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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.

Coastal Bend: PIRATIC FLYCATCHER* --
first report: May 3; last update: May 7
On May 3 Gene Blacklock identified a PIRATIC FLYCATCHER* at Pollywog Pond near Corpus Christi. It was seen about 300 yards up from the left entrance, on a mulberry tree on the left side of the path. An orange marker was tied to a dead limb at that location. Gene cited the small bill as the definitive field identification mark. The flycatcher has continued at the same location through at least 7:00 pm on May 5. On May 6 -7 there were no positive sighting reports. Please note that mosquitoes can be very abundant at this site, so come prepared. Read viewing tips posted by Martin Reid.
Photos by Dan Roberts. Video Clips by Malcolm Mark Swan
Directions: Pollywog Pond is #77 on the Central Texas Coast Wildlife Trail. If you are coming from the center of Corpus Christi on north IH 37, take the Callicoate Road exit (Exit 13B). Travel down the access road for .7 miles and turn right before you reach Sharpsburg Road. You will be turning onto a caliche road that is unmarked. The road is about one block long, and you should be able to see the park entrance from the access road. There is a yellow gate at the entrance. You will have to park there and walk around the gate. If you are coming from north of Corpus Christi you will take the same exit and travel back across the interstate on an overpass.

New! Edwards Plateau: SHORT-TAILED HAWK* -- first report: May 7
On May 7 Mitch Heindel while leading a tour found a dark morph SHORT-TAILED HAWK* at Lost Maples State Natural Area. They did not see the light morph previously reported, but got good looks at this bird on the way down the Can Creek trail from the ponds.

Edwards Plateau: RUFF* --
first report: Apr 13; last update: Apr 26
In the afternoon on Apr 12 a juvenile RUFF* was seen at Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory. It was in the northwest corner of Pond 1 West. It has continued through Apr 26 at the same location, and usually is seen near a bluish pipe. Sometimes it may be hidden from view but with patience good looks can be obtained from the publicly accessible area of the dike. On Apr 19 at about 8:30 am, the bird was seen from the north dike road on Pond 1 West, just east of the closed portion of the dike. It then flew back to the NW corner of the pond near the bluish pipe where it has been seen all week. Please respect the "Plant Personnel Only" sign and don't cross the fence. Refer to guidelines and map before birding this site. (Photos)

Kleburg County: MASKED DUCKS* --
first report: Jan 8; last update: May 4
Six or seven MASKED DUCKS* were observed at King Ranch (Santa Gertrudis division) in Kleberg County on Jan 8. They have continued through May 4. On Feb 16 four nonbreeding-plumaged ducks were found. On Mar 29 & Mar 30 four ducks were observed. On Apr 9 three ducks were found. May 4 update: 4 ducks are still present. Access to the ranch is by prior arrangement; call 361-592-8055 for information. (Photo by Kirk Zufelt.). Also present at King Ranch are FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWLS. They are on the Norias Division which typically requires a different tour.

Updated Coastal Bend: CLAY-COLORED ROBIN --
first report: Apr 5; last update: May 8
On Apr 5 a CLAY-COLORED ROBIN was spotted in Blucher Park in Corpus Christi (#71 on the Central Texas Coast Wildlife Trail). It has continued through May 8.

Updated Houston: BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER --
first report: May 7; last update: May 8
On May 7 Jim Hinson while leading a bird walk found a male BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. The bird was found a little before 10:00 am along McCarver Trail. He was able to relocate the bird again at 12:30 pm at the intersection of Creekside Trail and McCarver Trail. Jim had excellent looks at it at this location; it was even singing. On May 8 it was seen about 10:30 to 10:50 am on the McCarver Trail just past the northern intersection of Creekside Trail. The warbler was working the vegetation from about 4 to 8 feet with a group of Magnolia Warblers.

Denton County: BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER -- first report: May 5
On May 5 six BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were observed at the cricket fields at Lake Lewisville Park in Lewisville, Denton County.

