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. For sightings in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, check the Lower Rio Grande Valley Birding Hotline.
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*Texas Review Species are indicated with CAPITAL LETTERS and an asterisk - please send reports to Eric Carpenter, Secretary, Texas Bird Records Committee.
TEXAS REVIEW SPECIES
Big Bend: NUTTING'S FLYCATCHER* --
first sighting: Dec 31; last update: Jan 19
On the afternoon of Dec 31 David Bradford, Brandon Percival, and 4 others found a NUTTING'S FLYCATCHER* in Big Bend at the Santa Elena Canyon parking lot. (Photos by Brandon Percival); (Photo Discussion on Nutting's Flycatcher Identification by Don Roberson). Kelly Bryan who documented the bird on Jan 4 believes it to be a juvenile. (Photos & Notes by Kelly Bryan, 1/4). (Video & Audio by Kelly Bryan, 1/4). The bird probably has been present for some time and may stay for at least another month as it is believed to be wintering here. If accepted, this would be a first record for Texas. (Photos by Sheridan Coffey, 1/7).
Tips: (by Dale Ohl) It doesn't become active till the insects come out. Foraging activities are very deliberate. It seems to like the traffic island to forage & across from the rest rooms.
Latest Reports: Jan 2: midday, relocated in the same area - photos & audio recordings obtained (Heidi Trudell, Matt York -- audio) Jan 4: 9:45-11:30am, present at same location. An audio recording was obtained by Kelly Bryan. (Carolyn Ohl & others - photos and notes on Carolyn's blog) Jan 5: 12:35pm, spotted in the vegetation on the outside of the island on the west side. It was flycatching in there and stayed in that area for about 10 minutes and then moved to the center of the island. It stayed in there about 10 minutes and then flew to a tree on the outside of the island but on the east side. It stayed in that tree for a minute or two and then took off to the east and disappeared out of view. (Tad Fennell & Sue Heath). Jan 6: 10:20-11:30am, present at same location, flying back and forth from east into traffic island (Ann Hoover, Jerri Kerr). Also seen around 1:30pm. Jan 7: appeared at 2pm with sightings continuing at least through 2:35pm (8 observers) Jan 8: no reports. Jan 9: 9-9:30am seen at usual spot (Bob Doe). Jan 10: negative results to searches from 9:30am to sunset. Jan 11: seen at 9:25am flying in to the tallest tree across east of the restrooms over the recessed picnic table and then was observed flycatching. (Ron Baltzegar, Carlton Collier, others). Jan 12-14: negative reports. Jan 19: Brady Surber reported that at about 11:30am the bird vocalized a few times when he and his companions got out of the car at the parking area at Santa Elena Canyon. It called from due north. After the first call or two they played a Nutting's call to check what they were hearing and they agreed unequivocally that it was a/the Nutting's Flycatcher.
Updated Frontera Audubon: GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER* -- first sighting: Dec 17; last update: Jan 31
On Dec 17 a GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER* was seen near the maintenance shed at Frontera Audubon in Weslaco by Steve Dillinger. Hours for Frontera Audubon are Sunday: noon-4pm; Tues-Sat: 8am-4pm.
Latest Reports: Dec 18: brief looks in the same area (SeEtta Moss) Dec 25: morning, Dan Jones relocated the bird. To find the spot: after entering the thicket, turn left and when the trail spits, turn left again. Take the first left and go past the bench. The Golden-crowned Warbler was seen before the bend in the trail and in the area of the small water feature. (Photo by Dan Jones). Dec 28: present (Imre Karafiath). Dec 29: several sightings around 9-9:15am and 1:30pm. (SeEtta Moss, others). Dec 31: present (Bruce Neville). Jan 1: afternoon, seen along the trail that turns to the left before reaching the feeding station. Jan 3: morning sighting (David Hollie, others). Jan 4: sightings generally S and SE of the parking lot. Jan 5-6: present both days in the morning. Jan 7: seen off and on, 8-10am. Rather easy to find from its soft "chut" call notes which were repeated every couple seconds - quite unlike anything else calling in the thicket. It was around the loop labeled as the "Tepeguaje Grove" on the Frontera map, including near the storage shed. (Mike Resch). Jan 8: first seen at 2:20pm halfway down the trail to the feeders. (John Armitage). Jan 11-19: present. Jan 20: seen along the trail which borders the parking lot. (Cheryl Edgecombe) Jan 21-31: present.
Sabal Palm Sanctuary: CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK* -- first sighting: Dec 15; last update: Jan 16
On the morning of Dec 15 Jimmy Paz and David Benn found and photographed a female CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK* (CCGR) during a Christmas Bird Count at Sabal Palm Sanctuary. Most sightings have been on the Forest Trail.
Latest Reports: Dec 16: morning, relocated & photographed about 100 yds down the trail from the visitor center. Dec 18: present near the small new wooden bridge on the E side of the loop. (Dan Jones). Dec 19: morning sightings. Jan 2: present. Jan 16: heard by a single observer.
