April Gardening Journal

from Austin, Texas
BIRDS-N-GARDEN.COM

Fragrance and Color!

Bridal Wreath Spirea

Wildflowers are still adding bright spots of color to our travels around the state. Our garden is beginning to be fragrant again and we love to work in the soil this time of year. Spring migration is highly anticipated. The creek is cleaned up (from oak flowers and live oak leaves) and new branches are stretched across the width of it. These branches entice migrating birds to get close to the creek puddles before dropping into the water. Caterpillars are dangling on silken lines. One type of caterpillar that causes us to run a gauntlet to our vehicles is the oak leaf roller. Oak leaf rollers can be so dense we look like we're playing imaginary dodge ball as we move around the yard.

Eastern Screech-Owl The eastern screech-owl has been using our roosting box again. If we rise early enough in the morning we are treated to seeing the owl bathing in our creek's pool. Those huge yellow eyes always spot us and the owl flies up into the oaks to groom before disappearing for the day. It often sits in the owl box entry hole during the day exposing itself to the breeze. The other birds always make loud protests but the owl doesn't care.

Our gurgling creek usually brings close some of the migrating wild birds.

Painted buntings are always highly anticipated as summer visitors and the males show up first in our yard.

The water in the pond has warmed up and the koi and goldfish are active and frisky. The pond looks like it has automatic fountains during koi mating time. Water is splashed several feet into the air. The fish swim over the lily pads showing their vivid colors.

Leopard Frogs are spread out in the creek during the day. They supposedly hunt more at night but they are always out except on rainy days when the flying insects are absent. The leopard frogs are each unique in coloration. The dragonflies have returned and are mating and depositing eggs in the pond.

April Gardening and Wildlife Notes
Blooming Fragrant or Fruiting

Pickerel Rush
Yellow Lantana
Black-eyed Susan Vine
Delphiniums
Coral Honeysuckle
Bignonia
Scabiosa
Dianthus
Verbena
Daffodils
Spirea
Euryops pectinatus - Yellow Daisy Bush

The star jasmine is absolutely covered in blooms that are just beginning to give fragrance to the backyard.
Loquat is covered with fruit.
Banana trees are growing.
Pomegranate is flowering.

Last season's cuttings:
Althea
Am. Beautyberry
Euryops pectinatus - Yellow Daisy Bush
Christmas Cactus
Eyelash Begonia from sister-in-law
Started indoors Creatures Highlights

Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Squash
Carrots
Caladiums

2005 Creature Sightings:
PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE - BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY

BACKYARD:
Leopard Frog
Caterpillar Hunter Beetle (Don't miss!)
Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth
Black-necked Garter Snake
Monarch
Damselflies
Texas Spiny Lizard
Backyard Wildlife Activity

Insects are bringing everything else back to life! The food chain begins again.


  • Already had first bout of Gulf Coast Toads making an astonishing about of noise during their first mating nights. The chorus usually lasts at least two nights.
  • More Leopard Frogs turning up week to week.
  • Texas Spiny lizards were seen battling at the base of an oak.
  • The Green Herons have returned to gaze wistfully into our pond.
  • Damselflies mating in creek. Dragonflies have returned to patrol the pond.
  • Snowberry clearwing hummingbird moth placing eggs on honeysuckle.
  • Screech-owl in nest box.
  • Black-necked garter snake has already been seen gliding across the creek with a large lump inside.
  • Birds are using creek more actively again for community bathing and drinking.
  • More and more butterflies every day.
  • Koi and Goldfish are becoming very active
  • Hummingbirds all over Coral Honeysuckle

SPRING MIGRATION AND SUMMER ARRIVALS:
2004 first warblers 4/26 - much later than normal - probably didn't notice them until then.
04/28/05 Male Painted Bunting - soon females will be regular daily visitors.

2002 We were highly populated with Gulf Coast toads
2003 We were highly populated with cricket frogs
2004 We were highly populated with leopard frogs
2005 Looks like leopard frogs are here to stay this year.
2006 Leopard frogs are the most numerous again.
2007 Leopard frogs are officially the princes of the pond.


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