Rio Grande Valley RBA
January 14, 2010
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:42:04 -0500
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From: Mary Gustafson <live4birds@AOL.COM>
Subject: RBA: Texas Lower RIo Grande Valley, January 14 2010
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RBA
.
* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* January 14, 2010
.
+ (Details requested by TBRC - Mark.Lockwood AT tpwd.state.tx.us)
http://www.texasbirds.org/tbrc/reviewsp.htm lists Texas review species
http://www.texasbirds.org/tbrc/TBRCform.rtf suggests what to include in
details
.
Our rare bird alert this week includes...
.
+Bare-throated Tiger-Heron – potential first US record!
Hook-billed Kite
+Great Black-backed Gull
Glaucous Gull
Allen’s Hummingbird
+Ruddy Ground-Dove
+Rose-throated Becard
Rock Wren
Tropical Parula
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
+Gray-crowned Yellowthroat (no recent reports)
.
North out of our area-
Northern Jacana
Northern Wheatear
.
Hotline Number: Texas Parks and Wildlife - Lower Rio Grande Valley
Birding Hotline number: (956) 584-2731
.
To report: rgvbirds AT hotmail.com (preferred) or (956) 584-2731 option
3
.
- Transcript
.
Thank you for calling the Lower Rio Grande Valley Birding Hotline sponsored by
Estero Llano Grande State Park, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the World Birding
Center. This hotline is normally updated Thursdays by 5 PM. Please send
observations to Texbirds or to the hotline email address. Thank you to those who
sent reports!
.
This is a general reminder that tapes are not allowed in Texas State Parks and
many LRGV birding sites. All State Park visitors must stay on trails. Thank you
for not disturbing the wildlife or damaging the vegetation.
.
Birding site closures are at the end of this message.
.
TBRC Review Species are indicated with CAPITAL LETTERS and + below, please
document these sightings to the TBRC!
.
The Valley from East to West
.
There are Cassin’s Sparrows in many grassy fields, with numbers near Falcon
State Park and Sal del Rey and scattered birds in many grassland areas.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds continue in good numbers, with Black-chinned
Hummingbirds at Estero Llano Grande and Bentsen State Parks.
.
Three Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen at the Brownsville Dump on January 2.
On December 29, a first-winter GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL+ was reported from the
end of the road at Boca Chica at the beach. Likely the same GREAT BLACK-BACKED
GULL+ was at the dump on January 2. Two Black Scoters were seen in the surf 13.5
miles north of beach access #6 the same day, this is a first for the LRGV! A
Glaucous Gull was seen on Boca Chica beach 1 mile north of the end of Boca Chica
Road on January 2.
.
There are no further reports on any GRAY-CROWNED YELLOWTHROAT+ at Laguna
Atascosa and other sites. Please continue to report efforts to look for these
birds to the hotline.
.
Mangrove Warbler, a well-marked subspecies of Yellow Warbler that may be
distinct enough to warrant full species status, can be seen by contacting the
Sealife Center at (956) 299-1957.
.
A Tropical Parula was well photographed at Laguna Atascosa NWR Kiskadee Trail on
December 25. Another was at Resaca de la Palma State Park near Brownsville last
week. A Baltimore Oriole was a good find near Brownsville.
.
At Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, a single Eared Grebe continues. A Northern Flicker
was found again, the third sighting of this species at Edinburg this winter.
.
To the north, White-fronted, Ross’s and Snow Geese are found in fields around
the salt lakes with Sandhill Cranes. Sal del Rey has Sanderling, Dunlin, Snowy
Plover, and in nearby fields many Cassin’s Sparrows.
.
An immature male ROSE-THROATED BECARD+ at Estero Llano Grande State Park is
being seen in the Tropical zone of the park. Check in at the park headquarters
for directions. Visitors are requested to enter the Tropical Zone from the west
side of Ibis Pond (south of the park headquarters) and *not* via the old RV
Park entrance road. Be sure to check in at the park before accessing the
Tropical zone – your cooperation will ensure continued easy access to this
area. The Becard has been seen near the peanut butter feeder and restrooms in
the Tropical Zone.
