24. Mar 18. Aransas Creek, 5 mi. EXE Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas In hunting along in the clumps of live oak S of the river I encountered paired Cardinals in brush piles; they seemed reluctant to fly far but were wary. WIND DROPPING to ±10 mph. I heard a Ladder-backed Woodpecker and stalked it as it flew to successive trees after 12:10. It flew fully 200 yards before I returned to hunt other birds. At 12:20 I heard the sharp pick from the same tree where I first saw the ♂ at 12:10. The caller was a ♂, the same one? – I took him, #489. 2 mi E Skidmore, Bee Co., Texas. Returning to the truckhouse at 12:30, I noticed a mixed flock of Black and Turkey Vultures on the ground (carcass not seen). I shot into a flock of Cowbirds in a tree in the yard & collected 3. I believe they were all Molothrus in the flock. WIND CONTINUED; RAIN INTERMITTENT AFTER 3:00 pm. At 7:00 pm., outside temp 46° F. about 8:30 pm I heard coyotes howling. (Last night they had approached quite near the house). Mar 19. 2 mi E Skidmore, Bee County Texas overcast but wind not so strong as it was yesterday. I walked out into the yard on the ranch at 7:45 and took a ♂ Golden-fronted Woodpecker and a ♀ Ladder-backed Woodpecker. Flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds in tree, Lark Sparrows, Mourning Doves and Ground Dove feeding on ground. I left the cabin at 9:00 and drove E along county road to W fence of Rodriguez property.