Texas Hill Country - April 2005
Bird/Species Trip List
Guides: Peg Abbott, Alan Craig and Narca Moore-Craig

Sites: Lost Maples State Natural Area (LM); Neal's Lodges and vicinity (NL); Park Chalk Bluff (PCB); Kerr Wildlife Management Area (KWMA); Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (ER); Pedernales Falls State Park (PF)

Bird species seen:
Great Blue Heron--1 at ER
Cattle Egret--along highway to PCB
Green Heron--1 in San Antonio along the Riverwalk
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck--2 pairs flying at a distance near Uvalde, and another flying pair enroute to ER
Mallard--several in San Antonio along the Riverwalk
Black Vulture--common throughout
Turkey Vulture--abundant throughout
Cooper's Hawk--1 chasing swallows enroute to KWMA
Harris's Hawk--2 along the highways enroute to PCB
Red-shouldered Hawk--1 circling with a snake at LM; others at PCB and ER
Swainson's Hawk--2 migrants near Uvalde
Zone-tailed Hawk--1 seen flying enroute to KWMA
Red-tailed Hawk--throughout, with up to 5 in a day
Crested Caracara--1 northwest of Sabinal; others along highways and at NL, for a total of 6
American Kestrel--a couple on wires along the highways
Wild Turkey--2 along the roadside enroute to/from LM
Northern Bobwhite--heard only, at PCB and ER
Spotted Sandpiper--along rivers at NL, PCB and enroute to KWMA
Rock Dove--in most towns
White-winged Dove--throughout, including at feeders in lovely plumage
Mourning Dove--throughout, but not as numerous as the White-wings
Inca Dove--2 at the Sabinal feedlot, 1 at NL, and about 15 at PCB
Common Ground-Dove--2 at KWMA
Eastern Screech-Owl--up to 3 heard each night at NL, also seen by some folks
Great Horned Owl--1 roosting on the cliffs at PCB (Great spotting by Peg!)
Barred Owl--heard some nights behind cabin 68 at NL
Common Nighthawk--1 fly-by at the bat cave
Common Poorwill--heard by Barbara at NL
Chuck-will's-widow--1 heard at the bat cave, and near NL cabin 41
Chimney Swift--a swirling group of about 40 at San Antonio's Riverwalk
Ruby-throated Hummingbird--3 at NL feeders, at the office and in the Pecan Grove
Black-chinned Hummingbird--common throughout
Green Kingfisher--at LM and PCB, where we enjoyed stellar looks at a pair carrying fishes
Golden-fronted Woodpecker--seen nearly every day, but often elusive
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker--one called during dinner at the Navajo Grill, but otherwise not cooperative!
Ladder-backed Woodpecker--seen or heard most days, in smaller numbers than Golden-fronted
Eastern Wood-Pewee--a few in all forested areas
Least Flycatcher--1 at LM
Black Phoebe--small numbers along the waterways
Eastern Phoebe--a few throughout
Vermilion Flycatcher--many looks at these incandescent beauties, including a fledgling at PCB
Ash-throated Flycatcher--present at most sites, with up to 3 in a day
Great Crested Flycatcher--1 at the Frio River crossing, en route to KWMA
Brown-crested Flycatcher--1 or 2 at NL and 6 at PCB
Western Kingbird--1 at NL, about 10 at (and en route to) PCB, and 1 at KWMA
Eastern Kingbird--1 at ag fields, en route to PCB
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher--in open areas and along highways throughout--what a treat!
Purple Martin--nesting at NL and by the Rio Frio Landmark Oak, and along rivers most days
Northern Rough-winged Swallow--along rivers, with about 20 at PCB
Cliff Swallow--common along rivers
Cave Swallow--first seen at San Antonio along the Riverwalk, then later along rivers, with the greatest number at the bat cave, waiting to roost till the bat exodus was over
Barn Swallow--rather common throughout, with nests at NL
Western Scrub-Jay--1 or 2 most days
Blue Jay--glimpsed in Sabinal, with better views en route to KWMA and at Fredericksburg
Common Raven--up to 15 seen along roads and cliffs
Carolina Chickadee--a few each day, away from San Antonio
Black-crested Titmouse--commonly encountered every day, away from San Antonio
Bushtit--a few, most notably a nest near feeder 61 at NL
Cactus Wren--1 heard en route to, and 1 at, PCB