Hill Country: AUDUBON'S ORIOLE -- first report: Apr 29
There have been recent sightings of AUDUBON'S ORIOLE in the Hill Country: a singing male on Apr 19 at Garner State Park and another singing male on Apr 29 at Big Springs Ranch.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER -- first report: May 4
On May 4 a BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER was observed at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER -- first report: May 3; last update: May 4
On May 2 at the Sheepshead site on South Padre Island a male MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER was seen on the right side of the wood rails, in the low brush, and also crossing the road to root in the brush along the fence. The Sheepshead lots are found at #36 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail - South Padre Island Loop.
Directions: To reach this site, take TX 100 east from I-77 (Watch your speed in the small towns en route!) to Port Isabel. Cross the bridge from Port Isabel to South Padre Island and turn left to continue on 100 North. Watch for the Pizza Hut on the left (bay/west) side at Sheepshead Street (blocked by medians), and take the next left on Pompano St. Proceed one block to the stop sign at Laguna Blvd, turn left onto Laguna Blvd, and Sheepshead is the first street, turn left to the lots.

Edwards Plateau: MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER --
first report: May 3; last update: May 8
On May 3 a MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER was spotted at Warbler Woods in Cibolo, Comal County. On May 8 a MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER was seen in Austin, and there was also one at the Heard Museum in McKinney, Collin County.

Updated Edwards Plateau: CASSIN'S VIREO --
first report: Apr 8; last update: May 7
On Apr 8 a CASSIN'S VIREO was found at Warbler Woods in Cibolo, Comal County. The vireo has continued through May 7.

Bolivar Flats: POMARINE JAEGER --
first report: May 4; last update: May 5
On May 3 David McDonald observed an adult POMARINE JAEGER (light breeding plumage) at Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary. It has continued through May 4, when it was seen around noon sitting on the Bolivar Flats beach just past the vehicular barrier. (Photo)

Galveston: PACIFIC LOON --
first report: Mar 30; last update: May 5
On Mar 30 Cin-Ty Lee and Blake Dyer found two PACIFIC LOONS at Offats Bayou in Galveston. The first one, a first year bird, was seen in the early morning across from the Moody Gardens pyramid. The second one was an adult in winter plumage, spotted later in the morning at the east end of the bayou close to 61st St. The loons continued through Apr 26 and now are almost in full breeding plumage. On May 4 one loon was present Photos and Field Notes

Lower Rio Grande Valley: BLACK PHOEBE -- first report: Apr 30
A belated report was received of a BLACK PHOEBE which was seen at Hugh Ramsey Nature Park on Apr 22. The park is #26 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail

Lower Rio Grande Valley: RED-BILLED PIGEON -- first report: Apr 29
On the morning of Apr 29 a singing RED-BILLED PIGEON was heard at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. It was heard best just south of the blind, and also by the restrooms at the end of Acacia Loop closest to the park exit.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER -- last update: May 5
The Laredo WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATERS have been very reliable lately along the river bank. Seven were seen on May 4. They like the shelter within the carrizo cane. Best area is underneath International Bridge #2 and walking towards International Bridge #1 and the Dos Laredos Park.

Lower Rio Grande Valley - San Ygnacio: WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER, MUSCOVY DUCK -- last update: May 3
The WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER has been seen consistently at the end of the Raptor Trail, mostly in the morning. A male has been foraging to the left of the Boat Ramp; it has also been seen flying off both down and upriver. Best time to observe is in the morning. MUSCOVY DUCKS have been seen as fly-bys both down and upriver. The Raptor Trail is 1/2 mile to the end and 1/2 mile back. The first half of the trail is not very birdie; but the 2nd half is. The entrance is on Uribe Ave. one block to the north and parallel to Washington. At the entrance, go around a pipe gate or follow the small signs from the entrance of the Sanctuary to the gate. 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 - Salineno: RED-BILLED PIGEON, MUSCOVY DUCK -- last update: May 8
Watch for RED-BILLED PIGEONS and MUSCOVY DUCKS early or late in the day. Your odds can be improved by walking downstream to look for them near the river island. A pair of HOOK-BILLED KITES have been reported crossing the river between 9 and 11 am on several days, recently a single on April 25. This is a good place for AUDUBON'S ORIOLE as well. Map. Salineno is #80 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWLS --
last update: May 8
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWLS are nesting 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 the South Padre Island Nature Center at (956) 299-0629.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: RED-CROWNED PARROTS, GREEN PARAKEETS
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. Recently Red-crowned Parrots have been in Weslaco near Valley Nature Center, at Texas and 5th, and 11th and Indiana. 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.