# World places

# North America

Locations I've birded in North America.

# Pearsall Park

[![pearsall-park-field.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/pearsall-park-field.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/pearsall-park-field.jpeg)

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-an-american-kestrel-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 1px; background-color: #ecf0f1;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px;">*The trail leads from the dog park entrance of the park down to the river walking path.*</td></tr></tbody></table>

### **Description**

Pearsall Park is a 505-acre park that opened in 2016 on the South side of San Antonio, Texas. The park offers 5km of walking/running paths.

For birding, I start at the parking lot next to the dog park and take the trail down the hill to the river. This trail takes you through large fields where you’ll see Barn Swallows, Purple Martins, Western Meadowlarks, and many other birds.

Flanking the trail is a power line that American Kestrels and [Scissor-tailed Flycatchers](http://147.182.199.170/Birds/North-America/Scissor-tailed-Flycatcher) like to perch on to watch for prey.

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-address-4838-old-pea" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center">**Address**</td></tr><tr><td>4838 Old Pearsall Rd

San Antonio, TX 78242

</td></tr></tbody></table>

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### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">**Personal stats**</span>  


#### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">**Visits**</span>

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-%F0%9F%93%86-12%2F01%2F2013-%F0%9F%93%8D-los-a" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 116px; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 10.617284%;"></col><col style="width: 32.839506%;"></col><col style="width: 56.296296%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 29px;"><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">📆</td><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">**First visited**</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">12/01/2013</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px; vertical-align: middle;">📍</td><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle; height: 29px;">**Location**</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">San Antonio, Texas</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle; height: 29px;">🪶</td><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle; height: 29px;">**Species seen**</td><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">79</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle; height: 29px;">📊</td><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle; height: 29px;">**Visited**</td><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">42</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

### **Experiences &amp; anecdotes**

**12/13/22** - This is one of my favorite and most-frequented birding spots in San Antonio, partially because of proximity but also because it’s a great place to see a wide variety of birds. One of my most memorable experiences at this park was on October 16, 2021, when I arrived to find around 75 Western Meadowlarks flying all over the fields. They were on the ground, flying around in groups on both sides of the trail, and doing lots of singing and calling. It was my first time seeing so many of these birds at once. The experience made for a great TikTok video that I created.

Upon further reading when I arrived home, I learned that Western Meadowlarks are found in larger groups more often than their Eastern counterparts. I’m honestly not able to tell the difference between the two birds visually, but [Merlin](https://becausebirds.com/identify-bird-songs-using-your-phone-with-merlin/) helped me identify them via the noises that they made.

---

### **Captured media**

#### **Photographs**

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">**[![27746398-0e39-4d5e-ad29-26e82e5e3136.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/27746398-0e39-4d5e-ad29-26e82e5e3136.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/27746398-0e39-4d5e-ad29-26e82e5e3136.jpeg)**</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-an-american-kestrel--1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">The walking path that follows the river. Parking is located at one end for easy access. 08/2/21</span>*</td></tr></tbody></table>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">  
</span>

<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">[![a2ab0e92-a862-4606-a4d6-14043880f19e.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/a2ab0e92-a862-4606-a4d6-14043880f19e.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/a2ab0e92-a862-4606-a4d6-14043880f19e.jpeg)</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-a-poofed-up-kestrel-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 29px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 29px;"><td class="align-center" style="height: 29px; background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*A nice sunset on the trail leading back up the hill to the dog park entrance. | 08/2/21*</td></tr></tbody></table>

<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">  
</span>

<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*[![63214430-bb01-4ed6-8309-3b3bcfb96f56.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/63214430-bb01-4ed6-8309-3b3bcfb96f56.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/63214430-bb01-4ed6-8309-3b3bcfb96f56.jpeg)*</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-the-american-kestrel-1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*The birders who attended my first bird walk at Pearsall Park. | 05/21/22*</td></tr></tbody></table>

<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*[![barred-owl-2.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/barred-owl-2.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/barred-owl-2.jpeg)*</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-barred-owl-we-found-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*Barred Owl we found on the first bird walk I led. 05/21/22*</td></tr></tbody></table>

<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*[![scissor-tailed-flycatcher3.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/scissor-tailed-flycatcher3.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scissor-tailed-flycatcher3.jpeg)*</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-a-great-example-of-t" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*This a great example of the varying tail lengths due to age. | 05/01/22*</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### **Audio recordings**