Canyon Wren--their cascading songs enlivened most days, with the best looks at LM and the bat cave
Rock Wren--1 for Peg at ER
Carolina Wren--often heard, with a few seen well, especially at LM
Bewick's Wren--a few throughout, away from San Antonio
Ruby-crowned Kinglet--1 seen be a few of us at LM
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher--a few seen most days, with about 12 at LM
Eastern Bluebird--several beautiful males carrying food at NL along the Pecan Grove Trail
Northern Mockingbird--abundant throughout
Long-billed Thrasher--1 at feeder 61 at NL, and 1 teed up, singing, at PCB
Curve-billed Thrasher--1 at PCB
Cedar Waxwing--about 12 at PCB, attracted by ripe mulberries
Loggerhead Shrike--a singleton along the road en route to LM
European Starling--seen most days (probably present but ignored on the other days)
White-eyed Vireo--every day away from San Antonio, with at least 30 at LM
Bell's Vireo--wherever thickets grew, with a high count of 12 at PCB
Black-capped Vireo--6 seen and a few others heard at KWMA, where Narca had the good fortune of locating an active nest. This stunning bird was seen by most of the group.
Yellow-throated Vireo--heard at LM, then seen well at PCB (5 birds) and ER (about 3 birds)
Philadelphia Vireo--1 seen by Peg at PCB
Red-eyed Vireo--small numbers at most locales, eventually seen well by the persistent
Nashville Warbler--only 1 at LM and 1 at PCB
Yellow Warbler--a single, beautiful male near the Pecan Grove at NL
Golden-cheeked Warbler--13 of this gorgeous Hill Country specialty at LM (including females with nesting material), and 1 at PF
Yellow-throated Warbler--another gem, seen well at LM, PCB and en route to KWMA
Black-and-white Warbler--about 3 heard and 1 seen at LM
Yellow-breasted Chat--teased us with glimpses during their courtship antics, finally granting us good looks at PCB, where about 12 were vocal and lively
Summer Tanager--common throughout, except San Antonio, with up to 20 at PCB
Scarlet Tanager--a glowing male at close range in the mulberries at PCB
Northern Cardinal--common throughout, with about 20 at PCB
Pyrrhuloxia--3 of this subtle beauty at PCB
Blue Grosbeak--seen well at LM, NL and PCB
Lazuli Bunting--a lone female at NL cattleguard feeder, and 1 at KWMA
Indigo Bunting--a brilliant male teed up at LM (thanks, Betty!), and another at NL Pecan Grove
Olive Sparrow--close looks at this South Texas specialty as 1-2 birds bathed at NL feeder 61
Rufous-crowned Sparrow--1 at NL feeder and 1 at KWMA
Chipping Sparrow--in small numbers throughout
Clay-colored Sparrow--at NL, PCB and ER/PF, with a high count of 12 at PCB
Field Sparrow--2 seen well at NL feeder and Pecan Grove Trail
Lark Sparrow--in good numbers throughout, with a high of about 30 at PCB
Black-throated Sparrow--1 of this dapper species at NL cattleguard feeder
Lincoln's Sparrow--1 at NL feeder 61, and 1 at PCB
White-throated Sparrow--2 at NL feeder 61, and 1 tan morph at PF feeder
White-crowned Sparrow--only a few wintering birds remaining at NL and LM
Red-winged Blackbird--abundant in the ag fields along highways, plus breeding birds at PCB
Yellow-headed Blackbird--about 400 stunning males and 1 female at the feedlot north of Sabinal
Brewer's Blackbird--also at the Sabinal feedlot
Great-tailed Grackle--common in towns
Bronzed Cowbird--2 females at the Sabinal feedlot, and 1 male at NL cattleguard feeder
Brown-headed Cowbird--disturbingly common throughout
Orchard Oriole--about 8 at PCB
Hooded Oriole--1 male at NL feeder
Baltimore Oriole--1 female at NL feeder 61, showing slight signs of mixed ancestry
Scott's Oriole--1 glorious male seen well at the LM Visitor Center
House Finch--fairly common throughout, with a high count of 10 at PCB
Pine Siskin--at least 100 at the NL Pecan Grove
Lesser Goldfinch--several at feeders at NL; also PCB, KWMA and ER
American Goldfinch--about 6 at the NL feeders, including birds in a very interesting stage of molt, showing black wings more typical of breeding birds, contrasting with worn, grayish body feathers
House Sparrow--common around dwellings

