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. The most recent report of this bird was on 2/2. A Lucy's Warbler was reported at Salineno near the feeding station on 12/31 and was seen a few more times until at least 1/13. Morelet's Seedeaters have been reported more frequently at Salineno recently, perhaps due to increased birder presence. The most recent report was from 2/4. They are closely associated with the cane grass right along the river trail and on the island. A Song Sparrow was seen at Salineno on 11/30 and continues through at least 2/1. Red-billed Pigeons have been relatively regular the last few weeks. A female type Rose-throated Becard was photographed upriver from the boat ramp by the Montezuma Cypress trees and on the island, continuing through 2/4. An adult male Painted Bunting was seen on the island on 2/1. A Limpkin has been hanging out foraging in the river through 2/4. A male Common Goldeneye was observed flying downstream on 1/31. At least one wild type Muscovy Duck has been seen in and around Salineno either floating on the river or flying up and down.
A Morelet's Seedeater was reported on 2/4 in the cane along the river at Roma Bluffs World Birding Center. Three wild type Muscovy Ducks were reported from here as well on 2/3.
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. Though there have not been reports in recent weeks, Hook-billed Kites have been sporadically seen this fall and winter, 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 1/15.
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 2/3. Check eBird for details.
At Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, a Tropical Parula continues through at least 1/30.
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER was found at Frontera Audubon on 11/7, continuing through at least 2/3. A CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK was found on 12/10, and continues through 2/4. Two individuals were reported from 1/13 to 1/26 . Frontera is closed Sunday mornings and Mondays.
A Limpkin continues at Estero Llano Grande State Park through at least 1/27.
Two Rock Wrens have been photographed near Mercedes along the Anacuitas drainage ditch and continued through 2/3. At least two rare-in-winter Groove-billed Anis have been seen as recently as 2/2 in the same location. See eBird for more details.
A possible Cackling Goose has been hanging out with the Snow and Ross's Geese at Delta Lake. A Northern Flicker has been wintering there as well, with the most recent report on 2/2.
Cameron County
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER continues at Hugh Ramsey Park, near Cypress Pond, through at least 2/4. A Western Tanager has been seen on and off here through 2/4. A rare-in-winter Hooded Warbler has been seen here through 2/4, often in the same area as the Golden-crowned Warbler. A Winter Wren continues here through 2/4.
A Limpkin continues at Kennedy Park in San Benito through 2/3.
A Tropical Parula was found at Los Fresnos Nature Park on 11/11 and continues though at least 1/6. 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 2/3. (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 through 2/2. The third ABA record, and first Texas record, of of GRAY-COLLARED BECARD has been present since 11/24 and continues through at least 2/4. A Tropical Parula was found on 11/12 and at least two continue through 2/4. At least one 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 2/4. At least two Western Tanagers were seen here on 11/8 and continue through 2/4. Multiple Dusky-capped Flycatchers have been reported since 11/26 and at least one continues through at least 2/4. A Western Flycatcher was reported on 11/24 and again on 12/9, continuing through at least 2/4. A Hammond's Flycatcher was here on 1/20, continuing through 2/4. A Cassin's Vireo has been reported here, most recently on 2/4 with a mixed flock on the tram loop by the resaca.
A second juvenile ROADSIDE HAWK was found south of Resaca de la Palma SP on 1/13. This bird has not been reported to eBird since then.
A female Painted Bunting was found at the Laguna Vista Nature Trail at Blind 3 on 12/19 and continues through 2/2. A Tropical Parula was at the same location on 1/13, continuing through 2/3.
A Brewer's Sparrow continues at Palo Alto Battlefield through 2/2.
A FAN-TAILED WARBLER was found at UTRGV Brownsville on 1/5 and continues through 2/4. See eBird for details on where it has been seen. A Townsend's Warbler was photographed here on 1/28. An apparently overwintering adult male Cape May Warbler continued here through 1/29. A rare-in-winter Yellow-breasted Chat was seen here on 2/3.
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 2/2.
At least three Iceland Gulls have been seen at the Brownsville Dump in recent weeks. The most recent report is from 2/1.
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. A Tropical Parula has also been spending the winter here and was last reported on 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 Evan Farese, Nature Ninja Birding Tours
Additional resources for visiting birders may be found at NatureNinjaBirding.com.
