RBA - December 12, 2011

LRGV Christmas Bird Count dates are set; see http://rgvbirds.blogspot.com/p/christmas-bird-counts-in-lrgv-2010-2011.html for information.
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Bentsen and Resaca de la Palma State Parks have new schedules for Tram Service as of December 1, 2011, see below.
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Please report your finds to the RBA even and especially when the state park offices are closed! See closure information for state parks (affecting trams at 2 sites) at the bottom of this message.
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--Mary Gustafson, Mission TX
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RBA
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* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* December 8, 2011
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To report rare birds, e-mail rgvbirds AT hotmail.com (preferred) or call
(956) 584-2731 option 3.
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Capitalized birds marked with a + are Review Species for Texas. Please
send sightings/photographs to the Texas Bird Review Committee,
ecarpeATgmail.com.
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Our rare bird alert this week includes:
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White-winged Scoter
Northern Flicker
+ROSE-THROATED BECARD
Hammond’s Flycatcher
+BROWN JAY
Brown Creeper
Sage Thrasher
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
+GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER
+CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK
Green-tailed Towhee
Spotted Towhee
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Audubon’s Oriole
+BLACK-VENTED ORIOLE
Common Grackle
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This is a general reminder that playing recordings is 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.
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Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Wood Duck, Field Sparrow, and White-throated Sparrow are all at higher than normal levels this winter. Hooded Mergansers have been reported from Resaca de la Palma and Santa Ana NWR. Spotted Towhee continue at Estero Llano Grande, Bentsen, and Quinta Mazatlan. Couch’s Kingbirds are nearly absent this winter, outnumbered by Tropical Kingbirds. Many normal winter species are in low numbers, including Lincoln’s Sparrow.

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A Hammond’s Flycatcher was photographed on 12/7 at the SPI Convention Center and continued to 12/10. A Surf Scoter on the SPI Bird and Nature Center boardwalk at platform 7 was eaten by an alligator. Other unusual species at South Padre Island include Yellow-headed Blackbirds at the SPI Bird and Nature Center. Northern Flicker is still reported occasionally, as is Anna’s Hummingbird.
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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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An Anna’s Hummingbird appeared at Sabal Palm Sanctuary the morning of 11/29 and is still present as of 12/12.
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A Common Grackle and another Fox Sparrow was photographed in eastern Cameron County Monday. The Fox Sparrow is the 4th for the LRGV, and the third this year!
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**THIS AREA IS IMPASSABLE AFTER RAINS** Mountain Plover have returned to their traditional wintering site north of Sebastian. To reach the wintering site, from Harlingen go north on US 77 to FM 1018 and turn right. Go east on FM 1018 to FM 2099 and turn left (north). Go north on FM 2099 for a mile or two to Mesquite Road (CR 1600) and turn right (east) and drive through the plowed fields. The Mountain Plovers were about a quarter mile before the road turns to the left on either side of the road. Mesquite Road is impassable after a rain. To reach an excellent area for Sprague’s Pipits, continue on CR 1600 to CR 375 and turn south. The Sprague’s are in the area with short grass and hay bales before CR 1400. A Prairie Falcon was on CR 375 just north of FM 1018 on 11/24.
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A White-winged Scoter – likely a first documented for the LRGV – arrived on 11/24 and continued through 12/11 at a resaca in San Benito. The White-winged Scoter is on a resaca that can be reached by taking 77 south of Harlingen to Paso Real Blvd. Exit, and after the Harley-Davidson dealership turn right on Zillock Road. Proceed to Hanson Road and turn right. Portions of the resaca can be seen from this point. The bird has been easy to miss at times, often close to shore and not visible or not found.
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At Estero Llano Grande State Park the ROSE-THROATED BECARD (female) was found on the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival on November 9 and seen through December 9, though it has been missed more than seen this week. This bird is wandering the tropical zone. An Audubon’s Oriole is also present in the tropical zone. Two Spotted Towhee continues as well. The CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK seen 11/25 may have been resighted 12/8 at the SE corner of the tropical zone. A Brown Creeper was also in the area.
