White Rock Creek, Dallas, Jan 2013

My original plan for today involved Sandy Lake, but a well placed concierge advised me that Sandy Lake was in fact an amusement park and that despite having its own entry on eBird, would be closed to all-comers on a cold Monday morning in January. So I changed to my fall back plan with a gentle ride to White Rock Creek.

On the small lake at Winwood Park (Google Earth ref; 32°57'12.92"N 96°48'40.21"W) were a few Gadwall and a couple of Mallard. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker flew in and began tapping on the far side. An Eastern Phoebe perched on a reed, hoping that some insects might show themselves on such a cold morning.

Blue Jays and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were making quite a din by one of the houses across the lake. Lots of holes and loose ivy high in an oak tree made me hopeful that an owl might be hiding there, but I couldn’t see one.

Plenty of smaller birds were feeding along the fence line of the other house that borders the park. Dark-eyed Junco, and Carolina Wren were feeding low down with Yellow-rumped Warbler and Golden-crowned Kinglet higher up.

The path drops down from the main road onto the riverside where a Downy Woodpecker whinnied a couple of times before I saw it.

In a berry tree, feeding American Robins were joined by a couple of Cedar Waxwings. A small flock of Red-winged Blackbirds were also in the berry tree, but I couldn’t see if they were feeding on the fruit.

The large total of Great-tailed Grackles was estimated from a big flock that flew over. I was using my press and point camera today which takes a while to warm up. The flock had been flying over for about 10-15 seconds before the camera was ready.

Birds seen;

Gadwall 7, Mallard 8, Double-crested Cormorant 3, White-winged Dove 3, Red-bellied Woodpecker 6, Yellow-bellied Woodpecker 1, Downy Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 1, Eastern Phoebe 1, Blue-Jay 16, American Crow 1, Carolina Chickadee 2, Tufted Titmouse 2, Red-breasted Nuthatch 1, Carolina Wren 4, Golden-crowned Kinglet 1, American Robin 8, Northern Mockingbird 2, Cedar Waxwing 2, Yellow-rumped Warbler 12, Dark-eyed Junco 4, Northern Cardinal 2, Red-winged Blackbird 8, Great-tailed Grackle 3015.

White Rock Trail runs as far South as White Rock Lake, but is fractured in places and detours through housing developments. A map may be needed to follow it easily.This section is about 1km long and can be accessed by continuing past Winwood Lake for a further 100m.

Follow the links below for previous posts from White Rock Creek;
http://redgannet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/damselflies-on-white-rock-creek-july.html

Visit the dedicated USA and Canada Page for more posts from Houston including; White Rock Lake

Damselflies on White Rock Creek, July 2012

From Google Earth ref; 32°57'13.79"N  96°48'36.86"W a track leads down to the White Rock Creek. It was a slow start since I turned 50 this week and had a little party to mark the occasion last night. The short cycle ride had started my blood moving again, picking up the sludge which had settled in my sump and sending it straight back to my head, which reacted by thumping.

Thankfully there were very few birds to stop me as I cycled along beside the stream in the pleasant shade. The few that did catch my attention did not merit photographs. Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice and Downy Woodpeckers showed themselves briefly and a Green Heron flushed from the river bank.

I only stayed for a short while and most of my time was spent in a patch of grass looking at damselflies. The one above I shall take to be a Comanche Dancer, Argia barretti.

The Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta  were very common, but I am taking this identification with a pinch of salt. It is not a perfect fit for the field guide specimen, but I can’t see a better alternative. The juvenile/female, below,  corresponds quite well.

The Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula was another common ode that did not quite match its description in the book.

Especially when the colour matches between individuals varied so.

Also seen along the creek and in a nearby pond were Swift Setwing, Dythemis velox, Eastern Pondhawk, Eurothemis simplicicollis, Black Saddlebags,Tramea lacerata ,and Eastern Amberwing, Perithemis tenera.

Birds seen;

Great Egret 1, Green Heron 1, Eurasian Collared Dove 2, White-winged Dove 2, Mourning Dove 2, Downy Woodpecker 1, Blue Jay 10, American Crow 4, Carolina Chickadee 4, Tufted Titmouse 6, Great-tailed Grackle 60.

Visit the dedicated USA and Canada Page for more from the area, including White Rock Lake and a selection of posts from Houston.