Learning, Birding and Nature with Charmaine Ganson

09/06/2026

Had an Orange-crowned Warbler show up the other day and today had a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Otherwise, migration is slow still.

07/29/2026

Good morning, All! We have our first migrating hummingbird from the west. It’s a Rufous male.

06/21/2026

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I am not getting paid for promoting this. Just trying to help out. No more bee problems!

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06/05/2026

Guess who's here! Our first sighting of an owlet!

05/28/2026

The female Screech Owl leaves the nest box every night at 8:45 pm. Don't know how she is so exact. Tonight we heard the male call to her before she left. Tonight we sat back out on the deck after she left. Then we saw the male fly in to the hole then back out a few seconds later. Then the female did the same thing. This means they are feeding babies!
Every 30 seconds or so one after the other they would stop at the hole or go in and then come back out, taking turns. It's so exciting!

Send a message to learn more

05/17/2026

Thursday we saw the Screech Owl again for the first time since April 21st. At 8:45 she flew out and into the woods. She did it again yesterday at the same time. Today as she was scheduled to fly she was calling back and forth with another owl. A smaller male came flying up to her from the woods. Touched her face and they flew off together into the woods! It was so cool!

We had 3 White-tailed deer there at the same time grazing and drinking water. None of the birds or animals seem to care the other was there. Another interesting evening in the country. 🙂

03/26/2026

Look who's back! Our Eastern Screech owl! It's raptor nesting season. The male usually chooses the nest site and takes care of the female when she is laying and incubating eggs. The male feeds the female when courting and when she is actually nesting. They tend to mate for life.

They come in two color morphs, red and grey. Their eyes are a yellow color. They have feather tufts on their head that stick up and look like ears. Their ears are actually below there on the sides of their head. One is set higher than the other so they can pinpoint their prey easier in the dark which can consist of anything from mice, small birds, insects. etc..

They are small. Less than 10" in length and their feather pattern allows them to blend into their environment.

We are looking forward to seeing babies again this year!

03/20/2026

It's time, Texas!
Spring migration is here, and Birds need our help! Lets protect our feathered friends!

Turn off all non-essential lighting outside and inside from 11:00pm to 6:00am each night during migration (March 1 - June 15).

Did you know 1 out of 3 birds migrate thru Texas, that's 3 billion birds!

🐦 Learn more at: bit.ly/Lights_Out_Texas



www.indianblanketranch.com www.hillcountryadventures.com

01/16/2026

I had a Dental appt. today in Kerrville so I decided Collins and I would go to the river and look for the Common Merganser reported there. Found it upstream from the Dietert Center near the spillway.

Their beaks are long and thin compared to ducks. It's fairly large and is found in most of the US, Europe and Asia. It's just happens to be uncommon down South here in S. Texas.

01/05/2026

This is a good reminder not to use lead shot. It helps wildlife not to die an agonizing death. From Gentle Bird Moments a wildlife rehab.

We want to share a deeply emotional update about our work, especially in light of the challenges we have recently faced. While we do not always make every case public—particularly during periods of unusually high patient intake—we believe it is important to address a heartbreaking reality we have encountered. Over the past eight weeks, we admitted five majestic bald eagles that sadly succumbed to lead poisoning. These remarkable birds, all five years of age or older with their striking white heads, had already survived the most vulnerable years of their lives. Witnessing them fall victim to a preventable threat has been devastating.

As this is nesting season, it is especially painful to imagine their mates searching for them. These eagles will not return to their partners or their territories, a loss that resonates deeply with all of us. Alarmingly high levels of lead were found in their blood. Some did not survive through the night, while others required compassionate intervention to end their suffering. The number of eagles affected in such a short time is deeply concerning and underscores the urgent need for action.

We are committed to ensuring these eagles are honored with dignity. Our conservation officers will retrieve them for placement in the Eagle Repository, and in doing so, we are reminded of the critical importance of raising awareness about non lead alternatives for hunters and anglers. Through the simple choice of using non lead ammunition, sinkers, and fishing tackle, we can collectively protect these magnificent birds and our wildlife.

We recognize that some members of the community may push back against this message. However, it is essential to acknowledge the long term impact of lead ammunition on bald eagles and other wildlife. If change is resisted, responsible practices such as properly removing gut piles and ensuring non target animals affected by lead are handled appropriately must be encouraged. While we have encountered some resistance within portions of the sporting community, understanding the impact of lead is crucial. Fortunately, extensive information on available alternatives exists, and many options are readily accessible.

Though today is a difficult day for our team, the loss of these beautiful eagles reinforces the importance of our mission. Together, we can advocate for thoughtful changes that protect wildlife and help create a healthier ecosystem. Let us work toward a future where bald eagles and other wildlife can thrive, free from the threat of lead poisoning