Summer Birding is HOT!

The rains have paused, and the heat has returned. At times, it seems as though the anticipation for fall migration will never come, especially when you step outside into the humid, moisture-laden air. However, migration is occurring all around us. Purple Martins are gathering in their pre-migration roosts, and hummingbirds are showing signs of restlessness. August will be here in no time, and migration will be in full swing. On these hot and humid days, it is always worth a short drive to visit areas where there is water. Along our Waller County roads, there are lots of shallow ditches, and when they fill with water and get muddy, you have a good chance of seeing young Barred Owls refining their crawfish hunting skills.

Barred Owl watching for crawfish

At a nearby lake, we found an adult eagle watching for fish. Many adult eagles will remain on their territories during the summer, while their recently fledged youngsters will tend to wander north during the hot months.

And rain-filled depressions in fields and pastures can hold surprises like this Black-necked Stilt. The Hawaiian subspecies of this bird is called Aeo which means "one standing tall".

Every day is an opportunity to spend a little bit of time in nature. We hope you get a chance today!