Seeing a few more than last year in Dickens

Saw more than I usually do this time of year in Nocona. Not that I saw many at all there. The property doesn't have anything to hold them.

Never really saw pairs, and not seeing the smaller young birds now; is this the time to start worrying?

I've seen some younger birds but not a lot.

there are whitewings all over the neighborhood live oaks right now, groups of 20-30

CANT WAIT!

Same thing here. I normally have nesting birds but have not seen nests this year. Back in April I flushed a group out of the front yard and watched a sparrow hawk fly off neighbors roof and nail one. We have lots of sunflowers around here. I wonder what my neighbors would think if I shot a few in the backyard.

TPWD is claiming numbers are up across the state by 44% over last year. This time I'm inclined to believe them. They were full o' carp when they claimed the big freeze didn't hurt them tho.

I found them dead in dilapidated deer blinds right afterwards.

I'm with ya. I walked our lease right after north of Abilene and saw a few dozen dead under mesquites. Seems like the city white wings were the only ones around that didn't get hurt cuz they could find water.

I had 15 dead on two south facing porches after the big freeze.

There are more bird's than I have seen in 7 to 8 years. Big group's are coming over the house (15, 18) and out in the plowed field (where corn was this year) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!!

I've got a dove in the front yard tree still on a nest. Last year I saw one as well still nesting into mig august.

did you see the forecast numbers for panhandle up 120%+

Pay no mind to that. The Dove Forecast from TPWD is strictly range conditions. They don't count birds. They assume since the range is better, then numbers are better. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

This! TPWD just trying to sell licenses. I have 0 faith in their counts & predictions.

Agree, nobody can accurately forecast weather, nor can anyone accurately forecast wildlife movement or numbers.
All you have is history and an educated guess.

Went out today on a pretty big scouting pass; lots of sunflowers, plenty of heat, not many doves.

Walked 43 acres of mostly open field wit scattered trees a 2 tanks, saw probably 80 birds flying at 10am.

Dead tree by my house probably had 40 in it.

Seeing lots on the power lines, more than usual.

An itty-bitty front is projected to move in Tuesday. Hope this isn't the pre-season rains we typically get and need! 90 this morning at 4:30; needs to cool off a little.

You friends with Will Holt?

I stumbled onto a pretty good bunch of birds this afternoon. Probably a couple hundred mourning doves picking up grit in a dirt two track going through a couple hundred acres of goat weed. The patch they were in is black land. If it gets a significant rain on it before the opener they will move to sandy ground. Those goobers were right out in the hot sun with the truck thermometer showing 103°. When I drove through they got up and went 20-30 yards out into the goat weed and sat right back down. Probably with some more birds that were in the goat weed. I will go watch them when season gets a little closer and it cools off some, if they stick around. Too dadgum hot.

Seeing more birds in ETx than last year. South Tx also looking pretty darn good if you have food and water. Can’t wait!

Looking good around here.
They're staying at water