RBA - February 23, 2012

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RBA
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* Texas
* Lower Rio Grande Valley
* February 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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Horned Grebe
+PURPLE SANDPIPER (no reports)
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Thayer’s Gull
Glaucous Gull
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
+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
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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A Wood Thrush remains on a private property in Hidalgo County. Sora and other rails are in very low numbers inland. House Wren, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and most flycatchers remain in low numbers. Early warblers are returning, including Black-throated Greens at Anzalduas County Park and Frontera Audubon in Weslaco. Cedar Waxwings remain in small numbers. Spotted Towhees continue at Valley Nature Center in Weslaco, Quinta Mazatlan, Estero Llano Grande, and Falcon State Parks. Couch’s Kingbirds are returning, with sightings at Estero, Anzalduas and Rancho Viejo.
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The Valley from east to west.
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A +PURPLE SANDPIPER was photographed at PortMansfield 1/23 and last reported 2/5. From TX 186 in Port Mansfield, turn right onto (the first) PortRoad. 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. A Surf Scoter was also photographed in this area. There are NO recent reports.
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15 Fulvous Whistling-Ducks were an unusual sight at the Isla Blanca Park jetties on South Padre Island, with a Magnificent Frigatebird overhead, 2/23. Greater Scaup were reported continuing in the bay off the South Padre Island World Birding Center boardwalks 2/20. 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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Boca Chica Beach: Northern Gannet 2/19.
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At Sabal Palm, a +DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER was found on 12/18 and continues to 2/21 often on the Native Trail; this subspecies is a TBRC Review Bird. A one-day wonder Dusky-capped was found at McAllen’s Roselawn Cemetery (just off the 10th Street exit) 2/17, but never relocated. Another Dusky-capped was found 2/23 at Estero in Weslaco.
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At the Brownsville Landfill, a Glaucous Gull is reported from 2/23, at least two Lesser Black-backed Gulls present on 2/23 with a Franklin’s Gull, and yet another bird photographed at the dump shows the characteristics of a Thayer’s Gull.
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A Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, rare in Cameron County, was found at Resaca de la Palma State Park on 2/16, and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak was a surprise on 2/6.
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A Prairie Falcon was reported Monday 2/20 north of Harlingen: exit off 77 north of Sebastian onto 1018 east, turn left onto CR375 ( Primrose). The North Alamo Water Supply Corp Water Tower (upon which often sits a Peregrine Falcon) is on the corner. It was less than a mile down on the right, on a utility pole.
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Yellow-headed Blackbirds have been reported in large numbers for the LRGV with a whopping 35 at the grain storage near Progreso, in the fields around Anzalduas County Park and at the Estero Llano Grande State Park headquarters.
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At Estero Llano Grande State Park a female +ROSE-THROATED BECARD was found on the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival on 11/9 and seen through 2/23 in the tropical area. It is not seen every day, nor is there a predictable time of day. +DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER was discovered, seen and photographed by many on Feb 23. An Audubon’s Oriole (rare in Hidalgo County) is also present in the tropical zone, at times in the company of the Becard, last reported 2/23. Two Spotted Towhees continue,along with Brown Creeper, male Summer Tanager, Ovenbird, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Black-throated Gray Warbler (last reports for these 2/23). Still at Estero, a Broad-tailed Hummingbird continues at the Orchid Tree feeder in the tropical area through 2/23. The male Wood Duck was last seen off the deck 2/21.
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At Frontera Audubon Center, the +GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER is seen daily, last reported 2/23. Much more irregular is the female +CRIMSON-COLLARD GROSBEAK sometimes reported in late afternoons by the feeding station. American Robin was a nice sighting 2/18.
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Two Mountain Bluebirds were reported from Santa Ana NWR’s Cattail Lake on 12/7 and the female continues to 2/21.
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At the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands World Birding Center recent reports include a Fulvous Whistling-Duck amid a large number of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (2/10), female-plumaged Summer Tanager (2/23), Greater Scaup (2/23), and a Rufous Hummingbird (2/23).
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A female +CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK continued to at least 2/23 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 bird has been present since early December. To reach this site, exit US 83 at Jackson Ave/Sam Houston and proceed west on Jackson Ave/Sam Houston about 1.5 miles to750 W. Sam Houston. Pre-arrangement required, and do note that there is a fee.
