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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: GYRFALCON* --
first report: Sept 24; last update: Sept 25
On Sept 24 at 2:00pm an immature GYRFALCON buzzed the hawk platform at the Hazel Bazemore Hawk Watch in Corpus Christi. It then went down to the pond and unsuccessfully attacked a Black-necked Stilt. Clay Taylor got diagnostic photos of the light flight feathers and dark underwing coverts. (Photos)

Trans-Pecos: SABINE'S GULL -- first report: Sept 19
On the morning of Sept 19 Mark Lockwood found two immature SABINE'S GULLS at Balmorhea Lake (Reeves Co.). He reported that they were present at 8:30am and 10:00am, but he was unable to find them after 10:00 despite a careful search.

New! Trans-Pecos: ANHINGA -- first report: Sept 28
On Sept 27 Mark Lockwood found a male ANGINGA at Musquiz Lake, a lake on Hwy 118 between Fort Davis and Alpine. This is only the second documented Trans-Pecos record.

New! 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.

Corpus Christi: TROPICAL PARULA -- first report: Sept 20
On the morning of Sept 20 Martin Reid and Sheridan Coffey found a hatch year TROPICAL PARULA in Blucher Park in Corpus Christi (#71 on the Central Texas Coast Wildlife Trail). The bird was mainly hanging around by the creek on the south end by the bridge.

Panhandle: GLOSSY IBIS -- first report: Sept 20
On Sept 19 Jerry Oldenettel found at least two GLOSSY IBIS in an ibis flock at the Farwell cattle feed lot in Farwell, Parmer Co. The sewage pond for the feedlot is right along Stateline Road about a mile south of town.

Hill Country: WOOD STORK --
first report: Sept 17; last update Sept 20
On Sept. 17 Alan Jaeger reported a large group (50+) of WOOD STORKS on Shipp Lake in Bastrop Co. On Sept 20 about 200 birds were found at the far end of the remaining water on the north side of Hwy 71. Shipp Lake is along Hwy 71 just east of Smithville.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD --
first report: Sept 11; last update: Sept 25
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 through Sept 25.

Updated 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.

Updated Lower Rio Grande Valley: RED-CROWNED PARROTS, GREEN PARAKEETS -- last update: Sept 27
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. 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.