.
Also at Estero Llano Grande State Park, many Grasshopper Sparrows continue at
the park. LeConte’s Sparrows were found in good numbers on the CBC January 3
and continued through this week. Park staff and volunteers can direct you to
day-roosting Pauraque. Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet and Black-throated Gray
Warbler continue at the park (as does the Rose-throated Becard). Cinnamon Teal
and Redhead are among the many waterfowl present, and Sora can be seen walking
at the edge of the marshes. A Broad-tailed Hummingbird was photographed but not
seen recently. Short-eared Owls have been seen nearby in the floodway.
.
At Frontera Audubon Center, a Tropical Parula has been seen several days last
week near the “stream”.
.
At Santa Ana NWR, Hook-billed Kites have not been reported since the CBC but may
persist.
.
Quinta Mazatlan has Clay-colored Thrush and hummingbirds. A male Black-headed
Grosbeak was photographed last week. A Tropical Parula and Black-throated Gray
Warbler are among 7 species of warbler at Quinta Mazatlan.
.
At Anzalduas County Park, Black-throated Gray Warbler and Northern
Beardless-Tyrannulet continue. Sprague’s Pipits continue in the large fields
before the gatehouse. Gray Hawks are common here (up to three individuals) are
present. Rock Wren reappeared near the gatehouse but is not always present.
Hook-billed Kite has not been seen recently. A drake Hooded Merganser was below
the dam again this week. Two Zone-tailed Hawks were seen from the levee just
outside of Anzalduas on Jan. 5, one was perched by the Riverside Club. The
January 5 CBC Pontoon Boat birding trip on the Riverside Dreamer netted 72
species.
.
Nearby at the North American Butterfly Association Park, Clay-colored Thrush
come to the water features and feeders. Burrowing Owl have been seen nearby.
.
A BARE-THROATED TIGER-HERON+ molting from juvenile to adult plumage continues at
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park south of Mission with reports through
today. It was found by Rick Nirschl and Rick Snider on December 21. January 8
and earlier, most observations were in the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
reveg fields. The Tiger-Heron stalked hispid cotton rats and grasshoppers
through the tall grass. Once located was tracked for hours, but it was
difficult to locate in the field (not all of the field is visible). The best
observation point was usually the lower levee behind the state park HQ building.
There is no access off the levee and into the fields.
The Bare-throated Tiger-Heron was not seen January 9. Rick Nirschl saw the bird
distantly fly south in the evening on January 10. One of the original
observers, Rick has spent as much time watching this bird as anyone. On January
11, Rick Snider, the other finder, relocated the bird perched in a tree across
the resaca from the Bentsen SP Hawk Tower about 11 AM. On January 12, the bird
was well seen stalking across the berm at the Hawk Tower Resaca about 3:45 PM.
It was not seen on January 13 or by hotline time on January 14. Access is
always closed off existing trails in the State Park. All access is closed on
adjacent NWR tracts. Please stay on the state park trails.
.
The male ROSE-THROATED BECARD+ at Bentsen RGV State Park is seen sporadically at
the northeast end of the Acacia Loop or nearby at the “Y” intersection.
During the recent cold spell, the Becard ate peanut butter mix from the feeder
at the “Y” intersection.
.
Also at Bentsen-RGV State Park an adult male Allen’s Hummingbird is in the HQ
area for the 3rd straight year. It is seen most mornings at the westernmost
building on the north side. Both Black-chinned and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
are present. A single Groove-billed Ani continues near the boat ramp. A female
Hook-billed Kite was photographed Jan. 6. A Northern Parula is seen infrequently
near the boat ramp or Kiskadee Overlook tram stop. A single Rose-breasted
Grosbeak is in the area of the “Y” feeders. An Eared Grebe continues at the
resaca. The Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl was reported again Jan. 7, it has been seen
between the “Y” feeders and the Kiskadee Overlook boat ramp but has not been
seen recently.
.
After the freeze, birds are moving around. Recently, both a “green” Painted
Bunting and a Brown-crested Flycatcher were seen briefly in the Bentsen HQ
area.