Amphibians and Reptiles:
Southern Leopard Frog--1 beautifully-marked frog, drifting in the river at LM
Texas Spiny Lizard--1 large lizard of great self-confidence at KWMA
Crevice Spiny Lizard--1 at ER, showing strong horizontal banding
Texas Earless Lizard--about 4 at ER, waving their tails
Texas Spotted Whiptail--about 8 at ER

Mammals:
Armadillo--up to 3 at NL, by night and by day
Rock Squirrel--melanistic individuals vacuuming up birdseed at the NL feeders
Eastern Fox Squirrel--commonly seen at NL, LM and PCB
White-tailed Deer--mostly along roads, most days
Feral Pig--seen by folks in Alan's van en route to LM
Striped Skunk--3 at the bat cave
Eastern Cottontail--several around NL and PCB
Black-tailed Jackrabbit--1 along the NL Pecan Grove Trail
Cave Myotis--small bats flying close to the ground above the bat cave
Brazilian (=Mexican) Free-tailed Bat--millions (did anyone count?) exiting the bat cave

Butterflies:
Pipevine Swallowtail--commonly encountered, noted for LM, NL, PCB and ER
Black Swallowtail--5+ at LM; also noted at NL and ER
Giant Swallowtail--1 at LM
Spicebush Swallowtail--at least 1 nectaring on thistle at LM
Checkered White--several at PCB; some of the whites seen elsewhere were likely this species
Southern Dogface--a couple at PCB
Dainty Sulphur--several locations, including ER
"Northern" Oak Hairstreak--2 nectaring on milkweed at ER
Gray Hairstreak--1 at LM; 1 nectaring on milkweed at ER
Reakirt's Blue--a few, noted at LM and PCB
American Snout--1 at ER
Gulf Fritillary--beautiful looks at LM (4-5), PCB and ER
Variegated Fritillary--1 at ER
Question Mark--1 at LM
Red Admiral--2-3 seen well at LMCalifornia Sister--encountered around oak trees at LM, NL, PCB and ER
Little Wood-Satyr (Viola's form)--1 at LM near the kingfisher pond
Dun Skipper--1 at PCB
Nysa Roadside-Skipper--1 at the LM picnic site

Flowers:
Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis Family)
Rain Lily Cooperia pedunculata

Apiaceae (Carrot Family)
Queen Anne's Lace Daucus carota

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Basket Flower Centaurea americana
Blanketflower (=Firewheel) Gaillardia pulchella
Coreopsis Coreopsis tinctoria
Cut-leaved Daisy Engelmannia pinnatifida
Gaillardia pinnatifida
Green-eyed Lyre Leaf Berlandiera lyrata
Huisache Daisy Amblyolepis setigera
Mexican Hat Ratibida cloumnaris
Nodding Thistle (introduced) Carduus nutans
Old Plainsman Hymenopappus artemisiaefolius
Red Gaillardia-Gaillardia amblyodon
Texas Dandelion Pyrrhopappus pauciflorus (=multicaulis)
Texas Skeleton Weed Lygodesmia texana
Texas Thistle Cirsium texanum
Yarrow Achillea millefolium

