Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert -- December 3, 2024

 Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East: 

*Say's Phoebes and Eastern Bluebirds are unusually plentiful this season and will not be listed below. Check eBird for recent sightings of these species. 


Starr County

Morelet's Seedeater, Red-billed Pigeon, Roseate Spoonbill, 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. Two Hook-billed Kites, one of which was photographed, were seen on 11/16 with at least one seen through 11/29. 

Santa Margarita RanchBrown JayMottled Owl, Muscovy Duck, Rose-throated Becard, Red-billed Pigeon, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, and Hook-billed Kite have been present here. Recently a Song Sparrow, Anna's Hummingbird, and Black-headed Grosbeak have been reported 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 

Jesse Huth: jesse@pibird.com

Zach Johnson / Simon Kiacz: simonkiacz@gmail.com 

Ryan Rodriguez: ryvicrodriguez23@gmail.com 


Hidalgo County

Two Audubon's Orioles have been at Bentsen State Park from 11/7 to 12/2. 

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. 

Wood Thrush was at Quinta Mazatlan on 11/27. Two Wood Ducks have been at this location at least through 11/30. 

Up to six Groove-billed Ani were at San Juan Wetlands from 11/20 -11/21. 

A young Reddish Egret is hanging out at Delta Lake, usually on the east side of FM 88. Most recently reported on 12/3. 

Two Greater Scaup was found on Donna Reservoir amongst the scores of Lesser Scaup on 11/15 and continue through 11/30.

Winter Wren was present 11/20 - 12/1 at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco. 

A Prairie Falcon was seen near McCook along County Road 4304 on 12/1. See eBird for specifics.

Two Green-tailed Towhees were photographed at the Yturria Tract of the LRGV NWR near La Jolla on 12/1. 


Cameron County

Hermit Warbler continues at Buena Vista Cemetery in Brownsville through at least 11/27. At least one of the two reported Tropical Parulas continued through 12/1 as well. 


A Hermit Warbler appears to be overwintering in Brownsville in the same location where one wintered last year. Photo by Evan Farese.

 A Black Scoter was present at the Brownsville Landfill from 11/23 to 11/26. 

Tropical Parula was at Resaca de la Palma State Park on 11/11 and continued through 12/1. 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 young male Rose-throated Becard was reported at the south end of the Bobcat Trail at the park on 11/21 (~1.25 miles from the parking lot). 

Tropical Parula was near the HQ of Laguna Atascosa NWR on also on 11/6. A Spotted Towhee was photographed near the Osprey Overlook on 11/30.

Tropical Parula was found on the Laguna Vista Nature Trail on 11/1, continuing through 12/3. Some observers have reported two. An Anna's Hummingbird has been frequenting the feeder at Blind #3, most recently reported on 12/3. A rare-in-winter Painted Bunting and Yellow-breasted Chat have been observed here recently as well.

Purple Gallinule has been hanging out at the South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center since 10/24, often seen around Blind 5, and most recently reported on 12/2. 

Groove-billed Ani has been lingering at the South Padre Island Convention Center, most recently reported on 12/1. The Purple Gallinule mentioned above is also sometimes seen from the convention center's boardwalk.

A Groove-billed Ani was reported at Fisheries Field Station on 11/28.

A Tropical Parula was reported at Los Fresnos Nature Park 11/28.

A Tropical Parula was photographed at Mont Meta Cemetery near San Benito on 11/26.

Late/wintering Yellow-throated Vireo, Bay-breasted Warbler, and American Redstart were observed at UTRGV Brownsville on 12/3.

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.


Willacy County

Sabine's Gull was found at Fred Stone County Park in Port Mansfield on 11/16 and, remarkably is hanging around. It was last reported on 12/2 at the same location, though it has been observed at Laguna Point Recreation Area as well.


Willacy County's second Sabine's Gull. Photo by Evan Farese


Full, up-to-date county eBird Rare Bird Alert Reports:

StarrHidalgoCameron, 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 Evan Farese
Nature Ninja Birding Tours 

Additional resources for visiting birders may be found at NatureNinjaBirding.com

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