Eagle Fest 2008

Matt White    On the Wing Again    Last Chance Forever   Butterfly Digital   Eagle Fest

Matt White's Bird Gallery

Eagle Fest is privileged have a web page dedicated to birds photographed in and around Rains County.  All these photographs were taken by Mr. Matt White. 

Cave Swallow

In the past decade Cave Swallows have begun nesting at Lake Tawakoni.   This young bird was photographed resting on a barbed wire fence near the lake on May 28, 2005.   A few days later an active colony was found under a culvert on SH 47 in Rains County.   This adult was photographed there on June 14, 2005.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Photo not available at this time

The first Grasshopper Sparrows confirmed nesting in the immediate vicinity of Lake Tawakoni occurred in summer 2006 in a hay meadow off SH 47.   Despite a continuing drought, a small colony consisting of several pairs was raised nearly a dozen young.  This individual was photographed there July 17, 2006. 

Common Tern

Although regular in small numbers, particularly in fall, Common Terns are rarely detected at Lake Tawakoni.  This individual (on the far left with the dark carpal bar) was photographed among several hundred Forster’s Terns on October 10, 2005.

American Woodcock

Rarely seen so well, this cooperative American Woodcock was photographed on a county road adjacent to Lake Tawakoni in Rains County on January 4, 2006.

Least Tern

An opportunistic nester, Least Terns have bred at Lake Tawakoni several times in the past decade during summers when lake levels have fallen, creating extensive sandy beaches.  This adult was photographed feeding a young bird in August 2006.

Inca Dove

Still mostly confined to urban areas and farmyards, this Inca Dove was photographed in rural Rains County near Lake Tawakoni on August 8, 2006.

Red-necked Phalarope

This Red-necked Phalarope, present in Rains County on October 10-11, 2005, provided the first record for Lake Tawakoni.

Sabine’s Gull

In recent years the Sabine’s Gull, a highly pelagic species, has become an annual fall visitor to Lake Tawakoni.  This immature bird was photographed there on September 20, 2005.

Long-tailed Duck

This Long-tailed Duck remained in Cedar Cove for several weeks during early 2005. 

Tricolored Heron

These adult Tricolored Herons were present for some time during August 2006.  Although immature birds are expected summer visitors, adults are much rarer.

McCown’s Longspur

Several McCown’s Longspurs visited the Rains County shoreline of Lake Tawakoni during the winter of 2005-’06 and again during 2006-’07. 

Pacific Loon

Since 1990 Pacific Loon has proven to be annual in small numbers to Lake Tawakoni.  This distant individual was digiscoped from the boat ramp at Two Mile Bridge on January 8, 2005. 

Surf Scoter

Seldom encountered at Lake Tawakoni, this Surf Scoter was photographed swimming under the Two Mile Bridge on November 19, 2004.

Piping Plover

This young Piping Plover at Lake Tawakoni in Rains County on September 14, 2006.

Snowy Plover

There is strong evidence that due to the drought conditions, Snowy Plover nested on the beach at Lake Tawakoni in Rains County during the summer of 2006.  A pair was seen there throughout the spring through at least June 9 (when this adult was photographed) followed by the appearance of a pair with two very young birds in late June (here June 30) into July and August.

Lark Sparrow

 Lark Sparrows are unusual in winter at Lake Tawakoni and generally occur in very low numbers.  Almost unprecedented was the discovery of 21 birds in Rains County during winter 2005-’06.  This individual was photographed on December 14, 2005.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Good numbers of south-bound Buff-breasted Sandpipers were noted at Lake Tawakoni during summer and fall 2006.  These were part of a small flock of thirty present there on July 28.