Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East:
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
The BARE-THROATED TIGER-HERON being seen at Santa Margarita Ranch was last seen at Salineño on 3/15. It is possible it is still in the area. 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 continued 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 Muscovy Ducks have been reported flying along the river at Salineno recently as well.
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 Rose-throated Becard has been seen off and on this winter and spring at Bentsen State Park. It was most recently reported near the visitors center on 4/4. A Hook-billed Kite was seen from the hawk tower on 4/7.
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 CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK was found on 12/10 at Frontera Audubon in Weslaco, and continues through at least 4/6. Two individuals were reported on 4/2. Frontera is closed Sunday mornings and Mondays.
At least one Black-headed Grosbeak has been hanging out at Estero Llano Grande State Park since 2/7, continuing through 4/3. A CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK was reported by the Green Jay Trail on 3/25.
Cameron County
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER continued at Hugh Ramsey Park near Cypress Pond through at least through 3/23. A Black-capped Vireo was photographed here on 4/2.
A Limpkin continues at Kennedy Park in San Benito through 4/2.
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 4/2. A Rose-throated Becard was seen in the parking lot area and was last reported on 4/6. A Tropical Parula was found on 11/12 and one continues to be reported through 4/7. At least two Western Tanagers were seen here on 11/8 and continued through 4/1.
At least one Brewer's Sparrow continues at Palo Alto Battlefield through 3/30.
A FAN-TAILED WARBLER was found at UTRGV Brownsville on 1/5 and continues through 4/5. See eBird for details on where it has been seen.
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 at the Valley Land Fund Lots on 4/4.
A pair of ROSE-THROATED BECARDS (male and female) were photographed on 3/22 in Lincoln Park in Brownsville.
A MEXICAN VIOLETEAR was found on 4/7 on a bottlebrush tree in a lot between West Carolyn Drive and West Cora Lee Drive on South Padre Island. The tree is on private property so if chasing, please respect the homeowner's wishes to not visit between 5pm and 10am.
A Black-capped Vireo was found at the South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center on 4/2, and was last reported on 4/4. It was joined briefly by a male Varied Bunting on 4/3.
A Black-capped Vireo was found on West Oleander Street on 4/7.
Two Townsend's Warblers were found at the South Padre Island Convention Center on 4/7 and at least one continued on 4/8. A Brewer's Sparrow was also seen here on 4/7. A Prairie Warbler was found here on 4/8 as well.
A male BLUE BUNTING was seen briefly and audio was recorded at Sabal Palm Sanctuary on 4/6.
Willacy County
The county's first Plumbeous Vireo was found at the Raymondville Cemetery on 4/3.
***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.
