VA to AZ June 6: South Llano State Park, TX and Sheffield Loop, TX

We woke up early on June 6th to get to Llano River State Park, a must see for birders on Route 10.  When it was still quite dark out, we heard new birds calling everywhere.  Alex even spotted a Vermillion Flycatcher sitting on the groud in the dark paking lot.  In total I got 23 new year birds, including a few lifers!  See my year list of the side of the page for all of the new species seen.

At first light we heard and saw Painted Buntings all over the place.  There were many Indigo Buntings, Summer Tanagers, and Blue Grosbeaks around, in addition Western Wood Pewees, a new species for me.  Near the river, we found a black-phoebe catching insects.  A black-throated sparrow was hopping around on the ground, which we would see many more of later in the day at the many watering hole/feeder station the park staff has set up around the state park.  At the first watering hole, we found black-crested titmouse, and blue-gray gnatcatchers were flitting around overhead.  Lesser nighthawks, which are smaller than common nighthawks, were flying around at dawn, hawking insects in just about every open area of the park.

Blue Grosbeak

Summer Tanager

Near the refuge office, we found 4 jack rabbits grazing in the lawn.  They seemed to be totally habituated to people in comparison to the ones I've found running around Nebraska.

black-tailed jackrabbit

On a nearby trail, we picked up Verdin, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, and Golden-Fronted Woodpecker.  Black-chinned Hummingbirds were everywhere, chasing eachother and defending their territories.  We found a male feeding a female, and also found a female on a nest later in the day.

Black-chinned Hummingbird pair

Black-chinned Hummingbird on nest

At another watering hole, we found White-Winged Dove, Common Ground Dove, and Inca Dove.  A black-throated sparrow was getting a drink here, and painted buntings, lark sparrows, and Pyrrhuloxia (which look like odd cardinals) made appearances at the feeders.

Pyrrhuloxia and Inca Dove

Black-crested Titmouse

White-winged dove

female painted bunting

Ash-throated flycatcher

black-throated sparrow

First spring male Summer Tanager

Down by the river, we picked up Rufous-Crowned sparrow, Bell's Vireo, and Green Kingfisher.  The South Llano River is an excellent swimming hole, and we spent a few hours cooling off in the river.  We even found a pair of yellow-billed cuckoos on the river.

Many butterflies were also around.

Little Wood-Satyr

Silvery Crescent

Queen

Variegated Fritillary

Red admiral

Next we headed for a road in Texas off of I-10 known as "Sheffield Loop."  Here we heard black-headed vireo, but could not get a visual on them.  This area is known for Zone-tailed Hawk, and sure enough Alex spotted one soaring in the distance, looking very much like and even acting like a turkey vulture, but then dropping into a steep stoop.  The bird was very far away but we managed to get a few photos.

Zone-tailed Hawk

Also on this road, Alex spotted a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher nest, and we spotted our first Western Kingbird of the year.  As we headed for El Paso, we found this Swainson's hawk hunting along the road.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher nest

Swainson's Hawk