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.
Spring migration is underway and species that are reported as rare but are just a little early will not be listed below. If interested in these sightings, please check eBird.
Starr County
An adult Little Gull was an incredible find on 3/17 at Falcon State Park in western Starr County. The bird was seen at the southmost reaches of the park and was watched foraging along the dam later in the day. Despite much effort, the gull was not refound on 3/18 but conditions were terrible.
A juvenile 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. It was most recently reported to be in flight on 3/14. A Common Black-Hawk was photographed in the area on 3/11 and again on 3/13. The BARE-THROATED TIGER-HERON being seen at Santa Margarita Ranch has been seen at both Salineño and the ranch in recent days. Morelet's Seedeaters have been reported regularly at Salineno recently, perhaps due to increased birder presence. 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 3/25. Red-billed Pigeons have been relatively regular the last few weeks. A male and two female Rose-throated Becard have been around, seen through 3/17.
Wild seeming Muscovy Ducks and at least two Morelet's Seedeaters have been observed off and on at Fronton over the last few weeks.
Santa Margarita Ranch (restricted access): Several BROWN JAYS, Rose-throated Becards, a BARE-THROATED TIGER HERON and a MOTTLED OWL (as well as some lesser rarities) have been present here. Below is a full list of local and visiting birders and professional guides leading trips to the ranch. Those guiding will provide further information via email on accessibility, fees, group sizes (sometimes up to 20), and other relevant information. Trip fees are set individually by the guides and are currently $140 on weekdays and $160 weekends.
Daytime Trips:
Monday - Wednesday: Cameron Cox (kumlieni@gmail.com) & Ryan Rodriguez (Cameron is handling bookings for both)
Thursday - Sunday: Simon Kiacz (simonkiacz@gmail.com) & Zach Johnson (santamargaritatxranch@gmail.com)
Nighttime Trips:
Simon Kiacz & Zach Johnson (mottledowlsmr@gmail.com)
Hidalgo County
A ROADSIDE HAWK was found on 11/9 at Bentsen State Park on Roadrunner Trail and was most recently seen on 2/29 near the park entrance. A Rose-throated Becard has been seen off and on this winter often around feeder #4 and the nature center. It was most recently reported on 3/21.
An adult Audubon's Oriole, as well as a young Audubon's x Altamira hybrid continue at the National Butterfly Center this season. They are often in the vicinity of the feeding station.
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER was found at Frontera Audubon on 11/7, continuing through at least 3/11. A CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK was found on 12/10, and continues through at least 3/22. Frontera is closed Sunday mornings and Mondays.
At least 3 Limpkin continue at Estero Llano Grande State Park through at least 2/29. At least one Black-headed Grosbeak has been hanging out here since 2/7, continuing through 3/25. A CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK was reported by the Green Jay Trail on 3/25.
Cameron County
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER continues at Hugh Ramsey Park, near Cypress Pond, through at least through 3/23. A Western Tanager has been seen on and off here through 2/19. A Winter Wren continues here through 2/24.
A Limpkin continues at Kennedy Park in San Benito through 3/23.
A juvenile ROADSIDE HAWK was found near the resaca along the tram route, at Resaca de la Palma State Park, on 11/7, and it continues through 3/23. The third ABA record, and first Texas record, of of GRAY-COLLARED BECARD has been present since 11/24 and continues through at least 3/23. A Tropical Parula was found on 11/12 and at least two continue through 3/19. At least two hybrids are in the area as well. At least two Western Tanagers were seen here on 11/8 and continued through 3/23.
A Tropical Parula was at the Laguna Vista Nature Trail on 1/13, continuing through at least 3/2. A Western Tanager has been photographed here, most recently seen on 3/17.
At least one Brewer's Sparrow continues at Palo Alto Battlefield through 3/15.
A FAN-TAILED WARBLER was found at UTRGV Brownsville on 1/5 and continues through 3/9. The Fan-tailed was refound after an absence on 3/18. Most recent report is from 3/22. See eBird for details on where it has been seen. A wintering Brown Thrasher continues near Lincoln Park and the southern parking lot at UTRGV, last reported on 3/22. A wintering male Cape May Warbler has been seen sporadically over the last few months, most recently in the oak trees across from the butterfly garden on 3/19.
A Hermit Warbler was found at Buena Vista Cemetery on 12/8 and continued through 3/13.
The county's second and valley's third Downy Woodpecker has been seen at the Valley Land Fund lots on Sheepshead Street as well as near the west end of Mesquite and Retama Streets on South Padre Island. It was most recently seen on Mesquite Street on 3/21.
A male Black-capped Vireo was found at the Convention Center on South Padre Island on 3/15. The most recent report is from 3/22.
Two Brewer's Sparrows were found in the northeast corner of the South Padre Island Convention Center mudflats on 3/23.
A pair of ROSE-THROATED BECARDS (male and female) were photographed on 3/22 in Lincoln Park in Brownsville.
Willacy County
The county's first Cassin's Vireo was found at the Raymondville Cemetery on 11/10 and continued through 3/18. It has been in a mixed flock that also contains a Tropical Parula, which was most recently photographed on 3/3.
The county's first ROADSIDE HAWK was photographed on a power line 3/4. See eBird for specific details.
***EXTRALIMITAL: Cattle Tyrant is continuing 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.
