{"id":1399,"date":"2016-01-10T17:16:57","date_gmt":"2016-01-10T23:16:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lostpineslife.com\/?p=1399"},"modified":"2016-01-10T17:16:57","modified_gmt":"2016-01-10T23:16:57","slug":"wild-new-year-at-little-piney","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lostpineslife.com\/?p=1399","title":{"rendered":"Wild New Year at Little Piney"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christmas Bird Count<\/h2>\n

New Year’s at Little Piney was all about the wildlife. \u00a0On January 1, I participated in my first Christmas Bird Count<\/a>\u00a0in Bastrop. \u00a0Every year, all over the world, on a given day between December 14 and January 5, tens of thousands of local birders count\u00a0the birds in their area and report the numbers to the Audubon Society. \u00a0Scientists use the data–collected since 1901–to study bird populations, migration, environmental issues, habitat changes, and more. \u00a0This fascinating ritual of “citizen science,” was an opportunity for me tag along and marvel at the skills of expert birders. \u00a0The day was fast-paced and thrilling. \u00a0Moving nonstop up and down country roads and park trails from 6:30 am to dark, we raced the sun to cover all of our territory in good light. \u00a0We even counted \u00a0birds at Little Piney! \u00a0Finds of the day included a Red-Headed Woodpecker, Pyrrhuloxias, several beautiful Kestrels, and a close up view of a Cooper’s Hawk.<\/p>\n

There was little time for photos as we sighted, counted, and recorded over 600 birds of 80 species.<\/p>\n

Green Kingfisher<\/h2>\n
\"Green
Green Kingfisher, Bastrop TX<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One bird I had hoped to spot for our list was the tiny, dashing Green Kingfisher<\/a> who frequents our waterways at Little Piney. \u00a0He didn’t show up until January 2, posing for this photo down at the creek bottom. \u00a0As no one spotted a Green Kingfisher on January 1, he was eligible to add as a species seen the week of the count.<\/p>\n

Bigger Wild Things<\/h2>\n

On Saturday, we had more wildlife surprises at Little Piney. \u00a0From the dining room, we were watching a deer graze in the field when he\u00a0turned\u00a0suddenly toward the woods. \u00a0At full alert, he stamped his hooves several times never removing his eyes from a threat unseen to us. \u00a0Next, to our utter surprise, a good-sized bobcat emerged from the brush! \u00a0The bobcat carefully crossed the field, as the deer remained tense and watchful, pivoting to keep eyes glued to the gray cat. \u00a0I had my camera in hand, but due to light and distance, couldn’t focus. \u00a0The best shot is the one below of the bobcat behind the open barn gate.<\/p>\n

\"Bobcat
Bobcat, Bastrop TX<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And this is the brave deer watching the cat as he crossed the field.<\/p>\n

\"Deer
Deer Watching the Bobcat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And a Cute Rodent<\/h2>\n
\"Cute
Cute Hopping Rodent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We have some rowdy residents below the house–some grizzly, hissing possums which sound like they are clawing their way up through floor at night. \u00a0In the process of trapping the nuisance critters we also caught this cute little guy. \u00a0He hops like a kangaroo rat, but looks more like a pocket mouse. \u00a0I’ll update if I discover more about his identity. \u00a0Meanwhile, he has moved to a new home near a park.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That’s our Wild New Year at Little Piney. \u00a0Happy 2016!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Christmas Bird Count New Year’s at Little Piney was all about the wildlife. \u00a0On January 1, I participated in my first Christmas Bird Count\u00a0in Bastrop. \u00a0Every year, all over the world, on a given day between December 14 and January 5, tens of thousands of local birders count\u00a0the birds in their area and report theContinue reading<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1401,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,22,41],"tags":[11,234,206,28,236,237,235],"class_list":["post-1399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bastrop-lost-pines-birds","category-bastrop-lost-pines-nature","category-lost-pines-life","tag-bastrop-birds","tag-birding","tag-birds-of-texas","tag-bobcat","tag-bobcats-in-bastrop","tag-green-kingfisher","tag-rodents-of-bastrop"],"yoast_head":"\nWild New Year at Little Piney - 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