Rio Grande Valley RBA
March 4, 2010
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 15:09:59 -0600
Reply-To: John Yochum <John.Yochum@TPWD.STATE.TX.US>
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From: John Yochum <John.Yochum@TPWD.STATE.TX.US>
Subject: Lower Rio Grande Valley RBA; March 4, 2010
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RBA
.
* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* March 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...
.
Hook-billed Kite
+Roadside Hawk
+Purple Sandpiper
+Great Black-backed Gull (no reports)
+Rose-throated Becard
Rock Wren
Tropical Parula
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
+Blue Bunting
.
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. 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 birding
site - and the email address rgvbirds AT hotmail.com.
.
This is a general reminder that recordings 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!
.
Early migrants continue to appear, with reports of Cliff Swallow and Pectoral
Sandpiper. Hawkwatches are starting and raptor migration is in evidence with
more Sharp-shinned Hawks and other species.
.
Remember, many visiting birders are eagerly awaiting updates on these birds, the
rarer the bird the more interest in reports. Please share your efforts to try
to find them with the RBA or Texbirds - even if you didn't see them!
.
The Valley from East to West
.
A PURPLE SANDPIPER+ was found February 25 in Port Isabel in an area accessible
only boat. For more information, contact Scarlet Colley at the Sealife Center
number below. It was seen through February 28.
.
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 male BLUE BUNTING+ was found at Osprey Overlook on
February 17 and it was last seen on the 20th. It reappeared on February 25th
but there have been no subsequent reports. Appearances have been in the area of
the port-a-poties, at the overlook, and at the gate to Alligator Pond. Least
Flycatcher continues at the HQ.
.
An immature male ROSE-THROATED BECARD+ at Estero Llano Grande State Park
reappeared after a more than 2 week absence! It was reported through February
27. 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.
.
At Frontera Audubon Center, a Tropical Parula continues in the thicket.
.
At Allen Williams residence in Pharr, Red-crowned Parrots can be heard flying
around the neighborhood and Clay-colored Thrush are present.
.
Santa Ana has reports of Winter Wren and nighthawks.
.
Quinta Mazatlan has an adult male Crimson-collared Grosbeak+ as of February 4,
last seen February 19, but not since. As a result we have had fewer updates on
Western Tanager, Summer Tanager, Clay-colored Thrush and Tropical Parula.
.
At Anzalduas County Park we have no reports, wintering birds included Hooded
Merganser, Zone-tailed Hawk, Sprague's Pipit, and Rock Wren. Hook-billed Kites
continue in the area with two on February 21.
.
Nearby at the North American Butterfly Association Park, Clay-colored Thrush
come to the water features and feeders.
.
At Bentsen-RGV State Park, Hook-billed Kites are seen on many nice days with
reports from the Resaca Vieja trail, the Hawk Tower, and other sites. A
Rose-breasted Grosbeak is in the area of the "Y" feeders. Lazuli Bunting and a
Black-headed Grosbeak are at the Kiskadee Trail feeder. A Least Flycatcher is
often in the HQ area.
.
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.
.
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). 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 27.
A Green-tailed Towhee continues at the park host feeders and up to 5
Groove-billed Ani roam the park, best seen in the morning.
.
A Muscovy Duck and two Red-billed Pigeons were reported from Salineno on
February 27; this winter seems poor for both species. Gray Hawks are often seen
here. The feeding station is slowing down according to Cheryl Longton, but
many birds remain. A leucistic Great Kiskadee is present with reduced or absent
melanin but bright yellow and orange plumage.
.
Red-billed Pigeon continue this week from US 83 in Zapata near Las Palmas Road.
Look for them perched on treetops in the morning or evening to the northwest of
Las Palmas Road on US 83.
.
Access at Chapeņo 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 at this site but it is
possible to see Muscovy and Red-billed Pigeons here, although we have no recent
reports.
.
A BROWN JAY+ is frequenting a feeder in San Ygnacio. Contact Jim Ringo at
rngjm@yahoo.com for more information on this bird. In San Ygnacio, the Ringos
feeding station is just left of the entrance to the Seedeater Sanctuary at the
foot of Washington Street. Watch for the Brown Jay to come in from the street.
It comes in and sits on the swingset before going to the stump for tortillas
and dog food and has been seen mostly in the morning from 8 to 10 AM or so.
.
White-collared Seedeaters can be found 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.
.
There have been no reports of the Amazon Kingfisher. Please continue to report
efforts to locate this bird.
.
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 March 1.
.
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 24.
.
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.
John Yochum
Park Ranger IV
Estero Llano Grande State Park
Weslaco TX
956-565-3919
Camp Out (We'll supply the tents!), March 13
Breakfast with the Birds, March 27 8am
Night Hike, March 30 Tuesday
Bird Walks Wed/Sat/Sun 8:30am
Butterfly/Dragonfly Walks Fri 1:30pm