Texas 17 - Postponed

Issues with our last stop Motel internet, so I'll save the last three days reports until I return. Stellar day Monday followed by a less successful one Tuesday. Over to Bolivar and beyond tomorrow for our last full day.

Tune in later!

Texas 17 - Day 18

Just arrived at our Motel in Galveston and checked the news. Birding can be incredible...sometimes! I mentioned earlier that we were going to try for the  TAMAULIPAS CROW at Brownsville dump but aborted due to confusion over access...and the fact that I'd already seen one on Texas.

Guess what...one was seen in GALVESTON this afternoon!!! Be rude not to try for it in the morning.

Stay tuned...

Texas 17 - Day 17

The WCS was personal now.  Twas to be my final attempt as we were leaving the RGV at noon. I awoke just before my alarm at 5.20am. After a nice cinnamon and raisin bagel and a few swigs of ice cold milk I headed North to Salineno. I arrived as planned at 7 just as the sun was peeping over the horizon. I knew where to go by now! I checked every viewpoint along the river from the boat ramp. A nice early surprise was a couple of Ringed Kingfishers clicking noisily, high over the Rio Grande…

 Came out well considering the distance and time...7.20am!

I reached the farthest accessible point around 7.40. Nothing! Around 7.50 I noticed a movement low in the reeds. A tiny bird was hopping around but it was very hard to get a decent view of it. I “thought” it was a WCS but frustratingly I couldn’t be sure. I then saw a Verdin (which  I wasn’t expecting in this habitat) further along the strip of reeds?

I could now hear voices in the distance.

Another movement. This time the bird perched high on top of the reeds. Bingo…
 

This bird is only found at a few sites along the Rio Grande in Texas in the whole of the United States. These were my best ever views by far…

 

 

Success at last...

 

I could now see what turned out to be a group of birders (surprise, surprise). I waved to one of them and beckoned him over. Of course the bird had disappeared. He said he would go and tell the others. They all returned a few minutes later…rather quickly! Again no sign! We all waited. It didn’t take long (c10 minutes) before we were all looking at a WCS. The bird was only in view briefly before flying off over the river to the island. 

I had a good chat with one of the group. He told me they were from Indiana and they’d been coming to the Valley for a winter break since 2003. He said they were more into butterflies these days. I told him I was strictly for the birds! They left the site and I waited for another view…hopefully.

I didn't get one as I started to think about one last shot at the Audubon's Oriole at the National Butterfly Centre. The chap from Indiana had told me he'd had great views at the feeding station...but at 8am. Cheating I know but with only a couple of hours left I couldn't be choosy!

I arrived at 10 which gave me 90 minutes. the first person  saw was the guy I'd been speaking to at Salineno!!!

Small world this Birding one. Then I got the cruncher. He told me that just after he left me his group had seen an Audubon's Oriole by the river. Oh dear!

That's Birding.

Needless to say I didn't see one here. I had a nice relaxing hour or so before returning to help Louise pack.

The Altamira did show briefly. It was into the sun but it's such a beautiful bird I thought it was worth another showing...

I counted a minimum 15 Green Jays...

I also had a brief view of a juvenile Indigo Bunting. My first sighting of the trip...

It's "only" a Great-tailed Grackle...

We set off North at 1.30.

Obviously not much to report on the journey. As you know though, there's always "something" to see. As we passed the Oil Refinery at Three Rivers I noticed a decent number of Vultures circling the plant. I pulled over and had a quick scan. A conservative estimate would be 1000...

The sun was setting fast when I noticed a "different" shape on a telegraph pole. One I had definitely been hoping for...

Great Horned Owl

I manoeuvred the car closer...

It was 5.40pm now. I was hoping it would spin it's head around. It did...

Wowser...as they say over here!

Definitely up there for sighting of the trip! I also saw a silhouetted Barred Owl around 6.

This morning (Sunday) I searched in vain for McCown's Longspur in the farmland around Granger Lake east of Austin.

Off to Galveston now.

Trip list 161

Stay tuned...

Texas 17 - Day 16

The question is...does White-collared Seedeater really exist?

We were back at Salineno for 8am this morning. I reckoned my best chance for Audubon's Oriole was early at the feeding station. Bad move!!!

No sign by 9.15 although I did add Olive Sparrow...

Just one snap shot managed of this VERY secretive species.

