Winter Rio Grande
January 17-24, 2009

 

South Texas may be the most exotic birding destination in North America. Here, the range of many subtropical species extends just north of the Mexican border, while many species that breed much further north may be found overwintering. Unique habitats such as thorn scrub forest and lush Sabal Palm groves are home to some 40 south Texas avian specialties, including Green Jay, Altamira Oriole, Hook-billed Kite, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Red-crowned Parrot, Couch’s Kingbird and Plain Chachalaca.

The pace of our journey allows ample time to explore each location. We will visit a number of sites including: Laguna Atascosa and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuges, National Audubon Society’s Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary, wetland habitats on South Padre Island that often attract wintering rails, and both Bentsen Rio Grande and Falcon State Parks. Many of these areas are legendary among birders for consistently attracting unique wildlife.

Over 200 species of butterflies—more than are likely to be found in the entire Eastern United States—have been recorded in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Most of the sites we’ll visit have plantings to attract butterflies. If the winter has remained mild, we may see a diversity of these delightful creatures, as well as some of the Valley’s nearly 100 species of dragonflies and damselflies.    

 

ITINERARY

Sat., Jan. 17 Arrival in Harlingen or McAllen
Arrive at Harlingen - Rio Grande Valley International Airport (HRL) or McAllen International Airport (MFE). Your leader will meet participants at the McAllen airport, providing shuttles for the group according to flight schedules.  We’ll aim for one or two group transfers at approximately 3:00 and 5:00 PM; at other times we can help you arrange transport with a taxi or local transportation service.  If you arrive in Harlingen, you will need to arrange for a taxi or transport service to reach our hotel.  If time permits we’ll enjoy some local birding before dinner.  Meet your guides and fellow traveling companions at a welcome dinner.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, Weslaco (near McAllen) TX  (D)

Sun., Jan. 18 South Padre Island
We’ll start the day driving eastward, crossing the Queen Isabella Causeway to South Padre Island. From the mudflats near the causeway (where you’ll see some of the northernmost mangroves in the U.S.), we search for large waders such as Reddish Egrets and Tricolored Herons, American Oystercatchers, Black Skimmers, wintering American Avocets, both species of pelican, and various gulls and terns. Near the convention center, a boardwalk trail provides access to marsh and wetlands. This area has been a productive location for various species of rails, which barely notice the humans walking above. The center’s butterfly garden often provides habitat for wintering songbirds.

Next (or first, depending on the tide), we’ll take a cruise along the margin of the Laguna Madre, looking for additional species of waders such as Roseate Spoonbill and White Ibis, and shorebirds including: Wilson’s and Snowy plovers. Our hosts have a special relationship with the local population of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins and we may have close looks at these endearing mammals. We’ll have lunch on the island and continue to bird as time permits, perhaps returning to the beach north of town to search for wintering Peregrine Falcons and the tiny Piping Plover —one of the country’s most threatened shorebirds.  Before returning to our lodgings, we enjoy an early dinner on South Padre Island where, for those who enjoy it, fresh seafood is memorable!
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn (B,L,D)

Mon., Jan. 19 Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
A short drive takes us to Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, which protects 2,000 acres in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley Wildlife Corridor. With well over 300 species of birds recorded here, many birders regard this reserve as the highlight of a visit to south Texas. Extensive trails allow exploration of pond, wetland, open field, thorn forest, and Tamaulipan scrub habitats. Listen for raucous calls of Couch’s Kingbirds and Great Kiskadees, as well as the repeated whistle of the tiny Northern Beardless Tyrannulet. Those who wish may ascend the newly constructed hawk watching tower where we may, if we’re lucky, get eye-level views of a passing Gray Hawk or Hook-billed Kite. Santa Ana is home to all three North Americankingfishers, although their day-to-day presence depends on water levels at the various impoundments.

