Rio Grande Valley RBA
February 4, 2010
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:39:30 -0500
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From: Mary Gustafson <live4birds@AOL.COM>
Subject: RBA: Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley - February 4, 2010
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RBA
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* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* February 4, 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...
.
Red-throated Loon (potential first for the LRGV)
Hook-billed Kite
+Roadside Hawk
+Great Black-backed Gull
+Rose-throated Becard
+Brown Jay
Rock Wren
Tropical Parula
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
+Crimson-collared Grosbeak
.
North out of our area-
+Northern Jacana
+Amazon Kingfisher
+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. The
phone service is provided by TPWD. When you leave a message, it generates an
alert to TPWD staff. It may be faster for you to report rarities to the site
– and the email address.
.
This is a general reminder that tapes are not allowed in Texas State Parks and
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 are widely
distributed. Purple Martins have returned, and an early Chimney Swift was
reported last week.
.
The Valley from East to West
.
A first-winter GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL+ continued on Boca Chica at the beach
through January 23. A Pomarine Jaeger was seen off the beach on January 31.
.
At South Padre Island, a Ross’s Goose reappeared at the South Padre Island
World Birding Center January 27.
.
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.
.
An immature male ROSE-THROATED BECARD+ at Estero Llano Grande State Park was
seen again February 1 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. It is being reported less frequently now.
.
Also at Estero Llano Grande State Park, many Grasshopper Sparrows continue at
the park. LeConte’s Sparrows were seen as recently as February 2. **Please
stay on the trails!** Park staff and volunteers can direct you to day-roosting
Common Pauraque. Northern Parula is in the tropical zone. Fulvous
Whistling-Ducks are returning. A Summer Tanager was seen January 25 and a
Western Tanager appeared January 31 and was seen again February 1.
.
At Frontera Audubon Center, an adult ROADSIDE HAWK+ was photographed perched in
the thicket on January 24. It has been seen in the area of the orchard at the
thicket as recently as the morning of February 2 and at the nearby cemetery off
10th Street and Illinois on February 3. This distinctive Buteo has a solid
unmarked gray head and back, vertical broad gray stripes on the upper breast,
and barred lower breast and belly. There have already been several cases of
mistaken identity in the thicket with a Cooper’s Hawk and a Red-shouldered
Hawk. If in doubt, please take photographs and share them with the center or
the hotline email address. The most recent observations have been in the
orchard. Visitors have been requested not to go into the orchard in the late
afternoon (after 4PM) to allow the bird to come in and use the area. The
orchard can be viewed from the elevated lawn of the historic house at the front
of the property.
.
Also present at Frontera, a Tropical Parula has been seen at the feeding station
feeding on fruit, it reportedly favors sweet red grapefruit though any fresh
citrus may be investigated. Ovenbird and Black-throated Green Warbler are also
present.
.
At Santa Ana NWR, a Hook-billed Kite was reported January 24. A second hand
report was received of a possible ROADSIDE HAWK+ at the intersection of the
Oriole Trail and Resaca Loop Trail. Documentation is greatly desired.
.
At Allen Williams residence in Pharr, Red-crowned Parrots can be heard flying
around the neighborhood and Clay-colored Thrush are present.
.
Quinta Mazatlan has Clay-colored Thrush and hummingbirds. A Tropical Parula was
seen near the amphitheater and fountain at an orange feeder log last week, and a
Summer Tanager was photographed.
.
At Anzalduas County Park 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 continues near the gatehouse
but is not always present. Zone-tailed Hawk and Hook-billed Kite are in the
area.
.
Nearby at the North American Butterfly Association Park, Clay-colored Thrush
come to the water features and feeders. Burrowing Owl are occasionally
reported. White-crowned Sparrows come to the feeder.
.
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 20. There have been no reports.
.
The male ROSE-THROATED BECARD+ at Bentsen RGV State Park continues but is now
seen at the gatehouse feeder just inside the park. Formerly it was at the
northeast end of the Acacia Loop or nearby at the “Y” intersection.
.
Also at Bentsen-RGV State Park, three Hook-billed Kites have appeared in various
combinations through January 24 but not since. A Northern Parula is seen
infrequently near the boat ramp or Kiskadee Overlook tram stop. A 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. A
Lazuli Bunting and a Black-headed Grosbeak are at the Kiskadee Trail feeder.
.
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. There is a very large flock in the Llano Grande 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. Green Parakeets are also found in
Mission on Bentsen Palm Drive in the morning.
.
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.
.
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 a Red-throated Loon, a potential
first for the LRGV regional checklist - which now stands at 520 species for the
four county area! If you relocate this bird, please notify the RBA. A
Green-tailed Towhee continues at the park host feeders and up to 5 Groove-billed
Ani. At nearby Falcon County Park, Green-tailed Towhee and Sage Thrasher were
found two weeks ago.
.
Salineno is the traditional site for seeing Red-billed Pigeons and Muscovy
Ducks, however we have no recent reports; this winter seems poor for them. Gray
Hawks are often seen here. The feeding station is in full swing. A leucistic
Great Kiskadee is present with reduced or absent melanin but bright yellow and
orange plumage. A Common Black-Hawk was photographed at the boat ramp last 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.
.
Upriver and outside our area, a single BROWN JAY+ was reported through January
25 and a male White-collared Seedeater through January 31 at the San Ygnacio
County Park/Seedeater Sanctuary at the foot of Washington Street in San Ygnacio.
Park at the top of the hill and walk down. Another good site for
White-collared Seedeater is next to the library at the county park pond in
Zapata at the south end of 9th Street and Laredo. The Seedeaters come in to
drink at the pond.
.
Well outside our area are three fantastic birds, all TBRC review species.
.
An AMAZON KINGFISHER+, a potential US first, was found in Laredo at the mouth of
Zacate Creek on January 24 and continues to be seen daily through February 3.
It is perhaps easiest to see and certainly the best light in the afternoon,
though there are morning sightings as well.
.
From the north, take Interstate 35 south, go right through Laredo and take the
last exit before the bridge to Mexico. Make your way left of the bridge through
the residential area until you hit either Ventura or Water Street. Take either
of these streets as far south (downstream) as possible, where they both deadend
at Zacate Creek where there is plenty of public parking.
.
From the south, take Hwy 83 north you will cross Zacate Creek within downtown
Laredo. After crossing the creek turn left at the third block onto San Jorge and
then turn left onto either Ventura or Water Street. Go to the end and park
along Zacate Creek.
.
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 site, 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.
horse pasture and on the stacks of blocks. Please be sure to sign the sightings
book. The most recent report is January 31.
.
A NORTHERN JACANA+ at Choke Canyon State Park, in the Calliham Unit 75 Acre
Pond. Take US 281 to George West and follows the signs to the westernmost
Calliham Unit. A scope is necessary most days. Look to the far back right of
the pond to start. The Northern Jacana was seen through February 1.
.
Directions are provided only for sites not included in the ABA Birder’s Guide
to the Rio Grande Valley or the Birder’s Guide to the Texas Coast. These
guides are indispensable for visiting birders.
Mary Gustafson
Mission, Texas