Greetings All:
Today I completed the first of my Floyd County BBS routes (and all
highlights seen were in Floyd County): the Dougherty BBS. This route
starts just south of Dougherty, runs west passing south of Floydada, takes
a hook south across the White River Canyon (always an interesting road
after the spring rains), and then bends west again, ending close to FM 54
just east of the Hale/Floyd County line. A full report will be posted
later but I wanted to get some highlights out today.
On the way over I almost ran over a Common Poorwill on Highway 207 where it
crosses the White River.
Along the route (with birds listed in order of appearance): 4 American
Avocets just southwest of Dougherty, 2 Black-necked Stilts and 2
White-faced Ibises further west, 1 Green-winged Teal further west, 1
Northern Pintail further west, 2 Black-necked Stilts and 2 American Avocets
southeast of Floydada, 16 Purple Martins south-southeast of Floydada, 1
Ring-necked Pheasant and 2 male Yellow-headed Blackbirds a bit further
west, 5 Blue-winged Teals, 2 Northern Shovelers, 2 Green-winged Teals, 2
Redheads, 4 American Avocets, 2 Purple Martins and 1 female Yellow-headed
Blackbird south of Floydada, 23 Cattle Egrets and 1 male Bronzed Cowbird
southwest of Floydada, 1 Lesser Goldfinch near the White River crossing of
CR 121, and 1 male Bronzed Cowbird at the very last stop.
With heavy rains in the Floydada area early in the month, there was a good
chance that my second BBS route would still be non-navigable ... so I
headed back up to Floydada to attempt a pre-run. I had 2 Cave Swallows
near the intersection of FM 54 and CR 81. At playas just south of Floydada
I tallied 2 Redheads, 1 Black-necked Stilt, 2 American Avocets, 1 Snowy
Egret, 19 Cattle Egrets, and 2 White-faced Ibises. In Floydada I lucked
into 4 Purple Martins.
The Floydada BBS route starts at a point north of Floydada, runs west to FM
28, hooks south on FM 28, and then heads back towards Floydada. I cruised
the routes as fast as conditions allowed and, though some spots were a bit
tacky, I should - given no rains tonight - be able to complete the route
tomorrow. Some birds noted along the way: 1 male Common Yellowthroat
singing at Windfarm Pond, 2 American Avocets, 1 White-faced Ibis, and 2
Common Ravens along CR 200 as it closes in on FM 28, and 2 Gadwalls on a
playa by the side of CR 232 a tad west of FM 28.
The last highlight of the visit to Floyd County: 2 Blue-winged Teals on a
roadside pond east of Floydada.
Not a bad day - I sure hope that I can knock my last survey out tomorrow -
will be keeping an eye on the doppler the rest of the day:)
Anthony 'Fat Tony' Hewetson; Lubbock
