Texas 13 - Summary

OK, The final instalment. I hope I've given you a feel of this great birding State. Some may have known it already but others not.

Birders travel the world to their own favourite spots. This is mine. I've been to many European hotspots over the years including Cyprus, Majorca, Extremadura and the Pyrenees amongst others. Fortunate enough to visit many US States including Alaska (extremely impressed) and I've even made it to Australia (not impressed).

A few reasons why I love Texas. Great birds...obviously, which allow excellent photo opportunities. SPACE (it's bigger than France)...fantastic for a touring holiday. Superb scenery. Friendly people. Fabulous infrastructure....road system excellent, motels everywhere...and food! No need for jabs! No language problems!!

Below are my final images from this years trip. I hope to return sometime in the not to distant future...

Raptors

Osprey

Harris Hawk

Crested Caracara

White-tailed Hawk

Here's a few more in no particular order.

Love thrashers...fearless and full of character...

Long-billed

Summer Tanager...

Great Horned Owl...

distant shot in heat haze...many thanks to Tim Isherwood

Purple Gallinule...

lucky to see this one

Forster's Tern...

Cliff Swallow...

memories of  Spurn 23/10/95!

Couldn't finish without a pic of my Texas Bay-breasted Warbler. I'd always been too early when I visited during my teaching life, so it was very satisfying to finally connect after 13 years...

Celebrations were in order...

a familiar pose!

likewise!

Texas 13 - Waterbirds

Cinnamon Teal...

Reddish Egret (white phase)...

White Pelican (wing span 9 feet!!!)

Brown Pelican..

Raptors tomorrow...

Texas 13 - Valley rarities

Did a bit of dirty twitchin' down in the Valley. I'd already seen a Crimson-collared Grosbeak on a previous visit in 2005. It would have been rude not to try for this one at sabal palm sanctuary...

Also had great views of (the not quite as rare) Clay-coloured Robin...

Also enjoyed the superb Hooded Oriole...

the almost pre-historic Plain Chachalaca...

Golden-fronted Woodpecker...

The local Buff-bellied Hummingbird...

and finally...the Green Jay...

Quite a place that Sabal Palms.

Texas 13 - Night and Day

Regular readers will know that my numero uno twitch of all time was COMMON NIGHTHAWK on Scilly on 24/10/99. My full account can be found here.

It IS a common bird in the States and it's not unusual to see birds on the Bolivar Peninsular during the daylight hours. I had seen a few hawking for insects in bright sunshine (23C+).

On one of several sorties cruising in the car along the minor roads off the main thoroughfare, searching in vain for my Texas Bobolink, I managed to spot (to be honest I couldn't miss) this chap roosting right by the road on a fencepost...

Totally unconcerned, although he did raise an eyebrow at one stage...

Texas 13 - Overkill?

Believe it or not I'm conscious of overdoing the holiday snaps! On the other hand I've had good feedback regarding passing on information about this bird-rich State...so I'll do a few more...while we're in the summer hiatus.

There are three species of Cuckoo in the US. In an earlier post I showed a photo of a Black-billed Cuckoo, below are a few shots of Yellow-billed from Sabine Woods...



3 is a bit greedy!



Here are a few more from the wonderful Sabine Woods...



Well...the odd one doesn't hurt!

Couldn't really nail the fireball Blackburnian Warbler as the ones I saw stayed high in the canopy but I managed to fluke this one...

Blackpolls are always smart...

A soft focus Red-eyed Vireo...

Northern Parula



Baltimore Oriole

I'll probably post a couple more round-ups of my trip to the bird State.

Oh, by the way, the third Cuckoo is Mangrove which is found in Florida. I still haven't seen this bird (dipped in 2009) but I'll be having another go next Springtime as I've just booked for 2014...

Texas 13 - Back East at Smith Oaks Rookery

The last few days were spent back on the Upper Coast based at Galveston. The idea was to try and catch a "fall" at High Island and/or Sabine Woods.

One of the unmissable sights at Smith Oaks (part of the High Island area) is the "Rookery". Not Rooks however but MUCH more colourful birds...Egrets, Herons and Spoonbills...

Roseate Spoonbill





Great Egret

Tricoloured Heron

Snowy Egret



Pink feet and lores during breeding season (usually yellow)



Sunbathing Owl and Texas migrants

Driving past Out Newton this morning I was surprised to see my little friend sat on the barn roof in 23c heat!

He was trying to hide from me however...

Right...a few shots of migrants. I was fortunate enough to time my visits to the migrant traps to coincide with a few thunderstorms. The best day was at South Padre Island where I visited a few of the famed spots. The best hour was spent at the convention centre. An amazing spot not more than 20 yds in circumference but an oasis for migrants in the right conditions. These were the right conditions! I saw 15 species of Warbler plus Orioles, Tanagers and Vireos...FANTASTIC!!!

Here's a few of the better efforts...

Rose-breasted Grosbeak




Baltimore Oriole





Yellow-throated Warbler

 

Chestnut-sided Warbler

 ...and...finally, after much searching, my Texas Philadelphia Vireo...


drenched but smart!

Hope you liked them...

Texas 13 - Way out West summary

The two main areas for birders are Big Bend and the Davis Mountains. The former has the highest bird list of any National Park in the country (450+) , the latter also has an impressive list and both are beautiful spots.

Here are a few more typical images of the region...

Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend



Turkey Vulture...looks better in flight!

Chihuahuan Raven

Quite a sight on a picnic table!

Golden-fronted Woodpecker - superb!

Another cracker is the Vermillion Flycatcher...

A few warblers were hiding in the vegetation including this Wilson's Warbler...



Re-found THE most amazing bar I've ever encountered. I visited in 2003 and wanted to show it to Louise. La Kiva...managed to find it amongst the rocks...take the photo tour...



Evidence of past Volcanic activity...

Then, a typical West Texas sunset on the way home...



Next, a few close ups from the migrant traps...

Late News  Just took Bud down the clifftop and found a Crossbill!!! (H.L.127, H.71, P.140)