This winter, I did not get a chance to go birding as often as I would've liked to. So this past weekend, I decided to give it a shot and check out on the Sandhill Cranes that call this area home for the winter. They are on the last leg of their stay here, before heading back, flying thousands of miles to get to their breeding grounds in Canada.
Some locations were shared by members on a Facebook birding group, so I had an idea where I might be able to find them. We decided to set out after lunch. After driving around for a bit, we saw a few cars parked by the side of the road. Sure enough, it was friends from the birding group. I had interacted with one before and it was a pleasure to meet four of them in person. We were all driven by the same passion, standing there in the sun on an unseasonably warm afternoon in February, the temperature breaking records.
There was much drama playing out on the other side of the fence that separated us from a vast field. Four of us bird-watchers were on terra firma and one was perched on top of her SUV. There were scores of Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes, White-Fronted Geese, with Northern Harriers, Starlings and lots of small birds flying among them. The Starlings were doing their murmurations every now and then. They were very far out from where I stood, so the pictures are not great. Please click on them to get a better perspective.
It is interesting how these birds find spots where they are left alone. In the background, one can see the urban sprawl slowly closing in on all of the rice fields that were once abundant in this region. The area started out as prairies, which were then converted to rice fields. That attracted a lot of geese. Grains that provide more carbohydrates are preferred by these birds.
Numbers have dwindled in recent years as migrating geese have started frequenting newer pastures in Arkansas. Here is a report from 2014 in the Houston Chronicle, which explains why the numbers have been fewer lately.
White-fronted Geese flying over Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese.
After spending about an hour at this spot, I decided to look around some more. Driving down another country road led me to this small herd of Sandhill Cranes much closer to the roadside than they were in the earlier field.
Soon, they were aware that they were being watched, so I decided to leave them alone as they fed themselves.
Wishing them all a safe trip back home!
Other migratory birds continue to visit the backyard. Large flocks of Cedar Waxwings fly from tree to tree looking for berries. Here is one- they are such beautiful birds!
More Cedar Waxwings-
Some locations were shared by members on a Facebook birding group, so I had an idea where I might be able to find them. We decided to set out after lunch. After driving around for a bit, we saw a few cars parked by the side of the road. Sure enough, it was friends from the birding group. I had interacted with one before and it was a pleasure to meet four of them in person. We were all driven by the same passion, standing there in the sun on an unseasonably warm afternoon in February, the temperature breaking records.
There was much drama playing out on the other side of the fence that separated us from a vast field. Four of us bird-watchers were on terra firma and one was perched on top of her SUV. There were scores of Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes, White-Fronted Geese, with Northern Harriers, Starlings and lots of small birds flying among them. The Starlings were doing their murmurations every now and then. They were very far out from where I stood, so the pictures are not great. Please click on them to get a better perspective.
It is interesting how these birds find spots where they are left alone. In the background, one can see the urban sprawl slowly closing in on all of the rice fields that were once abundant in this region. The area started out as prairies, which were then converted to rice fields. That attracted a lot of geese. Grains that provide more carbohydrates are preferred by these birds.
Numbers have dwindled in recent years as migrating geese have started frequenting newer pastures in Arkansas. Here is a report from 2014 in the Houston Chronicle, which explains why the numbers have been fewer lately.
White-fronted Geese flying over Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese.
After spending about an hour at this spot, I decided to look around some more. Driving down another country road led me to this small herd of Sandhill Cranes much closer to the roadside than they were in the earlier field.
Soon, they were aware that they were being watched, so I decided to leave them alone as they fed themselves.
Wishing them all a safe trip back home!
Other migratory birds continue to visit the backyard. Large flocks of Cedar Waxwings fly from tree to tree looking for berries. Here is one- they are such beautiful birds!
More Cedar Waxwings-
A few Yellow-rumped Warblers are always frequenting my backyard. They seem to be around all the time, and I used to think they were house sparrows.
Blue jays and Cardinals are also regular visitors. This one always sits on the tree and sings while I work in my yard. It's great to have melodious company.
STUNNING!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sumi!
DeleteGreat pictures&learned a lot about birds
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteI love the way you write.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your visit and comment, Nandini.
Delete