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. A Song Sparrow was seen at Salineno on 11/30 and 12/1.
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 was seen 11/12 and seen and heard multiple times since, on both day and night tours. A MOTTLED OWL was heard on 11/18 and has been seen while using playback and heard on non-playback nights. 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. Limpkin, 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 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 Black-headed Grosbeak was found near the nature center on 11/29 and continues through at least 12/2. A female Rose-throated Becard was found near the nature center on 12/2.
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 12/3. 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. A Bullock's Oriole was seen on 11/30.
A Winter Wren was found at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands on 11/24, at the eastern edge of the park, continuing through at least 11/27. A Green-tailed Towhee was here on 11/22 and continued through at least 11/28. A Tropical Parula continues through at least 11/28. Ten Wood Ducks were found on 11/27.
A Wood Duck was found at Santa Ana on 11/29 and a Long-tailed Duck on 12/2 and continues to 12/3. A Dusky-capped Flycatcher was found on 11/28 and continues through 12/2.
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER was found at Frontera Audubon on 11/7, continuing through at least 12/2. A CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK was found on 12/2, continuing through at least 12/3. Frontera is closed Sunday mornings and Mondays.
One, then two, and up to THREE Limpkin, with at least one continuing through at least 12/3, most recently at Kiskadee Pond. 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 12/2. 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 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.) Two late Groove-billed Anis continue here.
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 12/3, 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 12/3. A Tropical Parula was found on 11/12 and continues through at least 12/3. A Rose-throated Becard was found on 11/10 and continues in the parking lot and near the water feature through 12/3. A Western Tanager was seen here on 11/8 and continues through 12/3. 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. A late Groove-billed Ani continues here as well.
A Brewer's Sparrow continues at Palo Alto Battlefield through 12/3.
A Dark-eyed Junco was found at South Padre Island Convention Center on 12/1 and continues through 12/3.
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
