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Posted
5 hours ago, hookem2010 said:

Yes, not in great numbers. But there's been a female who has attempted (unsuccessfully, at least as of a couple years ago) to nest on the Tower.

So a rare breeder, but they certainly pass through during migration with some regularity.

Ok, I knew about the Tower Girl, but my wife had a patient who claimed there were none in Austin besides that. I’m 90% sure we’ve seen a pair in Hyde park over the past several years. 

Posted
53 minutes ago, Biff Tannen said:

Ok, I knew about the Tower Girl, but my wife had a patient who claimed there were none in Austin besides that. I’m 90% sure we’ve seen a pair in Hyde park over the past several years. 

Looks like essentially all of the summer reports are from around the Tower and Town Lake, occasionally Hornsby. They are definitely around outside of breeding season, usually passing through.

American kestrel is the falcon that may be around a little more year-round, but they are also not very common from June-August or so.

Posted (edited)

image.png.3d7db61d3551446520ae136743dc12e0.png

National Geographic Dinal Chandeepa · August 7 at 2:02PM · 

A female falcon fitted with a GPS tracker embarked on an incredible journey from South Africa to Finland. Averaging around 230 kilometers per day, she flew in a nearly straight line across the African continent until reaching the northern deserts.
Rather than flying over the vast Mediterranean Sea, she cleverly followed the Nile River through Sudan and Egypt—likely for easier access to water. She then navigated through Syria and Lebanon, deliberately avoiding the Black Sea as well, knowing she couldn’t drink from it.
After 42 days of determined flight, she finally arrived in Finland—completing an extraordinary migration that showcased both instinct and strategy.
Edited by Mdhorn
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Posted
On 8/8/2025 at 9:04 PM, Biff Tannen said:

Ok, I knew about the Tower Girl, but my wife had a patient who claimed there were none in Austin besides that. I’m 90% sure we’ve seen a pair in Hyde park over the past several years. 

I saw a peregrine falcon in Point Venture a few months ago, but haven't seen it, again. Had a bald eagle sighting last week. Pileated woodpecker last week in Dale. I know pictures would make this post much better, but love seeing these birds.

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Posted

I just started this, but it's pretty fantastic. Filmmaker brothers get high and while thumbing through a birding field guide of their parents decide to embark on a big year with no knowledge of birds.

 

 

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Posted (edited)

non sequitur 

I enjoy birding but more and more I see people with their phones playing birdcalls to attract tanagers and others. I’ve even seen cars playing the sounds over their stereos. I’m not a big fan simply because I can see how a bird could be to troubled by competition to provide and/or forage. Also I think it’ll drive some birds further away from areas that people use to see them. Saying this because I see this every time I go to certain parks.

Thoughts?

Edited by Mdhorn
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Posted

My mom started me birdwatching when I was 5, and I've been at it informally, off and on, the 60 years since.  It has always been my understanding that mimicking bird calls to bring them in is not considered good birdwatching etiquette.  It changes the behaviors of the bird and can put them in danger that they otherwise would avoid.  Beyond that, it's too much like hunting for my taste.  I consider birdwatching to be a "finding" past time rather than a "hunting" past time.

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Posted

Agreed. It’s about looking, being patient and not intrusive. Plus, it’s more peaceful and natural, which is kinda the point of being in nature.

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Posted (edited)

I would be lying if I said I've never used it, but I very rarely do so anymore now that I'm fully aware of the consequences. In places with a lot of birders who may also be using playback and during breeding season are definite no-no's, because it will definitely cause them to expend that extra energy to investigate or respond. 

It's very common with guides in the tropics, apparently. But so is "taming" hard to see things like antpittas with daily feelings. I have mixed feelings about that. Certainly not ideal, but it does encourage locals to protect their land for ecotourism versus clearing it for agriculture or whatever else.

Edited by hookem2010

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