Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East:
Starr County
A Western Grebe was reported at Falcon Lake (technically on the Zapata County side, as the lake spans two counties) on 11/26.
Morelet's Seedeaters have been hit or miss at Salineno recently. They are closely associated with the cane grass right along the river trail.
Santa Margarita Ranch (restricted access): A BARE-THROATED TIGER HERON was seen 11/12 and heard at night on 11/25. A MOTTLED OWL was heard on 11/18 and has been seen a few times until at least 11/25. Salineno Birding Center is two miles upriver from this site and may be a good spot to keep an eye on the river. Several BROWN JAYS continue at Santa Margarita as well, having originally been found in March 2023, and five have been returning to oranges during weekly visits by birders. Red-billed Pigeons have been somewhat regular here as of recently. Rose-throated Becard, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Rock Wren and Morelet's Seedeater have also been present lately. Check the blog post for info on difficult terrain and site access.
Hidalgo County
An adult ROADSIDE HAWK was found on 11/9 at Bentsen State Park on Roadrunner Trail and has not been relocated since. Hook-billed Kites have been sporadically seen this fall, mostly distantly from the hawk watch.
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 11/19. This is a rare/irregular bird for Hidalgo County. A Dusky-capped Flycatcher was seen here on 11/23, continuing through at least 11/25.
At Roselawn Cemetery in McAllen, a Palm Warbler was found on 11/18 and a Blackpoll Warbler on 11/19.
A Winter Wren was found at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands on 11/24, at the eastern edge of the park. A Green-tailed Towhee was here on 11/22 and continued through at least 11/25. A Tropical Parula continues through at least 11/24.
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, with at least one continuing through at least 11/26. A Townsend's Warbler was found at the entrance to the tropical zone on 11/11 through at least 11/13, as well as a Golden-crowned Kinglet. 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 11/25. A Winter Wren was here on 11/7 continuing through at least . A late Summer Tanager continues through 11/8. A Zone-tailed Hawk (east for their typical range) was seen overhead a few times in November.
A Limpkin was found here near San Benito on 11/18. https://ebird.org/tx/hotspot/L4395672
A Tropical Parula and Black-throated Gray Warbler were found at Los Fresnos Nature Park on 11/11 and continue though 11/26.
A Tropical Parula was found on 10/22 at Laguna Atascosa, near the Visitor Center, with two being found on 10/23, and at least one continuing through 11/26. (There's also a Northern x Tropical Parula hybrid in the area.)
A juvenile ROADSIDE HAWK was found near the resaca along the tram route, at Resaca SP, on 11/7, and it continues (being seen sporadically, and often after investing time) through 11/26, splitting time at the same location and/or near the park entrance road. The third ABA record, and first Texas record, of of GRAY-COLLARED BECARD was identified on 11/25, with reports of the bird also having been seen on the morning of 11/24. It continued through sunset on 11/25 and was seen again the morning of 11/26, near the visitor center and water feature. A Tropical Parula was found on 11/12 and continues through at least 11/26. A Rose-throated Becard was found on 11/10 and continues in the parking lot and near the water feature through 11/26. A Western Tanager was seen here on 11/8 and continues through 11/26 as well. Male and female BLUE BUNTINGS have been seen sporadically over the month of November, in the gardens near the visitor center and near the boardwalk. A Western Flycatcher was reported on 11/24 and a Dusky-capped Flycatcher was reported on 11/26. A Golden-crowned Warbler was found on 11/26.
Several late migrant songbirds continue at many locations in Cameron County. Too many to track! Check eBird hotspots for details.
Willacy County
No rarities have been reported in Willacy County at this time, mostly due to lack of birder presence.
***EXTRALIMITAL: Cattle Tyrant reported at intersection of Chaparral and Schnatzell in downtown Corpus Christi. Reported 11/12 and continuing through at least 11/26.
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!
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Compiled by Tiffany Kersten
tiffanykersten@gmail.com
