Welcome
I'm an avid Texas birder and naturalist who writes the weekly nature column for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express News. Follow me as I share my musings about birds and other critters.
View ArticleWhy can't I get an American Woodcock???
Seems all my friends are seeing woodcocks this year, but I can't find one for love nor money. Well, I haven't tried money. Maybe that's the problem. A friend today had one that crashed into her...
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Winter Gulls
Here's a link to my Jan 8, 2011 column in the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express News.Jan 8 Nature Column
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Goldfinches at thistle feeder
Question from reader: I thoroughly enjoy your column in the SA Express/News. I have 5 nyjer tube seed feeders (with fresh seed) in my yard and not one Goldfinch! I even put a small bit of yellow ribbon...
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Spring Nature Festivals in Texas
Lots of good nature festivals in Texas this spring.What: NatureFest When: March 5; 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Where: Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Dr. in HumbleActivities: Family...
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Twitchy Warbler
Question:I have a twitchy warbler that is light green in color. Can this be the pine warbler you were writing bout today a harbinger of spring?Answer: Probably an Orange-crowned Warbler. Broken yellow...
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Barred Owl: Questions from a reader
Your Barred Owls are behaving in classic fashion. They'll roost and nest in close proximity to people. Cherish them. They'll keep your rat population down.1) is it normal for them to hang together like...
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House Finches
A reader asked: Could we have a house finch that is orange?My answer: House Finches do vary greatly in the spectrum of red-orange tones, as you have noticed. We don't know as much as we'd like to know...
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Feeding Hummingbird
Reader Question: Should we use hot water to mix the sugar when we make hummingbird solution? You didn't mention it in a recent article. What about adding red food coloring?We boil the water before...
View ArticlePurple Martin Roost
I got word from a reader that the big roost of purple martins in Houston is still active. The martins gather around sunset at The Fountains shopping center. That's off US 59 in Stafford. There are...
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Bird Study Workshop Oct 7-9
Join me for a Bird Study Workshop at Block Creek Ranch in the beautiful Texas hill country. We'll observe birds in the field, learn about them in classroom sessions, spend time in quiet observation,...
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Where have our house finches gone? Mockingbird is gone too.
House Finches are rather odd in how they move from place to place throughout the year. We don't fully understand their shifting populations (they're not migrating, just shifting locations back and...
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Birdwatching, Nature Study and Photo Tours in 2012
Panama--Birds and Photography Along the Isthmian Route March 9-16, 2012Journey with me and my wife Kathy to Panama. We'll stand atop a canopy tower to see birds and wildlife that live high in the tree...
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Backyard Bird Feeding Tips
Question from reader: I am an avid reader of your nature column and an avid bird lover as well. I was wondering if you could tell me how to increase the species at my home bird feeders. I have several...
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Winter Hummingbirds in Texas
I received a number of emails from readers regarding my January 7th article about winter hummingbirds in the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express News. Here's a sample:One reader wrote: "I read...
View ArticleCardinal Sees His Reflection
Question from Tonie: We have a cardinal that keeps crashing into our front window then he flies to the back where he crashes into a glass sliding door! He must be knocking himself silly! What can I do...
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Barred Owl
Here's my reply to a reader who found a barred owl in her backyard:Yes, that's indeed a Barred Owl, a rather common owl where you live but not commonly seen because it occupies the temporal zone of the...
View ArticleWhy do bird congregate in large flocks?
Question from Doug: Every day at sun down, 100s of black birds congregate and the utility lines at Kirkwood and Westheimer. My questions are, what kind of birds are they, where are they during the day,...
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December Travels to Texas
Tim wrote: I am a Florida birder and I am bringing the family to the San Antonio area for a 4 day stay in mid December. Might make a day trip to Corpus Christi.We will be doing the usual tourist...
View ArticleLeucistic Birds
Irv wrote: I found your article in the Houston Chronicle on leucistic birds very interesting and informative. We live in Conroe in Stewart’s Forest and fortunately still have lots of trees around us....
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Monarch Butterfly Question
Question from a reader: Dear Mr. and Mrs. Clark, I am a kindergarten teacher in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. My class and I have raised Monarch butterflies from eggs that I've collected in a nearby...
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Trumpeter Swan in The Woodlands
The latest information I have about the Trumpeter Swan is that it was found on the Spring Creek Christmas Bird Count on Dec 20th. I have no recent information about sightings.Trumpeter swan...
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Carolina Wren in the Backyard
Carolina wren with characteristic cocked tail.Copyright: Kathy Adams Clark Carolina Wrens typically remain on or near breeding grounds throughout the year and return to the same location to breed...
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Strange bird at feeder
Baltimore oriole at water bath.Copyright: Kathy Adams Clark Question from Reader:Several weeks ago a very beautiful orange and yellow bird, about the size of a mocking bird, lit on one of my humming...
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Feeding Birds in an Apartment
Red-bellied woodpecker at a backyard feeder.Question from Reader: I live in an apartment. Can I feed birds from my balcony? Should I participate in Project Feeder Watch?My Answer: Long ago before I...
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