RBA - Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley - October 28, 2010

RBA

* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* October 28, 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 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
Tropical Parula
Black-throated Blue Warblers
Townsend’s Warbler
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
.
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.
.
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.
.
******************************************************************
SITE CLOSURES DUE TO FLOODING: The roads across the floodways are OPEN again. Some sites located south of the flood levees on the Rio Grande in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties are still be closed.
.
Santa Ana NWR and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park have only the Headquarters areas open at this time. Anzalduas County Park is closed.
******************************************************************
..
Migration continues with later season migrants including Lincoln’s Sparrow and Eastern Phoebe in numbers. Winter birds are widespread.

The Valley from East to West:

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.

A male Black-throated Blue Warbler was found on the Sheepshead lots of the Valley Land Fund on October 19. Two birds were present on October 22-23, but we have no more recent reports. To reach this site, take Rt 100 north on South Padre Island to Pompano Street. Turn Left on Pompano to Laguna Blvd. Turn left on Laguna Blvd to Sheepshead. The bird was on the south side. Be sure to park entirely off the road.

Interesting migrants at South Padre Island Convention Center include a Scarlet Tanager and a Western Kingbird on October 28, 2010.

Be sure to check out the new bird feeding station at Resaca de la Palma State Park, behind the headquarters. The resaca is recently flooded as well.

At Estero Llano Grande State Park, the ponds are full again. The Tropical Parula continues, although Northern Parulas are also present. The most recent sighting was October 28. A Townsend’s Warbler was found in the Tropical Zone on September 29 and remained through at least October 18, but there are no more recent reports.

Three Hook-billed Kites were seen in flight at a long distance from the levee at Santa Ana NWR on October 16. Many raptors were seen in this area in the mid-morning along with numbers of Anhinga.

Most areas upriver from Roma are open after the flood but habitats have been scoured by the flood waters. Long term, the influx of silt and water should be very beneficial to riparian habitats. The feeding station at Salineño is closed until fall.

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. Green Parakeets can be seen staging near 10th and Dove (or 10th and Violet) in the evening.

Upriver and out of our area, White-collared Seedeaters can be found at the San Ygnacio County Park/Seedeater Sanctuary at the foot of Washington Street in San Ygnacio and the Raptor Trail at the west end of town. 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.

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:

**ANZALDUAS COUNTY PARK is CLOSED.
**BENTSEN RIO GRANDE VALLEY STATE PARK Headquarters is OPEN; Park is CLOSED.
**SANTA ANA NWR Headquarters is OPEN; Park is CLOSED.

Edinburg Wetlands World Birding Center, building closed Sunday (grounds open).
Frontera Audubon Thicket, Weslaco, closed Sunday morning, Monday, and Tuesday except by appointment
Los Ebanos Preserve, San Benito, open MWF and by appointment
Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen, closed Sunday and Monday
Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Brownsville, closed indefinitely
San Miguelito Ranch is closed until March 2011.
Valley Nature Center, Weslaco, closed Sunday morning and Monday

RBA - October 21, 2010

RBA

* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* October 21, 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 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
Red-necked Phalarope (gone?)
Northern “Red-shafted” Flicker
American Robin
Tropical Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
Chestnut-collared Longspur (gone?)
.
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.
.
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.
.
******************************************************************
SITE CLOSURES DUE TO FLOODING: The roads across the floodways are OPEN again. Some sites located south of the flood levees on the Rio Grande in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties are still be closed.
.
Santa Ana NWR and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park have only the Headquarters areas open at this time. Anzalduas County Park is closed.
******************************************************************
..
Migration continues with later season migrants including Lincoln’s Sparrow and Eastern Phoebe in numbers. Winter birds are widespread.

The Valley from East to West:

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.

A male Black-throated Blue Warbler was found on the Sheepshead lots of the Valley Land Fund on October 19. To reach this site, take Rt 100 north on South Padre Island to Pompano Street. Turn Left on Pompano to Laguna Blvd. Turn left on Laguna Blvd to Sheepshead. The bird was on the south side. Be sure to park entirely off the road.

Be sure to check out the new bird feeding station at Resaca de la Palma State Park, behind the headquarters. The resaca is recently flooded as well.

