Where have the Scissor-tails gone?

[lulubelle]

I haven't been out to the beds much, but even driving around town, I notice that I haven't seen any Scissor-tails any where. My last 2 trips to the beds produced none. I checked my data from the last couple of years and I was seeing them last year at the beds, during this time frame. Has anyone else been seeing them at the beds or around any other local areas? It struck me as odd that I am not seeing them - I don't remember them disappearing qyite this early before. 'Course, with continuing triple digit heat, I would go somewhere else too!

[Mary Lee]

I saw some yesterday around Lake Grapevine but I agree that their numbers are down compared to other years.

[Administrator]

They are still out at the beds, saw them last week.

[Didi]

Hi new Here On the forum.
I saw this question and wanted to let you know I see scissor tails all the time.
Going to work everyday from greater southwest prkwy north of division in Arlington all the way to Ave J perched on Pole Lines.
and again on *183 *Bedford area* around my workplace again on Pole lines and in the fields surrounding, and trees across the creek, they are definitely still around! ;) A few days ago a co- worker and I watch one doing aerials it was fascinating to watch. I've only gotten one blurry picture of one But I'm still trying to get a good clear one.

I'm Not from TX Originally so will someone please tell me What or Where the 'beds' are??

[Mary Lee]

On the FWAS Home page click on the link for Birding DFW. There are listings of lots of great places including the "beds".

25. Village Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Drying Beds - Like many such facilities around the state, modernization is claiming the life of these drying beds. With it's closure will go one of the greatest inland shorebirding sites in Texas. However, unitl closure is complete, birders are still welcome to visit the beds dawn to dusk, seven days a week. From the Fielder Road exit on IH 30 in Arlington, go north on Fielder for 1.3 miles to Green Oaks Blvd. Turn right on Green Oaks and go 0.3 miles to the entrance on the left. While shorebirding may be a shadow of what it once was (rarities found include Texas' only record of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in May 1991 and a Ruff in 1995), quite a few species of sandpipers can still be found, particularly after rains have saturated the beds. If there's sufficient standing water, the beds still manage to attract large numbers of long-legged waders including White-faced Ibis (migration) and several species of waterfowl (winter). Rarities such as White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Mottled Duck (summer), Surf Scoter, Long-tailed Duck and Ross' Goose have been found in recent years. Traditionally, the beds have been the best place in the county to find (in season) Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Cinnamon Teal, Common Moorhen, Black-necked Stilt, Hudsonian Godwit, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, and Rusty Blackbird. DO NOT go beyond barricades. Not open during inclement weather and usually closed for a short time after rains to allow the roads to dry out. Closed by 4:30. Do not overstay or you will spend the night.

[Administrator]

Click here to see a map of the beds and a link to the list of birds you will see there. (http://www.fwas.org/showthread.php?t=6)

[lulubelle]

Thnaks for the replies everyone! I am still seeing lower numbers than I am used to seeing - am seeing only 1 at a time and fairly spread out.