Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East:
*Say's Phoebes, Anna's Hummingbirds, and Eastern Bluebirds are unusually plentiful this season and, though rare for the area, will not be listed below. Check eBird for recent sightings of these species.
Starr County
A male Rose-throated Becard was seen at Salineno on 12/29 along the river trail. Red-billed Pigeon,and Muscovy Duck have been reported at Salineño recently. Morelet's Seedeaters have been reported periodically throughout the fall and are closely associated with the cane grass right along the river trail and on the island. A Limpkin was reported on 12/16. A Golden-crowned Kinglet was reported on 12/11 continuing through 12/29 and a Winter Wren on 12/11 also continuing through 12/29.
Santa Margarita Ranch: Brown Jay, Mottled Owl, Muscovy Duck, Rose-throated Becard, Red-billed Pigeon, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, and Hook-billed Kite have been present here. Site admission is through pre-arranged guided access only.
Below is a list of guides offering tours to Santa Margarita Ranch, in alphabetical order by last name. Visiting birders should be aware that 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
Jesse Huth: jesse@pibird.com
Zach Johnson / Simon Kiacz: simonkiacz@gmail.com
Ryan Rodriguez: ryvicrodriguez23@gmail.com
Hidalgo County
Two Green-tailed Towhees were present at the Yturria Brush Tract of Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, with at least one continuing through 12/27.
An Audubon's Oriole has been at Bentsen State Park from 11/7 through at least 12/24, most commonly near the La Familia Nature Center but also seen from Green Jay Blind. A Hook-billed Kite was seen on 12/25 perched near the Green Jay Blind. A Winter Wren was reported on 12/26.
An Audubon's Oriole and a hybrid Audubon's x Altamira continue at the National Butterfly Center for the third year this season. A Winter Wren is present through 12/27. Bird feeding happens daily at 8:30 and 1:30.
A Spotted Towhee was present at Quinta Mazatlan on 12/18 and 12/19.
Two to six Wood Ducks were at San Juan Wetlands on 12/23.
Four Wood Ducks were at Weslaco Wetlands on 12/21.
A Groove-billed Ani was at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco on 12/21. A Winter Wren was here on 12/21 through 12/29. A Tropical Parula was reported in the tropical zone on 12/16. A Louisiana Waterthrush continues through 12/30.
Cameron County
A wintering Burrowing Owl has been regular at a culvert near the Port of Harlingen for the past month or so. See eBird for details.
A Tropical Parula was reported at Los Fresnos Nature Park 11/28 through 12/8.
Five late Groove-billed Anis were reported at Palo Alto Battlefield on 12/11.
A Tropical Parula was photographed at Mont Meta Cemetery near San Benito on 11/26.
A Hermit Warbler continues at Buena Vista Cemetery in Brownsville through at least 12/31. A Tropical Parula was here through 12/29.
A Tropical Parula was at Resaca de la Palma State Park on 11/11 and continued through 12/27. Some birders have reported two individuals. Two Dusky-capped Flycatchers were reported here on 11/15, with at least one continuing through 12/1.
A Painted Bunting was found on the Laguna Vista Nature Trail on 12/21 and continues through 12/31. A Groove-billed Ani was here on 12/29 and continued through 12/31.
A Tropical Parula was at Laguna Atascosa through 12/29.
A Purple Gallinule has been hanging out at the South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center since 10/24, bouncing around between this site and South Padre Island Convention Center, last reported on 12/18.
A Groove-billed Ani has been lingering at the South Padre Island Convention Center, most recently reported on 12/27. A Palm Warbler was here from 12/8 to 12/17.
A Yellow-breasted Chat was at UTRGV Brownsville on 12/21.
A Tropical Parula was at Sabal Palm Sanctuary on 12/28.
A Grace's Warbler was a great find at Oliviera Park in Brownsville on 12/29 and has continued daily through 12/31. A Western Tanager continues through 12/27.
Willacy County
A Sabine's Gull was found at Fred Stone County Park in Port Mansfield on 11/16 and, remarkably is hanging around through at least 12/22.
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!
---------------------------
Compiled by Tiffany Kersten
Nature Ninja Birding Tours
Additional resources for visiting birders may be found at NatureNinjaBirding.com.
