Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert - November 1, 2026

Welcome back to our Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert Blog postings! 

We have resumed our weekly rarity postings, now through late April. 

Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from East to West: 

Willacy County

No recent rarities reported. 

Cameron County  

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 Northern Flicker was at the South Padre Island Convention Center starting on 10/19. It was most recently reported 11/1. 

A Prairie Warbler was at South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center from 10/20 to at least 10/31. 

A Red-necked Phalarope was at the Holly Beach Rd Reservoir on 10/20 and 10/22. 

Hidalgo County

A Tropical Parula was found at Estero Llano Grande State Park on 10/15 in the Tropical Zone. It was seen again on 10/30. A late Painted Bunting was observed here on 10/30.

A Northern Jacana was found at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge at Pintail Lakes on 10/14, and continues through at least 10/16. *PLEASE NOTE THAT A TRAIL PROJECT ON PINTAIL LAKES WILL MAKE THIS AREA INACCESSIBLE from at least 7:30 am - 4:00 pm. The trail improvement project continues as of 11/1, limiting access to Pintail Lakes (see: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/santa-ana for more info). A Dusky-capped Flycatcher was found near Willow Lakes at the refuge on 10/20.

A Rose-throated Becard at the National Butterfly Center continued through 10/26, with two being seen on 10/23. A Roadside Hawk has been observed at this location (after originally being found at Bentsen State Park) with the most recent sighting on 10/27. A hybrid Altamira x Audubon's Oriole continues at the same location. 

A Rose-throated Becard was at Bentsen State Park on 10/18. A Hook-billed Kite was seen at the same location, most recently on 10/18. A Western Tanager was here 10/14 - 10/18. 

Green-tailed Towhees have returned to their typical wintering spot at the Yturria Tract of the LRGV NWR in western Hidalgo County.

A Brown Pelican has been seen regularly at the irrigation reservoir east of the National Butterfly Center. It was most recently reported on 10/30.

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.

Hook-billed Kite at Bentsen State Park. Photo by Dania Sanchez

Starr County

A Mottled Owl, Rose-throated Becards and Brown Jays continue this season at Santa Margarita Ranch. Restricted access through tours with professional guides only. 

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 Evan Farese

Nature Ninja Birding Tours 

Additional resources for visiting birders may be found at NatureNinjaBirding.com. 

Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert - October 25, 2026

 Welcome back to our Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert Blog postings! 

We have resumed our weekly rarity postings, now through late April. 

Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from East to West: 

Willacy County

No recent rarities reported. 

Cameron County  

A White-throated Sparrow was seen at the South Padre Island Convention Center on 10/19 through at least 10/21. A Northern Flicker was here 10/19 to at least 10/23. 

A Prairie Warbler was at South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center from 10/20 to at least 10/22. 

A Red-necked Phalarope was at Holly Beach on 10/20 and 10/22. 

A Tropical Parula was photographed in the parking lot at Resaca de la Palma State Park on 10/11. 

Hidalgo County

A Tropical Parula was found at Estero State Park on 10/15 in the Tropical Zone. 

A Northern Jacana was found at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge at Pintail Lakes on 10/14, and continues through at least 10/16. *PLEASE NOTE THAT A TRAIL PROJECT ON PINTAIL LAKES WILL MAKE THIS AREA INACCESSIBLE from at least 7:30 am - 4:00 pm beginning on Tuesday, October 20th, for about a week. It is unknown whether it will be reopened on the weekend. We will update this post as we receive more information. 

A Rose-throated Becard continues at the National Butterfly Center continues through 10/25, with two being seen on 10/23. A hybrid Altamira x Audubon's Oriole continues at the same location. 

An adult ROADSIDE HAWK initially found at Bentsen State Park 10/8, which continued through 10/16 has now moved to the National Butterfly Center with sightings on 10/22 - 10/25.

A Rose-throated Becard was at Bentsen State Park on 10/18. Hook-billed Kite was seen at the same location on 10/10. A Western Tanager was here on 10/14. 

A Dusky-capped Flycatcher was found at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge on 10/20. 

Starr County

A Mottled Owl,  Rose-throated Becards and Brown Jays continue this season at Santa Margarita Ranch. Restricted access through tours with professional guides only. 

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. 

Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert - October 17, 2026

Welcome back to our Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert Blog postings! 

We have resumed our weekly rarity postings. 

Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from East to West: 

Willacy County

No recent rarities reported. 

Cameron County  

A good candidate for Western Wood-Peewee was seen at the South Padre Island Convention Center on the boardwalk on 10/10. A Black-throated Blue Warbler was photographed at the same location on 10/11. 

A Tropical Parula was photographed in the parking lot at Resaca de la Palma State Park on 10/11. 

Hidalgo County

A Tropical Parula was found at Estero State Park on 10/15 in the Tropical Zone. 

A Northern Jacana was found at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge at Pintail Lakes on 10/14, and continues through at least 10/16. *PLEASE NOTE THAT A TRAIL PROJECT ON PINTAIL LAKES WILL MAKE THIS AREA INACCESSIBLE from at least 7:30 am - 4:00 pm beginning on Tuesday, October 20th, for about a week. It is unknown whether it will be reopened on the weekend. We will update this post as we receive more information. 

A Rose-throated Becard was found at the National Butterfly Center on 10/9, and seen again on 10/15. A Western Tanager continues on 10/12. A hybrid Altamira x Audubon's Oriole continues at the same location. 

An adult ROADSIDE HAWK was found at Bentsen State Park on 10/8 and continues through 10/16, typically near the nature center. A Hook-billed Kite was seen over the same location on 10/10. A Western Tanager was here on 10/14. 

Starr County

A Mottled Owl,  Rose-throated Becards and Brown Jays continue this season at Santa Margarita Ranch. Restricted access through tours with professional guides only. 

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! 

---------------------------

Compiled by Tiffany Kersten 
Nature Ninja Birding Tours 

Additional resources for visiting birders may be found at NatureNinjaBirding.com. 

Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert - October 10th, 2026

Welcome back to our Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert Blog postings! 

Postings will be made weekly during our peak season for visiting birders, from November through April. 

Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from East to West: 

Willacy County

No recent rarities reported. 

Cameron County  

A good candidate for Western Wood-Peewee was seen at the South Padre Island Convention Center on the boardwalk on 10/10. 

Hidalgo County

A Rose-throated Becard and Western Tanager were both found at the National Butterfly Center on 10/9. A hybrid Altamira x Audubon's Oriole continues at the same location. 

An immature ROADSIDE HAWK was found at Bentsen State Park on 10/8 and continues through 10/9. An immature Bald Eagle was seen over the same location on 10/8. 

Starr County

A Mottled Owl and two Rose-throated Becards continue at Santa Margarita Ranch. Restricted access through tours with professional guides only. 

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! 

---------------------------

Compiled by Tiffany Kersten 
Nature Ninja Birding Tours 

Additional resources for visiting birders may be found at NatureNinjaBirding.com. 

Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert - August 24, 2026

Welcome back to our Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert Blog postings! 

Postings may be somewhat sporadic until November, when the Rare Bird Alert will again be posted weekly. 

Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East: 

Starr County

No recent rarities reported. 

Hidalgo County

A hybrid Altamira x Audubon's Oriole continues at the National Butterfly Center. 

At Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, a Ring-necked Duck and a Lesser Scaup are summering, through at least August 15. 

On July 31st, an Olive-throated Parakeet was reported at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse. 

A  Reddish Egret was reported at Delta Lake on August 21. Multiple coastal shorebird species were reported Aug 22-23, including Willet, Black-bellied Plover, American Golden-Plover, Snowy Plover, and Ruddy Turnstone.

Cameron County  

A Yellow-green Vireo was reported at Resaca de la Palma State Park on August 22nd. 

Willacy County

No recent rarities reported. 

Full, up-to-date eBird rarity reports by county:

Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy 

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! 

---------------------------

Compiled by Tiffany Kersten 
Nature Ninja Birding Tours 

Additional resources for visiting birders may be found at NatureNinjaBirding.com. 

Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert - August 16, 2026

Welcome back to our Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert Blog postings! 

After a hiatus last year, we're revitalizing our compilations. Postings may be sporadic until November, when the Rare Bird Alert will again be posted weekly. 

Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East: 

Starr County

No recent rarities reported. 

Hidalgo County

At Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, a Ring-necked Duck and a Lesser Scaup are summering, through at least August 15. 

On July 31st, an Olive-throated Parakeet was reported at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse. 

A white morph Reddish Egret was reported at Delta Lake on August 14. 

