Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East:
Starr County
Red-billed Pigeon and Muscovy Duck have been sporadic at Salineno this year. Morelet's Seedeaters have been around this season and have been reported sporadically. They are closely associated with the cane grass right along the river trail and on the island. A Hook-biled Kite was seen several days over the past week. A Bald Eagle and Western Tanager were seen on 3/20. A Rose-throated Becard was seen on 3/20.
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. 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 3/24, most commonly near the La Familia Nature Center and Green Jay Blind. Bird feeding has been suspended here until fall, as per the usual schedule.
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 here is temporarily suspended due to concerns of avian flu.
Snowy Plovers are at their usual location at Sal Del Rey this spring.
Two Greater Scaup continue at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands through 3/27. A Lazuli Bunting is present through 3/30.
A Say's Phoebe was on FM490 in Weslaco on 3/24.
A Winter Wren is continuing at Estero Llano Grande SP through 3/29. A Tropical Parula was present on 3/20.
A Field Sparrow was at Blue Bunting Lodge on 3/28.
Cameron County
Six Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at La Feria Sod Farm on 3/24 through 3/26.
Resaca de la Palma State Park Western Flycatcher was here on 3/19.
A Brown Thrasher is at Lincoln Park, Brownsville, from 3/28 to 3/29.
A King Rail continues at Tiocano Lake through 3/27.
A Ruff continues on Holly Beach Road through 3/23.
A Purple Gallinule was at SPI Birding & Nature Center on 3/29.
An out of place Burrowing Owl was at the Valley Land Fund Lots on 3/27.
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 Tiffany Kersten
Nature Ninja Birding Tours
Additional resources for visiting birders may be found at NatureNinjaBirding.com.
