Old Stomping Grounds

Have you ever experienced the situation where after you buy something you start to notice the same thing everywhere around you? Suddenly, everybody seems to be driving the same car as you. The song you just learned the name to is now on the radio all the time. I'm sure there is a scientific explanation for this, and I am hoping so, because it will also explain how the same thing happens when birding. Once you find a bird in a location, you almost always see it there again and with even greater ease (rarities excluded of course).

When I first moved to the Austin area 2-3 years ago I found Cypress Creek park just about two miles from my house. This is an LCRA/county park that is on the tip of a small finger of the very east end of Lake Travis. On one side there is an entrance with a fee station and a boat ramp. On the other side you can park on the free side where people can fish when the water level is high enough. Early in the morning in January, it is usually empty. Two winters ago, I would come there often looking for sparrows and especially Spotted Towhees. The first winter I didn't see one the first few times I went looking there. Finally, towards the end of the season, I had one pretty much land in my lap. The next time I went back, sure enough, I saw one within thirty minutes. I went back a couple times in the summer--for different birds like the Summer Tanager and Yellow-billed Cuckoo--but I haven't really been back to Cypress Creek park since.

Over the last two or so years I have seen a bunch of towhees in areas scattered in almost every direction outside of Austin. This morning, with an outing planned for the Chinese New Year celebration across town, I figured a short birding trip was in order. Sure enough, Cypress Creek park was cool, sunny, empty, and full of Spotted Towhees! (Also, probably the largest collection of American Robins in a general area that I have experienced.)