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 will not be listed below. Check eBird for recent sightings of these species.
Starr County
Morelet's Seedeater, Red-billed Pigeon,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 Ranch: Brown Jay, Mottled Owl, Muscovy Duck, Rose-throated Becard, Red-billed Pigeon, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, and Hook-billed Kite have been present here. Recently a Song Sparrow, and Anna's Hummingbird have been reported as well. 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. 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 this week at the Yturria Brush Tract of Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, through at least 12/9.
One to two Audubon's Orioles have been at Bentsen State Park from 11/7 through at least 12/9, most commonly near the La Familia Nature Center.
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 12/9. Bird feeding happens daily at 8:30 and 1:30.
A 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.
A Winter Wren was present 11/20 - 12/1 at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco.
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.
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 12/07.
A Tropical Parula was at Resaca de la Palma State Park on 11/11 and continued through 12/7. 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 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.
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 12/9.
A Groove-billed Ani has been lingering at the South Padre Island Convention Center, most recently reported on 12/9. A Palm Warbler was here from 12/8 to 12/9.
Two Brown Boobies were reported from SPI Jetty on 12/7 and one on 12/8.
A Tropical Parula was at UTRGV Brownsville through 12/8. Late/wintering Yellow-throated Vireo, Bay-breasted Warbler, and American Redstart have also been at the same location.
A Western Tanager was at Oliviera Park on 12/5.
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 12/9.
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.
