Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East:
Starr County
A Spotted Towhee was heard at Falcon State Park near the butterfly garden on 11/6.
Morelet's Seedeaters have been hit or miss at Salineno recently. They are closely associated with the cane grass right along the river trail.
Several BROWN JAYS continue at Santa Margarita Ranch (restricted access), having originally been found in March 2023, and five have been returning to oranges during weekly visits by birders. Check the blog post for updates on sightings, difficult terrain, and site access. Wild Muscovy Ducks, Red-billed Pigeons, Rose-throated Becards and Morelet's Seedeaters have been somewhat regular here as of recently. A Rufous-crowned Sparrow was found on 10/29.
Brown Jays have been seen very irregularly at Salineno along the river trail over the last six months, and the possibility exists that they may find the feeders at Salineno this upcoming season. The Salineno feeding station is re-opened for the season and will remain open through mid-March.
Hidalgo County
A Red-naped Sapsucker was found at Bentsen State Park near the Nature Center on 10/17 and continued through at least 11/4. A Green-tailed Towhee was reported near the second feeding station beyond the Nature Center on 10/26. Hook-billed Kites have been sporadically seen, mostly distantly from the hawk watch during the fall hawk count.
An adult Audubon's Oriole, as well as a young Audubon's / Altamira hybrid continue at the National Butterfly Center this season, through at least 11/5. This is a rare/irregular bird for Hidalgo County.
A Green-tailed Towhee was found at Quinta Mazatlan on 10/25.
A Mallard x Northern Pintail hybrid was found at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge on 11/6.
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER was found at Frontera Audubon on 11/7, continuing through at least 11/8.
A female BLUE BUNTING was found at Estero Llano Grande State Park, near the entrance path and the Green Jay Trail, on 10/27 and continued through at least 11/4. One, then two, and now THREE LIMPKIN, continuing through at least 11/7. A flyover Canada Goose was seen here on 11/3. A Tropical Parula was in the parking lot 11/4 to at least 11/5.
Cameron County
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER continues at Hugh Ramsey Park, near Cypress Pond, through at least 11/8. It was loosely associating with an Orange-crowned Warbler and a Wilson's Warbler. A Winter Wren was here on 11/7. A late Painted Bunting continues through 11/7. A Zone-tailed Hawk (east for their typical range) was seen overhead on 11/3.
An AMERICAN FLAMINGO was found at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, resting on the water just out from Alligator Pond on 10/22, and was joined by a second individual on 10/23, both continuing through 11/8. A Tropical Parula was also found on 10/22 at Laguna Atascosa, near the Visitor Center, with two being found on 10/23, and at least one continuing through 11/7. (There's also a Northern x Tropical Parula hybrid in the area.) A late Groove-billed Ani was heard along the trail to Alligator Lake on 11/7, and a late female Painted Bunting continues near the photo blind through at least 11/5.
A Brewer's Sparrow was photographed at Palo Alto Battlefield on 11/2.
A Spotted Towhee was seen at the Aplomado Viewing Area (eBird hotspot) on 11/7.
A male BLUE BUNTING continues at Resaca de la Palma State Park through at least 11/7. A ROADSIDE HAWK was found near the resaca along the tram route, at Resaca SP, on 11/7. According to staff reports, it was present the majority of the day on 11/7, and it continues on 11/8 in the same location. A Western Tanager was seen here on 11/8 as well.
A Winter Wren was at the Valley Land Fund Lots / Sheepshead Street on 11/5, continuing through 11/6. Scarlet Tanager on 11/6, continuing through 11/8.
South Padre Island Convention Center: White-throated Sparrow 11/5, Green-tailed Towhee and Brown Thrasher on 11/4. Cassin's Kingbird, Spotted Towhee and Winter Wren 11/3.
South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center: King Rail (11/8), Yellow-breasted Chat (11/7), Western Tanager (11/6), Green-tailed Towhee (11/6), Bullock's Oriole (11/5)
A female Surf Scoter was photographed on the SPI jetty on 11/4.
Willacy County
A California Gull was found on the beach on South Padre Island on 11/2.
A note on playback: Playback is strictly prohibited in ALL State Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and many if not all 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
tiffanykersten@gmail.com
