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The American Birding Association recommends that birders use a standard FRS (Family Radio Service) channel. This kind of common communication is often essential when trying to re-find a roving rarity. The ABA recommends channel 11 subcode 22 for birding communications. Many of the modern FRS radios have built-in GPS and can transmit location information to other capable receivers. For more information, see Using Radios for Birding by Paul Baicich on the Bird Watcher's Digest web site.

To report a Texas rare bird sighting, please email staff@narba.org

*Texas Review Species - please send reports to Mark Lockwood, Texas Bird Records.

Texas Christmas Bird Counts --  Find a list of Christmas Bird Counts throughout Texas on the Houston Audubon website.

Updated Upper Texas Coast: KELP GULL* --
first report: Nov 8; last update: Nov 16
On the morning of Nov 8 Ron Weeks found a KELP GULL* at the base of the Quintana Jetty. (Photos and Detailed Description). The gull was also seen later in the day and photographed by Mark Bartosik. (Photos). He noted that the bird was slightly limping when walking, and believes there's a chance it will stay a while. When he observed it, it would make flights over open water to feed but kept coming back after that to the same spot. Mark also photographed a second black-backed gull which was present and may be a GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL*. (See photo link above for photos of possible Great Black-backed Gull). On Nov 9 the bird was present from 12:30-2:45pm. (Photos by Frank Farese). On Nov 10 it was seen at 7:13am,11am, and 2:45-3:15pm, and continued at least through 4:30pm on Nov 15. Just after dawn appears to present one of the best opportunities to view the gull. On Nov 12 five LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were also present (three adults, one 2nd cycle, and one 3rd cycle). (Map, prepared by Cin-Ty Lee.)

Updated Lower Rio Grande Valley: ROSE-THROATED BECARD* --
first report: Nov 6; last update: Nov 15
On the morning of Nov 6 a ROSE-THROATED BECARD* was spotted by the RGV Birding Festival group at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco. The bird was first thought to be a female, but it turned out to be an immature male with the raspberry throat feathers coming in. It continued to be seen almost daily through Nov 15. On Nov 10 a TROPICAL PARULA was present in the same general area. A CLAY-COLORED THRUSH and BLACK-THROATED MAGPIE-JAY (exotic - see details below in this report) are also being seen. The birds are in an area that is normally closed to the public. Special arrangements have been made to permit viewing. Before going into the area, you must FIRST go to the Visitors Center and see if someone there can escort you back there. If no one is available, the clerk will tell you where to go and give instructions on your access. Please respect all instructions in order to keep this access available. For additional access information, contact the park at 956-565-3919.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER* --
first report: Nov 5; last update: Nov 13
On the morning of Nov 5 a DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER* was heard and seen in front of the visitor center at Sabal Palm Audubon Center by a group of birders on the Harlingen Birding Festival tour. It has continued to be reported almost daily as of Nov 13 but is more often heard calling than seen. Another DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER was heard at Santa Ana NWR near the old managers residence on Nov 8.

New! Coastal Bend: PLUMBEOUS VIREO -- first report: Nov 16
On Nov 16 at about 10am Mel Cooksey found a PLUMBEOUS VIREO at Rose Hill Cemetery on Comanche St. in Downtown Corpus Christi. He reported, "The bird was present in the western portion of the cemetery at the loop that passes the trailer park. This is a rare but almost annual occurrence at this location, and they have a tendency to stick around for some time. One might best locate this bird by voice; a husky, muffled, lower-pitched version of Blue-headed Vireo's song. I studied the bird closely in various light conditions, and saw absolutely no yellowish on the flanks, nor any sign of yellowish in the tertial edges. The back is completely gray with no green tones whatever, and there was virtually no contrast with the head and nape color, all gray. Cassin's Vireos have also occurred in this location, along with a couple of birds that we were unsure of, but the bird this AM was a classic Plumbeous."

Edwards Plateau: possible CAPE MAY WARBLER -- first report: Nov 11
On Nov 11 Caleb Dye found a possible CAPE MAY WARBLER at San Antonio Botanical Garden. (Photos).

Lower Rio Grande Valley: TROPICAL PARULA --
first report: Nov 8; last update: Nov 16
On Nov 8 Several groups with the RGV Birdfest spotted both female and male TROPICAL PARULAS on Saturday at Quinta Mazatlan WBC in McAllen.  They've been spotted at the back of the facility in the corner where the property meets the country club golf course in the salt cedars and also around the parking spaces in the front of the house.  Sightings have continued through the week of Nov 9-14.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: HOOK-BILLED KITE, ZONE-TAILED HAWK --
first report: Nov 2; last update: Nov 11
Joshua Rose reported that on Nov 1 an adult HOOK-BILLED KITE was seen crossing the Rio Grande at Anzalduas County Park. It apparently appeared out of the woods on the Mexican side, flew across the river, and disappeared into the LRGV NWR land east of the park, between 10 and 10:30am. Sightings of the kite have continued at least through Nov 9. A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was also seen skimming very low overhead just above the treetops. It was probably the same individual reported by Tim Brush on Oct 31. Anzalduas County Park is #68 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail.

