Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East:
*Say's Phoebes and Anna's Hummingbirds 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
Red-billed Pigeon and Muscovy Duck have been sporadic at Salineno this year. Morelet's Seedeaters have been around this season and were reported several times this week. They are closely associated with the cane grass right along the river trail and on the island. A Northern Flicker was present on 2/18. A Winter Wren was here on 2/14.
A Sage Thrasher was photographed at Falcon State Park near the butterfly garden on 2/20.
Santa Margarita Ranch: Brown Jay, Mottled Owl, Muscovy Duck, Rose-throated Becard, Red-billed Pigeon, and Hook-billed Kite have been present here in recent weeks. A Common Black Hawk was seen on 2/14. 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 run by two guides 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, continuing through 2/23.
Two Audubon's Orioles have been at Bentsen State Park through at least 2/22, most commonly near the La Familia Nature Center and Green Jay Blind.
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 continued through 2/16. Bird feeding here is temporarily suspended due to concerns of avian flu.
A Spotted Towhee was at Quinta Mazatlan on 2/18. (Closed Sundays and Mondays).
Mountain Plovers have been found north of Edinburg this week - check eBird for location details.
Snowy Plovers are at their usual location at Sal Del Rey this winter.
Four Brewers Blackbirds were at Rio Beef Farm on 1/13, with several continuing into the first week of February. Birds are probably still present, as that area isn't birded regularly.
A pair of Greater Scaup have been hanging around Edinburg Scenic Wetlands recently. Last reported 2/22.
A Winter Wren is continuing at Estero Llano Grande SP through 2/16. A female Mallard is present through 2/18.
Cameron County
Over 50 Brewer's Blackbirds continue in La Feria this week. Check eBird for coordinates.
A Tropical Parula was reported at Los Fresnos Nature Park 11/28 through 2/19.
Two Tropical Parulas continue at Resaca de la Palma State Park through 2/20. Two Dusky-capped Flycatchers continue through 2/14.
A Vega Gull was found at the Brownsville Landfill on 2/8 and continues through 2/14. A Glaucous Gull was continued on 2/14 and an Iceland Gull on 2/11. A possible California Gull was photographed on 2/20. (Closes at 3:45 pm and closed Sundays)
A Tropical Parula was at Laguna Atascosa through 2/11. A Black-headed Grosbeak has been wintering here as well, most recently reported by the visitors center on 2/23.
At least two King Rails have been present at Tiocano Lake near La Feria and Harlingen. Check eBird for details.
Willacy County
No rare birds reported recently from Willacy County due primarily to lack of birder presence.
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 municipal and 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.
