The Texas Rare Bird Alert reports primarily on Texas Review species. An email message service for the Texas Rare Bird Alert reports is available. See the TX RBA Email Service page for more information and to subscribe.
For more reports of Texas sightings, please refer to the Texbirds archives.
To report a Texas rare bird sighting, please email staff@narba.org
*Texas Review Species - please send reports to Mark Lockwood, Texas Bird Records.
Updated Lower Rio Grande Valley: AMAZON KINGFISHER* --
first report: Jan 24; last update: Feb 6
Late in the afternoon on Jan 24 Alan Wormington and Robert Epstein found and photographed a female AMAZON KINGFISHER* in Laredo. The bird was first seen at the mouth of Zacate Creek, then for some time along the creek itself. Zacate Creek is adjacent to (downstream from) Las Palmas Park along the Rio Grande in Laredo. Amazon Kingfisher is the largest green kingfisher in the Americas. It is resident in Mexico south to Argentina and Uruguay. It is typically sedentary, although a few vagrants have been found in Trinidad. (Photos by Robert Epstein). (Photos & Notes by Dan Jones). Please send sighting reports of this potential North American first to Mark Lockwood, Texas Bird Records.
Latest sightings: Jan 29: 8am, off and on throughout the day. Jan 30: 8:00-8:10am, noon. Jan 31: 7:45am, 9:20-9:45am, 11:20-11:25am, mouth of creek, 4:40pm. Feb 1: 5:45-6:05pm. Feb 2: 7-9:30am. Feb 3: 8:00am (seen on the stream near the plant to fly down the stream and head upriver); 12:30pm, 2:35-3pm. Feb 4-6: as of 11am on 2/6 no reported sightings.
WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATERS and CLAY-COLORED THRUSH are present in the area.
Directions & Tips: From Interstate 35, go right through Laredo and take the last exit before the bridge to Mexico. Make your way left of the bridge through the residential area until you hit either Ventura or Water Street. Take either of these streets as far south (downstream) as possible, where they both dead end at Zacate Creek where there is plenty of public parking. From Hwy 83 north you will cross Zacate Creek within downtown Laredo. After crossing the creek turn immediately left onto San Leonardo.(NOTE - visibility is terrible to cross the eastbound portion of US 83 - We recommend you go 2 blocks beyond San Leonardo to San Jorge, turn left, and then return 2 blocks.) Then turn left onto either Ventura or Water Street. There is more parking on Ventura than Water Street. Go to the end and park along Zacate Creek. It is then a short walk to the mouth of Zacate Creek. Some caution to driving in this neighborhood should be taken, the streets are narrow and there some blind spots. Given the amount of people wanting to see the bird, please refrain from walking on the lower creek trail. There is ample viewing ground on the higher ledge of the creek. The bird is easily being seen from behind the barrier - please respect the viewing area that has been set out. Note that there are 4 species of kingfisher present in this small section of the creek, and a Green Kingfisher has also been using the same perch.
Lower Rio Grande Valley: BARE-THROATED TIGER-HERON* --
first report: Dec 21: last update: Feb 1
Late in the afternoon of Dec 21 Rick Snider and Rick Nirschl found and photographed a BARE-THROATED TIGER-HERON* on the levee immediately south of Bentsen Rio Grande Valley SP-WBC HQ. The bird evidently flushed from a tree and landed on the levee in front of them. After an hour it sat up in the top of a snag near a pond just past the first yellow concrete marker on the levee west of Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. The bird is molting from juvenile to adult plumage. The flight feathers are mostly barred with cinnamon (and either molt or suspended molt - some are replaced), and the body plumage is barred more like an adult. (Photos). (Photos by Jan Dauphin 12/31). Please send sighting reports of this potential N.A. first to Mark Lockwood, Texas Bird Records.
