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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.

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: Apr 30
Six or seven MASKED DUCKS* were observed at King Ranch (Santa Gertrudis division) in Kleberg County on Jan 8. They have continued through Apr 7. 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. On Apr 30 one duck was seen. 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.

Coastal Bend: CLAY-COLORED ROBIN --
first report: Apr 5; last update: Apr 28
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 Apr 28.

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: LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD -- first report: Apr 27
On the afternoon of Apr 27 Jan and David Dauphin found a male LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, in the front butterfly garden, across from the main parking lot. Photos.

Trans-Pecos: TROPICAL PARULA --
first report: Apr 27; last update: Apr 28
On Apr 27 at around 2:00 pm a singing TROPICAL PARULA was found by Dan Lane and others at Garner State Park. It was seen near Site 79 of the Pecan Grove Camping Area at the south end of the park. Location on Google Map. The bird did not exhibit any characteristics to suggest hybridization. Digital recordings of its song were made. On Apr 28 the bird was relocated. It was an adult male and very vocal. It was in the Pecan Grove, approximately 200-250 yards from campsite #79. If you stand at #79 and look up the road toward the camp store, it was off to the left at about 30 degrees, closer to the store than to #79. There were a number of other migrants and other warblers in the grove, including lots of Nashvilles, a few Orange-crowned Warblers, a Golden-cheeked, Yellow-throated, and several others. No Northern Parulas were seen.

South Padre Island: BOBOLINK -- first report: Apr 26
On Apr 26 in the late afternoon Karen Rubenstein found a male BOBOLINK in the reeds, close to the mudflat behind the Convention Center on South Padre Island.

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

Trans-Pecos: MONTEZUMA QUAIL --
first report: Apr 27; last update: Apr 28
During the week of April 19-26 a pair of MONTEZUMA QUAIL have been visiting the feeding station at Davis Mountains State Park. On Apr 28, they were heard but not seen.

Hill Country: BROWN PELICAN -- first report: Apr 27
Cynthia Grant observed an out-of-season BROWN PELICAN at Lake Travis on Apr 26. It was seen in the water in the afternoon, then around 7:30 pm it was sitting on the mile marker 29 buoy.

Updated Edwards Plateau: CASSIN'S VIREO --
first report: Apr 8; last update: May 1
On Apr 8 a CASSIN'S VIREO was found at Warbler Woods in Guadalupe County. The vireo has continued through May 1.

Updated High Island: Spring Migration  -- last update: May 1
On Apr 26 late in the day a YELLOW-GREEN VIREO was seen close to the parking lot for the Rookery at Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary in High Island. There have been no further reports of the Yellow-green Vireo since the first sighting.  High Island/Bolivar Flats Spring Migration Reports (latest report: May 1).

Galveston: PACIFIC LOON --
first report: Mar 30; last update: Apr 26
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. Photos and Field Notes

Quintana: CURVE-BILLED THRASHER --
first report: Apr 20; last update: Apr 22
On Apr 20 Bill Saulmon and his Houston Audubon Birdathon team found a CURVE-BILLED THRASHER at Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary. It has continued through Apr 22. On Apr 22 it was seen from the street side of the sanctuary, quite low to the ground. Map, prepared by Cin-Ty Lee

Upper Texas Coast: YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD --
first report: Apr 19; last update: Apr 22
On Apr 19 there were a couple of sightings of YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS, which are rare on the Upper Texas Coast. One was seen at Quintana in a mixed flock of about 50 other blackbird species on the new earthen jetty just north of the primary sanctuary and City Hall. Another one was seen in the evening in Galveston along the levee between Corps Woods and Ferry Road. The Quintana blackbird continued on Apr. 20. On Apr 22 one was found in Corps Woods (#61 on the Upper 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 - Roma Bluffs: RED-BILLED PIGEON -- first report: Apr 25
On the morning of Apr 25 RED-BILLED PIGEONS were spotted at the Roma Bluffs Birding Center observation deck.

Lower Rio Grande Valley - San Ygnacio: WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER, MUSCOVY DUCK, RED-BILLED PIGEON -- first report: Apr 11; last update: Apr 22
A male WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER was seen on Apr 11 at about 9 am at San Ygnacio . It was initially observed from the river overlook on the 'upriver' side of the preserve. The bird was easily found and provided great views. Later it was in the center of the preserve just to the left of the white wooden memorial bench. There were also three fly-by RED-BILLED PIGEONS moving upriver that same morning. Also on Apr 11 four MUSCOVY DUCKS were seen flying downstream. San Ygnacio is #87 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail. Parking and pedestrian entry to the sanctuary at south end of Washington St.

On Apr 22 a male White-collared Seedeater was seen near the nesting area by the water pump at San Ygnacio. A pair was also seen at the end of the Raptor Trail by the boat ramp.

Lower Rio Grande Valley - Salineno: RED-BILLED PIGEON, MUSCOVY DUCK -- last update: Apr 25
Watch for RED-BILLED PIGEONS in flight or perched high on the islands early or late in the day. Best area is to travel upstream along the dirt road getting closer to the upstream island. They are easy to miss, even with a scope, at the boat ramp. On Apr 7 several pigeons were seen at the Salineno boat ramp and along the trail. They were roosting in the treetops on the first island upstream of the boat ramp. Last report of sightings was on Apr 25.

MUSCOVY DUCKS are seen most late afternoons flying by the river access with totals over 20 birds, the morning flight is 8-9 am. Best area for the ducks is to walk downstream along the USFWS Trail and scan downstream. They often lurk in the area where the river bends towards the US side downstream. On Apr 7 at least 6 Muscovy Ducks were observed along the U.S. bank of the Rio Grande River downstream of the Salineno boat ramp. The birds were roosting low along a small channel between the shore and a long, narrow island. The birds were approximately 0.5 miles downstream of the boat ramp, and were visible from shore by following the USFWS trail and picking a way down to the river. The channel is barely passable for a canoe. Map. Salineno is #80 on the Lower Texas Coast Wildlife Trail.

Lower Rio Grande Valley: FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWLS --
last update: Apr 30
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.