Frontera Audubon: CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK* -- first sighting: Dec 17; last update: Jan 21
On Dec 17 a female/juvenile CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK* was photographed near the feeding station at Frontera Audubon in Weslaco by Steve Dillinger. Hours for Frontera Audubon are Sunday: noon-4pm; Tues-Sat: 8am-4pm.
Latest Reports: Dec 18: negative report. Dec 31: present (reported by Kyle Ohaver) Jan 1: 1:17pm, present (Bill Tarbox, Ellen Baker). Other afternoon sightings - seen feeding in the vines in the back of the feeding station. Jan 3: present (Eddie & Liam Ehrman). Jan 5: morning, present. Jan 6: seen midday, high up in the canopy. (John Armitage) Jan 7: midday, large feeder area (John Armitage). Jan 8: seen midday for around one hour at the feeders. (John Armitage). Jan 11: present Jan 12: 1pm, seen briefly in front of feeding area (Liz Southworth) Jan 13-18: present. Jan 21: present
Pharr: CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK* -- first report: Jan 15; last update: Jan 27
Allen Williams has a female-plumaged CRIMSON-COLLARED GROSBEAK* visiting his backyard in Pharr. This may be the same bird that was present last winter. The bird has been seen for a few weeks.
Guidelines and Tips: Pre-arrange any visit -- weekdays are best. Fee site. Normal feeding time at 8-9 best. To reach this site, exit US 83 at Jackson Ave/Sam Houston and proceed west on Jackson Ave/Sam Houston about 1.5 miles to 750 W. Sam Houston. Call or text 956-460-9864 for more information.
Latest Reports: Sightings have continued through Jan 27.
Estero Llano Grande SP: ROSE-THROATED BECARD* -- first sighting: Nov 9: last update: Jan 29
On Nov 9 a Big Day van group led by Jon Dale and Michael Retter during the RGV Birding Festival found a female ROSE-THROATED BECARD* (RTBE) at Estero Llano Grande SP by the bathrooms in the tropical zone.
Latest Reports: Dec 30: 8am, both RTBE and Audubon's Oriole seen in the tropical zone near Pauraque Hall. Dec 31: 8:30am, by the bird walk; 4:30pm, at the far end of the entrance road into the tropical zone. If you go all the way to the south end of that road to the stop sign on the fence, it was in the trees behind the house on the right (west side) (Bill Tarbox, others). Jan 1: 9am, RTBE present (Bill Tarbox, Ellen Baker). Jan 5: morning, present; 4:20pm, in tropical area near the fenceline at the end of the tropical area. Jan 6: negative reports. Jan 7: 3rd-hand report of an early morning sighting in the horse pasture at the south end of the tropical area. Negative report for 10am-noon. Jan 8-12: negative reports. Jan 14: seen by visitor center and high up in the trees at the end portion of the tropical zone. Jan 18: late morning, seen in the tropical zone near the Pauraque Hall building located near the feeding station. Jan 19: at least 2 sightings. Jan 20: afternoon, at the brick walkway coming into the visitors center. Jan 26: 5pm, along the first inner road of the tropical area (Renee Rubin, Michael Delesantro, others). Jan 29: present (Elbert Marcom)
Updated Lower Rio Grande Valley: BROWN JAY* -- first sighting: Dec 3; last update: Jan 30
Cheryl Longton reported that for the first time in 5 years BROWN JAYS* were seen at Salineno. Two birds have at times been seen. In January all sightings have been of an older immature with black bill and yellow mouth.
Latest Reports: Dec 4: 8:15-10am, midday, present. Dec 5: 5:15-5:30pm sightings. Dec 6: 8-10:30am, 4-5:15pm sightings. Dec 7: 4:30pm. Dec 8: sightings: 8:10, 8:20, 11:20, 12:30. Dec 9: present (John Ebner). Dec 11: adult present in early afternoon, negative report for 2:30-4:30pm. Dec 12: present. Dec 13: morning, both birds present. (last sighting of 1st-yr bird) Dec 15: present (Joel McNeal, Nathan Farnau). Dec 18: late morning sighting (Matt Stenger). Dec 19: one bird present (Don Glasco). Dec 21: 10-11am, one jay made repeated visits to feeders (Don Glasco). Dec 26: 10-10:40am sighting. Dec 27: one bird present. Recent sightings have been both in the morning and afternoon. Note that this is also the best site for Audubon's Oriole. Dec 29: 4 brief visits (John Armitage). Dec 31: 8:30-8:45am, present. (Bill Tarbox, Ellen Baker). Recently the jay has been coming in at 2-hr intervals. Jan 1: 3:50-4:30pm, present (Bill Tarbox, Ellen Baker). Jan 3: 7:30am, 8:15am, 11:30am present (Mark & Joanie Hubinger, Cameron Carver) Jan 4: present. Jan 5: 10:30am, present. Jan 7: seen a little after 11am (Pam Allen). Jan 8: 10am, at feeder (Stan Chapman, others). Jan 9-16: present with off and on sightings. Jan 19: 10:30am seen at feeders (Pat DeWenter). Jan 20: 8am at the feeder and at 9am in a tree near the river. (Cheryl Edgecombe). Was seen 3-4 times before 10am at feeder. Jan 23: present. Jan 28: 10-10:15am at feeders. Jan 30: present
Upper Texas Coast: ICELAND/THAYER'S* or GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL* & GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL* --
