Winter Rio Grande, TX & Whooping Cranes
January 16-24, 2010
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 Tamaulipan Thorn Scrub 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. Many 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. 16 Harlingen / Kingsville
We’ve arranged the tour so you can arrive and depart from the same airport: Harlingen’s Valley International Airport (HRL). Plan to arrive no later than 2:00 PM. From here it’s about an hour and a half drive north to Kingsville, where we start our birding in earnest with chances to observe Roseate Spoonbills, a host of herons and egrets, wintering shorebirds and other species. After we reach our comfortable accommodations we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner during which you can get acquainted with your guide, Bob Behrstock, and fellow traveling companions.
Accommodations in Kingsville (D)
Sun., Jan. 17 King Ranch / Rockport
Today we start right in to find some of the highlight species of our trip. In Kingsville, we’ll be joined by a bird guide from the historic King Ranch, and then spend a good part of the day exploring just a small part of the ranch’s 825,000 acres. Some of the more colorful birds we may expect to see include Vermilion Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Green Jay, and Audubon’s Oriole. Although they’re a bit more difficult to see during winter, one of the target birds will certainly be Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, numbers of which dwell in the ranch’s scattered oak woodlands. In more open areas, we’ll watch for raptors such as Crested Caracara, White-tailed Hawk, and Harris’s Hawk. Grassy sites could provide us with Sprague’s Pipit and several species of sparrows. Ponds could produce ibis, Least grebe, and various waterfowl. The tour includes a picnic lunch in the field.
After leaving Kingsville, we’ll continue northward to Rockport—about 75 miles to the northeast. Here, we’ll settle into our accommodations for the next two nights. For dinner, you can enjoy some of the fresh local seafood if you wish. Chose from a variety of local restaurants.
Accommodations in Rockport (B,L)
Mon., Jan. 18 Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
We start with a morning boat tour along the edges of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in search of Whooping Cranes—one of only two cranes inhabiting the New World.. Aransas is best known for providing habitat for the core wintering population of these highly endangered and magnificent birds. During January we have a good chance of seeing these outstanding birds in family groups after their 2,500-mile journey southward from their nesting grounds in Canada’s Wood Buffalo National Park.
While on the boat we’ll also look for several species of herons, egrets, and the incomparable Roseate Spoonbill. Captain Tommy will guide us, aiming to get within close range of these remarkable creatures. With everyone alert on deck, we often find Long-billed Curlew, American Oystercatcher, Seaside Sparrow, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, both White-faced and White Ibis, plus a number of other waterfowl and shorebirds. Past trips have produced rarities such as Short-eared Owl and Greater Flamingo.
After a picnic lunch, we’ll check the visitor’s center with its many displays and convenient gift shop. Then we’ll drive the 16-mile Loop Road, which passes through a variety of habitats including: open water, mudflats, freshwater and saltwater marshes, coastal prairie, oak motte, oak savanna, and grassy fields. The refuge is also home to Texas Coral Snake, White-tailed Deer, Collared Peccary, Nine-banded Armadillo, and Feral Hog. With luck we may see Bobcat, or even the rare Ocelot. Dinner is again at your leisure with some excellent choices nearby.
Accommodations in Rockport (B,L)
Tues., Jan. 19 Rockport to the Lower Rio Grande Valley
We begin the morning’s birding with a visit to Goose Island State Park. Here, we’ll check the huge Live Oaks for wintering passerines and the edge of the bay for waterbirds. On the way south, we’ll stop at Indian Point in Corpus Christi, a tidal flat and oyster bed area with a viewing platform where we’re likely to see Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, and a host of terns, herons, egrets and some wintering shorebirds. From Corpus, we’ll drive south through ranchlands, reaching the Lower Rio Grande Valley by mid-afternoon. If time permits, we’ll make our first pre-dinner foray to 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, Alamo, TX (B,L,D)
Wed. Jan. 20 Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge / Frontera Audubon Sanctuary / Valley Nature Center
A short drive south 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 Kingbird and Great Kiskadee, 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 Gray Hawk or Hook-billed Kite. During winter, Santa Ana is home to all three North American kingfishers, 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. 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 Grebes may be cruising the small ponds, and we’ll keep our eyes open for a Sora or some wintering shorebirds.
