Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from East to West:
*The following rare birds are present in many locations this year and will not be included below: late-staying common widespread migrants including warblers, orioles, northern flicker, pine siskin, blue and rose-breasted grosbeak.
Willacy County
A Black Scoter was seen from Fred Stone Park on 11/14.
Common Grackles were at Santa Monica Wetlands on 11/13.
Cameron County
A Long-eared Owl was photographed on a beach dune crossing in Isla Blanca Park on 11/12, never to be seen again after flying south.
A Northern Flicker is continuing at the South Padre Island Convention Center through 11/13. A very late Golden-winged Warbler has been hanging out here as well, most recently reported on 11/10.
A Hooded Warbler was at South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center from 11/14 to 11/15. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was seen here as well, most recently reported on 11/8.
A Gray Kingbird was present at the Valley Land Fund Lots on Sheepshead St on South Padre Island on 11/11. Three Cassin's Finches were also present on 11/11.
Adult and juvenile Brown Boobies have been seen this week at South Padre Island / Laguna Madre, with at least one report from a boat. Scope likely required.
Two Hook-billed Kites were reported at Resaca de la Palma on 11/12 with one seen again on 11/13 and 11/14. A Tropical Parula was photographed in the parking lot at Resaca de la Palma State Park on 10/11 and seen again on 10/29. This is a regular wintering spot for the species. This individual was seen both times around the parking lot and visitor's center. A late staying Groove-billed Ani is at the same location, reported through at least 10/14.
A KELP GULL and an Iceland Gull were found at the Brownsville Landfill on 11/13. Check in with the office on your way in, and make sure to follow the instructions on where birders are and are not permitted.
A Northern Flicker was at Sabal Palm Sanctuary on 11/13.
A Masked Booby was seen from Boca Chica Beach on 11/4.
A Tropical Parula was seen at UTRGV Brownsville, near the resaca, from 11/11 to 11/14.
A Rose-throated Becard continues at Los Fresnos Nature Park through 11/13. Tropical Parula was found at Los Fresnos Nature Park on 11/6 and continued through 11/7. This is also a typical wintering spot for the species.
Brewer's Blackbirds have been seen south of La Feria. This has been a spot where they've wintered in recent years. See eBird for specifics.
A Burrowing Owl has been reported from the south of La Feria as well near the large solar farm, last reported 11/15.
A Short-eared Owl was reported near Calgary Baptist Church in Harlingen on 11/14.
Hidalgo County
A Tropical Parula was found at Estero Llano Grande State Park continues through 11/14 in the Tropical Zone. It was seen again on 10/30. A late Painted Bunting was observed here on 10/30 and again on 11/5. A late Groove-billed Ani continues through 11/14. A Cassin's Vireo was reported here on 11/8. Northern Beardless Tyrannulets have been difficult to find recently in the valley, but one has been present by the visitor's center here as well.
Two Groove-billed Anis were reported from Santa Ana NWR on 11/13. On 11/13 and 11/14, up to 3 Hook-billed Kites were reported from the hawk tower. A Flame-colored Tanager was found near the hawk tower on 11/13.
A Groove-billed Ani was at Quinta Mazatlan on 11/11.
Four Eastern Bluebirds were at Anzalduas County Park on 11/14.
A Roadside Hawk continues at the National Butterfly Center through 11/15. Two Rose-throated Becards have been at the National Butterfly Center, through 11/15. Two Cassin's Finches on 11/12. Two Green-tailed Towhees on 11/14. A hybrid Altamira x Audubon's Oriole continues at the same location.
A Hook-billed Kite was seen at Bentsen State Park on 11/14 from the hawk watch. A Rose-throated Becard was reported on 11/14.
A Tropical Parula was photographed at Frontera Audubon Society on 11/5.
Green-tailed Towhees have returned to their typical wintering spot at the Yturria Tract of the LRGV NWR in western Hidalgo County.
Delta Lake continues to be a hotspot for county-level rarities. Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstones, Prairie Willets, Marbled Godwits, American Golden Plovers, Reddish Egrets, Black-bellied Plovers, and Snowy Plovers were all observed here on 10/30. A Northern Flicker was also here on 11/4.
A Common Loon was photographed at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands on 11/6.
Brewer's Blackbirds were reported from the parking lot at the HEB near I-2 and Shary Rd.
Starr County
A Mottled Owl, Rose-throated Becards and Brown Jays continue this season at Santa Margarita Ranch. Recently, a Rufous-capped Warbler has been seen at this location as well. Dusky-capped Flycatcher arrived at the ranch this week as well as Western Tanager. Restricted access through tours with professional guides only.
A Hook-billed Kite was reported from Salineno on 11/8. Additionally a Warbling Vireo that could be a Western Warbling Vireo was reported from this location as well.
Full, up-to-date eBird rarity reports by county:
Willacy, Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr
A note on playback: Playback is strictly prohibited in ALL State Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and many, if not all, municipal and private nature parks. In addition to being potentially harmful to birds when used extensively, it is also disruptive towards other birders. Thank you for not using playback!
Good Birding!
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Compiled by Tiffany Kersten
Nature Ninja Birding Tours
Additional resources for visiting birders may be found at NatureNinjaBirding.com.