Cameron County  

On August 6th, a Masked Booby was seen foraging at a distance from Boca Chica / SPI jetties. 

On August 10th, a male Western Tanager was in the front gardens at SPI Birding & Nature Center. 

Two early Hooded Warblers have been reported at SPI Convention Center on August 11th. 

Willacy County

On July 30th, a Brown Noddy was feeding with Black Terns off of the Port Mansfield jetty. 

Full, up-to-date eBird rarity reports by county:

Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy 

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! 

---------------------------

Compiled by Tiffany Kersten 
Nature Ninja Birding Tours 

Additional resources for visiting birders may be found at NatureNinjaBirding.com. 

Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert - April 15, 2025

  Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East: 

**Birds that are slightly early or late on their Spring migration will not be included here. Check eBird for details for any specific migrant species**

Starr County

Red-billed Pigeon and Muscovy Duck have been sporadic at Salineno this year. Morelet's Seedeaters have been around this season and have been reported sporadically as well. They are closely associated with the cane grass right along the river trail and on the island. A Rose-throated Becard was seen on 3/20.

Santa Margarita Ranch: Brown Jay, Mottled Owl, Muscovy Duck, Rose-throated Becard, Red-billed Pigeon, and Hook-billed Kite have been present here in recent weeks. A Dusky-capped Flycatcher and a Tropical Parula were observed on 4/13. Site admission is through pre-arranged guided access only.

Below is a list of guides offering tours to Santa Margarita Ranch, in alphabetical order by last name. Visiting birders should be aware that there is a Facebook page run by two guides that excludes some guides and does not include all tour options available to visiting birders. Contact those below for full access to your visitation options. 

Cameron Cox: kumleini@gmail.com 

Jesse Huth: jesse@pibird.com

Zach Johnson / Simon Kiacz: simonkiacz@gmail.com 

Ryan Rodriguez: ryvicrodriguez23@gmail.com 

Hidalgo County

An Audubon's Oriole has been at Bentsen State Park through at least 4/10, most commonly near the La Familia Nature Center and Green Jay Blind. A hybrid Audubon's x Altamira continues through 4/5. Four Wood Storks were photographed at the resaca on 4/14. Bird feeding has been suspended here until fall, as per the usual schedule. 

An Audubon's Oriole and a hybrid Audubon's x Altamira continue at the National Butterfly Center for the third year this season. A female Rose-throated Becard was seen feeding on the mulberry tree along Hackberry Trail on 4/5 and 4/6. Bird feeding here is temporarily suspended due to concerns of avian flu. 

A male Flame-colored Tanager was found at Quinta Mazatlan on 4/4 and continued on 4/5. A Spotted Towhee, unreported for quite some time, was refound on 4/5 and continued through 4/12. Quinta Mazatlan is closed on Sundays and Mondays. 

A Short-tailed Hawk was photographed at Santa Ana NWR on 4/12 circling up with migrating raptors.

Snowy Plovers are at their usual location at Sal Del Rey this spring. 

 

Cameron County  

A King Rail continues at Tiocano Lake through 4/8.

A Ruff was found in northern Cameron County in a flooded field on 4/7 and continued through 4/9. See eBird for precise location. A Glossy Ibis was also reported from this flooded field.

A Parasitic Jaeger was on the mudflats of SPI, north of the convention center, on 4/4 and 4/5. The bird has been seen on the mudflats and over the Laguna Madre as recently as 4/15. 

A male Lazuli Bunting was reported from the South Padre Island Convention Center on 4/15. 

An immature male Flame-colored Tanager was found at the South Padre Island Convention Center on 4/12. That evening the bird moved next door to the South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center where it has remained enjoying mulberries through 4/15. A Brown Booby was found on 4/15 looking out on the Laguna Madre from the Birding & Nature Center. 

Palm Warblers have been reported from various locations on South Padre Island as recently as 4/11. Check eBird for recent sightings and locations.

Willacy County

A Ruff was reported from flooded fields in southern Willacy County on 4/9. This location is 6.5 miles north of where a Ruff was photographed in Cameron County. Glossy Ibises and hybrid Glossy x White-faced Ibises have been reported from this location as well. See eBird for exact location.

Full, up-to-date county eBird Rare Bird Alert Reports:

Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy 

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! 

---------------------------

Compiled by Evan Farese
Nature Ninja Birding Tours 

Additional resources for visiting birders may be found at NatureNinjaBirding.com.