I (Jennie) had the good fortune to be able to travel to Ft. Worth, Texas for some special work training last week. I quickly found out how hard it is to be somewhere “cool and different” for birding and have NO TIME TO BIRD!
All was not lost. I found large numbers of Great-tailed Grackles and Northern Mockingbirds. I love common birds especially when they are not common to me! I could not get enough of the crazy, loud Great-tailed Grackles. They were everywhere! I was able to sit and listen to the harmonious screeches and whistles every evening along with the Northern Mockingbirds mimicking. It was great.
Great-tailed Grackles at the hotel
I was also lucky enough to be near a waterway that had a few species milling about. Double-crested Cormorant, Bufflehead, Northern Shoveler and American Coot and of course Mallard and Ring-billed Gull. I always forget just how striking Buffleheads can be.
Double-crested Cormorants
Oddly enough, I got a life bird. I did not get a great photo, but this Eurasian-collared Dove was hanging out near my hotel.
Another not-so-great shot: Northern Mockingbird
All-in-all not bad for a non-birding trip.