While at the refuge,we’ll travel the seven-mile Wildlife Drive via tram, getting off in key locations to walk and explore. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in this refuge, which is located between bends of the Rio Grande. The flora is a dense tangle of brush that harbors subtropical bird species more typically found in northeastern Mexico.  At red-flowering Shrimp Plants we check for Buff-bellied and other hummingbirds.  Tropical Parula may be calling from the moss-draped limbs of large Texas Ebony trees.  Least Grebe may inhabit the small ponds, and we keep our eye open for Stilt Sandpiper and other interesting shorebirds.

Several mammals more at home in Mexico extend their ranges just over the border here, including both Ocelot and Jaguarundi. The area also hosts a diverse array of frog, toad, butterfly and insect species. Dinner tonight is at leisure at local restaurants close to our hotel.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn (B,L)

Tue., Jan 20 Sabal Palm Grove Audubon Sanctuary / Frontera Audubon Sanctuary / Valley Nature Center 
Start the day with a visit to Sabal Palm Grove Audubon Sanctuary. Created in 1971 this 557-acre sanctuary protects one of the country’s remaining stands of Sabal Palms. It is also one of the most reliable places in the U.S. to see Buff-bellied Hummingbird. Other South Texas specialties that join them at the sanctuary’s feeders include: Plain Chachalaca, Altamira Oriole, White-tipped Dove, Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, and Olive Sparrow. Walking short trails at the sanctuary, we learn more about this important (and threatened) remnant forest of native Sabal Palms. Please note: this visit may depend on the status of the U.S. Border Wall, which if constructed will preclude access to this Important Bird Area.

Among the palm fronds and adjacent mesquite scrub, we’ll search for wintering songbirds such as White-eyed Vireo, and Black-and-white and Black-throated Green warblers. From a blind at a pond’s edge, we may see species such as Green and Ringed kingfishers, Least Grebe, Mottled Duck, and perhaps a lingering shorebird. At the sanctuary’s visitor’s center, learn more about Audubon’s environmental education and conservation efforts on both sides of the border. The Brownsville dump is not far north of Sabal Palms. Although it no longer provides guaranteed sightings of Tamaulipas (Mexican) Crow, we’ll keep our ears open for recent sightings and plan accordingly.

In the afternoon, we visit two small but productive thickets of vegetation in Weslaco – the Frontera Audubon Sanctuary and the Valley Nature Center. Noisy and bold Golden-fronted Woodpeckers are common here, and may be joined by a number wintering birds. During the winter/spring of 2005, Frontera hosted many rarities, including Elegant Trogon, Crimson-collared Grosbeak, and White-throated Robin. If the Valley has not experienced cold weather, gardens at both sites may produce a variety of butterflies.

Before dinner, we’ll search residential areas for Red-crowned Parrot and Green Parakeet as they congregate to roost. These noisy birds may be elusive, but can be located by their raucous calls (much like in the tropics!), that are audible over the local traffic.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn  (B,L)

Wed., Jan. 21 Laguna Atascosa NWR
Lying on the western shore of the Laguna Madre, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge protects over 65,000 acres of coastal habitats. More than 410 species of birds have been recorded here, including the Aplomado Falcon, an endangered species that the Peregrine Fund began to reintroduce to south Texas in 1985. At the visitor’s center and nearby paths, we’ll check out the feeders for close-up views of Green Jay, Long-billed Thrasher, and perhaps a herd of Javelina. The 15-mile Bayside Drive loop provides us views of coastal prairie, brush land, tidal flats and the margin of the Laguna Madre. Along the route, we’ll look for wintering waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, raptors (including Aplomado Falcon and White-tailed Hawk), shorebirds, gulls and terns. With luck, we may encounter Sprague’s Pipit, Sedge Wren, Bobcat, Nine-banded Armadillo, or even a Texas Tortoise.