An immature Chestnut-collared Longspur was found at Laguna Atascosa on October 14-15 on the Wildlife Drive 1.1 miles past Stover Point and 0.6 miles before the overlook. There are no further reports. A Winter Wren was found dead as well. There are no accepted records of the Pacific Wren, recently split from Winter Wren, from Texas. Pacific Wren is expected to occur, but not necessarily in the LRGV.

A single Red-necked Phalarope was photographed at Sal del Rey in northern Hidalgo County. Eared Grebe and Redhead were also present on October 14. More waterfowl were present on October 20 but the Red-necked Phalarope was not refound.

A fly-by American Robin was a surprise in Weslaco on October 14.

At Estero Llano Grande State Park, the ponds are full again. The Tropical Parula continues to sing sporadically, although several Northern Parulas are also present. The most recent sighting was October 18. A Townsend’s Warbler was found in the Tropical Zone on September 29 and remained through October 18.

A Common Poorwill was a surprise at Allen Williams yard on October 2 but could not be relocated.

Three Hook-billed Kites were seen in flight at a long distance from the levee at Santa Ana NWR on October 16. Many raptors were seen in this area in the mid-morning along with numbers of Anhinga.

A Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) was reported from NABA Butterfly Park in Mission on October 17. This species is rare at any season and this report is exceptionally early.

Three Hook-billed Kites were seen in flight over the area of the Bentsen State Park Headquarters on October 3, there are no additional observations. Large numbers of waterbirds can be seen from the levee.

Most areas upriver from Roma are open after the flood but habitats have been scoured by the flood waters. Long term, the influx of silt and water should be very beneficial to riparian habitats. The feeding station at Salineño is closed until fall.

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. Green Parakeets can be seen staging near 10th and Dove (or 10th and Violet) in the evening.

Upriver and out of our area, White-collared Seedeaters can be found at the San Ygnacio County Park/Seedeater Sanctuary at the foot of Washington Street in San Ygnacio and the Raptor Trail at the west end of town. 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.

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:

**ANZALDUAS COUNTY PARK is CLOSED.
**BENTSEN RIO GRANDE VALLEY STATE PARK Headquarters is OPEN; Park is CLOSED.
**SANTA ANA NWR Headquarters is OPEN; Park is CLOSED.

Edinburg Wetlands World Birding Center, building closed Sunday (grounds open).
Frontera Audubon Thicket, Weslaco, closed Sunday morning, Monday, and Tuesday except by appointment
Los Ebanos Preserve, San Benito, open MWF and by appointment
Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen, closed Sunday and Monday
Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Brownsville, closed indefinitely
San Miguelito Ranch is closed until March 2011.
Valley Nature Center, Weslaco, closed Sunday morning and Monday

RBA

* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* October 14, 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 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
Red-necked Phalarope
American Robin
Winter Wren
Tropical Parula
Townsend’s Warbler
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
Chestnut-collared Longspur
.
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.
.
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.
.
******************************************************************
SITE CLOSURES DUE TO FLOODING: The floodways are running again, be aware that many roads crossing the floodways are closed. Some sites located south of the flood levees on the Rio Grande in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties are still be closed.
.
Santa Ana NWR and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park have only the Headquarters areas open at this time. Anzalduas County Park is also closed.
******************************************************************
..
Migration continues with later season migrants including Lincoln’s Sparrow and Eastern Phoebe. Winter birds like Orange-crowned Warbler and Blue-headed Vireo are appearing across the valley.

The Valley from East to West:

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.

Three Hook-billed Kites were seen in flight over the area of the Bentsen State Park Headquarters on October 3 but were not relocated.

An immature Chestnut-collared Longspur was found at Laguna Atascosa on October 14 on the Wildlife Drive 1.1 miles past Plover Point and 0.6 miles before the overlook. A Winter Wren was found dead as well. There are no accepted records of the Pacific Wren, recently split from Winter Wren, from Texas. Pacific Wren is expected to occur, but not necessarily in the LRGV.

A single Red-necked Phalarope was photographed at Sal del Rey in northern Hidalgo County. Eared Grebe and Redhead were also present on October 14.

