We arrive in Houston on April 12th. We're heading out West again to Kerrville, NW of San Antonio for three nights. The idea is to start with some "Hill Country" species before returning to Galveston for the rest of our holiday. No visit to Port Aransas this year.
Main targets in the HC...
Black-capped Vireo
Golden-cheeked Warbler
Zone-tailed Hawk
Rock Wren
Cactus Wren
Ringed Kingfisher
Green Kingfisher
Scott's Oriole
Bullock's Oriole
So to Galveston and Birding heaven. A few new ideas for this year, just for bit of fun...yes I can still have it! I'll be doing a self found list just for the Island and for a specific reserve which is local to our accommodation...more later. The island is the perfect base to explore further afield with the free Ferry to the Bolivar Peninsular...and High Island being a particular bonus. The popularity of the area means that it can get quite busy on occasions (individuals and groups visit from all parts of the States and beyond) but as a seasoned visitor I know how to avoid the crowds...if need be. The atmosphere I have to say is always cordial.
My chosen hotspot is one of the less popular sites but has massive potential for "finding your own".
Dos Vacas Muertas (Two dead Cows!)...and it's just across the road.
Should be...fun! Our friend Lorna (of Calliope Hummingbird fame) will be visiting us again from "the Valley".
Last year I managed 263 species at a reasonably leisurely pace (can there be any other these days). Finally adding Cape May Warbler and Bobolink to my Texas List was VERY satisfying...indeed!!! I still have hopes of adding one or two to my list, although it's obviously getting harder as the law of diminishing returns starts to bite harder. Mourning Warbler would be nice. It's not just about ticks though...never has been. Experiences are THE main thing. One aim is to "jam in" on passing Magnificent Frigatebirds (they can be seen following the Ferry!). Swallow-tailed Kites are another iconic and truly beautiful migrant that passes through regularly. Then there's the Warblers...
These are peaks for the
“windows of passage” for most of the eastern
warblers in Texas.NOTE: These are general rules; however, in the biological world there are always
exceptions to the rules. Migration and the timing of migrants are not black or
white — there are lots of variations. A trickle of individuals of a given species can
occur at any time, but listed below are the peaks of passage.
Early-season Arrivals/Migrants - March/early April
Northern Parula
Yellow-throated
Nashville
Black-and-white
Black-throated Green
Louisiana Waterthrush
Golden-cheeked
Hooded
Mid-season Arrivals/Migrants - mid-April
Blue-winged
Worm-eating
Golden-winged
Swainson’s
Tennessee
Ovenbird
Yellow
Northern Waterthrush
Chestnut-sided
Kentucky
American Redstart
Yellow-breasted Chat
Prothonotary
Late-season Arrivals/Migrants - late April/early May
Magnolia
Cerulean
Blackburnian
MOURNING
Bay-breasted
Wilson’s
Blackpoll
Canada
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