This morning I birded the Guadalupe River trail north from Blossom Hill Road. I found my target bird, a Willow Flycatcher, before the first bench. It was giving continuous soft calls and moving around quite a bit, finally to the far side of the river. Also here was a Wilson's Warbler and my first two of four Yellow Warblers. Hairy, Nuttall's and Hooded Oriole were heard only. I saw four Western Tanagers, all female before the Chynoweth pond where I turned back. Scaly breasted Munia were heard in several locations along the trail. Interestingly only two House Sparrows were seen today, way down from previous years.
Last night before sunset, I birded west from Meridian along west Los Capitancillos Ponds to count Vaux's Swifts. Approximately eighty swifts were seen near the forth pond with more to the south. I will check tonight from Oak Canyon. This may be one of the last times high numbers of swifts can be seen here, as it can end abruptly about this time of year.
Do not disclose information that identifies the location of nesting birds of any species, to minimize stress on the nesting birds and the risk of vandalism or abuse.