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An American Woodcock continues at Casa Santa Ana through 11/25. To reach this site, from the entrance road at Santa Ana go east to the first road on the right. Go south to the signed entrance to Casa Santa Ana, private property where birders are welcomed. Please sign in at the sign in book by the parking area all the way at the end of the drive.
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Two Mountain Bluebirds were reported from Santa Ana NWR’s Cattail Lake on 12/7.
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A Fox Sparrow continues at a private residence in San Juan for the LRGV’s second this winter and third documented record.
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A Wood Stork was late at Anzalduas on 12/7.
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A GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER was found at the National Butterfly Center 1 mile east of Bentsen State Park and continued through 12/8. The NBC (aka NABA) is open 9-5.
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At Bentsen a BLACK-VENTED ORIOLE returned for the winter on 10/13. It is most frequently reported from the HQ pond area and at the Nature Center feeders in the morning, most recently 12/11. It is not seen every day or all day but is becoming more reliable. A Brown Creeper was photographed on 12/5 on the Acacia Loop and relocated 12/11.
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BROWN JAYs have returned to the feeding station at Salineno for the first time in five years! Three Brown Jays appeared on 12/3 and continue to be seen through 12/11 with early morning and afternoon observations. The birds were absent for longer periods in the rain.
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Red-crowned Parrots are sometimes seen in the areas of Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen, and Valley Nature Center in Weslaco. Red-crowned Parrots are near Calvary Baptist Church at 1815 North 7th Street in Harlingen. Both Green Parakeets and Red-crowned Parrots are seen in urban areas.
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Green Parakeets can be seen staging in McAllen near 10th and Dove (or 10th and Violet) in the evening with recent reports of 400 birds.
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WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER INFORMATION - Most sites for White-collared Seedeaters are in Zapata and Webb counties. Information is provided as a service to visiting birders. Sites to check include the San Ygnacio County Park/Seedeater Sanctuary at the foot of Washington Street in San Ygnacio, the Raptor Trail at the west end of San Ygnacio, the library pond in Zapata, Laredo’s Las Palmas Trail or North Central Park. There are recent reports from the library pond in Zapata with three birds reported.
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Access to La Laja Ranch is by advance reservations only – email the owner at Edward.herbst@att.net. This is a fee site.
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Other interesting reports from Laredo include three Western Grebe and two Reddish Egrets at Lake Casa Blanca.
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FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL INFORMATION - Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls have not been seen or heard at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park since the summer of 2010, when the park was inundated by the Rio Grande. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are present at El Canelo (overnight guests only – not at the B & B but nearby), San Miguelito Ranch, and King Ranch (Norias Division). San Miguelito Ranch is now closed for the season. King Ranch (Norias Division) tours are over for the fall. The Norias Division is visited on the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival in November and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl is a target for that trip. This owl is very difficult to find at any other location at present.
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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.
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Site Closures (NOTE THE CHANGES TO STATE PARKS IN THE AREA):
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Allen Williams Wildscape, Pharr, open by appointment ONLY; Call 956-460-9864.
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands World Birding Center, building closed Sunday (grounds open).
Bentsen-RGV State Park, building closed and no trams on Monday, grounds open (check in at “iron ranger”).
Estero Llano Grande State Park, building closed Monday, grounds open (check in at “iron ranger”).
Frontera Audubon Thicket, Weslaco, closed Sunday mornings and all day Mondays except by appointment.
Los Ebanos Preserve, San Benito, open by appointment ONLY; Call 956-241-2494.
Methodist Camp Thicket, Weslaco, group reservations (fee) only. Contact Estero Llano Grande State Park for information.
Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen, closed Sundays and Mondays.
Resaca de la Palma State Park, building closed and no tram on Monday and Tuesday, grounds open (check in at “iron ranger”).
San Miguelito Ranch is also closed for the season, reopens March 2012.
Santa Ana NWR- closed to bicycles
Valley Nature Center, Weslaco, closed Sunday morning and Mondays.
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