Rio Grande Valley RBA
February 18, 2010
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:52:07 -0500
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From: Mary Gustafson <live4birds@AOL.COM>
Subject: RBA: Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley Rare Bird Alert, February 18, 2010
CORRECTED
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This is a corrected RBA - another error was politely noted in the first one. My
apologies for the replacement reports!
.
RBA
.
* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* February 18, 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...
.
Western Grebe
Hook-billed Kite
+Roadside Hawk
+Great Black-backed Gull
+Rose-throated Becard
Rock Wren
+Aztec Thrush
Tropical Parula
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
+Crimson-collared Grosbeak
+Blue Bunting
.
North out of our area-
+Northern Jacana
+Amazon Kingfisher (refound?)
+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
many LRGV birding sites. All State Park and National Wildlife Refuge visitors
must stay on trails. Thank you 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!
.
The Valley from East to West
.
A Pomarine Jaeger was seen off Boca Chica Beach on January 31. A GREAT
BLACK-BACKED GULL+ was relocated on Boca Chica on February 13.
.
TXRG
.
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 Laguna Atascosa NWR, a female BLUE BUNTING+ was photographed near the visitor
center on February 12 and reported again on February 13. A male BLUE BUNTING+
was found at Osprey Overlook on February 17 and relocated on the 18th. A female
Painted Bunting was photographed on February 11 near the visitor center.
.
An immature male ROSE-THROATED BECARD+ at Estero Llano Grande State Park stayed
through February 1 in the Tropical zone of the park but has NOT been seen since.
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.
.
Also at Estero Llano Grande State Park, many Grasshopper Sparrows continue at
the park. LeConte’s Sparrows continue with sporadic reports on calm days
though February 2. **Please stay on the trails!** Park staff and volunteers
can direct you to day-roosting Common Pauraque. 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 appears that a Great-horned Owl killed the
Roadside Hawk. A pile of feathers with rufous in the inner primaries or
secondaries were found February 7. Another Roadside Hawk was photographed at
Falcon State Park (See below).
.
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.
.
Santa Ana NWR has a reported but not yet documented ROSE-THROATED BECARD+ at the
feeders near the Headquarters.
.
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 an adult male Crimson-collared Grosbeak+ as of February 4,
last seen February 18. This bird is missing secondaries and some primaries on
the left wing. Also present are a Western Tanager, Summer Tanager, Clay-colored
Thrush and hummingbirds. A Tropical Parula continues near the amphitheater and
fountain at an orange feeder log.
.
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands has a Yellow Warbler and a Field Sparrow over the
weekend.
.
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, a ROSE-THROATED BECARD+
appeared briefly on Sunday. Clay-colored Thrush come to the water features and
feeders. Burrowing Owl are occasionally reported.
.
At Bentsen-RGV State Park on February 16 an adult male AZTEC THRUSH+ was seen on
the Acacia Loop from the Kiskadee Trail on the west side to the Paixtle Circle
area. It was seen again briefly on February 17, and was likely heard on
February 18 in the morning.
.
The male ROSE-THROATED BECARD+ continues at Bentsen but is now seen at the
gatehouse feeder just inside the park. It has been missed some mornings but has
reappeared in the evenings. Formerly it was at the northeast end of the Acacia
Loop or nearby at the “Y” intersection.
.
Also at Bentsen-RGV State Park, a Hook-billed Kite and a Broad-winged Hawk were
seen on February 14, and a Zone-tailed appeared the next day. 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. 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 Falcon State Park, an immature ROADSIDE HAWK+ was seen through February 17.
Other reports include a Red-throated Loon two weeks ago, 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, a Cassin’s Vireo was found on February 13.
.
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. Red-billed Pigeon was reported this week from us 83 in Zapata
near Las Palmas Road. Look for them perched in the tall trees in the morning or
evening.
.
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.
.
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 seen daily through February 3. The bird then
disappeared in response to high water but was reportedly relocated by a single
observer on February 13. Others have looked but not found this bird. Please
report any efforts to locate the Amazon Kingfisher regardless of results.
.
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.
TXRG
horse pasture and on the stacks of blocks. Please be sure to sign the sightings
book. The most recent report is February 16.
.
A NORTHERN JACANA+ at Choke Canyon State Park, in the Calliham Unit 75 Acre
Pond. Take US 281 to Three Rivers 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 17.
.
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