Latest sightings: Jan 8 (3:15-6:00pm). On Jan 9-10 there were no sightings. On Jan 11 it was refound during the morning bird walk and then seen close to the park's hawk watch tower. On Jan 12 there were morning & afternoon sightings at the hawk tower. On Jan 18 there was a probable sighting by 4 birders on the upper dike road at 6:10pm as it flew overhead. On Jan 20 it was seen in the late afternoon as it flew parallel along the levee, heading east before turning south over the maintenance area towards the hawk watch tower. Birders should watch both the north and the south sides of the Mission Main Levee from the Park's entrance road to several yards west of the bridge, not just facing the reveg area to the north near the bridge. On Jan 21-31 there were no sightings.
Directions: Bentsen Rio Grande Valley SP is at the south end of Bentsen Palm Drive near Mission, TX. The park has made special arrangements for those seeking the Tiger-Heron, as the location is in an area not normally accessible to the public. Please cooperate fully with park personnel. Viewing Instructions. The best observation point is usually the lower levee behind the state park HQ building. There is no access off the levee and into the fields.
Updated Lower Rio Grande Valley: possible immature ROADSIDE HAWK*-- first report: Feb 2; last update: Feb 6
On the morning of Feb 2 Alan and Anna Schmierer had a brief sighting of what was likely an immature ROADSIDE HAWK* at Santa Ana NWR. Alan reported, "The sighting was very brief and we got no photograph. The bird had a reddish barred breast and a streaked throat, white supercilliary, brownish-gray back (somewhat mottled), wide-barred and rather short-appearing tail. It was seen in the late morning near the junction of the Oriole Trail and the Resaca Loop Trail. It flew SW toward the Jaguarundi Trail and paved road junction. We looked for another few hours but saw it only briefly in the distance. The look was too short for us to feel 100% confident, but it worth keeping an eye out. It did not have the look or feel of a Cooper's Hawk and was certainly not a Hook-billed Kite, although there was a female in the area."
On Feb 5 another possible immature ROADSIDE HAWK was seen and photographed by Frank Yulling and Carolyn Young at Falcon State Park. It was found along the park road between the butterfly garden and and the shelter area. The location is in the lower right corner at the convergence of the Roadrunner Trail and the Verdin Trail. (Falcon State Park map). On a Feb 6 search the bird was not relocated.
Updated Lower Rio Grande Valley: adult ROADSIDE HAWK* -- first report: Jan 27; last update: Feb 5
On the morning of Jan 24 an adult ROADSIDE HAWK* was photographed near the feeding station at Frontera Audubon in Weslaco. Please send sighting reports to Mark Lockwood, Texas Bird Records. A TROPICAL PARULA is also being seen at the feeder station. On Jan 30 Dan Jones relocated the hawk at 5:35pm in the same orange grove where it had been found on the evening of Jan 28. (Photos by Dan Jones).
Latest Sightings: Jan 31: (morning, in the orchard next to the office) There were no afternoon/evening sightings. It was also absent on the morning of Feb 1, (7:00-10:30am). Feb 2: on 11:45am it was seen in the orchard near the southern fence; at about 2pm several birders saw it outside the Visitor Center in the big tree adjacent to the east side of the back porch; at 5:30pm there was a brief sighting. Feb 3: at about 4:30 the bird was seen at the cemetery behind Frontera. Feb 4: 7:45am (at cemetery). Feb 5: 8:15am (willow south of the maintenance shed).
Tips by Dan Jones: "The best strategy for birders to find this bird (other than wandering around the thicket and hoping to get lucky) would probably be to stand on the slightly raised bank on the south side of the old Skaggs House and scan the orange grove at about 5pm. I think if birders wander around in the grove the bird will find another route into the thicket."
Site Guidelines: Frontera Audubon will be observing extended hours beginning Sunday, Jan. 31 to give birders increased opportunity to observe the Roadside Hawk which has now been located in the orange grove during the early evening hours (5pm - 6pm) on Jan 28 and Jan 30. Hours are: Sun. - Sat. 8am-6pm. Normal closed days (Mon. and Tues.) are suspended. Visitors must register and pay normal entry fee in the Visitors' Center before entering the Frontera property. This applies to all Frontera property including the area outside of the Thicket fence. The Thicket gate will be locked at 4pm, and visitors will be asked to leave that area to accommodate the roosting pattern of the Roadside Hawk.
Updated Lower Rio Grande Valley: CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK* -- first report: Feb 3; last update: Feb 6
Kent Anderson reported that on the afternoon of Feb 3 a male CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK* was seen at Quinta Mazatlan at the right side of the house in a tree next to the greenhouse/glass house. Sighting reports should be sent to Mark Lockwood, Texas Bird Records. (Photos by Dan Jones, 2/6).
Latest Sightings: Feb 4: throughout the day. Feb 5: 9:45-10:15am (elusive on both of the first trails & road entering Quinta Mazatlan), 2:50-4:15pm. Feb 6: 9:30am (near water & feeding stations). Check at front desk for latest sighting locations.
Site Guidelines: Quinta Mazatlan is closed on Sundays and normally closed on Monday. On Monday, Feb 8, they will allow birders access starting at 8am. However, only the grounds will be open, not the house, which means there are no facilities. Please plan ahead as there will be NO access on Sunday!
Coastal Bend: probable KELP GULL*-- first report: Jan 20; last update: Feb 1
On Jan 19 Jon McIntyre found a probable 2nd winter KELP GULL* on the beach at Port Aransas. The bird was first seen at beach marker 62 then the gull flew north and he relocated at marker 45. Photos were obtained. At that time the gull flew back south. Sighting reports should be sent to Mark Lockwood, Texas Bird Records.
Latest Sighting: Feb 1 (11am at marker 45 by Jon McIntyre - he got additional photos.)
Upper Texas Coast: "Vega" HERRING GULL-- first report: Jan 28
On Jan 28 at 11:30am Mike Austin found an adult "Vega" HERRING GULL in a reservoir on the north side of I-45 in Texas City. Mike reported "There was also a third cycle Lesser Black-back in the lake. There were conservatively 3,000 gulls at the site with birds constantly coming & going. The most numerous species were Laughing, Herring, & Ring-billed in that order. I'm sure more vigilence at this site could turn up many other unusual species & forms of gulls."
Directions: Exit I-45 at Exit 13, "Century Blvd.& Delaney Road. Follow the latter to the light and turn right on Monticello 0.3 miles. The pond will be on the left (north) side with a wide shoulder for parking safely on the right. The pond can also be viewed from Delaney Road if lighting circumstances are sub-optimal but there is no parking here (high curbs). One would need to walk from the parking site on Monticello to access this viewing area.
Choke Canyon SP: NORTHERN JACANA* -- first report: Nov 2; last update: Feb 3
Pat Bowen reported that on Nov 1 she, Glenda Janca and Jo Ann Andrews identified a NORTHERN JACANA* at Choke Canyon State Park at the Calliham Unit in 75-Acre Lake. (Map of Choke Canyon SP). (Photos and Video by Frank Farese, 11/12). It was seen in the early morning from the jetty that is immediately off the parking lot (this is the jetty that has a concrete sidewalk on the top). The bird was along the earthen dam that separates 75-Acre Lake from the larger lake. At about 9:15 am it was feeding along the edge of the lake, and for the next 45 minutes continued along the edge walking counter-clockwise around the lake perimeter - first north along the dam, then west along the northern lake edge including walking along the edge right below the parking lot and picnic area. At 10:30 it was between the picnic area and the earthen jetty on the northern edge. It is possible the bird is starting its day on the eastern part of the lake. Latest sightings: Jan 16-18, Jan 23-24, Jan 30, Feb 1-2. Please send sighting reports to Mark Lockwood, Texas Bird Records.
Directions & Tips: Park in the 1st parking lot on the right and you will see a dirt road. To view the area you need to walk down the service road to the next area of water and look along the NNW coast of the lake. There is a jetty from which the bird has been seen. By standing on the jetty, with your back to the parking lot, you may locate the jacana from looking left to looking directly across the marsh. There is a whole section of the lake you can not see from the picnic area near the parking lot. You will need to walk down the dirt road to find it. There is a "Road not open to the Public" further along the service road, where the grass is overgrown which would probable give anyone the best view of the area but snakes could be an issue. Caution is also advised because of the alligators in the lake. The jacana is often at quite a distance and a scope is very helpful.
Updated Lower Rio Grande Valley: ROSE-THROATED BECARD* -- first report: Nov 3; last update: Feb 5
On Oct 30 a female-plumaged ROSE-THROATED BECARD* (strongly capped) was photographed at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley SP-WBC in Mission. On Nov 15 a bright male was found at Bentsen. It has been found near the feeders at the "Y" intersection in the park (adjacent to Ebony Grove). Sightings have been 8:15-9:00am. This bird seems to be a different individual than the October 30 bird, as the cheeks are black limiting the capped appearance. Sightings have continued at least through Feb 5. Currently it is usually spotted at the gatehouse feeder just inside the park. Most reliably seen when peanut butter is put into feeder.
On Nov 14 an immature male ROSE-THROATED BECARD* was seen at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco. (Photos by Kyle Ohaver, 11/26). It has continued at least through Feb 1.
Guidelines for Estero Llano Grande SP: Visitors are requested to enter the Tropical Zone from the west side of Ibis Pond (south of the park headquarters) and NOT via the old RV Park entrance road. Be sure to check in at the park before accessing the Tropical zone - your cooperation will ensure continued easy access to this area.
Updated Coastal Bend: NORTHERN WHEATEAR* -- first report: Jan 2; last update: Feb 6
On Jan 2 a NORTHERN WHEATEAR* was seen, photographed and confirmed by a group of birders including Mel Cooksey, Willie Sekula and Martin Reid. (Photos). The bird was first discovered by John Borntrager, a young Amish man on his farm in SW Bee County on Dec 30. This is believed to be only the 2nd record for Texas. Please send sighting reports to Mark Lockwood, Texas Bird Records. Sightings have continued through Feb 6.
Directions and Guidelines: The site is CLOSED ON SUNDAYS with no exceptions. John welcomes visitors other days. The bird is located nearly 11 mi SW of the Bee County courthouse at latitude 28° 15' 53.2" and longitude 97° 50' 37.92". (To view location, go to Google Maps and type 28.2642 -97.8436 in the search box). To get there, starting about 7 miles SW of Beeville on Hwy 59, at the intersection of Hwy 59 and FM 796, go south on FM 796 for 6.0 miles - there should be a small vegetable stand on your right. Turn right into the driveway next to the veggie stand and drive back towards the brown building. Please park on the right out of the way before the brown building. Walk slowly behind the house and watch for the wheatear on the woodpile, in the horse pasture and on the stacks of blocks. Please be sure to sign the sightings book.
Updated Lower Rio Grande Valley: TROPICAL PARULA-- last update: Feb 6
On Jan 7 Mark & Joanie Hubinger, volunteer bird guides at Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen, reported that the TROPICAL PARULA is still present. Sightings have continued through Feb 6. (Photos by Dan Jones, 2/6). CLAY-COLORED THRUSH is also present as of Feb 4. A Tropical Parula has been seen at the feeding station at Frontera Audubon in Weslaco.
Updated Coastal Bend: TOWNSEND'S WARBLER -- first report: Jan 9; last update: Feb 6
On Jan 9 Jon McIntyre found a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER at Aransas NWR. On Jan 23, when it was seen at 10am feeding in the live oaks near the headquarters. It has been associating with a mixed flock of Orange-crowned Warblers, kinglets, and Chipping Sparrows.
Latest Sightings: Jan 26, Jan 28, Feb 6 (am, in the oak trees near the visitor center. If you turn right off the main road into the visitor center parking area, you will see a brown sign ahead that says "Maintenance Area Access Only". The bird was in the oak trees to the right of that sign. It was by itself.)
Central Texas: MOUNTAIN PLOVERS -- last update: Feb 3
On Jan 17 Sheridan Coffey and Martin Reid found numerous MOUNTAIN PLOVERS at two sod farms in Frio County, south of San Antonio. Sheridan reported that the first farm was on Hwy 57, off of I-35. Take the Eagle Pass exit on Hwy 57 (Exit 111). Go south about 6 miles. On the right there is a large sod farm. The plovers were pretty far back in the field, near the irrigation rig. The second farm is about 5 miles further down Hwy 57 at the junction with Hwy 140. There were 90 plovers in this field. On Jan 28 Lamont Brown found a few at the first sod farm and also about 15 birds on the west side of I-35 south of Pearsall in two very green fields and just before getting to a ranch entrance gate. The ranch name was "Running W" or "Running T" or similar. It was a black metal entrance with the name across the top. The fields were perhaps 200-300 yards before the ranch entrance.
On the afternoon of Jan 31 Tim Fennell found Mountain Plovers in the Granger Lake area of eastern Williamson Co. (about 30 miles NE of Austin). Thirty birds were on north side of CR 346 (eight were .3 miles west of the intersection with CR 347 and within 50 m of the road; another twenty-two birds were .1 mile miles west of the intersection with CR 347 and within 20 m of the road, feeding around puddles in the field). On Feb 3 twenty-two were seen scattered on the north side of CR 346, between the intersections with CR 347 and 348.
Upper TX Coast: ROCK WREN -- first report: Dec 20; last update: Jan 26
On Dec 19 Tad Finnell's Armand Bayou CBC group found a ROCK WREN working the rip-rap on the bay at Pine Gully Park, just outside of Seabrook. The bird has continued at the same location at least through Jan 25. It seems to like the edge of the stones and the grass. It can be difficult to find as it pops in and out of the rocks.
Directions: The park is off Toddville Rd between Port Rd and Red Bluff. Maas Nursery is along the road. Car entrance is $10 per car if you are not a Seabrook resident. You can also park at Toddville and Red Bluff at Robinson Park and walk 1.18 miles into the back of the park. When near the bay take the path to the right. The path is the Seabrook jogging path - a good path. You can park at the pier and see the rocks at the south end of the park. It is believed that the pier is accessible and you can look back at the rocks. You have to walk on grass at the north end. Sometimes the wren can be seen from the parking lot.
Central Texas: LEAST GREBE -- first report: May 29; last update: Jan 29
On May 29 Vincent O'Brien discovered that the LEAST GREBES had returned for the second year to the Triangle Pond at 4600 Guadalupe in Austin. They fledged several young throughout the summer. (Photos by Karen Melody, 7/25). In September they had a third successful breeding, with 2 adults and 2 young found on Sep 13. On Sep 27 two chicks were spotted being tended by one parent. Latest sightings: Nov 14 (3 adults, 1 chick), Nov 22 (2 adults, 3 chicks), Dec 21 (4 grebes), Jan 2 (2 adults), Jan 10 (3 adults), Jan 29 (1 bird) .
On Jan 22 Josh Bruening observed two LEAST GREBES at Walter Braunig Lake Park just south of San Antonio.
Updated Lower Rio Grande Valley: WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER --
Latest sightings: Jan 21- Zapata: (female, at the pond east of the County Library), Jan 26 - Zapata (1:30pm, singing male at north end of pond adjacent to the library), Feb 2 -Zapata: female at the pond, and about 6 CLAY-COLORED THRUSHES. Feb 5: along Zacate Creek in Laredo (see Amazon Kingfisher report).
In general, Salineno (#80 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail) is one of the more reliable locations for this species.
The bird sanctuary at San Ygnacio is also a traditional site. Directions: The upper part of the Raptor Trail is at the North end of Trevino Street. The entrance is on Uribe Ave. one block to the north and parallel to Washington. San Ygnacio is #87 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail. Parking and pedestrian entry to the sanctuary at south end of Washington St.
The Las Palmas Trail in Laredo has also been a reliable location. Directions: The trail begins just east of International Bridge II; parking is available just southeast of Water Street underneath the bridge. The trail extends for approximately half a mile along the Rio Grande ending at Zacate Creek. Be advised to use great caution on the trail, as the amount of border traffic has increased in the area.
Zapata: Another good site is behind the library at the county park in Zapata.
Lower Rio Grande Valley: RED-BILLED PIGEON, MUSCOVY DUCK --
There have been no recent reports for Salineno, but presumable RED-BILLED PIGEONS and MUSCOVY DUCKS are still present. (Map). Salineno is #80 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail. These two species were also reported recently near San Ygnacio. On Jan 3 there was a probable Red-billed Pigeon at Santa Ana NWR, on Pintail Lakes Trail. The bird was on the section that runs along the Rio Grande.
Lower Rio Grande Valley: FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWLS --
On Jan 1 a FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL was reported at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley SP-WBC , in the Ebony Grove area. On Jan 7 it was seen for about 30 minutes between the "Y" and the Kingfisher Overlook. On Jan 17 one was roosting next to the road, 50 yds down the right fork after the "Y" intersection.
In general, FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWLS may be seen at the San Miguelito Ranch about 10 miles north of Raymondville. There is a fee to access this site. Prior arrangements are required - contact Leticia Tijerina, at 956-369-3118. (Photos). They are also present on the King Ranch and often at El Canelo (both fee sites), although there are no recent reports. In addition, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are often found at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley SP-WBC. Please remember that the use of tapes is not allowed at Bentsen and many other sites.
Lower Rio Grande Valley: APLOMADO FALCON --
Recommended places to look for APLOMADO FALCONS include Old Port Isabel Road and Laguna Atascosa NWR. At Laguna Atascosa both approach roads (from Harlingen/Rio Hondo and South Padre Island) and the refuge itself should be searched. The 15-mile Bayside Loop has been particularly productive. Beware the approach roads! They are full of potholes. Old Port Isabel Road is in even poorer condition.
Lower Rio Grande Valley: HOOK-BILLED KITE -- last update: Feb 2
There are irregular reports from near Acacia Loop at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley SP-WBC in Mission and from Anzalduas County Park (#68 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail). On Jan 17, 3 kites were soaring above Ebony Grove at Bentsen at 1pm. There have also been frequent reports at Santa Ana NWR, particularly around Cattail Lakes. Latest sightings at Santa Ana: Jan 30 (9am, male along Cattail Lake Trail, about 3/8 mile east of Cattail Lake), Feb 2 (female). On Jan 27 a female Hook-billed Kite was seen at Anzalduas Co. Park.
Lower Rio Grande Valley: MANGROVE (YELLOW) WARBLER --
MANGROVE WARBLERS, a well-marked subspecies or unrecognized species, are present year-round. For more information on seeing them, contact Scarlet Colley (telephone: 956-299-1957) at the South Padre Island Nature Center.
Lower Rio Grande Valley: RED-CROWNED PARROTS, GREEN PARAKEETS --
On the morning of Nov 28 there were 80-100 RED-CROWNED PARROTS in Llano Grande Lake Park and Resort in Mercedes. Currently there is an increase of GREEN PARAKEET flocks being seen in Edinburg. Red-crowned Parrots are sometimes seen in the area of the Valley Nature Center, and Green Parakeets are staging before going to roost in McAllen on North 10th street between Violet and Dove. Both Green Parakeets and Red-crowned Parrots have been seen in Harlingen (near Pendleton Park), Pharr (sometimes at Allen Williams residence on Sam Houston), and Brownsville. Red-crowned Parrots are sometimes seen at Estero Llano Grande State Park. Both species are also seen at Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen. Mornings between 8-9:30am have been particularly productive at Quinta Mazatlan.
