dracowildlife's Journal

Update on various matters. We can see four Bewick's wren hatchlings in Cheryl's Nest Box and are, of course, anxious that they will fledge. House sparrows seem interested in inhabiting Nest Box Delta (are they responsible for destroying/removing the Eastern bluebird eggs?), but we have put up streamers on the box to hamper their attempts. There are now four Eastern bluebird eggs in Nest Box Bravo, but the five eggs in Nest Box Foxtrot have disappeared (sparrows, again?). We have removed that nest, hoping for a second try by the bluebirds.

We selectively sprayed mesquite trees throughout the prairie with Remedy Ultra on 4/27, and it seems to have the desired effect. On the other hand, we sprayed emerging bull nettle with 41% glyphosate (Roundup equivalent), and there doesn't seem to be any effect. While glyphosate is not specifically called out for bull nettle, we applied it last year with apparent success. However, since this was also applied to some undesirable grass in our driveway and did not kill it, we believe there may be something wrong with the mixture we used. We will try again.

More sad news. The Eastern Bluebird hatchlings in Nest Box Delta have died. Was it because of cold temperatures (in mid-30's)? Doesn't seem likely. Was it from an invader (one of the four hatchlings was missing when Patrick cleaned out the nest box)? With no other evidence, we have to chalk it up to "Bad Luck." As just mentioned, we cleaned out the nest box with the hope that the breeding pair will try again.

On a brighter note, Patrick observed five(!) scissortail flycatchers on the north and east fence around noon. Alas, he did not have his camera with him.

Sad news. After noticing that no birds were visiting the License Plate Nest Box, I checked inside. It appeared there were hatchlings, but there did not seem to be any sign of movement. I checked again 24 hours later (today) and convinced myself there was a problem. I opened the nest box and discovered three dead hatchlings. Did the mother abandon them? Did I scare the mother away when I looked for eggs? Whatever the reason, I removed the nest and hatchlings from the nest box and replaced it in the same location. Now to see if anything happens.

In the meantime, there are four Eastern Bluebird hatchlings in Nest Box Delta and six Bewick's wren eggs in Cheryl's Nest Box.

First Day of Spring!
As of yesterday, there were four Eastern Bluebird eggs in Nest Box Delta. The house sparrows appear to be trying to take over Nest Box Alpha, but so far, we have kept them away. A Ladder-backed woodpecker appears to have made a nest in the repurposed Agave americana stalk that we have attached to our gate post leading to the prairie. The Carolina wren that made the nest in the Texas License Plate box has not been seen lately. We have been visited by killdeer (actually observed in the pasture to our north) and two scissortail fly-catchers. The ten-petal anemone are present, and the first bluebonnets are making their appearances. We have found two vertebrae of what appears to be a medium sized animal (e.g., small deer) in the path along the north fence and a foot and leg bone in one of the mowed areas in Acre 2019.

A Carolina Wren has been making a nest in a commercial nest box made from Texas license plates. Is this the same bird that made a nest here last year? The nest appears to be made of primarily leaves and twigs just stuffed into the nest box. It's hard to see inside this box because of how it was built. Presumably, there is some kind of cavity for the hen to lay eggs and then feed the clutch when the eggs hatch. The nest box hangs in a Mexican plum tree right outside the window of Patrick's office, so it is easy to watch, and occasionally photograph, the progress.

The Eastern Bluebirds are investigating Nest Box Alpha, and the House Sparrows seem to be more active in recent days.

Today a red-shouldered hawk spent some measurable time in the prairie. Patrick first noticed him on a mesquite tree not too far from the South Fence. He then moved to the T-post at the western water point and then to Nest Box Foxtrot. He seemed to like this perch as a "predator tower," and was there for at least 15 minutes. He spent part of the time preening himself.

Also, we observed a Carolina Wren (probable) carrying nesting material into the license plate birdhouse in the mexican plum tree outside Patrick's office window. This is a difficult to monitor, but we will try, of course.

On Thursday and Friday, Patrick prepared the soil in Acre 2018 by using the disk harrow and chain harrow. On Saturday, Shannon sowed the area with the following combination: Turner Seed Mix of little bluestem and others, MicroLife 5-2-4 multi-purpose fertilizer, and potting soil. She also sowed Turner Turfgrass seed in some of the "lawn" areas in the vicinity of the house.

Patrick followed up Shannon's effort with a light disking with disk harrow to improve seed-soil contact.

There was a light drizzle (0.01") overnight.

Summing up the rest of the month.

On September 20, Shannon also spread wildflower seeds over the area near the sceptic field (about a quarter acre). These seeds included mostly seeds she had gathered from plants that had bloomed in Draco: American basketflower (from Acre 16), prairie paintbrush, prairie parsley, golden prairie flax, blacked-eyed Susan, and standing cypress). She also planted 10 packages of white rosinweed purchased from Native American Seed.

On September 21, after preparing the soil in Acre 2017 North, Shannon sowed, by hand, seeds, including the remaining little bluestem and wildflower mix seed obtained from Turner Seed Company in February and the remainder of the "Timeless Turf Blend (buffalo grass, blue grama, curly mesquite)." Shannon also applied Microlife Multipurpose 6-2-4 fertilizer. Patrick then used the chain harrow (flat side down) and the ATV to go over the area to improve soil contact.

By good fortune, we received a total accumulation of 1.64" of rain during the period 9/26-9/30.

On 9/22, as Patrick was walking near the Northeast Fence and Short North Fence, an animal, believed to be a Gray Fox (one was seen in the area on 8/7) appeared to rise up from the long grass and head north and disappeared.

On 9/26, following a suggestion he had heard from a representative of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Patrick mowed two 6-8' wide swaths in a North-South direction in Acre 2018. This was to see what would develop in the disturbed soil of the otherwise unchanged acre.

The attempt to kill the bull nettle with glyphosate seems to have been successful, as the plants turned brown through the stems down to the ground. We plan to do more.

Today, and Saturday, September 15, Patrick continued to prepare the soil in Acre 17 North as well as the area to the west of the residence. He used the disk harrow to loosen the soil before our broadcast seeding panned for September 21 and 22. We plan to see Acre 17 North with little bluestem and a mixture of native wildflowers and the area west of the residence with flowers.

The lark sparrows in the nest in our carport have fledged, but not without difficulty, including one that had a run-in with our big black dog. It seems to have survived its encounter. A total of four birds were in the nest.

Four Eastern Bluebirds apparently have fledged from Nest Box Charlie in the last 24-48 hours. We saw them yesterday in the vicinity of the nest box. We cleaned out the nest box this morning, although we don't expect a second nest this late in the season.

Nest Box Delta is being visited by red wasps. They had tried to establish nests, but Patrick has been removing them. We have put soap on the lid of the nest box in an attempt to discourage them, but a few were present this morning.

We spent yesterday and today trimming some of the larger mesquite trees to enhance their growth and applying Remedy and a surfactant on those bushes which we thought would not be useful in the prairie. We used a dye to show to which plants we had applied the herbicide. We are both eager and anxious to see the results.