Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East:
*Say's Phoebes, Eastern Bluebirds, and Ana's Hummingbirds are unusually plentiful this season and will not be listed below. There are many late-staying neotropical migrants that are also not listed. Check eBird for recent sightings of these species.
Starr County
Morelet's Seedeater and Muscovy Duck have been reported at Salineño recently. Seedeaters are closely associated with the cane grass right along the river trail and on the island. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was at the same location on 11/10-12. Two Hook-billed Kites, one of which was photographed, were seen on 11/16 with at least one seen through 11/25.
Santa Margarita Ranch: Brown Jay, Mottled Owl, Muscovy Duck, Rose-throated Becard, Red-billed Pigeon, and Hook-billed Kite have been present here. Recently a Limpkin (through 11/22), a Song Sparrow (11/14-23), have been seen as well. Site admission is through pre-arranged guided access only.
Here is a list of guides offering tours to Santa Margarita Ranch, in alphabetical order by last name. There is a Facebook page that excludes some guides and does not include all tour options available to visiting birders. Contact those below for full access to your visitation options.
Cameron Cox: kumleini@gmail.com
Evan Farese: evfarese@gmail.com
Jesse Huth: jesse@pibird.com
Zach Johnson / Simon Kiacz: simonkiacz@gmail.com
Ryan Rodriguez: ryvicrodriguez23@gmail.com
Hidalgo County
Five Brewer's Blackbirds were found on FM2221 "Sparrow Road" (see eBird) on 11/23.
Two Audubon's Orioles have been at Bentsen State Park from 11/7 to 11/25. An immature Bald Eagle was perched at Kingfisher Overlook at Bentsen on 11/21 and was also seen in flight over the National Butterfly Center the same day.
An Audubon's Oriole and a hybrid Audubon's x Altamira continue at the National Butterfly Center for the third year this season. Bird feeding happens daily at 8:30 and 1:30.
A Wood Thrush was at Quinta Mazatlan on 11/19.
A drake Wood Duck was at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands on 11/10 and continues through at least 11/20.
Up to six Groove-billed Ani were at San Juan Wetlands from 11/20 -11/21.
A young male Rose-throated Becard was photographed on 10/28 on the Chachalaca Trail at Santa Ana NWR. A Rose-throated Becard was reported most recently on 11/14 near Cattail Lake (a long hike from the parking lot!).
A young Reddish Egret is hanging out at Delta Lake, usually on the east side of FM 88. Most recently reported on 11/16.
A male Greater Scaup was found on Donna Reservoir amongst the scores of Lesser Scaup on 11/15.
A Dunlin was found at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco on 11/12. A Winter Wren was present 11/20 - 11/23.
Cameron County
A Hermit Warbler continues at Buena Vista Cemetery in Brownsville through at least 11/23. A Tropical Parula continued through 11/23 as well.
An Iceland Gull was at the Brownsville Landfill on 11/9 and photographed again on 11/16. A Black Scoter was present from 11/23 to 11/25.
A Tropical Parula was at Resaca de la Palma State Park on 11/11. Two Dusky-capped Flycatchers were reported here on 11/15, with at least one continuing through 11/22. Two Tropical Parulas on 11/23.
An immature Bald Eagle was seen over Laguna Atascosa on 11/6. A Tropical Parula was near the HQ on also on 11/6.
A Tropical Parula was found on the Laguna Vista Nature Trail on 11/1, continuing through at least 11/25.
A Townsend's Warbler was found at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center on 11/17. A White-throated Sparrow were observed here, most recently reported on 11/22. A late Groove-billed Ani has been reported there as well, most recently on 11/16. A Purple Gallinule has been hanging out at this location since 10/24, often seen around Blind 5, and most recently reported on 11/24.
A Red-breasted Nuthatch was found at the South Padre Island Convention Center on 11/8. A Groove-billed Ani was most recently reported on 11/21.
Willacy County
A Sabine's Gull was found at Fred Stone County Park in Port Mansfield on 11/16 and continues through 11/25.
Full, up-to-date county eBird Rare Bird Alert Reports:
Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy
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.
