While we were in Carlsbad in September we were able to bird two mornings and saw some good passerines at Rattlesnake Springs and found hawks and shorebirds along the Pecos south of Carlsbad.
Eared Grebe--one
was on a pond (or oxbow?) along the highway north of Loving on
9/26 which may be early.
White-faced
Ibis--at least four were feeding (with the curlews listed
below) in alfalfa fields near the Pecos, just north of Loving on
9/26.
Osprey--one
was over fields near Malaga on 9/26. We always enjoy seeing these
"water birds" seemingly over the desert with hidden
water nearby.
Northern
Harrier--three were in the same vicinity as the Osprey on
9/26. As there were also Swainson's and Red-tailed Hawks in this
area we thought this might indicate a hawk day, but encountered
movement nowhere else.
Long-billed
Curlew--a group was seen feeding in alfalfa fields (field
conditions ranging from wet, bare dirt to alfalfa growth a foot
or two high) north of Loving on 9/26. The numbers were difficult
to estimate but there were between 500 and 1000. A small number
of other shorebirds were also present and could be seen in the
bare fields (Killdeer, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Western
(1), Pectoral (4), and Stilt (1) Sandpipers.) While in the
tall growth the birds could not be seen, were not readily visible
from the main highway, but could easily be heard flying between
fields which caused us to find them.
Eastern
Bluebird--two were at Rattlesnake Springs on 9/25. Though
expected there, these were the first we had seen since the
breeding birds in May 1975.
Hermit
Thrush--one at Rattlesnake Springs 9/25 was probably normal,
but not an abundant species on our visits.
Brown
Thrasher--We were happily surprised to see two at Rattlesnake
Springs on 9/25 along the irrigation channel alongside the desert
scrub.
Red-eyed
Vireo--we were even more surprised to see a single individual
in the scrub across from the picnic area of Rattlesnake Springs
on 9/25. We saw it in good light for one or two minutes before it
flew through the picnic area.
Orange-crowned
Warbler--a good number, at least 12, were at Rattlesnake
Springs on 9/25, always a pleasure for eastern birders.
Yellow-breasted
Chat--one was at Rattlesnake Springs 9/25, possibly somewhat
late.
Northern
Cardinal--two at Rattlesnake Springs 9/25 were evidence that
the population at that location was stable. [and continue to the
present.]
Rose-breasted
Grosbeak--a single bird, a male identified by its pink
wing-linings, was at Rattlesnake Springs 9/25. This was our first
fall observation though we have seen them at the Springs and in
Carlsbad every May we have visited.
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