Returning westward, we’ll stop at Estero Llano Grande State Park to check the visitor’s center pond. Depending on water levels, we may encounter waders, shorebirds, or perhaps a Green Kingfisher.  This is a free night with a choice of restaurants.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn  (B,L)

Thur., Jan. 22 West Along the Rio Grande / Chapeño / Falcon State Park
Today we venture into arid lands to the west, via Rio Grande City and Roma, our route following the Rio Grande. We’re likely to find a number of desert birds, including Verdin, Cactus Wren, Black-throated Sparrow, White-winged and Inca doves, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Bewick’s Wren, and Ladder-backed Woodpecker. We’ll visit a small preserve at Chapeño, where we will hope for a fly-by Muscovy Duck, Red-billed Pigeon or perhaps a Hook-billed Kite. Along the river, we’ll scan the sky and larger trees for Gray, Red-shouldered, and Zone-tailed hawks, and noisy Ringed Kingfishers. Hopefully, we will be able to catch the song and sight of beautiful Altamira and Audubon’s Orioles, along with the more common but striking Vermilion Flycatcher. 

Continuing a short distance, we’ll visit the 573-acre Falcon State Park adjacent to Falcon Dam, one of the best local places to see desert scrub species such as Greater Roadrunner, Curve-billed Thrasher, and Pyrrhuloxia. Occasionally, flocks of Lark Buntings are present at roadsides near the park entrance. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant as we return to Alamo.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, (B,L,D)

Fri., Jan. 23 Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park / Optional Night Birding
This morning we visit Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, one of the Valley’s World Birding Center sites. Bentsen protects an array of habitats that support moist of the Valley’s special birds. By walking short trails we visit the river’s edge, ponds, marshes, thorn forest, and mesquite. A recently constructed hawk watching platform gives us an expansive view of the surrounding area. We hope to see most of the south Texas specialties here including Altamira Oriole, White-tipped Dove, Green Jay, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, and Great Kiskadee. We may even find Clay-colored Robin or something more unusual.

If there is interest, we may visit the gardens at the NABA International Butterfly Park, only a few minutes from Bentsen. During its short existence, this site has already produced a huge number of butterfly species—including several first U.S. records.

We can also visit Anzalduas County Park, whose Spanish moss-clad live oak trees often host resident Tropical Parula alongside a variety of wintering warblers. In flooded fields we may find a variety of migrant shorebirds as well.  Enjoy a picnic lunch here; we get excellent looks at the Rio Grande, and we hope to find Ringed or Green Kingfisher. 

We take a break at a local restaurant for an early dinner, and return to Bentsen State Park, for night birds. We hope to see Pauraque, Virginia Opossum, Eastern Screech Owl, Elf Owl, and possibly Ferruginous Pygmy Owl.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, (B,L,D)

Sat. Jan. 24 Departures from Harlingen
Our journey ends today.  

Cost of the Journey Cost of the main journey is based on double occupancy, $1995.00 from Harlingen, TX. Tour cost is based on double occupancy and includes: transportation during the journey, all accommodations, most meals as specified in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), professional guide services, park and other entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses. Costs does not include: roundtrip airfare to and from Texas, items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone, or drinks from the bar; or gratuities for luggage handling or personal services. With fewer than 8participants, a small-group surcharge (typically $100-300 per participant) may apply. Single supplement is subject to availability and is an additional cost of $335.00. Travel Planning You are responsible for planning your arrival to and departure from Harlingen. Please arrive by 2PM.on January 17th. We will arrange a group airport transfer from Harlingen (or an alternate airport is McAllen where private transfer can be arranged at additional cost).  Our group transfer can accommodate departures from Harlingen, TX. after 11:00 AM on Jan. 24th. Earlier flights should plan on transfer by taxi at additional cost. Photo Credits Green Jay, Brown Pelican, Groove Billed Ani, Great Kiskadee, Wilson's Plover, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Reddish Egret, Cactus Wren, Altamira Oriole, White-tailed Hawk and Neotropic Cormorant, Tony Beck - www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/; Crested Caracara, Peg Abbott.

 

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