SPORTS

OUTDOORS: New bird species found in Texas

Published

12 years ago

12/12/2014

New species of birds were seen in the state of the Texas during 2014, according to a press release by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The bird species are pending approval from the Texas Ornithological Society.
These birds are the red-legged honeycreeper and a pair of common cranes.
The red-legged honeycreeper drew people to Estero Llano Grande State Park on Thanksgiving Day.
A pair of gray-crowned finch was seen north of Dalhart in the Panhandle region on Nov. 20. Common cranes were spotted on Dec. 6 at the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, another Panhandle destination.
This represents almost as many rare birds in Texas this year as in the previous five years combined.
Bird experts are calling these uncommon sightings “vagrants,” oddities that stray from their typical ranges.
Some birders speculate a continental cold snap last month may have encourages lots of birds to move in search of food and cover.
Other possible reasons for the new species are better binoculars and cameras, audio recorders to capture bird calls plus social media and mobile applications.
“This kind of stuff awaits any observer who’s out there looking,” said Cliff Shackelford, a bird biologist with the TPWD. “There will always be vagrants because birds are so mobile. They can show up anywhere, including people’s back yards.” Read more in the weekend Bowie News.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. (Logo provided by the TPWD, no copyright infringement inferred)

SPORTS

Bowie, Nocona compete in VB scrimmages

Published

7 days ago

08/13/2026

bowienews

Nocona’s volleyball team headed to Bowie for a three-team scrimmage with the host team and Ponder Aug. 7.

Each team played the other two for 30 minutes in the Lady Rabbit gym. Lady Indian Coach Sandy Langford said she thought things went well for a first scrimmage.

“Just like any young team that is trying to find itself in a first scrimmage, We looked really good at times and at others not so much,” Langford said. “We’re forming a new team after losing a lot of seniors.”

Langford said the squad would have one thing go wrong and it would explode into several things. That will need to stop for a successful year in Langford’s mind.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

Rabbit netters beat Graham

Published

7 days ago

08/13/2026

bowienews

Bowie’s tennis team is now 3-3 for the non-district campaign with a 1-2 week.

In the Rabbits’ home opener Aug. 5 against Graham, Bowie posted a 13-6 match win with the girls completing a 9-0 sweep.

Jessi Mayfield and Angeles Alvarez won 9-8 (7-4) while Payton Goodwin and Maddie Schwarz were 8-1 winners as were Avery DeWeber and Avery Bonham.

In girl’s singles Willow Seibert won 8-2 in No.1 1 singles. Goodwin and Mayfield were each 8-5 winners. Alvarez posted an 8-1 win. Schwarz won 9-8 (8-5) with Deweber taking an 8-2 decision.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

New Nocona gym nearing completion

Published

2 weeks ago

08/06/2026

bowienews

Two major portions of Nocona’s 2023 bond issue are very close to being completed.

The new high school gym should be complete in time for the volleyball team to begin practice there Aug. 1, according to Superintendent Dr. David Waters. Ground on the 22,000 square foot facility was broken on Oct. 18, 2024.

Waters said a punch list meeting with the construction manager was scheduled for earlier this week with final touchups expected shortly afterwards. Fans should be able to enjoy the facility for the volleyball team’s season opener Aug. 11.

Fans will enjoy the new gym from entering the facility which has glass walls, enabling fans to watch the game from the foyer. Once inside the gym itself, there is stadium, chair back seating on the home side allowing for a much more comfortable experience.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.