Rio Grande Valley RBA
January 21, 2010
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:14:36 -0500
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From: Mary Gustafson <live4birds@AOL.COM>
Subject: Texas: Lower Rio Grande Valley RBA - January 21, 2010
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RBA
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* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* January 21, 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
Hook-billed Kite
+Great Black-backed Gull
Allen’s Hummingbird
+Rose-throated Becard
Rock Wren
Tropical Parula
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
.
Unconfirmed Reports
+Masked Duck
+Short-tailed Hawk
+Ruddy Ground-Dove
.
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
.
This is a general reminder that tapes are not allowed in Texas State Parks and
TXRG
for not disturbing the wildlife or damaging the vegetation.
.
TBRC Review Species are indicated with CAPITAL LETTERS and + below, please
document these sightings to the TBRC!
.
Many birds seem to be moving after the freeze, with Brown-crested Flycatchers
popping up in several locations. Black-throated Gray Warbler and Least
Flycatchers are widely distributed.
.
The Valley from East to West
.
Three Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen at the Brownsville Dump on January 2.
A first-winter GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL+ continued on Boca Chica at the beach
through the TOS meeting. Likely the same GREAT BLACK-BACKED
GULL+ was at the dump on January 2. The TOS trips reported BROWN BOOBY+ (Friday
(many), Saturday (two) and up to five Masked Boobies (Sunday) off Boca Chica
along with dozens of Northern Gannet.
.
At South Padre Island, Least Bittern was found on the TOS trip off the
boardwalk.
.
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.
.
At Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, a Northern Flicker was reported again a week ago,
the third sighting of this species in the city of Edinburg this winter.
.
An immature male ROSE-THROATED BECARD+ at Estero Llano Grande State Park is
TXRG
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. It is being reported less frequently now but was seen Saturday January 16.
.
Also at Estero Llano Grande State Park, many Grasshopper Sparrows continue at
TXRG
and continue through this week. **Please remember to stay on the trails!**
Park staff and volunteers can direct you to day-roosting Common Pauraque.
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet continues at the park (as does the Rose-throated
Becard). Northern Parula is in the tropical zone. A Purple Gallinule was found
on Saturday January 16 at Ibis Pond. An adult male Orchard Oriole was
photographed January 21!
.
At Frontera Audubon Center, a Tropical Parula has been seen several days last
week near the “stream”. Rare in Weslaco, a Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet is
present at Frontera as well.
.
At Santa Ana NWR, Hook-billed Kite was reported this weekend.
.
At Allen Williams residence in Pharr a Summer Tanager continues.
.
Quinta Mazatlan has Clay-colored Thrush and hummingbirds. A male Black-headed
Grosbeak was photographed last week. A Tropical Parula was seen near the
amphitheater and fountain at an orange feeder log. A Summer Tanager was
photographed a week ago.
.
At Anzalduas County Park, a Palm Warbler was found on the TOS weekend and a
Hooded Merganser continues below the dam. A Zone-tailed Hawk was seen in the
area as well. Sprague’s Pipits continue in the large fields before the
gatehouse. Rock Wren reappeared near the gatehouse but is not always present,
last seen January 19. Two Hook-billed Kite and a Ferruginous Hawk are in the
area.
.
The TOS Pontoon Boat birding trip on the Riverside Dreamer saw a perched
Zone-tailed Hawk at close range.
.
Nearby at the North American Butterfly Association Park, Clay-colored Thrush
come to the water features and feeders. Burrowing Owl are occasionally
reported.
.
A BARE-THROATED TIGER-HERON+ molting from juvenile to adult plumage has not been
seen recently at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park south of Mission with
reports through January 12. It was found by Rick Snider and Rick Nirschl on
December 21. January 8 and earlier, most observations were in the Bentsen-Rio
Grande Valley State Park reveg 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. On January 11 and 12 the bird was seen from the Bentsen SP Hawk
Tower about 11 AM. There is no off-trail access in the State Park and adjacent
NWR tracts. Please stay on the State Park trails. On January 18 and again on
January 20, Rick Nirschl saw the bird flying on the south side of the levee
behind the Bentsen WBC Headquarters in the evening.
.
The male ROSE-THROATED BECARD+ at Bentsen RGV State Park continues at the
northeast end of the Acacia Loop or nearby at the “Y” intersection. The
Becard is often seen near the feeders at the “Y” intersection.
.
Also at Bentsen-RGV State Park an adult male Allen’s Hummingbird was last
reported Jan. 16. Both Black-chinned and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are
present. A single Groove-billed Ani continues near the boat ramp. Three
Hook-billed Kites were reported on the TOS weekend. 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 delighted visitors on the
TOS weekend. Two Sage Thrashers were reported from the resaca area on January
18. A Lazuli Bunting is at the Kiskadee Trail feeder. A Lesser Nighthawk was
seen at dusk flying over the resaca at the Hawk Tower.
.
After the freeze, birds are moving around. A week ago, 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). The TOS trip was treated to breakfast with the Ferruginous
Pygmy-Owls and was delighted to find one at “home”. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls
are found on the King Ranch and often at El Canelo as well.
.
In the Falcon State Park area, reports include Green-tailed Towhee at the park
host feeders and Groove-billed Ani. At nearby Falcon County Park, Green-tailed
Towhee and Sage Thrasher were found.
.
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. A Common Black-Hawk was photographed at the boat ramp this week.
.
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.
.
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.
.
UNCONFIRMED REPORTS
.
There is an unconfirmed report of a female +RUDDY GROUND-DOVE in the Tropical
Zone The resident subspecies of Common Ground-Dove is very bright and can be
confused with Ruddy at first glance. Check for the bill color (black in Ruddy),
scaling on the head and neck (absent in Ruddy), and scapular pattern to be
sure. Photographs are highly desired if this bird is relocated.
.
There is an unconfirmed report of a +MASKED DUCK near Brownsville, though a TOS
trip saw the bird and believe it to be a Ruddy Duck.
.
There is an unconfirmed report of a +SHORT-TAILED HAWK at Salineno. .
.
Well outside our area are two more fantastic birds, both TBRC review species.
NOT UPDATED.
.
A NORTHERN WHEATEAR+ is near Beeville, TX, well outside our area. The site is
**CLOSED ON SUNDAYS** with no exceptions. The homeowner, John Bontrager,
TXRG
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.
TXRG
horse pasture and on the stacks of blocks. Please be sure to sign the sightings
book. The most recent report is January 20.
.
A NORTHERN JACANA+ at Choke Canyon State Park, in the Calliham Unit 75 Acre
TXRG
to start. The Northern Jacana was seen through January 18, and park staff state
it is being seen daily through at least January 20.
.
Mary Gustafson
Mission, Texas