first sighting: Jan 21: last update: Jan 27
Ron Weeks reported that on the morning of Jan 21 he found two very interesting first winter gulls between San Luis Pass and Surfside. One was a good candidate for an ICELAND GULL*. It was seen at about 11am near Beach Access Road #2 on Follett's Island. Note that Martin Reid feels this gull may be a GLACUOUS-WINGED GULL*. Alan Wormington called it a classic THAYER'S* Ron also found what appears to be a first winter GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL*. The sighting was almost as far as one could drive toward San Luis Pass on the beach. The gulls were on the beach in large numbers in foggy conditions, and most had left by afternoon even though the fog was still present. (Photos by Ron Weeks)
Location: Follet's Island is on the coast of Brazoria County between Galveston Island and Quintana Island. (29.05° N 95.17° W)
Latest Reports: Jan 22: Joe Fischer checked the area -- didn't find either one of the gulls but he photographed what may be a juvenile THAYER'S GULL*. (Photos). The latest consensus of opinions is that this gull is a Thayer's hybrid of some sort. Jan 27: morning, Joe Fischer had a very brief look of the gull he found on Jan 22. He also found a Glaucous Gull just a few hundred feet west of the Peregrine Apartments (near the intersection of Bluewater Hwy and CR257S). (Glaucous Gull photos)
Lower Rio Grande Valley: GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL* -- first sighting: Jan 28
A Great Black-backed Gull was reported on the beach at Boca Chica. Documentation is being sought.
Jefferson: LITTLE GULL* -- first sighting: Jan 7; last update: Jan 29
On Jan 7 at 4:45-5:30pm, Luanne and David Brotherton had an immature LITTLE GULL* at Lake O' The Pines. The bird was viewed from Lakeside Park along the dam. They were at the beach on the east end that looks along the dam toward the boat ramp that comes from the overlook on the north/east side of the dam.
Latest Reports: Jan 8: sightings at 11:45am, 1:45-2:30pm, 3:30-4pm from the Overlook Fishing Area and Lakeside Park (Bob Metzler, Luanne Brotherton, Mike Dillon). Jan 14: present (Mike Dillon) Jan 15: photographed from the Overlook Landing found on NE corner of the dam (Luanne Brotherton - Photo).
Dallas: LITTLE GULL* -- first sighting: Dec 23; last update: Jan 4; last update: Jan 14
On Dec 23 at around 3:15pm, Greg Cook found an adult LITTLE GULL* at Bowman Springs Park on the SE end of Lake Arlington in NE Texas. The bird was later seen by D.D. and Dell Little. This may be the same gull that was found on Dec 12 at Lake Ray Hubbard.
Latest Reports: Dec 24: present, seen from Bowman Springs Park (Blaine Carnes). Dec 27: present (Cameron Carver). Dec 28: present (Laura Bunton). Jan 4: 12:50-1pm, same area (Cameron Carver, 3 others) Jan 8: present in the direction of the white house on the far shore. (Steve Glover, Greg Cook, Darlene Moore). Jan 10: present (Mike Wease). Jan 14: seen by Laura Bunton. Jan 29: negative results to an afternoon search.
Lower Rio Grande Valley: PURPLE SANDPIPER* -- first sighting: Jan 23; last update: Jan 29
On Jan 23 a PURPLE SANDPIPER* was found and photographed in Port Mansfield by the Delashmits. The bird was found with some Ruddy Turnstones.
Directions: From TX 186 in Port Mansfield turn right onto Port Road - turn right onto Laguna Drive - turn right onto Bayview - turn right onto Matagorda - go past the large dredge hill on the left - at the "Bay Access" sign (blue and white letters, red arrow) turn left onto an unmarked dirt road - the dirt road turns left when it gets to the bay - a short drive along the bay brings you to two tidal pools.
Guidelines: It appears that the bird may be avoiding the tidal pools because folks are trying to approach too closely. Please avoid crowding the bird.
Latest Reports: Jan 24: morning, continued at the same location. (Erik Breden - photos). Also seen at noon at the sand spit at the end of the bay access road (Dan Jones - photo) Jan 25: photographed at 9am (Luanne & David Brotherton); negative results to a very thorough afternoon search. Jan 27: 10-10:15am, along edges of the tidal pools. It then flew off to the north, presumably to the rock riprap along the shoreline (Mark McClelland). Jan 28: morning sightings; also appeared at 4:30pm (Harry Forbes). Jan 29: 8:50am, brief sightings on the rocks north of the tidal pools. (Tripp Davenport)
Tarrant County: COMMON REDPOLL* -- first sighting: Jan 7; last update: Jan 15
Eric Carpenter reported that he has received photos taken on Jan 7 of a COMMON REDPOLL*, seen at a backyard bird feeder along with American Goldfinches in Southlake. The bird was also seen briefly on Jan 10. Southlake is in Tarrant County just northwest of DFW airport. The redpoll has not been seen since and the location is not publicly accessible. There are only 9 accepted records of this species in the state, the last was in 2007.
