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
A CRANE HAWK was photographed at the boat launch at Salineno Birding Center on 1/29, first in flight and then found soon after perched in a tree upriver. Lucy's Warbler was reported at Salineno near the feeding station on 12/31 and was seen a few more times until at least 12/13. 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 1/18. 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, one continuing through at least 1/13, and a male and female seen further down the trail, in the more arid area, on 1/18.
Santa Margarita Ranch (restricted access): A BARE-THROATED TIGER HERON, MOTTLED OWL and several BROWN JAYS continue at here. Check the blog post for a full list of local and visiting birders and professional guides who can be scheduled. Please note that each guide charges their own fees, and the Santa Margarita Ranch Facebook page is a bit misleading, as it is not run by the ranch but by two birders who have been guiding there, and the trips listed on that page often do not contain a comprehensive list of all tours offered.
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, 12/28 and 1/25 and 1/26, the last two times, near the picnic area. 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.
Mountain Plovers are being seen in a field near McCook, through at least 1/18. Check eBird for details.
At Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, a Tropical Parula continues through at least 1/28.
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER was found at Frontera Audubon on 11/7, continuing through at least 1/28. A CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK was found on 12/10, continuing, and with a second one found on 1/13, continuing through 1/28. Frontera is closed Sunday mornings and Mondays.
A Limpkin continues at Estero State Park, through 1/22.
A Red-breasted Merganser and Hooded Merganser were at Weslaco Wetlands (eBird) this week.
Cameron County
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER continues at Hugh Ramsey Park, near Cypress Pond, through at least 1/29. A Western Tanager was here on 12/29.
A Limpkin continues at Kennedy Park in San Benito through 1/28.
A Tropical Parula was at Los Fresnos Nature Park on 11/11 and continues though at least 1/3. A Western Tanager was here on 1/17, continuing through at least 1/20.
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 1/28. (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 1/28. The third ABA record, and first Texas record, of of GRAY-COLLARED BECARD has been present since 11/24 and continues through at least 1/28. A Tropical Parula was found on 11/12 and two continue through 1/28. A hybrid is in the area as well. A Rose-throated Becard was found on 11/10 and continues in the parking lot and near the water feature through 1/28. A Western Tanager was seen here on 11/8 and continues through 1/28. Dusky-capped Flycatcher was reported on 11/26 and continues through at least 1/13. A Western Flycatcher was reported on 11/24 and again on 12/9, continuing through at least 1/27. A Hammond's Flycatcher was here on 1/20, continuing through 1/26.
A second juvenile ROADSIDE HAWK was found south of Resaca SP on 1/13.
A female Painted Bunting was found at the Laguna Vista Nature Trail at Blind 3 on 12/19 and continues through 1/2. A Tropical Parula was at the same location on 1/13, continuing through 1/26.
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 continues through 1/29.
A Brown Thrasher was found at Lincoln Park in Brownsville on 1/3 and continues through 1/13.
A Hermit Warbler was found at Buena Vista Cemetery on 12/8 and continues through 1/28.
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 1/29.
A Cassin's Vireo continues at the Raymondville Cemetery through 1/25.
***EXTRALIMITAL: Cattle Tyrant reported in downtown Corpus Christi. Check eBird for current updates.
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, Nature Ninja Birding Tours
Additional resources for visiting birders may be found at NatureNinjaBirding.com.