.
A Western Tanager and a Brown-crested Flycatcher were reported from the cemetery
off Holland north of Business 83 on Jan. 6. Other reports from private
property on the CBC include Hooded Oriole, Broad-winged Hawk, and Yellow
Warblers.
.
Red-crowned Parrots are most often seen in flight. Red-crowned Parrots are
sometimes seen in the areas of Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen, and Valley Nature
Center in Weslaco.
.
Green Parakeets are readily seen the large roost in McAllen on North 10th Street
between Violet and Dove in the evening. A single Aztec Parakeet (escaped
exotic) continues from last winter at this site.
.
Both Green Parakeets and Red-crowned Parrots have been seen recently in
Harlingen (near Pendleton Park or 7th and Rio Hondo at dusk), Pharr (sometimes
at Allen Williams residence on Sam Houston), and Brownsville near Fort Brown.
.
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are also heard (and rarely seen) at Bentsen-Rio Grande
Valley State Park in the pre-dawn hours. Remember, the use of tapes is not
allowed at Bentsen or many LRGV sites. Always ask before using tapes.
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are at San Miguelito Ranch about 10 miles north of
Raymondville, easiest seen February through May. There is a fee to access this
site, and prior arrangements are required (Leticia Tijerina, 956-369-3118 or
buny55ATaol.com). Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are found on the King Ranch and often
at El Canelo, as well.
.
Salineno is the traditional site for seeing Red-billed Pigeons and Muscovy
Ducks, however we have no recent reports. Gray Hawks are often seen here. The
feeding station is in full swing. Clay-colored Thrush are rare there this
winter.
.
Access at Chapeño is through the old El Rio RV Park. It is still possible to
access the river or watch birds from the bluff. There is a fee to bird this
site. Brown .Jays have been absent for two years but it is possible to see
Muscovy and Red-billed Pigeons here, although we have no recent reports.
.
There are no further reports of the RUDDY GROUND-DOVE+ at Chapeno. Please
continue to report efforts to look for this bird to the hotline.
.
White-collared Seedeater can be found the San Ygnacio County Park/Seedeater
Sanctuary at the south end of 9th Street and Laredo. Another good site is behind
the library at the county park in Zapata. A lucky observer found seedeaters at
both sites on December 27.
.
Well outside our area are two more fantastic birds, both TBRC review species.
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A NORTHERN WHEATEAR+ is near Beeville, TX, well outside our area. The site is
**CLOSED ON SUNDAYS** with no exceptions. The homeowner, John Bontrager,
welcomes visitors other days. To reach this bird take TX 59 East of I-37 to CR
796. Go south on 796 for 6 miles to a vegetable stand on the right. Turn right
into the driveway next to the veggie stand and drive back towards the brown
building. Please park on the right out of the way before the brown building.
Walk slowly behind the house and watch for the wheatear on the woodpile, in the
horse pasture and on the stacks of blocks. Please be sure to sign the sightings
book. The most recent report is 12:45 today.
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A NORTHERN JACANA+ at Choke Canyon State Park, in the Calliham Unit 75 Acre
Pond. A scope is necessary most days. Look to the far back right of the pond
to start. The Northern Jacana was seen January 13.
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The Wikibird guide provides birding site information for the Rio Grande Valley
at http://wikibird.org/wiki/Rio_Grande_Valley_birding_guide
.
Thanks to Tim Whitehouse for this great service!
.
Frontera Audubon Sanctuary in Weslaco is closed on Sunday morning, Monday and
Tuesday without a prior appointment.
Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen is closed on Sunday and Monday;
Valley Nature Center in Weslaco is closed Sunday mornings and Mondays.
Audubon's Sabal Palm Sanctuary is closed; access is restricted to pre-arranged
groups until further notice. Audubon is working towards a re-opening. Watch
their website for additional information.
Please report sightings to rgvbirdsAThotmail.com (Replace AT with @) or (956)
584-2731 option 3. Thanks to everyone who reported their sightings to Texbirds
or the compilers!
.
Mary Gustafson
Mission, Texas