South Texas/Rio Grande: Birds & Butterflies
February 18-23, 2012, with King Ranch & Whooping Cranes extension Feb. 23-26
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 Jays, Altamira Orioles, Hook-billed Kites, Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, Red-crowned Parrots, Couch’s Kingbirds and Plain Chachalacas.
The pace of our journey allows ample time to explore each location. We visit a number of sites including: Laguna Atascosa and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuges, 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. This year we offer our journey in two parts to give some flexibility in schedule and price.
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., Feb. 18 Arrival in Harlingen, TX/Rio Grande Valley birding
Welcome to one of America’s top birding hotspots, often referred to as the Texas Tropics. If you come from winter-bound areas, warm air, fresh breezes and brilliant blooms let you know you’ve reached an exotic realm without ever leaving the States!
For a group pick-up, please plan to arrive no later than 2:00 PM. If you must arrive later, we can arrange transport for you (additional cost) to the Alamo hotel to join the group for dinner.
We plan to bird and explore for the afternoon en route to our hotel, so be prepared with your field clothes on, binoculars and good walking shoes.
Once settled in at this extraordinary, birder-friendly hotel, we go to a favorite local restaurant to enjoy a welcome dinner, during which you can get acquainted with guide, Bob Behrstock, and fellow traveling companions.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, Alamo, TX (B,L,D)
Sun., Feb. 19 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, 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 Tyrannulets. 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 Kites. 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 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 Parulas may be calling from the moss-draped limbs of large Texas Ebony trees. Least Grebes may be cruising the small ponds, and wekeep 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 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 an Elegant Trogon, a Crimson-collared Grosbeak, and a White-throated Robin. If the Valley has not experienced cold weather, gardens at both sites may produce a variety of butterflies and blooms. Enjoy dinner tonight at a local restaurant.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, (B,L,D)
Mon., Feb. 20 South Padre Island and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
This morning we drive eastward to South Padre Island. From the mudflats near the causeway we can search for large waders such as Reddish Egrets and Tricolored Herons, American Oystercatchers, Black Skimmers, wintering American Avocets, both pelicans, and various gulls and terns. We also hope to find Piping Plovers—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 cross back to the mainland.
Heading northward, we 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 check out the feeders for close-up views of Green Jays, Long-billed Thrashers, and perhaps a herd of Javelinas. 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 Falcons and White-tailed Hawks), shorebirds, gulls and terns. With luck, we may also encounter Sprague’s Pipits, Sedge Wrens, Bobcats, Nine-banded Armadillos, or even a Texas Tortoise.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn (B,L,D)
Tues., Feb. 21 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 Orioles, White-tipped Doves, Green Jays, Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, Northern Beardless Tyrannulets, and Great Kiskadees. We may even find a 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.
For lunch, we have a picnic or dine at a local café. We may visit Anzalduas County Park, whose Spanish moss-clad live oak trees often host resident Tropical Parulas alongside a variety of wintering warblers. In fields near the entrance road, we can try for Sprague’s Pipits, a very local wintering bird. Anzalduas often hosts both Ringed and Green kingfishers.
We have an early dinner at a local restaurant, and return to Bentsen State Park, for night birds. We hope to see Pauraques, Eastern Screech Owls, and perhaps an Elf Owl. Mammal sightings may include Virginia Opossums.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, (B,L,D)
Wed., Feb. 22 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 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: Verdins, Cactus Wrens, Black-throated Sparrows, White-winged and Inca doves, Ash-throated Flycatchers, Black-tailed Gnatcatchers, Bewick’s Wrens, and Pyrrhuloxias. During the earlier part of the morning, we station ourselves along the Rio Grande, hoping for a fly-by Muscovy Ducks, Red-billed Pigeons or perhaps a Hook-billed Kite. Here, we 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 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 Roadrunners, Curve-billed Thrashers, and, with luck, both Scaled and Bob-white quails. Occasionally, flocks of Lark Buntings are present at roadsides near the park entrance. We then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant as we return to Alamo.
Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, (B,L,D)
Thurs., Feb. 23 Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary/Departures, or continue with Extension
After breakfast, we 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 Hummingbirds. Other South Texas specialties that join them at the sanctuary’s feeders include: Plain Chachalacas, Altamira Orioles, White-tipped Doves, Green Jays, Great Kiskadees, Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, and Olive Sparrows. 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 search for wintering songbirds such as White-eyed Vireos, 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 Grebes, Mottled Ducks, and perhaps a lingering shorebird. At the sanctuary’s visitor’s center, learn more about environmental education and conservation efforts on both sides of the border.
Those departing today will be dropped off at the Harlingen airport by NOON for departures after 1:PM. Travel safe and we hope to see you on another adventure! (B)
KING RANCH & WHOOPING CRANE EXTENSION
Feb. 23-26, 2012
Thurs., Feb. 23 Harlingen/Kingsville
After dropping our departing group members off at the Harlingen’s Valley International Airport (HRL) at NOON, we catch a quick lunch, and drive north, birding in route to Kingsville. We pass through agricultural lands, scrub and brush habitats and visit ponds and oak woodland. Enjoy dinner at a local steakhouse.
Accommodations in Kingsville (L,D)
Fri., Feb. 24 King Ranch/Rockport
Today we start early to find some of the highlight species of our extension. In Kingsville, we’ll be joined by a local bird expert from the historic King Ranch, where we spend a good part of the day exploring part of the ranch’s 825,000 acres. Some of the more colorful birds we may expect to see include Vermilion Flycatchers, Great Kiskadees, Green Jays, and Audubon’s Orioles. Although they’re a bit more difficult to 
see during winter, one of the target birds will certainly be Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls, numbers of which dwell in the ranch’s scattered oak woodlands. In more open areas, we watch for raptors such as Crested Caracaras, White-tailed Hawks, and Harris’s Hawks. Grassy sites could provide us with Sprague’s Pipits and several species of sparrows. Ponds could produce ibis, Least Grebes, and various waterfowl. The King Ranch tour includes a picnic lunch in the field.
Mid-afternoon, we continue to Rockport—a couple hour’s drive to the northeast. We pass through Corpus Christi, and at a roadside park and pull-out off from an expansive causeway we have excellent opportunity to observe Roseate Spoonbills, a host of herons and egrets, wintering shorebirds and other species at close range. In Rockport, we settle into our accommodations for the next two nights. At dinner, enjoy some of the fresh local seafood at the restaurant of your choice.
Accommodations in Rockport (B,L)
Sat., Feb. 25 Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
This morning’s highlight is a guided 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 also look for several species of herons, egrets, and the incomparable Roseate Spoonbills. 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 Curlews, American Oystercatchers, Seaside Sparrows, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, 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 check the visitor’s center with its many displays and convenient gift shop. Then we 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 Snakes, White-tailed Deer, Collared Peccaries, Nine-banded Armadillos, and Feral Hogs. With luck we may see Bobcats, or even a rare Ocelot.
Dinner tonight is at your leisure with some excellent choices nearby.
Accommodations in Rockport (B,L)
Sun., Feb. 26 Rockport/Goose Island State Park
We begin early this morning with a visit to nearby Goose Island State Park. Here, we check the huge Live Oaks for wintering passerines and the edge of the bay for waterbirds. We return to our hotel to pack up, and then head for Corpus Christi and the airport. On the way south, we stop at Indian Point, a tidal flat and oyster bed area with a viewing platform where we’re likely to see Reddish Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, and a host of terns, herons, egrets and some wintering shorebirds before saying our good-byes We plan to arrive at the airport at 12:30, for flights out after 1:45 PM.
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COST OF THE JOURNEY
Cost of the journey is based on double occupancy, $1695.00 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. Cost for the King Ranch and Whooping Cranes extension is $895.00, single supplement, $210.00.
Can combine extension with main tour & save $100 on the combined adventure!
Costs does not include: round-trip 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 $225.00.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
You are responsible for planning your arrival to and departure from Harlingen for the main tour, and arrival to Harlingen, departure from Corpus Christi if taking the extension. Please arrive by 2PM on February 18th. Departures from Harlingen, TX may be after 9:00 AM on the afternoon of February 23th, those from Corpus Christi from 1:45 PM onwards on Feb. 26th. If you prefer to return to Harlingen, please check with us as we may be returning our rental vehicle there and would be happy to take you if so.
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 – Find more of his great work at - www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/ |
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