Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East:
Starr County
Morelet's Seedeaters have been hit or miss at Salineno recently. They are closely associated with the cane grass right along the river trail. A Song Sparrow was seen at Salineno on 11/30 and continues through at least 12/21. Red-billed Pigeons have been regular the last few weeks. A female type Rose-throated Becard was here on 12/7 and reported inconsistently through 12/23, with one seen and a second bird heard. A Dusky-capped Flycatcher was reported on 12/15.
A juvenile Bald Eagle was seen from 11/28 to at least 11/30, cruising the river, with sightings from Falcon State Park, Salineno, and Santa Margarita Ranch.
Santa Margarita Ranch (restricted access): A BARE-THROATED TIGER HERON, MOTTLED OWL and several BROWN JAYS continue at here. Red-billed Pigeons have been somewhat regular here. Limpkin, Rose-throated Becard, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Rock Wren and Morelet's Seedeater have also been present lately. Brown Jays have been missed on several days over the last two weeks. The Mottled Owl was MIA during playback night 12/20. Check the blog post for a comprehensive list of area birders and professional guides who are currently offering tours to the ranch.
Hidalgo County
An adult ROADSIDE HAWK was found on 11/9 at Bentsen State Park on Roadrunner Trail and was seen again briefly on 11/29 near Kingfisher Overlook. A female Rose-throated Becard was seen near the nature center (not HQ) building on 12/2. Hook-billed Kites have been sporadically seen this fall, mostly distantly from the hawk watch. A female Rose-throated Becard was found near the nature center on 12/2. A Dusky-capped Flycatcher was heard in the woods across from Kingfisher Overlook on 12/8. A late staying Broad-winged Hawk continues through 12/16.
An adult Audubon's Oriole, as well as a young Audubon's x Altamira hybrid continue at the National Butterfly Center this season, through at least 12/23. 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. A Field Sparrow was found on 12/2.
Mountain Plovers are being seen in a field near McCook, through 12/23. Check eBird for details.
At Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, a Tropical Parula continues through at least 12/15.
At Santa Ana, a Dusky-capped Flycatcher was found on Willow Lakes Trail on 11/28 and continues through 12/22.
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER was found at Frontera Audubon on 11/7, continuing through at least 12/23. A CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK was found on 12/10, continuing through at least 12/23. A Tropical Parula was found on 12/19 and continues through at least 12/22. Frontera is closed Sunday mornings and Mondays.
At Estero State Park, a Wood Stork was at Alligator Lake on 12/15 through 12/23. A Mallard was present on 12/13 through 12/15. A Wood Duck was present on 12/23.
Cameron County
A Tropical Parula was reported in the Harlingen Library parking lot on 12/21.
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER continues at Hugh Ramsey Park, near Cypress Pond, through at least 12/23. A Winter Wren continues there through 12/16.
A Tropical Parula was at Los Fresnos Nature Park on 11/11 and continues though at least 12/11.
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 12/23. (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 12/23, 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 had been present since 11/24 and continues through at least 12/23. A Tropical Parula was found on 11/12 and continues through at least 12/21. A Rose-throated Becard was found on 11/10 and continues in the parking lot and near the water feature through 12/11. A Western Tanager was seen here on 11/8 and continues through 12/23. Dusky-capped Flycatcher was reported on 11/26 and continues through at least 12/23. A Western Flycatcher was reported on 11/24 and again on 12/9, continuing through at least 12/23. A late Brown-crested Flycatcher continues through 12/22. A female type Painted Bunting was found on 12/17. A Red-naped Sapsucker was reported on 12/21. Three late Groove-billed Anis were on the far side of the park, found on the tram tour, on 12/23.
A female Painted Bunting was found at the Laguna Vista Nature Trail at Blind 3 on 12/19.
A Downy Woodpecker was found on 12/15 on Atol Street on South Padre Island. It continues through 12/22 now at the Valley Land Fund lots on Sheepshead St.
A Brewer's Sparrow continues at Palo Alto Battlefield through 12/22. A Field Sparrow was here on 12/19.
A Hermit Warbler was found at Buena Vista Cemetery on 12/8 and continues through 12/23.
Several late migrant songbirds continue at many locations in Cameron County. Too many to track! Check eBird hotspots for details.
Willacy County
Two Long-tailed Ducks were reported at Laguna Point Recreation Area on 12/23.
A Cassin's Vireo was reported at the Raymondville Cemetery on 12/23.
***EXTRALIMITAL: Cattle Tyrant reported at intersection of Chaparral and Schnatzell in downtown Corpus Christi. Reported 11/12 and continuing through at least 12/23.
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
