April 13, 2007 – DAFB, Cedar Gap Farm, and Sweetwater


Dyess Air Force Base

There’s a nice mix of lingering winter birds, spring migrants, and resident birds.

Best bird(s) of the day:

  • Green Heron, 1: FOS
  • Chimney Swifts: 2, FOS


Complete List (most seen around Totten Pond):

  • Blue-winged Teal, 17
  • Green Heron, 1
  • Turkey Vulture, 1
  • Cooper’s Hawk, 1
  • Swainson’s Hawk, 1
  • Red-tailed Hawk, 1
  • Eurasian Collared-Dove, 2
  • White-wing Dove, 9
  • Mourning Dove, 25
  • Chimney Swift, 2
  • Belted Kingfisher, 1
  • Eastern Phoebe, 2
  • Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, 12
  • Blue Jay, 6
  • Cliff Swallow, 50+
  • Barn Swallow, 1
  • Black-crested Titmouse, 3
  • Bewick’s Wren 6
  • Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1
  • Northern Mockingbird, 8
  • Curve-billed Thrasher, 1
  • Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1, now singing
  • Spotted Towhee, 1
  • Clay-colored Sparrow, 2
  • Lark Sparrow, 1
  • Lincoln Sparrow, 12
  • Northern Cardinal, 5
  • Common Grackle, 3
  • Brown-headed Cowbird, 3
  • House Finch, 2
  • Other Wildlife: Almost-stepped-on Rattlesnake, 1

Sightings: LgPacker

Cedar Gap Farm

Best bird(s) of the day:

  • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 2 working the oaks around the bird house

Complete List:

  • Wild Turkey, 5: three displaying toms and 2 hens
  • Black-chinned Hummingbird, 3 seen at once, but there are certainly more there
  • Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2: male and female. I watched them enter and exit a tree cavity. Be happy to share the location with anyone who wants to know OR you can sit and observe for awhile and find it yourself.
  • Carolina Chickadee, 2
  • Black-crested Titmouse, 1
  • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 2
  • Spotted Towhee, 3, haven’t left yet
  • Canyon Towhee, 1
  • Chipping Sparrow, 37, all in brilliant breeding plumage
  • Field Sparrow, 1
  • White-throated Sparrow, 2, with one in brilliant breeding plumage
  • White-crowned Sparrow, 3
  • Northern Cardinal, 5
  • Brown-headed Cowbird, 10
  • House Finch, 6
  • Pine Siskin, 2. I understand they’ve been at Cedar Gap all winter; I saw none in town.
  • Lesser Goldfinch, 3
  • Other Wildlife: Cottontail Rabbit, not a rattlesnake

Sightings: LgPacker

Sweetwater, Texas

  • Carol Cain reported two Lazuli Buntings (male and female) feeding in her backyard!