Rarities in the Rio Grande Valley, from West to East:
Starr County
A Reddish Egret (rare inland) has been present at Falcon State Park through at least 11/7.
Morelet's Seedeaters have been hit or miss at Salineno recently. They are closely associated with the cane grass right along the river trail.
A BARE-THROATED TIGER HERON was seen (with photos) at Santa Margarita Ranch (restricted access) on 11/12. This area is restricted access (see access d. Salineno Birding Center is two miles upriver from this site and may be a good spot to keep an eye on the river. Several BROWN JAYS continue here as well, having originally been found in March 2023, and five have been returning to oranges during weekly visits by birders. Check the blog post for updates on sightings, difficult terrain, and site access. Red-billed Pigeons have been somewhat regular here as of recently. Rock Wren, Western Flycatcher, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, and Morelet's Seedeater have been seen here over the last week. Check the blog post for updates on sightings, difficult terrain, and site access.
Brown Jays have been seen very irregularly at Salineno along the river trail over the last six months, and the possibility exists that they may find the feeders at Salineno this upcoming season. The Salineno feeding station is re-opened for the season and will remain open through mid-March.
Hidalgo County
An adult ROADSIDE HAWK was found on 11/9 at Bentsen State Park on Roadrunner Trail. Red-naped Sapsucker was found at Bentsen State Park near the Nature Center on 10/17 and continued through at least 11/4. A Black-headed Grosbeak was seen in the same location on 11/11. A Green-tailed Towhee was under the hawk tower on 11/11. Hook-billed Kites have been sporadically seen, mostly distantly from the hawk watch during the fall hawk count.
An adult Audubon's Oriole, as well as a young Audubon's / Altamira hybrid continue at the National Butterfly Center this season, through at least 11/5. This is a rare/irregular bird for Hidalgo County. A Red-billed Pigeon was seen here on 11/10, over the river.
A Limpkin was found at Anzaludas County Park on 11/7 and continues though at least 11/11. A Reddish Egret was found on 11/7 and continues through at least 11/9.
An Eared Grebe and Rose-breasted Grosbeak were found at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands on 11/11.
A Mallard x Northern Pintail hybrid was found at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge on 11/6.
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER was found at Frontera Audubon on 11/7, continuing through at least 11/8.
A female BLUE BUNTING was found at Estero Llano Grande State Park, near the entrance path and the Green Jay Trail, on 10/27 and continued through at least 11/4. One, then two, and now THREE Limpkin, continuing through at least 11/11. A Townsend's Warbler was found at the entrance to the tropical zone on 11/11, as well as a Golden-crowned Kinglet. A Tropical Parula was in the parking lot 11/4 to at least 11/5.
Cameron County
A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER continues at Hugh Ramsey Park, near Cypress Pond, through at least 11/12. It was loosely associating with an Orange-crowned Warbler and a Wilson's Warbler. A Winter Wren was here on 11/7. A late Painted Bunting continues through 11/7. A Zone-tailed Hawk (east for their typical range) was seen overhead a few times between 11/3 and 11/11.
A Tropical Parula and Black-throated Gray Warbler were found at Los Fresnos Nature Park on 11/11.
An AMERICAN FLAMINGO was found at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, resting on the water just out from Alligator Pond on 10/22, and was joined by a second individual on 10/23, both continuing through at least 11/11. A Tropical Parula was also found on 10/22 at Laguna Atascosa, near the Visitor Center, with two being found on 10/23, and at least one continuing through 11/7. (There's also a Northern x Tropical Parula hybrid in the area.) A late Groove-billed Ani was heard along the trail to Alligator Lake on 11/7, and a late female Painted Bunting continues near the photo blind through at least 11/5. A flyover White-throated Swift was found on 11/9.
A Brewer's Sparrow was photographed at Palo Alto Battlefield on 11/2.
A Spotted Towhee was seen at the Aplomado Viewing Area (eBird hotspot) on 11/7.
A male BLUE BUNTING continues at Resaca de la Palma State Park through at least 11/7. A ROADSIDE HAWK was found near the resaca along the tram route, at Resaca SP, on 11/7, and it continues (being seen sporadically, and often after investing time) through 11/12 at the same location. A Tropical Parula was found on 11/12. A Philadelphia Vireo was at the first curve along the tram road on 11/12. A Rose-throated Becard was found also at the first curve on 11/10 and continued on 11/11 at Sabal Palm Sanctuary. A Western Tanager was seen here on 11/8 as well.
A Winter Wren was at the Valley Land Fund Lots / Sheepshead Street on 11/5, continuing through 11/6. Scarlet Tanager on 11/6, continuing through 11/8.
South Padre Island Convention Center: White-throated Sparrow 11/5, Green-tailed Towhee and Brown Thrasher on 11/4. Cassin's Kingbird, Spotted Towhee and Winter Wren 11/3.
South Padre Island Birding & Nature Center: King Rail in the parking lot near the rotary bench (through 11/11), Western Tanager (through 11/12), Green-tailed Towhee (11/6), Bullock's Oriole (11/5). A late Red Knot continues through at least 11/10.
Willacy County
A California Gull was found on the beach on South Padre Island on 11/2.
***EXTRALIMITAL: Cattle Tyrant reported at intersection of Chaparral and Schnatzell in downtown Corpus Christi. Photos.
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 Tiffany Kersten
tiffanykersten@gmail.com
