While we were in Carlsbad in May we were unable to really bird at all but did have some casual observations that were of interest to us. While we were in Carlsbad, the fire that burned a lot of area in the Guadalupe Mountains NP occurred and driving back to El Paso when we left allowed us to see where it had burned right up to the visitor center. The rapid regeneration of this area, and the amount of vegetation that even survived it has been enlightening to us.
Great Egret--one
was somewhat of a surprise at Lake Avalon on 5/8 along with a few
expected Snowys. We did not think any Greats nested in this area.
Inca Dove--one
was in residential Carlsbad on 5/8. It was heard nearby in the
morning and seen in the yard of Jean's father in the afternoon.
While this probably shouldn't be surprising, it was the first we
found in Carlsbad, and furthermore was not in evidence on
subsequent days.
Black-chinned
Hummingbird--on 5/10 a female was found in the final stages
of nest building in a small tree in the parking lot of the
hospital in Carlsbad. The nest was quite large, almost appearing
to be one on top of the other.
MacGillivray's
Warbler--at least three were seen in the yard and one heard
singing on 5/8. At least one was also present on 5/7 and 5/9, but
after the 8th, the winds came around to the north, it got cold
and most evidence of migration ceased in the yard. This is
probably not unusual, but Oporornis in Ohio are usually more
difficult to see. The fact that we ran a sprinkler with a bird
bath in the yard might account for some of the passerine activity
there!
Rose-breasted
Grosbeak--a male was once again seen and heard in the yard on
5/8. (one was present here in May 1975, but all of our other May
sightings were at Rattlesnake Springs.)
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