Rio Grande Valley RBA
March 11, 2010
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:46:37 -0500
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From: Mary Gustafson <live4birds@AOL.COM>
Subject: RBA: Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley - March 11, 2010
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o2BLlNEE098768
RBA
.
* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* March 11, 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 (no reports)
+Rose-throated Becard (no reports)
Rock Wren (no reports)
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!
.
Spring has hit the LRGV, with increases in song by Cassin’s and Olive Sparrows
among other species. Hook-billed Kites are in good numbers at Bentsen (up to 3
birds, Rancho Vieja trail and Hawk Tower), Santa Ana (Tree Tower etc., a pair or
more), Chihuahua Woods (male) and Anzalduas Count Park (multiples). Your best
bet is to pick a nice day and be at a site with good visibility when the Turkey
Vultures start to fly (8:30 or so).
.
This is a reminder that there have been NO sightings of Tamaulipas. Crow since
March 2008. If you think you see or hear a Tamaulipas .Crow, please be sure to
report your observation promptly. This is a TBRC Review Species.
.
Remember, many visiting birders are eagerly awaiting updates on the birds listed
below, 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. There are no more recent reports.
.
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
and March 6 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. Fulvous Whistling-Ducks are returning, Cinnamon Teal and other ducks
are in good numbers. Park staff and volunteers can direct you to day-roosting
Common Pauraque.
.
At Frontera Audubon Center, a Tropical Parula may continue 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.
.
Quinta Mazatlan has an adult male Crimson-collared Grosbeak+ found on Feb. 4 and
last seen February 19, which was reported again (but not yet confirmed) on
March 9. We have had few updates on the Western Tanager, Summer Tanager,
Clay-colored Thrush and Tropical Parula that wintered at this site.
.
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. A Say’s Phoebe was in the area March
11.
.
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.
.
At Falcon State Park, an immature ROADSIDE HAWK+ was seen through March 8. It
is often seen near the campground or in the picnic area. 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 WILL CLOSE March 20 according to Cheryl Longton, the
volunteer that runs the site. A leucistic Great Kiskadee is present with
reduced or absent melanin but bright yellow and orange plumage.
.
Red-billed Pigeon can sometimes be seen from US 83 in Zapata near Las Palmas
Road. Look for them perched in treetops and on snags in the morning or evening
to the northwest of Las Palmas Road on US 83.
.
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 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. The
last report was March 5.
.
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.
.
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. 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 March 5.
.
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 March 10.
.
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