Late Brown Creeper!

    The TAS Birds of the Austin, Texas Region Checklist states that Brown Creeper is "Very Rare" the last third of March.
    This photo was taken this morning March 23 at my Utley residence as I was having coffee. It is is amazing that I  heard or saw it at all given the scores of Chipping Sparrows on the property nibbling at the oak blooms. Actually at my age it is amazing that I could even hear then find this bird period. It is considered to be one of the most difficult of all North American birds to detect by call alone, especially as one ages. But that thin "seeee" call is just what drew my attention to it and it was heard it several times thereafter. I would not have expected to see one this late in the season.
  The towhee sang a bit early on and finally after a long absence a Hermit Thrush has appeared the property after being nearly absent all winter.   Just animals all north bound I guess.  A small stream of Broad-winged Hawks sailed over earlier. There will likely be more of those as the day wears on for the conditions here are perfect for such a movement today.  A Swallow-tailed Kite would be nice, and right on time.

Brush