I joined up with them at 6:30 yesterday morning. They are called the ROADRUNNERS. They are an energetic group with high goals. They are sharp of eye and ear. For eight solid hours the Roadrunners did their thing. I managed to keep the pace with them. At the close of our non-stop trip the group of three girls and one boy, ages 9-13 had identified SEVENTY different kinds of birds. That was a real good trip.
On May 2, the Roadrunners will be challenged by teams their age all along the Gulf Coast. We will see who can see the greatest number of birds. This event is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory. It is called The Great Texas Birding Classic. There are different divisions. We are in the Roughwings, for kids 9-13. They all must see each bird and then identify it. As Team Leader I have to see the bird and agree with their call or tell them it is wrong. Yesterday was a FUN day with these kids! You cannot imagine how exciting it was for them as they began to see birds they had only known from a book. It was fun for me too!
My favorite bird of the day? Hard to call. I would say Yellow Headed Blackbird. Blackpoll Warbler is right there with it. Black terns were neat at Port Aransas. We are going to try for EIGHTY BIRDS next Saturday, May 2. Hopefully,this ole' bird will be there with them.