Updated South Padre Island: BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE* -- first sighting: Jan 9; last update: Jan 31
Mid-morning on Jan 9 Reid and Pam Allen saw and photographed a first-winter BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE* at the jetties on South Padre Island. The bird was seen from the parking lot by the bait stand at the jetties (in Isla Blanca County Park at the south end of the island). (Photos)
Latest Reports: Jan 10: 2pm & 4-4:30pm, seen at the same location on the jetties by the bait stant parking lot. (Pam & Reid Allen, Rex & Birgit Stanford) Jan 11: 2:30-4pm, same location (Allen Dale, Pam & Reid Allen, Danny Hoehne). Jan 12: 4:30pm, same location (Dan Coleman). Jan 13: present at same location (Chuck Lorenz). Jan 14: 3pm, same location (Blake & Holly Wright). Jan 15: 9am, present (Tripp Davenport). Jan 16: present. Jan 17: 10:30am sighting (Dan Jones). Jan 21: afternoon, same location (Jim Young). Jan 22: late morning (Chris Harrison). Jan 23: 2:30pm, seen sitting on the Bait Shack roof (Margaret & Jim Young). Jan 24: present (Luanne & David Brotherton). Jan 25: 2:30pm, on the Bait Shack roof (Margaret & Jim Young). Jan 31: negative reports for the past few days.
Sabal Palm Sanctuary: DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER* -- first sighting: Dec 18; last update: Jan 28
On Dec 18 Dan Jones found a DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER* ("lawrencei") at Sabal Palm Sanctuary.
Latest Reports: Dec 19: morning sightings. Jan 2: present. Jan 5-8: present. Jan 12: morning, active in general area of butterfly garden (David Benn). Jan 15: 10:30am, working the trees behing the butterfly garden, relatively silent (Tripp Davenport). Jan 16-26: present. Jan 28: found near Resaca (Pat DeWenter)
Williamson County: possible PACIFIC WREN* -- first sighting: Dec 31; last update: Jan 21
Chuck Sexton reported that during the Granger CBC on Dec 31 they heard, photographed, and recorded a bird which seems--initially-- to match descriptions of the former "Western" Winter Wren which has now been split off as the PACIFIC WREN*. The location was the Willis Creek WMA off CR 348. The bird was initially located by Christian Walker and subsequently studied by Chuck, Sam Fason, Ken Williams, and Barry Noret. They were alerted to the bird by its very uncharacteristic (for Winter Wren) "hummingbird trill" calls, the only sound they heard from the bird in about 8-10 minutes of observation and listening. This is a high-pitched, thin, mechanical, trebled or quadruple "tt-tt-tt-tt" sound, almost insect- like. We never heard the bird utter the familiar, double "kip-kip" of regular wintering Winter Wrens. Photos and sound recordings were acquired. (Photos & Notes by Sam Fason). (Spectrograms of Wren Calls by Sam Fason -- Same spectrograms with enhanced audio by Chris Benesh) (Photos by Barry Noret)
Directions: (by Chuck Sexton) Location: 30.7031N 97.417W. Note that hunting is ongoing at this unit. The area will be open on Jan 1, but closed Jan 2-6, then re-open on January 7. (I believe this may be for active hog control or special deer hunts--not sure.) Any visitors to this unit should wear suitable "hunter orange" vest and/or cap. The parking area for this part of the Willis Creek WMA is on CR 348, 1.25 mi S of FM 971 on the SE side of Granger, TX (Williamson Co.). The wren location today was about 275 yards E on the simple hiking path which heads E into the woods from the entrance gate (on the N side of the creek). The wren was working on/under a fallen dead tree which straddles Willis Creek perpendicularly and the trunk of another large fallen tree on the S bank.