Central Prairie: SAGE THRASHER -- first report: Nov 9
On the morning of Nov 9 David Pinkston discovered a SAGE THRASHER along FM 1123 between Holland and Belton in the southeast portion of Bell County. He reported that the specific location is less than a mile south of where Campbell Hill road 'Ts' into FM 1123. This is an upland area with cedar brakes on the west side and pasture on the east. The thrasher was perched on a roadside fence before being briefly pursued by a mockingbird, from which the thrasher disappeared in large junipers on the west side of the highway.

Edwards Plateau: WHITE-TAILED HAWK -- first report: Nov 9
On the morning of Nov 9 when Tim Fennell and Drew Plummer were birding the Granger Lake and Thrall areas of eastern Williamson Co. (~ 30 miles NE of Austin), they found an adult WHITE-TAILED HAWK hover-hunting over the CR 352 "megafield".

Edwards Plateau: AUDUBON'S ORIOLE -- first report: Nov 8
On Nov 8 at about 2pm Lee Pasquali and his wife discovered a pair of AUDUBON'S ORIOLES at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. The birds were discovered in a tree just past Ernie's Bridge on the trail just east of the Bird Pond. (Photo). (Map).

Lower Rio Grande Valley: GREEN KINGFISHER -- first report: Nov 5
On Nov 5 Javier de Leon, Naturalist at Edinburgh Scenic Wetlands, reported, "GREEN KINGFISHERS are being seen more regularly in our two big ponds. A pair (male and female) are being seen almost every morning before nine at the south pond across the street from our parking lot. At least one Green has been flying around the pond north of our visitor's center, but he may be hard to spot unless he is flying across the pond." LEAST GREBES have also arrived for the winter.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD --
first report: Sept 11; last update: Nov 13
A banded hummingbird, first spotted on Sept 9 at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, has been identified as an adult male ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD. It was initially banded at the same park on Oct 7, 2007. It is now becoming more regular at the feeders at the west end of the Headquarters area.

Coastal Bend: WHOOPING CRANE --
first report: Oct 21; last update: Oct 30
Tom Stehn with the USFWS reported the first WHOOPING CRANE sighting on the afternoon of Oct 20. On Oct 28 Tom reported that there were a minimum of 19 adults and 2 juveniles at the refuge. He estimated that the total numbers were probably over 40.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: RED-BILLED PIGEON, MUSCOVY DUCK --
Watch for RED-BILLED PIGEONS and MUSCOVY DUCKS early or late in the day at Salineno. On Nov 6 six RED-BILLED PIGEONS were seen. Jack Eitniear reported that this species flocks in the fall and moves into Mexico so groups tend to be more difficult to observe late in the year. While a few often reside in the area in winter now seems to be your best opportunity to view this species. Map. Salineno is #80 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL --
first report: Nov 6
On Nov 5 a FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL was heard at the wall feeder near Kingfisher Overlook at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. Also present were Olive Sparrows and Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. Remember, the use of tapes is not allowed at Bentsen or many LRGV sites. Always ask before using tapes.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWLS --
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWLS may be seen at the San Miguelito Ranch about 10 miles north of Raymondville. These birds are reportedly very visible near their nest site at the ranch. There is a fee to access this site. Prior arrangements are required - contact Leticia Tijerina, at 956-369-3118. They are also present on the King Ranch and El Canelo (both fee sites).

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 --
Nov 6 update: Red-crowned Parrots seem to be roosting in the area of the Valley Nature Center, and Green Parakeets are staging before going to roost on 10th street between Violet and Zinnia at about 5:30 PM. Both species are seen at Quinta Mazatlan on South 10th street in McAllen, and in Harlingen, Pharr, and Brownsville. Red-crowned Parrots are also seen flying over the Visitors Center at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco.
General Guidelines: Both species can be seen or heard in many valley cities, especially early and late in the day. In McAllen, Green Parakeets stage on 10th Street between Violet and Dove. In Harlingen, try Pendleton Park at the intersection of Grimes and Morgan. Fort Brown in Brownsville has both species, and they have been on Cowan Terrace recently as well north of Rt. 4 near the airport. Frontera Audubon Sanctuary and Valley Nature Center in Weslaco are good places for both species.

Lower Rio Grande Valley - San Ygnacio: WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER -- last update: Nov 6
The bird sanctuary at San Ygnacio is 75% under water due to the fact that Falcon Lake is full and the river flooded. The Chachalaca Trail and the Goat Trail are still useable. The upper part of the Raptor Trail is at the North end of Trevino Street and is the original sighting of the White-collared Seedeater sometime in the 1920's. The regular Raptor Trail is under water. On Nov 5 a seedeater was found at Zapata Park behind the library in San Ygnacio. In general during the months of August, September, October, and part of November WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATERS are very difficult to find. The Raptor Trail is 1/2 mile to the end and 1/2 mile back. The first half of the trail is not very birdy; but the second half is. 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. Alternate sites for White-collared Seedeaters are at Zapata and Laredo.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: BLACK-THROATED MAGPIE-JAY --
last update: Nov 15
As of Nov 15 the continuing BLACK-THROATED MAGPIE-JAY at Estero Llano Grande State Park is being seen almost every day in an area near the headquarters. (Photos). The bird is of captive origin. It is being seen in a closed area of the park; access is by prior arrangement. Contact the park at 956-565-3919 for information.