Rio Grande Valley RBA
April 29, 2010
Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:17:35 -0400
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From: Mary Gustafson <live4birds@AOL.COM>
Subject: RBA: Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley, April 29, 2010
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RBA
.
* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* April 29, 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...
.
Masked Duck (no reports)
+Northern Jacana (no reports)
+Rose-throated Becard
+Tamaulipas Crow
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
.
North out of our area-
+Northern Jacana (no recent reports)
.
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. Landbird migration is in full swing. Good fallouts
have occurred most days on or near the coast of late.
.
The Valley from East to West
.
Migrants have been thick near the coast especially over the weekend, with
numbers of warblers and sparrows. Local conditions change daily.
.
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.
.
A TAMAULIPAS CROW+ was photographed at the Brownsville Landfill April 27.
Tamaulipas Crow formerly nested in the past on the east side of Brownsville,
however this pair is the first photographed sighting since 2008. Note that the
Landfill is closed on Sundays and closes every day at 3:45 PM.
.
North of our area in Kenedy County, a drake Masked Duck+ was seen on April 21 in
a pond just north of the (signed) Armstrong gate of the King Ranch from US 77.
The Armstrong gate is north of the (signed) Norias gate. The pond may be only
partially visible from the road. Do not cross any fence or go through any gate
– even if it is open – on private property including the King Ranch and be
careful on this very busy highway. There are no additional reports.
.
At Estero Llano Grande State Park, the ROSE-THROATED BECARD continued on April
29. Common Pauraque are on nests and not visible in their former day-roosts.
Please stay on the trails and do not try to get close to the Pauraque if you
spot one. Red-crowned Parrots are often seen and heard in the tropical zone in
the morning.
.
At Santa Ana NWR, a female plumaged ROSE-THROATED BECARD+ was found near the
Tree Tower on April 12. A near-adult NORTHERN JACANA+ was found on April 4 at
Pintail Lake of Santa Ana NWR and was relocated on April 7 at mid-morning. There
are no additional reports.
.
At Allen Williams residence in Pharr, Red-crowned Parrots can be heard flying
around the neighborhood and Clay-colored Thrush are present. Green Parakeets
have been coming into the fruiting mulberry trees.
.
At Bentsen-RGV State Park, raptor numbers have been good this spring. Please
refrain from using high powered lights or flash photography on the nesting Elf
Owls. These birds are entertaining many visitors in highly visible areas.
.
A ROSE-THROATED BECARD+ was found at Salineño at the boat ramp on April 3.
There are no additional reports. Muscovy Duck and Red-billed Pigeons can be seen
from Salineno with patience, both were seen on April 22. Gray Hawks are often
seen here. The feeding station is CLOSED until fall.
.
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+ was frequenting a feeder in San Ygnacio but has been absent for
about 10 days. Contact Jim Ringo at rngjm@yahoo.com for more information on
this bird, and don’t forget to leave a small donation if you appreciate his
efforts to help birders see this bird (or birds). Documentation of multiple
birds is especially needed. In San Ygnacio, the Ringos feeding station is just
left of the entrance to the Seedeater Sanctuary at the foot of Washington
Street. Seedeaters were seen at the Sanctuary on April 22.
.
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.
.
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 in winter at the large roost in McAllen on
North 10th Street between Violet and Dove in the evening. This roost fragments
with spring as birds pair up and spread out across the McAllen/Mission area.
.
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 and Elf 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 Norias Division of
King Ranch (http://www.king-ranch.com/nature_tours.html) and often at El Canelo
as well.
.
Well outside our area are two fantastic birds, both TBRC review species.
.
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 April 16, however the
road access to the pond was closed due to flooding on April 20. The road has
reopened, however we have no reports of this long-staying bird.
.
Reports on all unusual species – positive or negative – are greatly desired!
.
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.
.
Site Closures:
- Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Brownsville – closed indefinitely
- Los Ebanos Preserve, San Benito – open MWF and by appointment
- Frontera Audubon Thicket, Weslaco – closed Sunday through Tuesday
except by appointment.
- Valley Nature Center, Weslaco – closed Sunday mornings and Mondays.
Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen – closed Sunday and Monday.
Mary Gustafson
Mission, Texas
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