Latest Reports: Jan 7: 9:45-12:30pm, relocated in the morning by Chuck Sexton & 2 others who were able to study it carefully. There were hints a second bird was around. Jan 8: 7:45-9:30am, Chuck Sexton, Sam Fason & Randy Pinkston confirmed there were 2 birds present. Chuck reported, "The target bird which hangs out under a favorite fallen tree across the creek is buffy underneath, rich ruddy brown above, with spotless wing coverts. A second bird with spotted coverts and whiter throat and eyeline mainly spends time about 50 to 80 yards downstream to the E but occasionally interacts with the target bird. That downstream bird was confirmed in photos, playback, and recorded song today to be a Winter Wren. Each bird makes a variety of excited chips and staccato trills; the voices of the two birds are not identical. More work is needed with sonographs to study the structure of the calls and trills of the buffy target bird." Jan 15: Sam Fason and Victor Emanuel relocated the bird on the same fallen log, 300 yards from the parking lot. Jan 21: 8-8:30am, same fallen log (Jason Leifester). Also seen 1:30-2:15pm at same location (Ann Hoover)
UPPER AND CENTRAL TX COAST - Non-Review Species
Houston: Rufous-crowned Sparrow -- first sighting: Dec 29; last update: Jan 28
Around noon on Dec 29 Paul Sellin photographed a Rufous-crowned Sparrow across the street from his house in SW Houston. The bird flew into his front yard and then disappeared. (Photos by Paul Sellin - updated 1/11)
Latest Reports: Dec 31: 8:30am, the bird was seen climbing over the rocks in the landscape by the garage door and then flew across the street into the oleanders. Jan 5: 1:15-1:30pm, viewed & video recorded in back yard, used the bird bath. Around noon it was probably seen across the street in the oleanders. Jan 7: 3 appearances in the morning. Jan 8: seen across the street around sunset. Jan 9: morning in the back yard. Jan 10-11: sightings. Jan 14 and Jan 16: seen at 4pm. Jan 17-20: present. Jan 21: negative reports. Jan 22: seen late in the day. Jan 23-24: morning sightings. Jan 25 : 12:50pm sighting. Jan 26-28: seen just before sunrise and/or between 4-6pm, for less than 2 minutes at a time, once or twice a day. (All reports unless otherwise noted by Paul Sellin).
Houston: Glaucous Gull -- first sighting: Jan 23; last update: Jan 28
On the afternoon of Jan 23 Janet Rathjen found an apparent 1st year Glaucous Gull at Monument Inn beach. (Photos by Janet Rathjen). The beach is behind Monument Inn near the Lynchburg Ferry landing. Paul & Deloris Sellin photographed what may be the same bird at lunchtime on the same day. (Photos by the Sellins)
Latest Reports: Jan 24: 10:30-11:15am, negative report Jan 28: Stephan Lorenz found a/the Glaucous Gull south of Baytown among loafing gulls at a fish camp. (Photo by Stephan Lorenz)
Houston: California Gull -- first sighting: Jan 29
On Jan 29 Jon McIntyre found an adult California Gull near Corpus Christi. The location was near the last access road before you go to the Padre Island National Seashore.
Houston: Smith's Longspur, McCown's Longspur -- first sighting: Dec 21; last update: Jan 15
On the morning of Dec 21 Cin-Ty Lee and Mark Kulstad had 3 Smith's Longspurs (SMLO) at Highland Reservoir in eastern Harris County, just E of the city of Houston. Cin-Ty believes these are probably the first chaseable Smith's Longspurs on the Upper TX Coast. The exact coordinates where the birds were seen are: 29°50'7.37"N 95° 0'50.48"W. On Dec 27 several McCown's Longspurs (MCLO) were found in the flocks.
Directions to original, Fig Orchard (South) Field: (by Cin-Ty Lee) Take I-10 east. Get off on John Martin Road and go north (left). At the T-intersection, turn right on E Wallisville Road, then a quick left on Haney (north). Turn left on Fig Orchard Road. Go almost all the way down Fig Orchard Road, and just before it makes a right angle bend to the left (which is Wade Rd), park on the right shoulder. There is a small footbridge crossing a canal. Cross the footbridge, then walk towards your right and you will see a small wooden set of stairs that goes over a barbed wire fence. Climb over the wooden stairs and you will see a large field ahead of you. A very large field. The birds were in the NE corner of the field. The best way to find them is to walk the fields. (Photos, Video & Notes).
Directions to North Field: (by Cin-Ty Lee). There is no way to get there from the S field (Fig Orchard Field). To access the N field, you have to get on to Barbers Hill Road. There is an access point with a turnstile near the SE corner of a big sod field on the north side of Barbers Hill Rd. Go through the turnstile, and then you have to cross a drainage ditch using a hastily made wooden bridge (3 small wooden planks);On Dec 22, it was about 1 foot underwater, so we got drenched. Once there, turn left on the dike and you will see the N field. We had at least 4 Smith's Longspurs there, three of them together and one loner bird.
Tips: The South Field (by Fig Orchard Road) has so far been the most reliable and accessible spot. And in that field, the NE corner has been the best.
Latest Reports: Dec 22: SMLO sighting at 9am; flew into a N field along Barbers Hill Rd; later three back in the original (S) field, one in the N field. Altogether 6 birds were seen at various times between the 2 fields. (Cin-Ty Lee). Dec 23: morning - noon, sightings of perhaps as many as 4 SMLO, in the field just N of Fig Orchard Rd & E of Highland Reservoir. (Mark Kulstad, Janet Rathjen, others) (Photos by Greg Page). Dec 24: morning sightings of at least 2 SMLO in the rain. The birds are using larger areas of the fields. (Sue Heath). Dec 26: morning, sightings continued (Sue Heath, David & Jan Hanson, others). Dec 27: a group of birders found a minimum of 3 SMLO and possibly several others present.(Ken Hartman). At 1:15pm they were at 29 50' 00.5" and 95 00' 55.1 (Mike Austin). In addition, several confirmed McCown's Longspurs (MCLO) were spotted by Janet Rathjen during the morning search. (Photos by Janet Rathjen) (Photos by Greg Lavaty). Dec 28: both SMLO and MCLO reported present (John Berner, Greg Page, Mark Westelev). Dec 29: morning, 5 SMLO found (Chuck Berthoud). Dec 30: 5 SMLO present (Dwayne Litteer). Dec 31: sightings of SMLO continued in the morning. Jan 2: 9 SMLO present (Michael Dupree) Jan 3 3 SMLO present (Richard Bello, others). Jan 7: 2 SMLO found (Bill Wright). Jan 11: several longspurs seen, including a possible McCown's and a possible Chestnut-collared/Lapland. (Paul Sellin, Mark Steuers) Jan 13: 8 SMLO reported. Location: N29 50.077, W095 00.910 or about 75 yards east of a line of trees NNW of the shallow central pond, about 2/3 of the way from Fig Orchard to the canal at the north end of the field. Birds were found within a 25 yard radius of the coordinates and staying in the straw-colored, dried grasses. (Paul Sellin, Chuck Berthoud) Jan 15: negative report for longspurs in a 4-hour search.
Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR: Prairie Falcon -- first sighting: Jan 21
On the morning of Jan 21, R.J. Pautsch found a Prairie Falcon along the gravel road to the visitor center at Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR.
Aplomado Falcon Sightings -- last update: Jan 21
Jan 8: Andy Jordan photographed an Aplomado Falcon at San Bernard NWR. The location was on the auto tour, Moccasin Pond. (Moccasin Pond map) (Photo by Andy Jordan). Jan 21: noon, Kathy Minch and her husband found an Aplomado Falcon on the auto loop tour at the Brazoria NWR. The bird was between the hiking trail labeled 7 and the loop split on the north side of the road. The bird was not photographed, but viewed for 15 minutes through a scope and looked identical to the one seen on Jan 8 at San Bernard NWR.
Updated Galveston: Lesser Goldfinch -- first sighting: Jan 30; last update: Jan 31
On the morning of Jan 30 Dwayne Litteer found a Lesser Goldfinch at a feeder at Corps Woods on Galveston Island.
Latest Reports: Jan 31: morning sighting (Vicki Crutchfield)
Houston: Lesser Goldfinch -- first report: Jan 12; last update: Jan 15
A Lesser Goldfinch is visiting feeders at the home of Colette Lassberg and Curt Prudhomme in the west Spring Branch area of Houston. Interested birders should contact Colette at pruberg@mac.com for more information. The address is 10209 Mayfield Rd, Houston 77043. The gate is being left unlocked for birders. The gate is to the right/south of the garage. Birders are welcome to move around the yard in order to find it. (Photos by Frank Farese)
Last reported: Jan 14: Sightings at the thistle feeders in the oak tree at 9:30am, 1:45pm, 2:35pm. Jan 15: no sightings (in cloudy weather the thistle feeders are not visited very much)
LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY - Non-Review Species
For more sightings check the Lower Rio Grande Valley Birding Hotline.
Lower Rio Grande Valley: Tropical Parula sightings -- last update: Jan 28
Recent reports for Tropical Parula in Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen:
Jan 5: 1:30-3pm, at both orange bars at (Sylvia Chandler, Stan Chapman). Jan 12: Quinta Mazatlan, 2:20pm on the orange bars at the amphitheater (Patty O'Neill, others). Jan 14: Quinta Mazatlan, at the feeding station across from the pond on the North Trail (Sam Taylor). Jan 19: Quinta Mazatlan, late afternoon at the feeding station (Cheryl Edgecombe). Off and on sightings through Jan 26. Jan 28: 2:15-3:15pm, visited orange bar at amphitheater area 3 times. (Alec Humann, Norm Utech)
New Bayview: Gray Hawk -- first sighting: Jan 31
Bill Beaty reported observing an adult Gray Hawk in Bayview, Cameron County, about 1/5 mile south of intersection of FM 510 and San Roman Road. The hawk was present on Jan 30 in the afternoon and Jan 31 at 10am in trees on west side of San Roman Road.
Lower Rio Grande Valley: White-collared Seedeater
Possible locations: Zapata: White-collared Seedeaters come in to drink at the county park pond next to the library (south end of 9th Street and Laredo). Another location is the San Ygnacio County Park/Seedeater Sanctuary at the foot of Washington St. in San Ygnacio. Park at the top of the hill and walk down. San Ygnacio is #87 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail. The Las Palmas Trail in Laredo can have seedeaters. 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. La Laja Ranch also has WCSE. Access is by arrangement. The ranch is in Zapata County, just over the Webb County line. The owner of the ranch allows birders to visit by appointment ($25 fee). Phone: 956-763-0045.
