vortex 8x 42 Fury. These binoculars produce a wonderfully clear, detailed image that astounds. We could see the flies being flicked off the Bull Moose when wagging its ears. Now, that’s something. It also afforded us some great views of the Yellow-bellied Marmot at Lake Marie Falls. The marmot tried to blend in with the boulders, but the Fury made it possible to hone in on him. Such a deal; such a deal.

Bull Moose

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:01:00 +0000

We left our campsite at Nash Fork Campground heading west on Hwy 130 for a day in Saratoga, Wyoming. Our objective was to see the sites and shops of Saratoga and check out the historic Wolf Hotel. All of which, we did. There are some wonderful galleries in this small town and very friendly people. We lunched in the dinning room of the Wolf and headed for a swim and a shower. Alas, a summer rain shower caused us to miss swimming.

Upon heading back to the campsite, again on Hwy 130, we noticed several cars stopped alongside the road where there was no turnout, overlook, or overt reason to stop. Yet, this is a scenic highway and many a wonder at which to marvel. The trouble is getting stopped ourselves in time to pull out of traffic. So, we sped by a bit and had to turn around. We were rewarded by coming upon a red fox trying to scamper out of our site.

Having turned around we more slowly approached the small crowd gather back down the road. To our great excitement we came upon, not one, but two Bull Moose, most contentedly, lolling in the tall grass, munching away. We had seen moose in Maine, but only cows. These would be our first bulls. For several days we had heard of people sighting moose near our campsite. We had not been fortunate to have spotted them. So, this was a great discovery.

Wyoming and Marmots

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Our recent vacation to Wyoming found us leaving 106 degree daytime temperature of Central Texas for a much cooler 70 degree clime of Wyoming. Nighttime in Central Texas held temperatures in the upper 70’s and lower 80’s. However, nights at our campsite in the Snowy Range near Medicine Bow held temperatures in the high 40’s and low 50’s. This was just what we needed.

We spent four days and three nights camping and hiking in the forests of the Snowy Range. One such day found us surprised to see this little fellow, a Yellow-bellied Marmot. He was dashing around the rocky slopes near Lake Marie Falls. This is his kind of neighborhood. Marmots typically like rocky boulders and talus slopes especially near grasses and vegetation that form its diet.

Snowy(ng) in July and August

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:33:00 +0000

A pleasure of summer is found on any day whence one looks to stock ponds, creeks, and wetlands in Central Texas and comes to find a Snowy Egret or two slowly shuffling along hunting for small fish it has stirred up. Ah, there goes “yellow feet”, I say even if only to myself. As long as I have been birding in this area, I still get a kick out of seeing those yellow shoes on this smaller and more delicate looking member of the egret family.

Snowies derive their name not from a season but from their plumage. Snowies are commonly found in this area in the summer, not winter. Their plumage in breeding season is snow white, and growing on the back and lower neck are recurved plumes, sometimes referred to as aigrettes. These delicate plumes give the adults an appearance of fresh fallen snow.

In one way the Snowy Egret resembles its larger cousin, the Great Egret in that it is white. Yet, there are many differences; do not assume you are just looking at an immature or smaller Great Egret. The Snowy is identified by a more delicate build, a slender neck, a slender black bill, and black legs which culminate in yellow feet (golden slippers). The Great Egret is larger, almost twice in height; has a yellow, more substantial bill, with legs and feet entirely black.

Photo by Bill Ravenscroft

Summer Resident

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:02:00 +0000

Photo by Bill Ravenscroft

This species arrives in our area in the spring and sticks with us through the summer. The Dickcissel like the fields of our Central Texas because of the grasslands interspersed with Juniper and Mesquites.

Dickcissel males like to find a lofty perch to sing. Listen for the “dick, dick, ciss, ciss, ciss” and start looking for a male on the top of small juniper or a fence post. Hardly ever will you see a female Dickcissel which looks more like a House Sparrow. Yet, the males have often been characterized as small meadowlark mimics. Look for a chestnut shoulder, brown back, yellow chest, and a black bib.

Young Hawk

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:39:00 +0000

Rarely can I think of an occasion when even the experts can’t agree on identification. Yet, this young bird has left us all scratching our heads. It showed up in the trees of a back yard close to the lake, but not on the lake.

Because it is so young our books and experiences have left us to wonder. We think it is either an immature Red Shouldered Hawk or an immature Swainson’s Hawk. Weigh in and give your opinion.

Photos by George Chase

Binoculars by Vortex Optics

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Many articles have been written by this author and others on how to choose a binocular to fit your needs and wants. However, the question that begs answering is how to choose a brand that you can trust and will serve you well for many years? Proposition: buying a pair of binoculars is tantamount to an investment. Most of us buy binoculars knowing these will be something we want to provide us with many years of enjoyment. We do not want a pair to get us through a year or two; we want it to be worthy of ten, fifteen or more years. Ergo, we must also consider that we are buying a brand or company, and that company must be one willing to stand by their product and be committed to customer service.

