Subject: [Tweeters] RFI: Edwards Plateau / Texas
Date: Jul 15 08:57:55 2010
From: Arch McCallum - archmcc at qwest.net


Hi Roland,
About the Colimas at Big Bend, if you're up for back-packing, you
don't have to get up so early.
I pulled in to the Chisos Basin parking lot (at the lodge) around 6
pm (temp above 90F) when I was there at the end of May this year, and
backpacked to one of the Pinnacles campsites. Got there in plenty of
time. Fantastic canyon wren and white-throated swift activity on and
around the cliffs. The PI campsites are at the base of the
escarpment, so one saves hauling the pack all the way to Boot Spring.
It's maybe an hour without a pack from where I camped to the heart of
Boot Cyn. Boot Cyn is beautiful and green (for the Southwest) with
its maples and cypresses. It has 4 campsites, there are 4 at the base
of the pinnacles, and then 4 at the top of the scarp in between. All
were unscheduled when I was there the evening of Memorial Day (i.e.,
Monday night). Go see Mark Flippo at the main Visitor Center, where
you get your backcountry pass. He knows the birds.

Plenty of Colima activity at dawn and beyond around Boot Spring when
I was there.

My best advice, though, is to sign up for the Texbirds list. It's
full of info about the latest sightings all over the state. You'll
find out when your target birds are in, what vagrants are where, etc.

Have fun,
Arch McCallum
Eugene, OR


At 08:33 AM 7/14/2010, rccarl at pacbell.net wrote:
>Colima warblers are in Big Bend NP 500 miles from Austin. You need
>to start the 7.5 mile hike up the mtn before dawn. As you start the
>hike with your headlamps, please read the sign that warns "Mountain
>Lions! Do NOT hike in the dark or by yourself." Chisos mtn lodge
>is booked up far in advance so reserve now.
>
> If you're driving between Austin & Big Bend, be sure to stay &
> bird at Nea'ls Lodge in Concan, TX. Also reserve early. Nearby
> Lost Maples State Natural Area is the best spot in the state for
> Black-capped Vireo & Golden-cheeked warbler. The evening flight at
> Concan bat cave is a don't miss. Swainson's hawks troll through
> the bat cloud.
>
>In Austin, I suggest joinging the Travis Audubon Society for access
>to their Balcones reserve whih is the best spot for
>Golden-cheeks. Nice to support them in any case. Also great
>birding at Austin's sewage treatment plant.
>
>Contrary to the propaganda of the coastal elites, Texans are
>hospitable to birders and run by far the best State birding
>reserves, birding trails & hotlines. It helps that Texas is not
>broke, so the parks are all open.
>
>
>
>Richard Carlson
>Full-time Birder, Biker and Rotarian
>Part-time Economist
>Tucson, AZ, Lake Tahoe, CA, & Kirkland, WA
>rccarl at pacbell.net
>Tucson 520-760-4935
>Tahoe 530-581-0624
>Kirkland 425-828-3819
>Cell 650-280-2965
>
>--- On Wed, 7/14/10, Rolan Nelson <rnbuffle at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>From: Rolan Nelson <rnbuffle at yahoo.com>
>Subject: [Tweeters] RFI: Edwards Plateau / Texas
>To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
>Cc: "John English" <english at ups.edu>
>Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 9:26 AM
>
>Greetings All,
>
>My friend and I will be heading for central Texas next spring in
>search of Golden Cheeked and Colima Warblers, along with whatever
>else we can find. Any tips, suggestions for places to check and/or
>places to stay would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Rolan Nelson
>Fircrest, WA
>rnbuffle at yahoo.com
>
>
>-----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>
>_______________________________________________
>Tweeters mailing list
>Tweeters at u.washington.edu
>http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
>
>_______________________________________________
>Tweeters mailing list
>Tweeters at u.washington.edu
>http://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters