South Texas Birding
April 2008 - Trip Report

Fri., April 4
Our South Texas adventure started immediately upon picking up Dorothy and Keiko at their hotel. In the hotel parking lot, with Don and Jan present, we saw a pair of Tropical Kingbirds, once a rare sight in North America. The pair was involved in a courtship or bonding interaction - flying around each other and occasionally calling. Nearby we spotted Boat-tailed Grackles, Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones and a flock of Least Tern.

We then went to pick up George and Joan at the airport. While waiting for Joyce and Janet’s flight to arrive, the rest of the group headed out to Hazel Bazemore Park, a delightful inland recreation area with a small wetland and thicket. Persistent winds and occasional drizzle slowed down bird activity.  Regardless, we were able to find a number of interesting things including Red-eared Sliders, Anhingas, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, Mottled Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpipers, Black-crested Titmice, Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, Great Kiskadees, American Kestrels, an immature White Ibis, and a flock of immature White-faced Ibis. En-route to the hotel, we stopped at Indian Point where there were heavy winds. In the marshes, there was an immature Reddish Egret and a good variety of shorebirds. On the oyster bed, we spotted several species of terns, Brown Pelicans, Laughing Gulls and a pair of American Oystercatchers.

Sat., April 5
Under clear, blue skies, cool temperatures and a strong breeze, we headed out early toward Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Our first stop was at the bridge over Cavasso Creek. A brilliant Crested Caracara perched on a utility pole. We heard and saw several Boat-tailed Grackles, many coming down to the side of the road. A few Cave Swallows were flying over the bridge. After turning off the highway, we began a zigzag route through flat cropland. In a field with sprouting vegetation, we spotted a couple of Upland Sandpipers.

We saw a very pale Red-tailed Hawk perched near the entrance to the park. At a pond next to the parking lot of the visitor’s center, we found lots of Blue-winged Teal, American Coots and a lone female Common Goldeneye. A Great Kiskadee, uncommon this far north, was calling in the back of the pond. Below the visitor’s center, we could see various swallows buzzing around, a loose kettle of Broad-winged Hawks began moving northward, and several small flocks of Franklin’s Gulls migrated by. We started a hike on the Rail Trail. However, with high winds, it seemed void of wildlife. Regardless, a few Common Moorhens and American Coots made appearances. We could hear Sora and Virginia rails inside the cattails. We then drove into the park, passing a few Pied-billed Grebes. We stopped to watch a group of Feral Pigs waltz through the high roadside water. We stop at the impressive lookout structure built to observe the coastal wetland, and managed to spot a family of Whooping Cranes in the distance. At our picnic spot, we shared the space with two very tame Nine-banded Armadillos. Some of us began lunch while others took advantage of the photo opportunity. After lunch, we returned to the visitor’s center to buy souvenirs and enjoy the display. We then returned to the refuge to drive the loop all the way through. Several mammals were viewed en-route, including White-tailed Deer and Collared Peccaries. We made a few stops along the way, including at a few trails. Below the lookout tower, a few of us were treated to brief views of Bobcat. While looking out over the coast, we could see several birds flying by, including three Long-billed Curlews. We drove the loop again, stopping for a few roadside wildflowers. We finished the evening with dinner at Charlotte Plummers - yummy seafood.

Sun., April 6
Morning started calmer and warmer than yesterday. After breakfast, we met at the dock across from the hotel for our Aransas boat tour with Captain Tommy. As we departed the harbor, we saw Double-crested Cormorants and Brown Pelicans perched on docking poles silhouetted against the warm dawn horizon. Our first stop took us to a small island with roosting terns, staging shorebirds and nesting egrets and herons. As we motored down the artificial channel, we found our first pair of Whooping Cranes. Close to the boat, a Seaside Sparrow sang from the top of a reed. At the end of the channel, Tommy maneuvered the boat close to a pair of Whooping Cranes feeding in shallow water. Much to our astonishment, the male began a courtship dance. The event was an exciting and entertaining “National Geographic Moment”. Unfortunately, the crane’s partner seemed less impressed than we were, and made a leisurely trot to shore. We continued through Aransas Bay, passing several small islands and oyster beds. Many birds breed and rest on these exposed areas including significant numbers of Tri-colored Herons and Reddish Egrets. In the deeper waters, we could see Bottle-nosed Dolphins, some coming relatively close to the boat. Back on shore, the clouds cleared out and the temperature warmed up. We headed to Goose Island Park for a picnic lunch. With a sprinkling of Texas Bluebonnets, Coreopsis and Gerardia surrounding the picnic tables, we enjoyed our lunch, even if the Laughing Gulls shared a bit with us. After a hearty meal, we walked around the grounds taking photos of the carpets of wildflowers. In the shoreline reeds, Tony called in an uncooperative Marsh Wren, and in the campground, we watched White-eyed Vireo and Black-crested Titmice in the live oaks. At the feeder, we saw Gray Catbird, Inca Doves and a Brown Thrasher. A quick drive took us to “The BIG Tree” - the world’s largest Virginia Live Oak. We then went for a long drive to Aransas Pass, over the causeway and to a sandy area. Here we found several shorebirds, including 3 Long-billed Curlews, 4 Piping Plovers and 2 Semipalmated Plovers. We then caught a free ferry to Mustang Island. We stopped in at Paradise Pond where we found Solitary Sandpipers, White Ibis and immature Black-crowned Night-Herons. We then visited the active Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center - a consistently wonderful pond and wetland full of wildlife. Here we found a young Nutria, a large aquatic rodent introduced from the neotropics. Near the boardwalk, we found an immature White-faced Ibis, Common Moorhens, Soras and a very cooperative Tri-colored Heron. Further out was a large flock of Roseate Spoonbills, Long-billed Dowitchers and many waterfowl. Meanwhile, beside the boardwalk, a huge American Alligator lumbered through the mud. As we walked back to the parking lot, we found a male Orchard Oriole, a male Yellow Warbler and a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak.  Dinner was at the award-winning Crab-N restaurant. We weren’t disappointed.

    

Mon., April 7
We headed out early again for our first destination - Rockport Beach. At the end of the paved road, we found a colony of hundreds of Black Skimmers, Laughing Gulls, and a few dozen Tri-colored Herons. The beauty of the striking birds was punctuated with blooming Texas Indian Blanket. On the water of Little Bay, we found an Eared Grebe, and along the water’s edge were countless American Coots. As we drove out of the park, a Clapper Rail came out of the reeds and onto the lawn. We managed to bypass rush-hour traffic in Corpus Christie, and continued south on Highway 77. We stopped for a break at a gas station, where we found a few species in the open scrubland, including Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Loggerhead Shrike and Golden-fronted Woodpeckers. Our next stop was El Canelo Ranch, near Raymondville. Just as we turned off the highway, down the ranch’s dusty road, we spotted a female Nilgai - a large game mammal introduced from India. A few minutes later, a herd was seen trying to jump the ranch’s property fence. Monica greeted us in the entrance to the ranch with a warning about a rattlesnake on the loose in her back yard. Although we wanted to see which species it was, Monica wouldn’t let us in until it was removed. Meanwhile, a covey of Northern Bobwhites came right to our feet. They were accustomed to local residents with birdseed.

It took us a while, but we finally found one Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl in a mesquite tree. Monica took us to a tall Sable Palm that had a pair of roosting Barn Owls. The lush green property also had a pair of Hooded Orioles, Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, and Green Jays. As we drove out of the ranch, we stopped to photograph a beautiful Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Farther down the lane, we stopped for Pyrrhuloxias, Lark Sparrows, Harris’s Hawks and White-tailed Hawks. We stopped in Raymondville for lunch at the locally famous Boot Company restaurant. After checking into our hotel on south Padre Island, we took a quick trip across the road to the World Birding Center. A small patch of trees at the side of the building had several birds including Baltimore, Hooded and Orchard Orioles, Indigo Buntings, Lincoln’s Sparrows, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped Warblers. In the marshy wetland, we found Common Moorhen, Least Bitterns and Soras. Dinner was at Blackbeard’s Seafood Restaurant.

Tues., April 8
Right after breakfast, many walked over to the World Birding Center. A few new songbirds were flitting through the trees, including Northern Parulas, Black-and-white Warblers, Red-eyed Vireos and Tennessee Warblers, and many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.  We persisted in locating a singing Sedge Wren in the marsh. Several Clapper Rails were coming out into full view. Back in the marsh, the Least Bitterns were giving us a show. With the sun still shining brightly, we drove to Laguna Atascosa and stopped in at the visitor’s center where there were several active bird feeding stations. Running water through a wooded area seemed very attractive for many animals, including Mexican Ground-Squirrels and a band of Collared Peccaries. Some of the birds present included Green Jays, White-tipped Doves, Long-billed Thrashers, and many blackbirds. We then embarked on a drive through the road loop. Unfortunately, it was relatively unproductive, probably due to the intense heat. Regardless, there were a few sightings that included several Osprey and an uncooperative Verdin. We went back to the visitor’s center for our picnic lunch. The Green Jays gathered around the table, patiently waiting for our scraps. We then took a quick drive to Osprey Lookout, where we saw two Whimbrels fly by, followed by a drive down the highway to the Old Port Isabel Road. We made several stops along this dirt road; unfortunately, much of it was unproductive. One highlight was a close-range Cassin’s Sparrow. Next was a stop in the city of Brownsville where we found a colony of Green Parakeets, right on the Mexican border. These birds were gathering around a number of old woodpecker holes in dead palms. We returned via Old Port Isabel Road where we found a Curve-billed Thrasher. As we headed down the road to the hotel, we spotted a Peregrine Falcon. We enjoyed another dinner at Blackbeard’s.

Wed., April 9
Once again, we started with a dawn visit to the World Birding Center. Windy weather with clouds couldn’t dampen our spirits as it seemed a few more warblers gathered in the trees. Northern Parulas and Black-and-white and Nashville Warblers were among them. We could see Marbled Godwits among the many shorebirds behind the center. A stroll down the boardwalk produced an American Alligator, Black-necked Stilts and a Great Egret. At the end of the boardwalk, we found several shorebirds and a pair of Redhead and Tri-colored Heron. In the heavy morning heat, we set out to our next destination - Sable Palm Sanctuary. Outside the visitor’s center, we found lots of colorful Green Jays and boisterous Plain Chachalacas. Several White-tipped Doves mixed in with them. A hike along the trail produced Black-crested Titmice. At the pond, we found several small groups of Least Grebes, a couple of Pied-billed Grebes, Northern Shovelers and Gadwalls.  Farther down the trail, we located a Brown-crested Flycatcher and an Eastern Wood-Pewee. For lunch, we headed into Brownsville, where we stopped for some fast Mexican food. Interestingly, none of the staff could speak English. We managed with some local help and got our hearty meals. We checked into our hotel in Harlingen, and then went out to Pendleton Park to check for parrots. Several domesticated waterfowl and Black-bellied Whistling Ducks occupied the ponds. In the lawn, we photographed a couple of Long-billed Curlews. Hundreds of blackbirds were coming into a tiny patch of reeds. Unfortunately, the Red-crowned Parrots were very far away as they flew by. 

Thurs., April 10
Today, we drove out early from Harlingen, through Weslaco, to Santa Ana Refuge. We were greeted by Couch’s Kingbird and Altamira in the parking lot. At the feeding station beside the entrance, we spotted a Buff-bellied Hummingbird. As we walked down the middle trail, we could feel the temperature rising quickly, and shade was becoming our preferred location. Throughout the trail, we saw several Golden-fronted Woodpeckers. A pair of Harris’s Hawks made several appearances as Swainson’s Hawks took to the air for their migration. We had a long hot walk around Pintail Lake. Generally, it wasn’t very productive except for several Little Blue Herons, one Tri-colored Heron and a few Least Grebes.

A pair of Least Bitterns flew by. Near the end of the trail, we had a Sharp-shinned Hawk fly high overhead. We ate lunch outside the visitor’s center with a group of very well-mannered little children. We then drove to Frontera Sanctuary in Weslaco. Even in the sweltering heat, the Chachalacas were calling incessantly. Otherwise, the wildlife activity was slow. Our explorations were cut short due to irrigation of the forest. A few trails were flooded in the process. We returned to the visitor’s center where there was a beautiful male Black-throated Green Warbler coming to the garden pond for water. We then drove to the new Estero Llano Grande State Park, just around the corner from Frontera. Although we didn’t expect much with the blazing heat, we were treated to a few birds near the large cattail-bordered pond. Here we saw Long-billed Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers, Black-necked Stilts and a young Tri-colored Heron. The friendly staff convinced us to return the next day. We checked into our lodge in Alamo, where Keith Hackland, the owner, operates a birding store with a huge library of excellent natural history books. We still had some light, so we drove to the Allen Williams residence in Pharr. This little oasis in suburbia was filled with birds. Walking through the trails, we spooked a Chuck-wills Widow. It seemed very restless. However, it provided us with excellent views. Among the Long-billed Thrashers and northern Mockingbirds was the star of the show - a White-throated Robin, a neotropical species, very rare for North America.

Fri., April 11
After an early breakfast, we rushed off to the Frontera Sanctuary. Even in the cool dawn light, a flock of about 140 Mississippi Kites took to the air. They spiraled upward and slowly advanced overhead - spectacular! Of course, the Chachalacas were relentlessly squawking. Although there was little activity in the forest, we found many birds in the cemetery, at the sanctuary edge. Here we saw a flurry of warblers, a pair of Green Parakeets and Indigo Bunting. We continued to Estero Llano Grande where we met the very helpful and accommodating Jennifer Owen, Park Naturalist. She accompanied us into the grounds, where we saw a variety of wildlife. Among the highlights were two baby American Alligators, a Hispid Cotton Rat, Green Kingfishers and a very cooperative Chuck-wills-widow. On the pond, we had excellent views of Long-billed Dowitchers. We ate lunch in the shaded shelter of the visitor’s center. After lunch, we returned to our lodge. A few of us continued on back to the Allen Williams residence where we found a few Clay-colored Robins and Painted Bunting. We then had an early dinner so we could spend late afternoon in Bentsen. Upon arriving, George spotted a Black Phoebe. We also noticed there were no people in the park. We walked for a while down to the old campground. Couch’s Kingbirds were everywhere, but little else. As the sun approached the horizon, we could hear Clay-colored Robins singing. Things began to liven up right at sunset with a pair of Gray Hawks calling. Just at it began getting dark, the Paraques began calling, but they stopped shortly after. As we walked back, we could hear several Eastern Screech Owls.  We were able to get the flashlight on a pair. Near the exit, we heard an Elf Owl, and a few of us managed to see it with the flashlight. Meanwhile, several Eastern Screech-Owls and Chuck-wills-widows were calling - a very enchanting evening.

Driving back to Alamo, we spotted a few Paraques on the road.

Sat., April 12
With a cool north breeze, we headed west this morning. Our first stop was at Roma Bluffs, another fairly new Birding Center. Cliff swallows flew high over the Rio Grande. An Altamira Oriole came in very low overhead. A Ringed Kingfisher perched on the Mexican side while an Audubon’s Oriole perched on the American side. Across the river, we could see the hustle and bustle of the Mexican community. Beside us, American Border Patrol officers watched the surrounding activity with some intensity. We continued west to Salineno, and the shores of the Rio Grande River. The water levels were very high. A pair of Ringed Kingfishers flew by, followed by a Muscovy Duck. Shortly afterwards, a female Hook-billed Kite crossed over from the Mexican side. We then drove around the nearby back roads to explore the desert thorn scrub. At one corner, we saw a Greater Roadrunner. We also found a pair Cactus Wren displaying territorial behavior. We then went to Falcon County Park, where there were several Ash-throated Flycatchers and a pair of Vermillion Flycatchers. We met the sweet older woman who lived in the park and struck up a conversation with her. She wondered why everyone was there looking for birds. We had to tell her about all the interesting creatures she had in her surroundings. We enjoyed our picnic lunch in the park before heading to Chapeno. But the heat prevented us from finding anything of interest, so it was back to Alamo to do our list and have dinner.  Here, we met Bob Behrstock, the guide for the Mexico Extension, and went to dinner with him. After dinner, we drove through suburban Weslaco on a successful search for Red-crowned Parrots.

Sun., April 13
Several of us bid a fond farewell to Texas, while a few others continued to sunny Mexico. Happy Trails!

  

Photo credits:
Images as marked, Tony Beck - to see more of his images, go to: www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/; all other unmarked images, Peg Abbott.

 

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