Now Available!: Email message service for the Texas Rare Bird Alert reports. See the TX RBA Email Service page for more information and to subscribe.

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.

Brushlands: MOUNTAIN PLOVER -- first report: Oct 6
On Oct 6 Brush Freeman reported that MOUNTAIN PLOVERS had returned to Refugio Co. He saw 6 "while driving thru huge featureless (= no landmarks) ag fields. GPS (corrected) 28 21.401'N X 096 53.038'W. These dirt roads (actually section roads) are unsuitable for driving in wet weather. Several Buff-breasted Sandpipers were also seen."

Updated Trans-Pecos: ANHINGA --
first report: Sept 28; last update: Oct 8
On Sept 27 Mark Lockwood found a male ANGINGA at Musquiz Lake, a lake on Hwy 118 about halfway between Fort Davis and Alpine. This is only the second documented Trans-Pecos record. On Oct 8 two Anhingas were found.

New! Central Prairie: SHORT-EARED OWL -- first report: Oct 8
On the evening of Oct 7 Richard Kostecke saw a SHORT-EARED OWL fly in front of his vehicle as he drove on Elijah Road on Fort Hood's West Range (Coryell Co.). He reported that this was unusually early in the season. "The grasslands along Elijah Road have been a traditional site for wintering Short-eared Owls in the past, but the earliest we have detected them previously on Fort Hood has been in December."

New! Houston: MERLIN -- first report: Oct 7
On Oct 7 Jim Hinson reported that two MERLINS have returned to Bear Creek Park in west Houston. Map of Bear Creek Park

Lower Rio Grande Valley: ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD --
first report: Sept 11; last update: Oct 2
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. He was initially banded at the same park on Oct 7, 2007. He's been intermittent at the feeders, but when seen has been at the feeders at the west end of the Headquarters area. The bird has continued to be seen intermittently through Oct 2. Hooded Oriole and Groove-billed Ani also continue to be seen around the Headquarters.

North Texas: GREAT KISKADEE -- first report: Oct 2
On Oct 2 a GREAT KISKADEE was found on the west side of Cedar Creek Lake, Henderson Co.

Edwards Plateau: RINGED KINGFISHER -- first report: Sept 27
On Sept 27 Tom Collins observed a male RINGED KINGFISHER along the Guadalupe River 2.7 miles up from Center Point dam at the river crossing on River Road. He first found it high in one of the tall bald cypress trees along the bank, about 100 yards north from the low water bridge. It flew further up river, then returned and few down back toward the bridge. According to reports it is possible it may have been there a month ago. Center Point is between Comfort and Kerrville in Kerr Co.

Austin: LEAST GREBE --
first report: July 9; last update: Oct 6
On July 5 Vincent O'Brien found a LEAST GREBE with 3 juveniles in Austin on a small pond on the southwest side of the Triangle Apartment complex and shopping center, at 4600 Guadalupe, Austin. The birds have continued at least through August 23 with various numbers counted (generally 10 birds) and multiple broods. On Aug 18 a new nest was found which can be easily viewed from the walkway. On Sept 1, seven birds were counted, including four young. On Sept 14, 8 grebes were present, including a newly hatched chick. On Sept 28, 5 grebes were still on the pond. On Oct 5 four grebes were seen, among them was one of the young that had been found several weeks ago.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: RED-BILLED PIGEON, MUSCOVY DUCK -- last update: Sept 27
Watch for RED-BILLED PIGEONS and MUSCOVY DUCKS early or late in the day at Salineno. Your odds can be improved by walking downstream to look for them near the river island. On Sept 25 no Muscovies were seen in the evening but on Sept 26 a single Muscovy was spotted just after 7:00am as it flew up river, relatively low and soundless. Map. Salineno is #80 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail.

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 -- last update: Oct 3
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. On Oct 2 Josh Rose reported that the McAllen's flock of Green Parakeets was apparently forming for the winter. Usually he sees them only in the evenings, but at dawn on Sept 30 he saw a couple of large flocks in the air above 10th between Nolana Ave and Zinnia, with a few dozen more on the wires on the west side of the road. The racket coming from the trees on the east side was deafening. He guessed that over 200, maybe 300+ were present. Recently Red-crowned Parrots have been in Weslaco near Valley Nature Center, at Texas and 5th, and 11th and Indiana. On Sept 26 it was reported that the Weslaco flock had gotten together for the winter. About 80 were flying around 10th and Oklahoma at 7:30pm. 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.

Updated Lower Rio Grande Valley - San Ygnacio: WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER -- last update: Oct 8
On Oct 8 Joel Ruiz reported that he had been unable to check the status of WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATERS due to the fact that the Rio Grande River is very flooded and part of the Bird Sanctuary including the Raptor Trail are under water. He wrote that during the months of August, September, October, and part of November seedeaters are very elusive special bird is very elusive. 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.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: BLACK-THROATED MAGPIE-JAY --
last update: Oct 5
On Oct 4 Katherine Miller and Tim Bradshaw spotted the continuing BLACK-THROATED MAGPIE-JAY at Estero Llano Grande State Park. It is being seen almost every day but is in an area that is not accessible to the public unless accompanied by one of the park guides. The bird is of captive origin.