Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East:
*Say's Phoebes, Dusky-capped Flycatchers, and Green-tailed Towhees have been in many places in the RGV this year, and will not be listed below. Check eBird for details on locations of these species.
Starr County
Two Brewer's Sparrows were reported at Falcon County Park on 12/29.
A Lucy's Warbler was reported at Salineno near the feeding station on 12/31. 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 1/2. Red-billed Pigeons have been relatively 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 Limpkin has been sporadic as well, through at least 1/4.
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 few weeks. 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, as well as 12/28 in the same spot. 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 and was seen sporadically through 12/29.
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 1/5. 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 at least 1/6. Check eBird for details.
At Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, a Tropical Parula continues through at least 1/2. A Greater Scaup continues through 1/3.
At Santa Ana, a Groove-billed Ani was at Pintail Lakes on 1/1. A Dusky-capped Flycatcher continues though 1/4. A Tropical Parula was seen on 1/4.
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER was found at Frontera Audubon on 11/7, continuing through at least 1/5. A CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK was found on 12/10, continuing through at least 1/6. A Tropical Parula was found on 12/19 and continues through at least 12/27. Frontera is closed Sunday mornings and Mondays.
At Estero State Park, a Wood Stork was at Alligator Lake on 12/15 through 1/4. At least one Limpkin, possibly two, continues through 1/2. A Hook-billed Kite was seen flying near Kiskadee Pond on 12/28. A hybrid Blue-winged Teal x Shoveler was present on 1/1.
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 1/6. A Winter Wren continues there through 12/30. A Western Tanager was here on 12/29.
A Tropical Parula was at Los Fresnos Nature Park on 11/11 and continues though at least 1/3.
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 1/1, 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 has been present since 11/24 and continues through at least 1/6. A Tropical Parula was found on 11/12 and continues through at least 1/6. A Rose-throated Becard was found on 11/10 and continues in the parking lot and near the water feature through 1/6. A Western Tanager was seen here on 11/8 and continues through 1/6. Dusky-capped Flycatcher was reported on 11/26 and continues through at least 1/6. A Western Flycatcher was reported on 11/24 and again on 12/9, continuing through at least 12/31. A Hammond's Flycatcher was present 12/28 to 12/30. A Red-naped Sapsucker was reported on 12/21. A Warbling Vireo continues through 1/5.
A female Painted Bunting was found at the Laguna Vista Nature Trail at Blind 3 on 12/19 and continues through 1/2.
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 1/5. A Field Sparrow was here on 12/19.
A FAN-TAILED WARBLER was found at UTRGV Brownsville on 1/5 and was seen again on 1/6.
A Brown Thrasher was found at Lincoln Park in Brownsville on 1/3 and continues through 1/6.
A Hermit Warbler was found at Buena Vista Cemetery on 12/8 and continues through 1/6.
Several late migrant species continue at many locations in Cameron County. Too many to track! Check eBird hotspots for details.
Willacy County
Two Long-tailed Ducks continue at Laguna Point Recreation Area, through at least 1/6.
A Cassin's Vireo was at the Raymondville Cemetery on 1/4.
***EXTRALIMITAL: Cattle Tyrant reported at intersection of Chaparral and Schnatzell in downtown Corpus Christi. Reported 11/12 and continuing through at least 1/1.
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