- [**ML380069681**](https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/380069681)- 0:10 
    - *This is the song of the adorable Killdeer. It’s a high-pitched, unique song that you often hear coming from the skies as the Killdeer fly above.*
- [**ML380072711**](https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/380072711)- 0:10 
    - *This recording is of the calls of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Portions of the clip are muted to strip out the errant noises.*
- [**ML361453361**](https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/361453361) - 0:50 
    - *A clear recording of the bouncy Carolina Wren call.*
- [**ML359538311**](https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/359538311) - 0:12 
    - *Listen to the complex song of the Bewick’s Wren.*

---

### **From my blogs**

- [Leading a bird walk at Pearsall Park with Bexar Audubon Society](https://becausebirds.com/leading-a-bird-walk-at-pearsall-park-with-bexar-audubon-society/)
- [Finding a Yellow-billed Cuckoo while birding at Pearsall Park](https://%20becausebirds.com/finding-a-yellow-billed-cuckoo-while-birding-at-pearsall-park/)
- [Birding at twilight](https://becausebirds.com/birding-at-twilight/)

# Pedernales Falls State Park

[![pedernales-falls-beautiful-visa.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/pedernales-falls-beautiful-visa.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/pedernales-falls-beautiful-visa.jpeg)

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-an-american-kestrel-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 1px; background-color: #ecf0f1;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px;">*A beautiful vista from Pedernales Falls State Park*</td></tr></tbody></table>

### **Description**

Pedernales Falls State Park opened in 1971. It was purchased from private owners and is 5,212 acres. It’s east of Johnson City, Texas and sits next to the Pedernales River. It has multiple hiking trails of varying difficulty.

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-address-4838-old-pea" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center">**Address**</td></tr><tr><td class="align-center">2585 Park Road 6026

Johnson City, TX 78636</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">**Personal stats**</span>  


#### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">**Visits**</span>

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-%F0%9F%93%86-12%2F01%2F2013-%F0%9F%93%8D-los-a" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 116px; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 10.617284%;"></col><col style="width: 28.395062%;"></col><col style="width: 60.740741%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 29px;"><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">📆</td><td style="border-width: 1px;">First visited</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">12/14/2022</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px; vertical-align: middle;">📍</td><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle;">Location</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">San Antonio, Texas</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle; height: 29px;">🪶</td><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle;">Species seen</td><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">10</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle; height: 29px;">📊</td><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle;">Visited</td><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">1</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

### **Experiences &amp; anecdotes**

**12/14/22** - While on a work trip in Johnson City, TX, one of our activities was to go on a hike at Pedernales Falls State Park. We planned to do the Wolf Mountain Loop trail. We arrived a bit after 9AM. Either it was too late in the day or bad luck, but I only saw 10 species of birds there. I got hyped up looking over the list of recently reported birds there on eBird but didn’t get lucky this time. There were a few opportunities to get some great recordings of a few new species like the Dark-eyed Junco.

---

### **Captured media**

#### **Photographs**

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">**[![pedernales-falls-trail.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/pedernales-falls-trail.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/pedernales-falls-trail.jpeg)**</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-an-american-kestrel--1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">Wolf Mountain Trail</span>*</td></tr></tbody></table>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">  
</span>

[![wolf-mountain-trail.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/wolf-mountain-trail.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/wolf-mountain-trail.jpeg)

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-a-poofed-up-kestrel-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 29px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 29px;"><td class="align-center" style="height: 29px; background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*Wolf Mountain Trail sign*</td></tr></tbody></table>

<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">  
</span>

<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*[![wolf-mountain-trail-2.jpeg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/wolf-mountain-trail-2.jpeg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/wolf-mountain-trail-2.jpeg)*</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-the-american-kestrel-1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*Another view of the Wolf Mountain Trail*</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### **Audio recordings**

- [**ML513216501**](https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/513216501) - 0:24 
    - *This is my first recording of a Dark-eyed Junco. I used to see them all the time in California, however I didn't really record birds back then. I started recording more consistently after the Merlin app launched and I got a dedicated microphone setup.*

---

### **From my blogs**

- Coming soon...

# Eurasia

Locations I've birded in Eurasia.

