Be prepared. To many birds, Texas IS
their cool-weather home so they come here from up north. Some of this area’s
wild birds start migrating to warmer climates about now. However, many stay right here in north Texas;
this IS their winter home. (Like Cardinals, Chickadees, Bluebirds,
Titmice, House Finches, Jays, Mockingbirds and several others). Some pass
through Texas on their migration to exotic areas. When all is said and done,
there are about as many birds in north
Texas in cool weather as in July. Probably more!
They will likely be encountering a
scarcity of natural food, less protective cover (as plants lose their leaves)
and cooler weather requiring more energy to stay warm.
Offering fresh food to birds won't affect their migration schedule at all, since their comings and goings are governed entirely by the changing length of daylight, winds, and the sun's angles. In fact, if you have fresh food out, migrating birds may rest up (for a day or two) in your yard for the next leg of their trip south.
Migration presents the opportunity to spot a bird that's not normally seen here. In north Texas, there have been sightings of Tanagers, Baltimore Orioles, Nashville Warblers, Pine Siskins and several others, including Pelicans. Migrating birds need the same things all birds need, especially plenty of fresh food and clean water as they "bulk up".
For most birds, the actual flight occurs in the cool of the night, since birds navigate by the stars, so we may not see them in flight. Also at night, there are few predators and the winds are more predictable.
For those of us who are
earthbound, there's not much we should change as the birds migrate out of and
into north Texas. Continue to offer fresh seed, clean water, roosting
opportunities and vegetation that makes them feel safe. You'll get visits from
about the same number of birds -- new and different species perhaps – but even
more if the food you’re offering is good and fresh!
PROFITABLE BATS
According to the National
Wildlife Federation, Austin is enriched by over $8,000,000 tourism dollars a
year from people visiting to view the bats, mainly at Town Lake. (On a
personal note: we recently took our granddaughter to a bat cave in Uvalde
County. We saw 10-12 million bats as they left their cave on their nightly food
run– it took several hours. Our granddaughter
loved it! )
Owen Yost, in addition to blogging, is a Landscape Architect emeritus
from here, who‘s worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is a member of the American Society of
Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Society of Landscape Architects, the
National BirdFeeding Society, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon
Society. He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award by the Native Plant
Society of Texas. His design office is at birdpoop@charter.net
