What a perfectly
gorgeous spring day we were treated to on the morning of the May monthly walk
at the Commons Ford prairie. A full contingent of 15 fun, enthusiastic
outdoorists (I just made that word up) joined Diane Sherrill for a walk that
was billed as “bird and plant”. We touched on plants and pointed out a few
specimens—bright yellow Engelmann daisy in full, glorious bloom; Standing
cypress just beginning to tempt with its seductive deep scarlet blossoms;
white-flowered Bull nettle that will hurt you for days if you are unlucky
enough to contact it directly with your skin. We also took a good look at
probably the worst of the non-native invasives we’re fighting out here:
Bermudagrass. We discussed the problems with these non-native invaders, which
do not sustain native wildlife and also gobble up huge parcels of land to
render them sterile and aesthetically boring.
But the plants had
to—seemingly—take a back seat to the birds on this day. Here at the height of
migration, after a major “fallout” on the coast due to late cold fronts, the
diversity and numbers of birds was breathtaking. However, the birds wouldn’t
have been tempted to stop here, and wouldn’t be able to be sustained here, if
it wasn’t for the restoration efforts going on in the prairie. The diverse
native plants feed the native insects, small mammals, and reptiles, and those in
turn feed the small birds, who in turn (sorry!) feed the raptors. This project
is proof that nature works, and that everything IS connected.
We saw and heard an
amazing 64 species of birds in 4 hours. At times there were so many birds we
couldn’t hear ourselves think for all the whispers of “there’s a…” or “what is
this over here….” Not a bad problem to have when you’re out birding!
We particularly
noted a large number (both in diversity and total numbers) of flycatchers,
indicating that the prairie is sustaining a good population of insects. Or as I
like to call them, “bird food”. There were many species of migrating warblers and vireos,
particularly down in the pecan grove.
Highlights were the
flycatcher trifecta of Western kingbird, Eastern kingbird, and Scissor-tailed
flycatcher all sitting on plant stalks in the prairie within a few feet of each
other; a couple of singing Orchard orioles; some very nice warblers, including
Black-throated green, Pine ( a bit west of its most preferred range), American
redstart, and Northern parula; and some nice sparrows, like a Clay-colored and
a somewhat late Vesper.
Thanks to all the
participants who helped make this such a wonderful morning at the Park!
(Photographs by Keri Cooper, 2013)
(Photographs by Keri Cooper, 2013)