White-tipped Doves also showed...

Another shy species that prefers to walk rather than fly?!

Then another birder appeared. He seemed excited. "I've just seen WCS" he exclaimed! Of course he had full frame pics. Of course they exist...I just can't find them. I spent the rest of the day proving this theory.

I left the feeding station immediately and patrolled the riverbank...again...

There's worse places to be.

The birder joined me and showed me the spot he'd seen them at...which was good of him. He had two Chihuahuas, one was a nervous youngster. He'd taken them as his own as they'd been abandoned. A lovely thing to do. No joy but  did connect with my first Verdin of the trip. I saw a tiny bird zip across in front of me and land briefly in a bush. A bins view then an attempt with the camera...

Just sneaked a confirmation top right.

We left the area at 12 and headed for Zapata for a Subway lunch.

I tried a couple of spots recommended n the guides but they didn't work out so I returned to San Ygnacio for another stint...

I wondered if this was the same Roadrunner as the other day. It saw me coming...

Always good value. I got another brief glimpse later...

Got to stop cutting their tails off!

Of course I was bound to see another Verdin. You can just see a hint of the reddish-brown shoulder patch.

So after another 5 hours effort, still no WCS.

We head North tomorrow with a stop over at Taylor which is east of Austin. I'll be trying for McCown's Longspur first thing on Sunday around Grainger Lake. Then it's on to Galveston...

Trip list 157

Stay tuned...

Texas 17 - Day 15

Today was just an ideal one. Great weather (low 70's) and some excellent birds seen at an iconic site...namely Santa Ana NWR. The jewel in the crown.

Ever since my first visit in 2000 I've loved this reserve. I've always preferred natural habitat and this reserve is just that. Right on the border including the Rio Grande and a series of Resaca's. I had two sessions of 2 hours split by a Starbuck's lunch due to it being Thanksgiving.

The morning session had me working the western areas looking for warblers. All I could find was a couple of Orange-crowned...

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The birds were very difficult to get "on" despite the vegetation not being very thick. I was hoping for a Black and White...but it wasn't to be.

As I was making my way to the area I remembered where I'd seen a Pauraque last year. I wondered if I could find the spot again? I'd just been chatting to this couple from California and had mentioned it to them. I walked around 40 yards and the area was exactly the same! I started to scan with my bins...and there it (or another) was!!!

I told the couple and they enjoyed great views of the bird with me. The camouflage is simply amazing.

I finally added Least Grebe tot he trip list...

Only found in coastal southern Texas it's a shy species. There were at least a dozen tucked in against the reeds.

After lunch we returned and  headed east this time to Pintail Lakes. I added a few more ticks...Ruddy Duck, Canvasback...

and a surprise female Bufflehead...

A first-winter White-faced Ibis was a nice find amongst the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks...

I reckon I saw at least 15 Kiskadees including 6 in one bush. A very gregarious species. Here's one of them...

When I first started coming to America I remember seeing this next bird at Neal's Lodges, another fantastic Texas Birding venue. I got to know the late June Osborne quite well. She loved this bird...



Vermilion Flycatcher

There were two stunning males present but they kept their distance...unfortunately!

t was time to leave now as I wanted to try for the Parrots at their roost sites n McAllen. Red-crowned first. I had two fly-overs at distance. Not what  was after but pleased to pick them out. Amazingly I found my first American Goldfinch of the trip feeding as I waited...

Another big surprise was the discovery of at least 6 Clay-coloured Thrushes!! If you remember I'd seen two at Quinta Mazatlan but these records were a BIG surprise...at least to me...

The sun was setting fast and we were late arriving at the Green Parakeet site...in fact I'm not sure we found it! f you were following last year you'll remember I had great views at Kohl's. Not to be this time. Never mind.

Just kidding about the VF...I did manage a better view. I'm sure June would have approved...

Trip total 152

Stay tuned...

Texas 17 - Day 14

Today I started at “Sparrow road” north of La Joya, a new location for me. I found the site rather frustrating as there was no access to the habitat and limited opportunities to pull off the road. The target was Pyrrhuloxia, a Cardinal look-a-like…but different!?  Managed some decent sightings of a Crested Caracara but couldn’t locate the main quarry.

I really yesterday on SPI spending time with some quality egrets and Herons. A couple more pics...

