LDuhon
06-05-2009, 06:27 AM
One Thursday morning I sighted a single Least Tern flying east to west over my yard in far north Fort Worth. I saw this species for the first time here this year on May 21, and I also saw a flock of 4 on May 30. The first time I found Least Terns in my neighborhood (also seen from my yard) was from about July 8-15, 2008. I would like to hear from those who have studied the endangered inland race of Least Terns if this may be a sign of breeding locally, or if they still might be migrating to breeding grounds.
My neighborhood has a chain or ponds/lakes that might prove conducive to tern breeding, but I would be surprised if they chose to nest in such a site. The borders of these waterways are not sandy or gravelly, and they are mowed and patrolled by neighborhood dogs regularly. Here is an aerial view of part of our subdivision for visual reference:
http://lduhon.smugmug.com/gallery/8361039_9iHsS#548453560_XtsPV-O-LB
Another highlight of today was a sighting of 4 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks overhead. I had previously seen this species here once in 2007 and once in 2008. That was yard species #81 for this year. I also got lucky enough to see a pair of Wood Ducks fly low overhead on May 29.
Today I found 33 bird species in or over the yard-- quite remarkable for June! There were many other highlights besides the tern and the ducks, but I will spare the details here. I am really enjoying the fledglings that are around now-- Bewick's Wrens (which nested on my deck and raised five healthy chicks), Northern Cardinal, Mockingbirds, House Finches, Purple Martins, Barn Swallows, White-winged Doves, etc.
I am thrilled that the trees and vegetation in the neighborhood as a whole are maturing since being bulldozed to build houses ten years ago or less. My own backyard habitat is taking shape nicely too in its third year. In addition to the 103 species of birds that I've sighted in or over my yard, it is also home to 58 species of butterflies (9 species today), 37 species of dragonflies and damselflies (exactly half of all the species ever recorded in Tarrant County, 5 today), three species of lizards seen daily, a family of Opossums (seen almost daily), and at least two Eastern Cottontail rabbits seen daily. Here are some recent photos of my backyard habitat:
http://lduhon.smugmug.com/gallery/8081305_rTkav#526506629_smhHb
Lawrence Duhon
Fort Worth, TX
My neighborhood has a chain or ponds/lakes that might prove conducive to tern breeding, but I would be surprised if they chose to nest in such a site. The borders of these waterways are not sandy or gravelly, and they are mowed and patrolled by neighborhood dogs regularly. Here is an aerial view of part of our subdivision for visual reference:
http://lduhon.smugmug.com/gallery/8361039_9iHsS#548453560_XtsPV-O-LB
Another highlight of today was a sighting of 4 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks overhead. I had previously seen this species here once in 2007 and once in 2008. That was yard species #81 for this year. I also got lucky enough to see a pair of Wood Ducks fly low overhead on May 29.
Today I found 33 bird species in or over the yard-- quite remarkable for June! There were many other highlights besides the tern and the ducks, but I will spare the details here. I am really enjoying the fledglings that are around now-- Bewick's Wrens (which nested on my deck and raised five healthy chicks), Northern Cardinal, Mockingbirds, House Finches, Purple Martins, Barn Swallows, White-winged Doves, etc.
I am thrilled that the trees and vegetation in the neighborhood as a whole are maturing since being bulldozed to build houses ten years ago or less. My own backyard habitat is taking shape nicely too in its third year. In addition to the 103 species of birds that I've sighted in or over my yard, it is also home to 58 species of butterflies (9 species today), 37 species of dragonflies and damselflies (exactly half of all the species ever recorded in Tarrant County, 5 today), three species of lizards seen daily, a family of Opossums (seen almost daily), and at least two Eastern Cottontail rabbits seen daily. Here are some recent photos of my backyard habitat:
http://lduhon.smugmug.com/gallery/8081305_rTkav#526506629_smhHb
Lawrence Duhon
Fort Worth, TX