First, consider the warranty offered. Second, consider access to the company. Third, consider the focus of the company. Fourth, consider the commitment to providing a quality product at a competitive price.

To those ends, Vortex Optics makes a very enticing case as your next brand of binoculars. Vortex Optics offers an unlimited and unconditional warranty. No bones about it, Vortex promises to repair or replace your product free no matter what. That’s pretty straight forward and generates a considerable amount of confidence in the brand. It stands to reason that the buyer can then be confident that a Vortex binocular (or spotting scope) is manufactured to exacting specifications. If you should possibly have a concern about your product know that Vortex Optics can easily be contacted because it maintains an easy to use web site on which is appropriate contact information. One can find a live voice with which to converse. Also, Vortex maintains a good relationship with its dealers facilitating two way conversations that can prove beneficial to the customer. Vortex Optics is focused on providing quality optics. It is not a mega company with several and diverse product lines. Its mission is to provide premium optical products which include features that make a difference between good and great binoculars and scopes. Finally, Vortex is a company that believes it should and can deliver a quality product at an affordable price. Vortex is a company that believes its products stack up well to other brands costing significantly more.

On your next purchase of a pair of binoculars or spotting scope consider that you are buying a brand not just a product.

Attracting Woodpeckers

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:21:00 +0000

There are approximately 20 species of woodpeckers found in North America. Perhaps the one with the most notoriety and certainly the most press in the Ivory Billed Woodpecker sometimes referred to as the “Lord-to-God Bird”. Its existence is a matter of much debate. You need not worry about it coming into your backyard. Its closest cousin, the Pileated, does visit backyards in the wooded South.

More commonly seen in backyards are the Red Bellied and Downy Woodpeckers and the Yellow Bellied Sapsucker. The Sapsucker doesn’t like feeders because of its unique feeding habits. It prefers to drill small holes in trees from which sap exudes. The bird then sucks up this sap, hence its name. The Golden Fronted Woodpeckers will show up at feeders, too.

In order to attract woodpeckers one can put out suet. Suet feeders can be quite inexpensive and one can make their own suet or it can be purchased. Another possibility is a peanut feeder. These feeders are tubular and made of wire mesh. Filled with cracked shelled peanuts, you are going to have a whole lot of fun watching woodpeckers feeding.

Woodpeckers need places to nest and to drum. For this purpose they seek limbs and trees that have a resonating quality. One of the best things you can provide for woodpeckers is a snag. As unusual as it sounds, consider not cutting down a dead tree. If the tree is too tall and could topple over on your house or other structure, consider merely topping it off and leaving the rest. This author has done this in his backyard. To be sure, his arborist was, shall we say, a bit taken aback by his request. However, he has both Downies and Red Bellies drumming away on this hackberry snag. Our backyard has been host to several broods of both Downies and Red Bellies, too.

Photo by Bill Ravenscroft

Red Corral Ranch, Wimberly, Texas

noreply@blogger.com (Roy C. Smallwood 3rd.) — Sun, 17 May 2009 18:55:00 +0000

May 6 through May 8, 2009.

We made it back down to one of our favorite places to do some R&R, Red Corral Ranch (RCR) near Wimberly, TX. This is huge ranch where many events take place. Weekends in the spring are often for weddings. Yet, during the week it is possible to spend two or three days in a cabin deep in the woods, and to wander about the woods and fields and not see another human being. This was exactly our plan, and we took advantage of these dates.

We have been coming to this place for several years because it is Golden Cheek Warbler and Black Capped Vireo habitat. And this visit is the first in which I was rewarded with a sighting of the Golden Cheeked. I did not find him in the usual place but about 100 yards down the road from our cabin, a beautiful bird. I have seen these in other places, but this was a first for the RCR. The five best species of birds seen on this trip have to be Summer Tanagers (both male and female), Painted Buntings (both male and female), Ladder Backed Woodpeckers, Lark Sparrow and the Golden Cheeked Warbler. Below is a list of the birds seen or heard.

Northern Cardinal
Carolina Wren
Black Capped race of Tufted Titmouse
White Eyed Vireo
House Finch
Carolina Chickadee
Black Vulture
Bewick’s Wren
Hummingbird sp.
Ladder Backed Woodpecker
Mourning Dove
Brown Headed Cowbird
Summer Tanager
Barn Swallow
Painted Bunting
Nashville Warbler
Turkey Vulture
Lark Sparrow
Red Winged Blackbird
Gray Catbird
Song Sparrow
Red Eyed Vireo
Golden Cheeked Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Yellow Billed Cuckoo