Rio Grande Valley RBA
May 13, 2010
Date: Thu, 13 May 2010 16:47:21 -0500
Reply-To: John Yochum <John.Yochum@TPWD.STATE.TX.US>
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From: John Yochum <John.Yochum@TPWD.STATE.TX.US>
Subject: RBA Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley May 13, 2010
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RBA
* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* May 13, 2010
Review Species are indicated with CAPITAL LETTERS and + below.
Please document these sightings to the Texas Bird Records Committee:
(Mark.Lockwood AT tpwd.state.tx.us).
http://www.texasbirds.org/tbrc/reviewsp.htm
<http://www.texasbirds.org/tbrc/reviewsp.htm> lists Texas review
species http://www.texasbirds.org/tbrc/TBRCform.rtf
<http://www.texasbirds.org/tbrc/TBRCform.rtf> suggests what to include
in details.
Our rare bird alert this week includes...
+ROSE-THROATED BECARD
+TAMAULIPAS CROW
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
Nelson's Sparrow
To report rare birds, e-mail rgvbirds AT hotmail.com (preferred) or
call (956) 584-2731 option 3. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Lower Rio
Grande Valley Birding Hotline number is (956) 584-2731. This 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 to the email address rgvbirds AT hotmail.com. Reports
on all unusual species, positive or negative, are greatly desired!
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.
The Valley from East to West:
On South Padre Island a Nelson's Sparrow (formerly Nelson's Sharp-tailed
Sparrow) was photographed while singing on the boardwalk, on May 1. No
further 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.
+TAMAULIPAS CROW continues at the Brownsville Landfill through May 5.
Note that the Landfill is closed on Sundays and closes every day at 3:45
PM.
At Estero Llano Grande State Park, the male +ROSE-THROATED BECARD
continued through at least May 1. 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 a Pauraque should you spot one. Red-crowned Parrots
and Clay-Colored Thrush are seen in the tropical zone. Wood Storks have
put in some early appearances off the deck in Ibis Pond. In the Llano
Grande flood channel, a breeding plumaged +CURLEW SANDPIPER was
photographed on April 29. Additional reports are greatly desired.
A female +ROSE-THROATED BECARD was reported May 7 from Santa Ana NWR,
seen and heard briefly but well in the southwestern section of the
Pintail Lakes area. Thirteen Hudsonian Godwits were reported Sunday,
May 9, at Santa Ana NWR in the #5 pond along the Pintail loop trail,
with some of the males in breeding plumage.
Eight Hudsonian Godwits were reported May 13 from Delta Lake.
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, 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.
At Salineno, Muscovy Duck and Red-billed Pigeons can be seen from the
boat ramp early and late in the day. The feeding station is CLOSED until
fall. No further reports of the +ROSE-THROATED BECARD reported there
April 3.
Falcon State Park hosted four Hudsonian Godwits Monday, May 10.
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 and Laredo Streets. The
Seedeaters come in to drink at the pond. There have been no further
reports of the +BROWN JAYS from the Ringos' feeding station
(rngjm@yahoo.coM) in San Ygnacio, just left of the entrance of the
Seedeater Sanctuary.
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. 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 heard (and rarely seen) at Bentsen State Park
in the pre-dawn hours. These owls are also 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
<http://www.king-ranch.com/nature_tours.html> ) and often at El Canelo
as well. . Directions are provided only for sites not included in the
ABA Birders' Guide to the Rio Grande Valley or the Birders' 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 Sundays and Mondays
John Yochum
Park Ranger IV
Estero Llano Grande State Park
Weslaco TX
956-565-3919
DRAGONFLY DAYS-- MAY 14, 15,16
Electric Bus Tours, Sundays at 3pm
Full Moon Night Hike, May 27, 8-10pm
Bird Walks Wednesdays at 8:30am
Butterfly/Dragonfly Walks, Fridays 1:30pm
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