Several mammals more at home in Mexico extend their ranges just over the border here, including both Ocelot and Jaguarundi—both of which are extremely rare. The area also hosts a diverse array of frog, toad, butterfly and insect species.
In the afternoon, we will 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, as are Buff-bellied Hummingbirds, and they 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. Enjoy dinner tonight at a local restaurant.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, (B,L,D)
Thurs., Jan. 21 South Padre Island and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
This morning we’ll drive eastward to South Padre Island. From the mudflats near the causeway we can search for large waders such as Reddish Egret and Tricolored Heron, American Oystercatcher, Black Skimmer, wintering American Avocets, both pelicans, and various gulls and terns. We also hope to find Piping Plover—one of the country’s most threatened shorebirds.
At the Convention Center, a boardwalk trail provides access to wetlands along the bay. This area has been a productive location for various species of rails including King, Clapper, and Virginia, barely noticing the humans walking above. The Center’s butterfly garden often provides habitat for wintering songbirds. As time permits, we may check one or more protected woodlots on the Island. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll cross back to the mainland.
Heading northward, we’ll visit Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. 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, andperhaps 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.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn (B,L,D)
Fri., Jan 22 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 most 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 could 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 will have a picnic lunch or eat at a local café. 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 fields near the entrance road, we can try for Sprague’s Pipit, a very local wintering bird. Anzalduas often hosts both Ringed and Green kingfishers.
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, and perhaps an Elf Owl.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, (B,L,D)
Sat., Jan. 23 West Along the Rio Grande / Chapeño / Falcon State Park
Today we venture into higher and more arid lands to the west, our route following the Rio Grande. We’ll pass through Rio Grande City, and Roma—once the most inland port for steamship traffic on the Rio Grande. We’re likely to find a number of desert birds which could include: Verdin, Cactus Wren, Black-throated Sparrow, White-winged and Inca doves, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Bewick’s Wren, and Pyrrhuloxia. During the earlier part of the morning, we’ll station ourselves along the Rio Grande, hoping for a fly-by Muscovy Duck, Red-billed Pigeon or perhaps a Hook-billed Kite. Here, we’ll scan the sky and larger trees for Gray, and Red-shouldered hawks, and noisy Ringed Kingfishers. Hopefully, we will be able to catch the song and sight of beautiful Altamira and Audubon’s orioles.
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, with luck, both Scaled and Bob-white Quail. Occasionally, flocks of Lark Buntings are present at roadsides near the park entrance. We’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant as we return to Alamo.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, (B,L,D)
Sun., Jan. 24 Sabal Palm Grove Audubon Sanctuary / Depart Harlingen
After breakfast and packing the van, we’ll drive east to Brownsville and the 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.
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.
Note: Although impacted by construction of the Border Wall, at this time, we anticipate the sanctuary being open to the public in January.
From Sabal Palm Grove, it’s about 50 minutes to the Valley International Airport in Harlingen where our tour will end at approximately noon. There are typically a number of afternoon flights (Southwest and Continental) from Harlingen that go on to Houston (IAH and Hobby) or San Antonio.
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Cost of the Journey
Cost of the journey is based on double occupancy, $1995.00 from Harlingen, TX., departing from Harlingen, TX. These costs are based on double occupancy and include: transportation during the journey, all accommodations, and 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 7 participants, 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 16th. Departures Harlingen, TX may be after 1:00 PM on the afternoon of January 24th.
Naturalist Journeys, LLC is an equal opportunity service provider and committed to the goal of ensuring equal opportunity for all in employment and program delivery.
Photo
Credits
All images by Tony Beck - www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/ |
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