A fly-by American Robin was a surprise in Weslaco on October 14.

At Estero Llano Grande State Park, the ponds are full again. The Tropical Parula continues to sing sporadically, although several Northern Parulas are also present. The most recent sighting was October 12. A Townsend’s Warbler was found in the Tropical Zone on September 29 and remained through October 12.

A Common Poorwill was a surprise at Allen Williams yard on October 2 but could not be relocated.

Most areas upriver from Roma are open after the flood but habitats have been scoured by the flood waters. Long term, the influx of silt and water should be very beneficial to riparian habitats. The feeding station at Salineño is closed until fall.

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. Green Parakeets can be seen staging near 10th and Dove (or 10th and Violet) in the evening.

Upriver and out of our area, White-collared Seedeaters can be found at the San Ygnacio County Park/Seedeater Sanctuary at the foot of Washington Street in San Ygnacio and the Raptor Trail at the west end of town. 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.

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:

**BENTSEN RIO GRANDE VALLEY STATE PARK Headquarters is OPEN; Park is CLOSED.
**SANTA ANA NWR Headquarters is OPEN; Park is CLOSED.

Edinburg Wetlands World Birding Center, building closed Sunday (grounds open).
Frontera Audubon Thicket, Weslaco, closed Sunday morning, Monday, and Tuesday except by appointment
Los Ebanos Preserve, San Benito, open MWF and by appointment
Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen, closed Sunday and Monday
Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Brownsville, closed indefinitely
San Miguelito Ranch is closed until March 2011.
Valley Nature Center, Weslaco, closed Sunday morning and Monday

RBA - Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley Birding Hotline, October 7, 2010

RBA

* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* September 23, 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).
.
Our rare bird alert this week includes...
.
Tropical Parula
Townsend’s Warbler
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
Scott’s Oriole (no additional sightings)
.
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.
.
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.
.
******************************************************************
SITE CLOSURES DUE TO FLOODING: The floodways are running again, be aware that many roads crossing the floodways are closed. Some sites located south of the flood levees on the Rio Grande in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties are still be closed.
.
Santa Ana NWR and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park have only the Headquarters areas open at this time. Anzalduas County Park is also closed.
******************************************************************
..
Migration continues with numbers of shorebirds, increasing numbers of warblers with surprising numbers of Tennessee and Blackburnian Warblers. Winter birds like Orange-crowned Warbler and Blue-headed Vireo are appearing across the valley.

The Valley from East to West:

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.

At Estero Llano Grande State Park, Ibis Pond is at shorebird levels, and wading birds including Wood Stork and Roseate Spoonbill are in good numbers off the deck early in the morning. The Scott’s Oriole photographed on September 30 was not relocated. The Tropical Parula continues to sing sporadically, although several Northern Parulas are also present. The most recent sighting was October 7. A Townsend’s Warbler was found in the Tropical Zone on September 29 and remained through October 7.

A Common Poorwill was a surprise at Allen Williams yard on October 2 but could not be relocated.

Most areas upriver from Roma are open after the flood but habitats have been scoured by the flood waters. Long term, the influx of silt and water should be very beneficial to riparian habitats. The feeding station at Salineño is closed until fall.

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. Green Parakeets can be seen staging near 10th and Dove (or 10th and Violet) in the evening.

Upriver and out of our area, White-collared Seedeaters can be found at the San Ygnacio County Park/Seedeater Sanctuary at the foot of Washington Street in San Ygnacio and the Raptor Trail at the west end of town. 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.

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:

**BENTSEN RIO GRANDE VALLEY STATE PARK Headquarters is OPEN; Park is CLOSED.
**SANTA ANA NWR Headquarters is OPEN; Park is CLOSED.

Edinburg Wetlands World Birding Center, building closed Sunday (grounds open).
Frontera Audubon Thicket, Weslaco, closed Sunday morning, Monday, and Tuesday except by appointment
Los Ebanos Preserve, San Benito, open MWF and by appointment
Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen, closed Sunday and Monday
Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Brownsville, closed indefinitely
San Miguelito Ranch is closed until March 2011.
Valley Nature Center, Weslaco, closed Sunday morning and Monday