RBA - January 23, 2012

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
* January 23, 2012
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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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+PURPLE SANDPIPER
+BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
+DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER
+ROSE-THROATED BECARD
+BROWN JAY
Brown Creeper
Mountain Bluebird
Tropical Parula
Mangrove [Yellow] Warbler
+GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER
+CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK
Green-tailed Towhee
Spotted Towhee
Eastern Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Western Tanager
+BLACK-VENTED ORIOLE (GONE)
Orchard Oriole
Audubon’s Oriole
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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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General observations:
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Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Field Sparrow are all at higher than normal numbers this winter.
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Spotted Towhee continue at Valley Nature Center, Estero Llano Grande, Quinta Mazatlan and Falcon State Parks; and also and Quinta Mazatlan.
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Couch’s Kingbirds are nearly absent this winter, outnumbered by Tropical Kingbirds. Many normal winter species are in low numbers, including most flycatchers, Lincoln’s Sparrow, House Wren, Pine, Nashville and Black-and-White Warbler.
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The Valley from east to west.
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A PURPLE SANDPIPER was photographed at Port Mansfield today. Updated directions are - From TX 186 in Port Mansfield, turn right onto Port Road. Follow it to Laguna Dr. and turn right and follow it to Bayview and turn right. Follow it to Matagorda and turn right. Follow Matagorda past the large dredge hill on the left and turn left on Bay Dr. (dirt) to the bay. It was with Ruddy Turnstones.
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Anna’s Hummingbird is still reported occasionally on South Padre Island.
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An immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was photographed near the jetties at South Padre Island 1/9 and remained through 1/21. The bird was seen from the parking lot by the bait stand at the jetties at Isla Blanca County Park and can also be seen from boat trips to look for the Mangrove Warbler (see below, be sure to ask Scarlet).
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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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A Brown Creeper was photographed at Sabal Palm on 1/11. A female plumaged CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK was found and photographed at Sabal Palm Sanctuary 12/15, sighted 12/18, 1/2, and 1/16. It has been seen most often on the Forest Trail. A DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER was found on 12/18 and continues to at least 1/16 often on the Native Trail; this subspecies is a TBRC Review Bird. An immature male Anna’s Hummingbird is present at the feeders.
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No recent reports of the Mountain Plover at 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. Recent reports include many negative reports as the grass gets taller.
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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 11/9 and seen through 1/21 in the Tropical Zone. It is not seen every day. An Audubon’s Oriole – rare in Hidalgo County - is also present in the tropical zone, last 1/14. Two Spotted Towhee continue, along with Brown Creeper and Black-throated Gray Warbler. A Sage Thrasher was photographed on 1/20.
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Still at Estero, a Broad-tailed Hummingbird continues at the Orchid Tree feeder in the tropical zone through 1/23. An Anna’s Hummingbird was last seen 1/17. An Orchard Oriole was observed 1/8-1/15 and carefully documented as it was coming to oranges at the park hosts feeders (no recent reports). Wood Ducks continue irregularly in the park including 1/23 from the deck. A Black-headed Grosbeak was photographed on 1/11 at the feeding station and continued through 1/21.
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At Frontera Audubon Center, both the female plumaged CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK and the GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER continued through 1/21.
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Two Mountain Bluebirds were reported from Santa Ana NWR’s Cattail Lake on 12/7 and the female continued to 1/21.
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A Fox Sparrow continues in San Juan at a private residence through 1/23.
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At the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands recent reports include a Northern Flicker and a large number of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks.
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A female CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK continued to at least 1/20 coming to fruit in Allen William’s back yard; call or text Allen to schedule a visit (weekdays preferred, AM feeding time best 956-460-9864). This recently publicized bird has been present since early December but was absent for a week. To reach this site, exit US 83 at Jackson Ave/Sam Houston and proceed west on Jackson Ave/Sam Houston about 1.5 miles to 750 W. Sam Houston. Pre-arrangement required, fee site.
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At Quinta Mazatlan, a female Eastern Towhee (first photographed valley record) continues through 1/14. The Tropical Parula has been reported by both the feeders at the Discovery Center and the Amphitheater, and continues to 1/21. To get to the Discovery Center, enter the main gate and take the trail on the left to the orange bar feeders.
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At Bentsen, still no reports of the deeply missed BLACK-VENTED ORIOLE since 1/10. A Brown Creeper continues on the Acacia Loop with observations to 1/18. A Black-headed Grosbeak continues at the Acacia Loop feeders. A White-throated Sparrow is in the HQ gardens with a Spotted Towhee.
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Five Mountain Bluebirds were on Sparrow Road (FM 2221) on 1/22. A massive flock of Lark Buntings, estimated at 550, were between FM 490 and 14 mile N Rd.
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A single BROWN JAY remains at the feeding station at Salineno, the first winter one has been present of the last five! Two Brown Jays appeared on 12/3 and one older immature with a black bill and yellow mouth continues to be seen through 1/23. It appears every 2 hours or so. This is the best site for Hooded Oriole and Audubon’s Oriole.
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Nearby at Mangus Lake on 2098, Hooded Mergansers were the highlight on the lake and Brewer's Sparrow was in a large flock of Spizellas.
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It is not a good winter for Red-billed Pigeon. Numbers generally increase in March. Occasional Muscovy Duck fly by the boat ramp, beware the odd escape with white in the head and flight feathers!
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Falcon State Park feeders continue to host Green-tailed Towhee.
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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 have been found in the neighborhood 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 up to six birds reported; not all who look are successful at locating these tiny birds!
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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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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 – the birds are not at the B & B but nearby in 2011), San Miguelito Ranch, and King Ranch (Norias Division). San Miguelito Ranch will open in March. King Ranch (Norias Division) tours normally resume in March. 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 or text 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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