Statewide (Houston Audubon Society) RBA
December 10, 2009
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:00:54 -0500
Reply-To: Mary Gustafson <live4birds@AOL.COM>
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From: Mary Gustafson <live4birds@AOL.COM>
Subject: RBA Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley RBA December 10, 2009
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nBAI1bXG016860
RBA
.
* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* November 25, 2009
.
+ (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
Ferruginous Hawk
Allen’s Hummingbird
+Rose-throated Becard
Tropical Parula
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
LeConte’s Sparrow
.
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
.
- Transcript
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Thank you for calling the Lower Rio Grande Valley Birding Hotline sponsored by
Estero Llano Grande State Park, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the World Birding
Center. This hotline is normally updated Thursdays by 5 PM. Please send
observations to Texbirds or to the hotline email address. Thank you to those who
sent reports!
.
This is a general reminder that tapes are not allowed in Texas State Parks and
many LRGV birding sites. All State Park visitors must stay on trails. Thank you
for not disturbing the wildlife or damaging the vegetation.
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Birding site closures:
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Frontera Audubon Sanctuary in Weslaco is closed on Sunday morning, Monday and
Tuesday without a prior appointment.
Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen is closed on Sunday and Monday;
Valley Nature Center in Weslaco is closed Sunday mornings and Mondays.
Audubon's Sabal Palm Sanctuary is closed; access is restricted to pre-arranged
groups until further notice. Audubon is working towards a re-opening. Watch
their website for additional information.
.
Rare birds – Review Species, please document these sightings to the TBRC.
.
An immature male Rose-throated Becard was found at Estero Llano Grande State
Park on November 14 and is sighted most days in the Tropical zone of the park.
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.
.
The male Rose-throated Becard at Bentsen RGV State Park is seen sporadically at
the northeast end of the Acacia Loop or nearby at the “Y” intersection. The
most recent report is December 5.
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The Valley from East to West
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A Lesser Black-backed Gull is on Texas 48 at the boatramp.
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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.
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At Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, a single Eared Grebe continues.
.
To the north, White-fronted, Ross’s and Snow Geese are found in fields around
the salt lakes with Sandhill Cranes. Sal del Rey has Sanderling, Snowy Plover,
and in nearby fields Cassin’s Sparrows. A Song Sparrow – rare in the LRGV
– is wintering in northern Hidalgo County.
.
At Estero Llano Grande State Park, Grasshopper Sparrows continue at the park.
Park staff and volunteers can direct you to day-roosting Pauraque. Multiple
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, a Rufous Hummingbird, Black-throated Gray
Warbler, Dunlin, and Gray Hawk continue at the park (as does the Rose-throated
Becard).
.
At Santa Ana NWR a Tropical Parula appeared near the HQ on December 2.
Hook-billed Kites continued to be reported every 3-4 days through December 5
from many sites in the refuge, mostly south or west of the old Headquarters
area. A photographed adult Ferruginous Hawk was a surprise over Santa Ana on
November 19 and was resighted the 22nd.
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Quinta Mazatlan has Clay-colored Thrush and hummingbirds. A late
Chuck-will’s-Widow was seen on November 29.
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At Anzalduas County Park, Black-throated Gray Warbler and several Northern
Beardless-Tyrannulets continue. Sprague’s Pipits continue in the large fields
before the gatehouse. Gray Hawks are common here (up to three individuals) as
are Northern Beardless Tyrannulet. Rock Wren reappeared near the gatehouse.
Zone-tailed Hawk and Hook-billed Kite have not been seen recently but are likely
in the area.
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Nearby at the North American Butterfly Association Park, Clay-colored Thrush
come to the water features and feeders. On Tuesday December 8, a Burrowing Owl
was seen near the park!
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At Bentsen Rio Grande State Park in Mission, there are unverified reports of
birds like Crimson-collared Grosbeak and Blue Bunting. Documentation including
photographs of these birds is highly desired to confirm their presence. A
single Hook-billed Kite continues to be reported about weekly. An adult male
Allen’s Hummingbird is in the HQ area for the 3rd straight year and is seen
most mornings at the westernmost building on the north side. A single
Groove-billed Ani continues near the boat ramp. Nearby, a Zone-tailed Hawk was
seen on Tuesday December 8.
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A Bald Eagle was reported from Falcon State Park on November 22. Groove-billed
Anis continue at Falcon State Park through Wednesday November 18 at campsite 50.
Zone-tailed Hawks are often reported from Starr County Park or Falcon State
Park.
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Red-crowned Parrots wander widely to feed and to roost and are not always easy
to find in the summer, as their locations are more unpredictable. They 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 at Quinta Mazatlan, in the vicinity of Oklahoma
Street in Weslaco, and hundreds often stage before going to roost in McAllen on
North 10th Street between Violet and Dove in the evening. At the 10th street
roost a single Aztec Parakeet (escaped exotic) continues from last winter. 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 near Fort Brown.
.
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.
.
Salineno is the traditional site for seeing Red-billed Pigeons and Muscovy
Ducks, with reports in late November. Gray Hawks are often seen here. The
feeding station is up and running even if birds are slower than the host, Cheryl
Longton, would like. Clay-colored Thrush are already putting in appearances.
.
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. A Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) was a
great find November 13.
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White-collared Seedeater can be found the San Ygnacio County Park/Seedeater
Sanctuary at the south end of 9th Street and Laredo. Another good site is behind
the library at the county park in Zapata. Three birds were seen at the Zapata
site on November 12.
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The Wikibird guide provides birding site information for the Rio Grande Valley
at http://wikibird.org/wiki/Rio_Grande_Valley_birding_guide
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Thanks to Tim Whitehouse for this great service!
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Please report sightings to rgvbirdsAThotmail.com (Replace AT with @) or (956)
584-2731 option 3. Thanks to everyone who reported their sightings to Texbirds
or the compilers!
.
Mary Gustafson
Mission, Texas