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweed Family)
Antelopehorn (Trailing Milkweed) Asclepias asperula

Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)
Algerita/Agarita Mahonia (=Berberis) trifoliolata

Bignoniaceae (Catalpa Family)
Catalpa Catalpa bignonioides-flowering tree
Crossvine Bignonia capreolata
Trumpet Creeper Campsis radicans

Boraginaceae (Borage Family)
Wild Olive Cordia boissieri-not a true olive, at the Alamo

Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)
Peppergrass Lepidium montanum
Plains Wallflower-Erysimum asperum

Bromeliaceae (Pineapple Family)
Ball Moss Tillandsia recurvata

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Christmas Cactus Opuntia leptocaulis
Claret Cup Echinocereus triglochidiatus-I only noticed one, which Don photographed at Enchanted Rock.
Low Prickly Pear Opuntia humifusa
Texas Rainbow Cactus (=Golden Rainbow Hedgehog) Echinocereus dasyacanthus

Campanulaceae (Lobelia Family)
Pale Lobelia Lobelia appendiculata

Commelinaceae (Dayflower Family)
Dayflower Commelina sp.
Spiderwort Tradescantia sp.

Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)
Ashe Juniper Juniperus ashei

Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Texas Madrone Arbutus xalapensis

Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)
Texas Bull Nettle Cnidoscolus texanus

Fabaceae (Pea Family)
Bristly Locust Robinia hispida
Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis
Goldenball Leadtree Leucaena retusa
Honey Mesquite Prosopis glandulosa
Huisache Acacia farnesiana
Pink Sensitive Briar Schrankia uncinata
Texas Bluebonnet Lupinus texensis
Texas Mountain Laurel Sophora secundiflora

Fagaceae (Oak Family)
several species of oak, including Coastal Live Oak Quercus virginiana (the Rio Frio landmark oak) and Lacey Oak Quercus laceyi

Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)
Buckley Centaury Centaurium calycosum
Meadow Pink Sabatia campestris

Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)
Blue Curls Phacelia congesta

Iridaceae (Iris Family)
Dotted Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium sagittiferum

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Mealy Sage Salvia farinacea
Tropical Sage Salvia coccinea

Liliaceae (Lily Family)
Wild Onion Allium canadense

Linaceae (Flax Family)
Yellow Flax Linum rigidum

Magnoliaceae (Magnolia Family)
Southern Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora

Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
Wine-cup Callirhoe leiocarpa
Turk's Cap Malvaviscus drummondii

Moraceae (Mulberry Family)
Red Mulberry Morus rubra

Oleaceae (Olive Family)
Texas Ash Fraxinus texensis

Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family)
Cut-leaved Evening Primrose Oenothera laciniata
Gaura spp
Prairie (=Pink) Evening Primrose Oenothera speciosa

Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)
White Prickly Poppy Argemone albiflora

Platanaceae (Sycamore Family)
Sycamore Platanus occidentalis

Scrophulariaceae (Foxglove Family)
Cenizo (=Texas Ranger) Leucophyllum frutescens
Snapdragon Vine Maurandella (= Maurandya) antirrhiniflora
Paintbrush species Castilleja sp, including red-orange Entire-leaf Paintbrush C. indivisa
Penstemon species

Taxodiaceae (Taxodium Family)
Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum

Tiliaceae (Linden Family)
Basswood Tilia americana

Ulmaceae (Elm Family)
Hackberry Celtis laevigata

Verbenaceae (Vervain Family)
Prairie Verbena Glandularia (=Verbena) bipinnatifida
Texas Lantana Lantana urticoides
Texas Vervain Verbena halei

Viscaceae (Mistletoe Family)
Mistletoe Phoradendron spp

Vitaceae (Grape Family)
Mustang Grape Vitis mustangensis

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