 

Tricolored Heron

 

There was a nice Hawk seen as well. It came into the feeding station on Sheepshead (yes that’s a street name)…

 

 

...it reminded me of when I used to have to go round to the butchers as a lad to get one for Trixie our German Shepherd. I thought everyone did it!!! I tried the six streets that are supposed to be protected for migrants but alas this is the only one that remains now. However some maintenance and improvement is in evidence…

 

 

Here’s an example of what can be seen in May…

 

 

Not bad!!!

 

The Coopers Hawk gave a stunning show eventually bathing under the trees...

I was in full view at the fence but the bird was totally unconcerned by my presence. Amazing!

A calling Osprey hovered overhead...

I spent the last hour back at the Convention centre. The light was superb, giving great views of the birds present…

 

 

It's "only" a Mottled Duck!

 

Just thought I'd add a few images to give a flavour of the day.

 

This afternoon I left Louise at the house and headed for Progresso grain silo. Another one of my favourites (yes I know I said it last year) is usually present here. A stunning bird but very shy. Not like the tens of thousands of Red-winged Blackbirds, Cowbirds and Grackles!

 

 

Getting a view through the bins can be achieved eventually, with patience. I found a cluster of adults hiding under a wood pile...

 

 

I arrived at 3 and had around 90 minutes to try and get a pic. It was a challenge with a constant passage of giant trucks flushing the birds constantly. Coupled with the sun getting lower my chances looked slim. I tried all the usual tactics. By 4.15 I'd just about given up when a large group of birds landed on the fence nearby. One bird was yellow...but one was enough...

 

 

REALLY pleased with this image as I feel it gives the essence of this special bird in the late afternoon glow.

 

Trip Total 139

 

Stay tuned...

 

 

 

 

 

Texas 17 - Day 13

It was great to finally have a good scout around San Padre Island. Yesterdays rain had gone and it was a glorious day. I left Louise to have a lie in and headed for the Convention centre. I checked out the migrant trap by the waterfall but all I got was Mosquito bites, so I headed for the boardwalk.

This site is good for Rails but they were hiding this morning! I drove north until I saw an access point to the bay. I could see birds by the Laguna but there were many puddles after yesterdays rain, so I stopped at the first. Within 5 minutes my favourite Egret had appeared out of nowhere and landed in the pool not 20 yds away!!

The rest of the day was spent exploring the island. The highlight was definitely my time with this bird early doors. We've got back to Mission late, so in summary...I picked up a few more trip ticks but the day belonged to the Reddish Egret. 'Nuff said...

Trip total 135

Stay tuned...

Texas 17 - Day 12

Up at 7 to the sound of thunder. We were due some inclement weather. Packed the car and headed east. Weather was still poor at Harlingen, so we had the mandatory Starbucks. We found the 100 and headed for SPI. On the way I had a couple of stops in mind for raptors...it was my birthday after all!

Aplomado Falcon is a re-introduced species that is now "tickable". There are a number of nest cages scattered about this area with some decent car parks to avoid the fast traffic. We found one of them with a pair present...

A far representation of the view from the car park

I tried the trusty Pany...

A decent effort helped by the relatively cool temp' (60F). In the hope of savouring some of these special birds we spent the next hour watching them hunt the immediate area...well I did!

I tried a few with the phone through the scope...

Average!

Lovely bird.

Next it was a slight detour to the exclusive Laguna Vista. I'd seen the next two species well here in the past and today didn't disappoint.

Osprey...

Harris's Hawk...

My favourite Hawk. Just class.

I spent three hours at the SPI Birding centre just seeing what came and went. There's an extensive system of boardwalks through the Mangrove swamp. The sky was overcast and probably the dullest afternoon of the whole trip so far. Nice to enjoy the cool walk though. The birds are used to people so you get great views...of Great Egrets amongst others...

American Coot...

American Wigeon...

Ads I was leaving my favourite Egret appeared in the distance. It was nearly dark now but I managed a record shot. I hope to have a closer encounter tomorrow...

Just as I was gong through the exit gate I heard a by-now familiar clicking  noise. There perched under a bush was a superb Green Kingfisher...

Definitely a record shot...but who cares!  watched it for a further 10 minutes through the Trinnies. They performed VERY well!

Full day on the island tomorrow.

Trip total 125

Stay tuned...