Latest Reports: Dec 3: 4:30pm, 1 male & 1 female at Zapata, in the reeds at the edge of the pond at the City Park off of 9th Ave. They were near the new paved parking lot. (Catherine Winans) Dec 12: 2 WCSE at Zapata behind the library (Sherry Hagen) Dec 13: 2 WCSE at Zapata behind the library (Marcia & David Wright) Dec 31: 7:35am, 1 female seen along north side of pond across from Zapata library. Likely at least 2 birds were present. (Bill Tarbox, Ellen Baker). Jan 1: 2pm, 6 WCSE (5 females, 1 juvenile male) across from Zapata library, in the grassy area on the south side of the pond. At one point there were 5 females in the same binocular view. (3 visiting birders from GA: David Hollie, his mother & a friend). Jan 8: 2nd hand report of a sighting at the Zapata library at 2:30pm. Jan 14: Zapata, at the park on 9th St -- 2 females and 1 juvenile male (Karen Prager)
Lower Rio Grande Valley: Red-billed Pigeon, Muscovy Duck
Salineno (#80 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail. Map) is a traditional site for Red-billed Pigeons (RBPI) and Muscovy Ducks (MUDU). Highest probability for sightings occurs early and late in the day from the boat ramp. Chapeno and San Ygnacio can also be productive. This winter has not been good for RBPI; numbers are expected to increase in March.
Directions: Salineno is #80 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail. Map
Chapeno: from US 83 W of Roma, 10 miles, turn W on Fm 2098. Entering Falcon Heights watch for Chapeno Rd across from the Catholic Church. Turn South on Chapeno Rd and go 2.7 miles. (Fee).
San Ygnacio County Park/Seedeater Sanctuary: the park is at the foot of Washington St. in San Ygnacio. Park at the top of the hill and walk down. San Ygnacio is #87 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail.
Latest Reports: Dec 1: before 9am, RBPI present at Salineno. (Cheryl Longton). Dec 8: 13 RBPI in the morning at Salineno (David Dauphin). Dec 12: 2 RBPI at Salineno (Sherry Hagen). Dec 13: morning, flock of RBPI overhead at Salineno (Marcia & David Wright). Jan 1: 5pm, one RBPI along the river at Salineno -- seen in flight & on top of a tree on the island. (Bill Tarbox, Ellen Baker). Jan 3: about 8:30am, RBPI flyover at Salineno. (Cameron Carver). Jan 7: MUDU reported ate Salineno. Jan 8: 5pm, one RBPI in flight at the end of River Road at Salineno (Zeke Cornell, Stan Chapman, & others)
Lower Rio Grande Valley: Hook-billed Kite
The best public areas to look for Hook-billed Kites (HBKI) are Bentsen Rio Grande Valley SP-WBC in Mission, Anzalduas County Park (#68 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail), and Santa Ana NWR (often best from the Tree Tower). Hook-billed Kites nested in western Hidalgo County in the summer of 2010 and 2011, the first US nests since 2002. Hook-billed Kites are least difficult to observe in March-April and November, and hardest to detect in summer.
Latest Reports: Dec 14: HBKI at Santa Ana. Jan 8: 11am, almost certain sighting at Salineno of HBKI (adult male) crossing the river, observed and photographed from the end of the dirt road that goes west from the end of River Road (Stan Chapman, others - photo by Stan Chapman)
Lower Rio Grande Valley: Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls (FEPO) have not been seen or heard since the floods in the summer of 2010 at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley SP-WBC. Remember, the use of tapes is not allowed at Bentsen or many LRGV sites. Always ask before using tapes. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls are at San Miguelito Ranch about 10 miles north of Raymondville, open March through May. There is a fee to access this site, and 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).
Lower Rio Grande Valley: Red-crowned Parrots, Green Parakeets
In general, Red-crowned Parrots are most often seen in flight. They are sometimes seen in the areas of Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen, and Valley Nature Center in Weslaco. Both Green Parakeets (GREP) and Red-crowned Parrots (RCPA) can be seen in Harlingen (near Pendleton Park or 7th and Rio Hondo at dusk), Pharr (sometimes at Allen Williams residence on Sam Houston), and Brownsville. Green Parakeets can be seen staging near 10th and Dove (or 10th and Violet) in the evening. In Laredo there is a roost of GREP on Saint Peter's Square at Houston Street.
San Benito is also a reliable location, in the area of Camino Blvd and Harvey Dr. RV Park, Cameron County (Google map). Both GREP and RCPA are regular and apparently roost in the area of the RV park and the lots. A few years ago when a neighbor had been putting out peanuts there had been 100's of parrots at the RV park. Now, there are just a few handfuls that come in. At San Benito mornings are better for the parrots and evenings for the parakeets but both can be seen if you start earlier in the mornings before the parakeets fly off. This is a good spot to find both species without having to dash from location to location if your time is limited. (Tips provided by Bill Tarbox.)
Lower Rio Grande Valley: Aplomado Falcon
Recommended places to look for Aplomado Falcons include Old Port Isabel Road and Laguna Atascosa NWR.
Old Port Isabel Road Jan 2, 2012 Update: After the first few miles, road conditions on Old Port Isabel Road (OPIR) are terrible. The road needs to be graded before it is safe to use. Jan 2 reports are that about the first 2 miles (from FM 511 north to, roughly, the area of the distant hacking tower W or NW of the road) may be traveled safely. Please note that the reference to the hacking tower is to the one located near the S end of the road and W/NW of it. There also is one on the E side of OPIR, much farther north, and it lies within a presently problematic area of the road.
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. [Note: all Aplomado Falcons in TX are considered to be introductions and are therefore not countable under ABA rules.]
Latest Reports: Jan 2 : 6pm, falcon in flight -- seen from first couple of miles of Old Port Isabel Rd. (SeEtta Moss). Jan 5: 3pm, seen next to road around mile 13 of the Laguna Atascosa 15 mile Bayside loop. (John Armitage). Jan 14: present near the 511 end. The road gets dicey in the middle, turn around at the drive when you see a single lane rutted road in front of you. (Mary Gustafson)
TEXAS INTERIOR - Non-Review Species
Junction: Lewis's Woodpecker -- first sighting: Jan 5; last update: Jan 28
On the morning of Jan 5 Rhandy Helton photographed a Lewis's Woodpecker around the Rodeo grounds in Junction. He reported that it likes telephone poles and also flies a short distance to the large pecan tress on the South Llano River. (Photos by Gil Eckrich)
Latest Reports: Jan 6: 10am (many observers); another round of sightings around 4pm. Jan 7: 9:10am, sightings (Gil Eckrich, others). Jan 10: morning, feeding on pecans in the grove (Rhandy Helton). Jan 13: 8:45am. Location: Turn into the rodeo grounds drive behind the bleachers and past the horse stables. Veer right till the road ends at a bar fence near the river. Woodpecker was in the pecans on the other side of river behind the pavilion. (Bryan Tarbox). Jan 15: 4:20pm, observed to fly upward and south out of sight toward FM 2169 - probably heading to its roosting site. Jan 16: 9am, great views in large pecans across the river from the rodeo grounds. Jan 18: seen at same location (Nick Wallisch, Tripp Davenport) Jan 20: continues at same location. Most active 9-4:45pm. (Rhandy Helton). Jan 22: present (Charles Smith). Sightings have continued through Jan 28.
New Bell County: Townsend's Solitaire, Hutton's Vireo -- first sighting: Jan 31
At 4pm on Jan 31 Randy Pinkston found a Townsend's Solitaire and Hutton's Vireo at Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA) in Bell County. Both birds were found in a small woodlot behind the Pecan Pavilion. Randy wrotw that both were highly responsive to an agitated screech-owl recording. (BLORA map and directions.)
Lubbock: Glaucous Gull -- first sighting: Jan 18; last update: Jan 28
On Jan 18 at dusk Steve Collins found a first-year Glaucous Gull at Leroy Elmore Park in Lubbock. The bird was later viewed by Cameron Carver who saw the bird at about 6:20pm. The bird was observed swimming with about 200 Ring-billed Gulls. Since the area is lit by street lights, observations are possible at all hours. (Photos by Steve Collins) (Google map of park location.)
Latest Reports: Jan 19: sightings beginning at about 5:45pm (Anthony Hewetson, others). Jan 20: evening, the gull appeared at 6:05pm. (Cameron Carver, others). Jan 21: appeared at 5:50pm (Jay Packer). Jan 22: afternoon, Jay Packer found the gull at Henry Huneke Park in Lubbock (33.51809, -101.90033). Jay reported that this is where the veterans memorial is and it's just south of Leroy Elmore Park where the bird has been coming in to roost in the evenings. Jan 26: seen during the day at Huneke Park. Jan 28: 6:20pm, at usual roost in Elmore Park (Cameron Carver)
Austin: Verdin -- first sighting: Jan 15; last update: Jan 16
On the morning of Jan 15 Laurie Foss and Sheila Hargis found a Verdin at the Bauerle Ranch Metropolitan Park in far SW Austin, S of Slaughter and off of Brodie Lane (formerly known as the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt). The bird was found just west of the burned out shed on the Coyote Run trail.
Latest Reports: Jan 16: 11am, found just west of the burned out shed (Ken Williams)
Guadalupe County: Tundra Swan -- first report: Dec 13; last update: Jan 29
On Dec 13 Eric Carpenter and Richard Kaskan found a Tundra Swan at Salt Lake, far northeastern Guadalupe County, south of Luling. (Google map of location - green arrow shows exact location) (Video). Best vantage point is usually along Salt Lake Road, reached by taking 80 0.3 or 0.4 miles S of I-10 at which point you can turn east onto Salt Lake Road.
Site Guidelines: Please be very careful to respect all private property rights. Some photographers have climbed gates or fences to walk onto the ranch surrounding Salt Lake and take photographs and/or video of the Tundra Swan. The neighbors have been asked to contact the local police if they see anyone on the property and to prosecute those involved.
Latest Reports: Sightings through Jan 6. (Photos by Sam Fason). Jan 9: 8-8:30am, present (Derek Muschalek). Jan 11: present (Joe Fischer). Jan 14: negative report. Jan 15: present (Jeff McIntyre). Jan 19: seen in the afternoon (Dan Coleman). Jan 24: afternoon sighting (Sam Taylor). Jan 27: present (Mike Kirkpatrick). Jan 29: present (Susan Schaetzler)
