EYE ON SAN ANGELO
Texas is a bird watching paradise.
According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, more than 629 species have been documented in this state, with an estimated 493 different birds appearing with some degree of regularity, however, Dr. H.C. Oberholser, in his introduction to “Birds of Texas” originally published in 1960, said there were actually many more if you count subspecies.
Approximately 139 species found in Texas (about 22 percent) are waterbirds, and one of the most notable — and photogenic — is the Great Blue Heron.
Great blue herons are classified as “colonial” waterbirds, one of about 41 species that nest in groups, and rely on water for food and shelter.
These majestic birds are widely distributed, being found in the southern two-thirds of Canada, all the way down to the top of South America.
Texas, in keeping with its reputation for bigness, can boast the largest avifauna of any of the 50 states.
Dr. H.C. Oberholser, “Birds of Texas”
Great blue herons can be seen throughout the year on just about any waterway in the Concho Valley, as most southern flocks are non-migratory.
Although famous for its ability to catch fish, herons also make frequent meals of frogs, snakes, insects, other birds and small mammals as well.
According to ornithologists, male great blue herons secure nesting sites and then court females. Later, the males gather nesting materials, which the females weave into strong dish-shaped platforms up to 4-foot across and a few-feet deep.
The average lifespan of the great blue heron is about 15 years.
— “Birds of Texas” was originally published by the Houghton Mifflin Company.
Meanwhile, on the Other Side of the Dam…
Although the level of Twin Buttes Reservoir looks quite low if you’re standing near the Cage, in the north corner of the lake, the impoundment currently has about 34,212 acre-feet of water, or 19 percent of normal capacity, with 28,946 acre-feet in the North Pool and 5,268 acre-feet in the South Pool.
Current Lake Levels:
- Lake Nasworthy – 9,379 acre-feet – 93 %
- O.C. Fisher Res. – 10,688 acre-feet – 9 %
- Twin Buttes Res. – 34,214 acre-feet (both pools) – 19%
- O.H. Ivie Res. – 220,300 acre-feet – 40 %
- Lake Spence – 77,880 acre-feet – 15 %
Drought Report
According to the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of the northern Concho Valley is free of the specter of drought as we move toward Independence Day, and the fireworks that go with it.
And, who knows? Good Lord willing; we could get a little more rain yet.
Reporter’s notes: Led Zeppelin at The Spillway
During one of my first forays into Google Earth many-moons ago, I was amused to see the “Led Zeppelin” graffiti on the spillway at Lake Nasworthy was very prominent when viewed from outer space.
While it’s been more than a decade since, I’ve always wondered which local artist was outgoing enough to have completed this work, and I’m glad to see it’s still visible, if a little faded from time.
— Concho Observer photos by Will McDaniel
