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Snow Birds and Summer Musings

eaglesandowls816

I must confess, I adore summer. I cherish sundresses, sun-kissed shoulders, cicadas singing under the stars, and summer sunrises. As the greater Houston area braces for a rare winter snow event, I began thinking about the birds named after that elusive white fluff we in the South aren't accustomed to. Several birds bear the name "snow," including Snowy Owls, Snowy Egrets, Snow Buntings, Snow Geese, and Snowy Plovers. While Snow Buntings and Snowy Owls are rare in Texas, they have appeared here before. Snowy Egrets are present year-round in our region, and we enjoy observing their complete breeding behavior each spring. Snowy Plovers are found year-round on the southern Texas Gulf Coast but move further north in winter, reaching closer to the Upper Texas Coast. These plovers forage for aquatic invertebrates but are often difficult to spot as they dart across their sandy habitat. The bird that truly captures attention in winter here is the Snow Goose. Thousands of them descending into a stubble field resemble snow itself. Snow Goose hunting was halted in 1916 due to low populations but resumed in the 1970s as their numbers recovered. They are now among the most abundant waterfowl in North America. You can easily find them in our area by visiting places like Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, or the open fields of the Katy Prairie. You're likely to hear their honking before seeing the vast flock gliding through the sky. Watching them circle and descend is like witnessing a miniature snowstorm. With the geese around, you can also watch for their predators. Eagles enjoy soaring among their flocks, hoping for a goose meal. The geese are aware of this, and there's always a lookout in the group to warn of danger. Then, just as smoothly as they landed, they will burst into the air to evade the predator. It's a remarkable sight on these chilly winter days.



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