# Dohat Arad Lagoon

[![falcon statue dohat arad lagoon.jpg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/falcon-statue-dohat-arad-lagoon.jpg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/falcon-statue-dohat-arad-lagoon.jpg)

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-an-american-kestrel-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; border-width: 1px; background-color: #ecf0f1;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px;">*The cool, gigantic falcon statue perched atop a small hill at the lagoon.*</td></tr></tbody></table>

### **Description**

Dohat Arad Lagoon is located in Al Muharraq, Bahrain. It offers 3km of walking paths around the lagoon with great views of many shorebirds. When I visited, we went to eat at [Freej Bin Rashdan Authentic Bahraini Cuisine](https://qr.finedinemenu.com/freej-bin-rashdan-bahraini-authantic-cusine-1). My spouse surprised me with a visit to this special restaurant in 2018. It sits right on the edge of the lagoon and offers beautiful views of the lagoon and the many birds that visit.

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-address-4838-old-pea" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center">**Address**</td></tr><tr><td>Shop 29، 224 Road 147

 Muharraq, Bahrain

</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">**Personal stats**</span>  


#### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">**Visits**</span>

<table border="1" class="align-center" id="bkmrk-%F0%9F%93%86-12%2F01%2F2013-%F0%9F%93%8D-los-a" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 116px; border-width: 1px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 10.617284%;"></col><col style="width: 32.839506%;"></col><col style="width: 56.296296%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 29px;"><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">📆</td><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">**First visited**</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">12/24/2018</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px; vertical-align: middle;">📍</td><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle; height: 29px;">**Location**</td><td class="align-center" style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">Al Muharraq, Bahrain</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle; height: 29px;">🪶</td><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle; height: 29px;">**Species seen**</td><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">13</td></tr><tr style="height: 29px;"><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle; height: 29px;">📊</td><td style="border-width: 1px; vertical-align: middle; height: 29px;">**Visited**</td><td style="border-width: 1px; height: 29px;">1</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

### **Experiences &amp; anecdotes**

**12/24/18** - My spouse took me to Freej Bin Fashdan restaurant so we could enjoy breakfast while watching birds scurry around the lagoon. The food itself wasn't super memorable, but our wild bird companions left a lasting impression on us. I had my camera placed precariously on a chair next to me, keeping it nearby in case any of the birds decided to wander closer. Large Western Reef-Herons in both gray and white versions stomped around in the mud while Gull-billed Terns and Black-headed Gulls zipped around in the air looking for their next meal. After eating, we explored the walking path along the outer edge of the lagoon.

---

### **Captured media**

#### **Photographs**

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">**[![western reef-heron in flight.jpg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/western-reef-heron-in-flight.jpg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/western-reef-heron-in-flight.jpg)**</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-an-american-kestrel--1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">This Western Reef-heron (dark morph) shows off an impressive wingspan as it prepares to land. </span>*<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">|</span>*<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);"> </span>*<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">12-24-2018</span>*<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">  
</span>*</td></tr></tbody></table>

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">  
</span>

[![western reef-heron light morph.jpg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/western-reef-heron-light-morph.jpg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/western-reef-heron-light-morph.jpg)

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-a-poofed-up-kestrel-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 29px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 29px;"><td class="align-center" style="height: 29px; background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*A profile of the Western Reef-heron (white morph)* | 12/24/2018</td></tr></tbody></table>

<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">  
</span>

<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*[![kentish plover in dohat arad lagoon.jpg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/kentish-plover-in-dohat-arad-lagoon.jpg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/kentish-plover-in-dohat-arad-lagoon.jpg)*</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-the-american-kestrel-1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*A Kentish Plover makes its way through the lagoon mud.* | 12/24/2018</td></tr></tbody></table>

<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*[![black-headed gull in dohat arad lagoon.jpg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/black-headed-gull-in-dohat-arad-lagoon.jpg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/black-headed-gull-in-dohat-arad-lagoon.jpg)*</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-barred-owl-we-found-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*Black-headed Gull in non-breeding plumage.* | 12/24/2018</td></tr></tbody></table>

<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*[![slender-billed gull in dohat arad lagoon.jpg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/slender-billed-gull-in-dohat-arad-lagoon.jpg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/slender-billed-gull-in-dohat-arad-lagoon.jpg)*</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-a-great-example-of-t" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*Slender-billed Gull.* | *12/24/2018*</td></tr></tbody></table>

<span style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*[![gull-billed tern in dohat arad lagoon.jpg](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/scaled-1680-/gull-billed-tern-in-dohat-arad-lagoon.jpg)](https://birding.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2023-03/gull-billed-tern-in-dohat-arad-lagoon.jpg)*</span>

<table border="1" id="bkmrk-gull-billed-tern.-%7C-" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 99.876543%;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="align-center" style="background-color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">*Gull-billed Tern.* | *12/24/2018*</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### **Audio recordings**

- None available

---

### **From my blogs**

- None available