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At Quinta Mazatlan, a female Eastern Towhee (the first photographed Valley record) continues through 2/22. The Tropical Parula has been reported by both the feeders at the Discovery Center and the Amphitheater, and continues to 2/22. 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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A male Hook-Billed Kite was noted overhead at Anzalduas County Park on 2/21. A Horned Grebe was found on 2/14 at the boat ramp and continued to 2/17, ranging from 100 yards south of the boat ramp to as far north as you can see from the park on the Rio Grande. A Zone-tailed Hawk soared overhead 2/17. The numbers of House Finch, locally very rare in the LRGV, are at Anzalduas County Park with numbers as high as 41 recently. House Finches have also been reported from Second/Conway in Mission and on the UTB Fort Brown outdoor ampitheater in Brownsville.
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A Hook-billed Kite was noted at the National Butterfly Center as it flew overhead toward Bentsen State Park, 2/19.
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The Black-headed Grosbeak from Bentsen State Park was last reported 2/19, and an American Robin 2/18.
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A single +BROWN JAY remains at the feeding station at Salineno. Two Brown Jays appeared on 12/3 and one older immature with a black bill and yellow mouth continues to be seen through 2/23. It appears irregularly. Two red-shafted Northern Flickers were reported 2/21. This is the best site for Hooded Oriole andAudubon’s Oriole. An immature male +ROSE-THROATED BECARD reappeared at Salineno on 2/5 after its initial appearance on 1/7. It is not a good winter for Red-billed Pigeon. Numbers generally increase in March. Eight were reported from 2/2. Three were reported 2/19. Zone-tailed Hawk was perched there on 2/19. The Falcon State Park entrance road near the Starr County Park found 3 Brewer's Sparrows with Clay-colored Sparrows, while three Pine Siskins and a Green-tailed Towhee were at the Falcon State Park feeders. Occasional Muscovy Duck fly by the boat ramp, with 8 birds on 2/19. A report of a female Eastern Towhee upriver from the boat ramp is intriguing, Additional reports and documentation are desired. This would be the year for one!
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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 reported as regular about 6:30pm at Rio Hondo/ 7th Street in Harlingen (exit Expressway 77 on Ed Carey, heading north on Ed Carey about 3.5 miles to Rio Hondo Road just before the Airport, turn right onto Rio Hondo going to 7th Street) . Both Green Parakeets and Red-crowned Parrots are seen in urban areas. Red-crowned Parrots are also reported as regular in Oliveira Park in Brownsville, mingling at dusk with Yellow-Headed and Red-Lored Parrots (both species are escapes).
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Green Parakeets can be seen staging in McAllen near 10th and Dove in the evening, sometimes winging a few blocks over to Nolana/McColl, with recent reports of 800+ birds. A couple of Mitred Parakeets (escapes) are also present. In Hidalgo near the Hidalgo Pumphouse, a few Monk Parakeets have taken up residence. These are also recent escapes.
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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 (three found here 2/19), Laredo’s Las Palmas Trail or North Central Park. There are recent reports from the library pond in Zapata and the Seedeater Sanctuary in San Ygnacio. .Access to La Laja Ranch, also a Seedeater site, is by advance reservations only. E-mail the owner at Edward.herbst@att.net. This is a fee site.
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Laredo’s Casa Grande State Park has up to 3 Western Grebes and a Tropical Kingbird reported; documentation of these unusual birds is highly desired. Adding notes to eBird reports with a description of the actual field marks noted is very useful to reviewers.
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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 noted nearby in 2011), San Miguelito Ranch (opens in March), and King Ranch (NoriasDivision, tours 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Site Closures:
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/no trams on Mondays,grounds open (self-pay station).
Estero Llano Grande State Park, building closed Mondays, grounds open (self-pay station).
Frontera Audubon Thicket, Weslaco, closed Sunday mornings and all day Mondays except by appt.
Los Ebanos Preserve, San Benito, Appointment ONLY; 956-241-2494.
Methodist Camp Thicket, Weslaco, group reservations (fee) only.Contact Estero Llano Grande State Park Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen, closed Sundays and Mondays.
Resaca de la Palma State Park, building closed/no trams Mon/Tue, grounds open (self-pay station).
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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~