29/3/85 - 20/4/85 Texas

Texas  29^th March - 20^th April 1985

 

 

29^th March : Flew from Gatwick to Houston and drove out to Brookshire.

 

30^th March : early morning at Attwater Reserve before driving to Port Lavaca before heading on to Indionia.

 

31^st March : Boat trip into the Aransas Bay then on to the Aransas Reserve and then the Connie Hagar Reserve.

 

1^st April : Birded the Rockport area, Welder Wildlife Reserve, Port Bay Club, the Kenny and Colin Lanes, Mustang Island and finally Tule Lake, Corpus Christi.

 

2^nd April : Drove the King’s Ranch HQ Loop before moving south to the Sarita Rest-stop, King’s Ranch and Brownsville.

 

3^rd April : Birded the Los Ebanos and Russell roads, then Coria Street, Port Isabel, Laguna Atacosa, Brownsville Dump and finally the Los Ebanos road.

 

4^th April : Early morning along Coria Street before moving on to the Santa Ana Reserve and the Bentsen Reserve.

 

5^th April : Morning in the Bentsen Reserve before again trying the Santa Ana Reserve.

 

6^th April : Morning in Santa Ana Reserve before trying Bentsen Reserve.

 

7^th April : La Joya, Falcon Dam and the Santa Margarita Ranch.

 

8^th April : Birded the Primitive Campsite, Falcon Dam, Falcon State Park, Salineno before back to Falcon Dam.

 

9^th April : Birded Falcon Dam, the Primitive Campsite and La Joya.

 

10^th April : Falcon Dam State Park, the Primitive Campsite, Neals’ Lodge and Concn Bat Cave.

 

11^th April : Garner Park, Lost Maples Park, Hunt and Kerrville.

 

12^th April : Johnson’s Canyon, Medina, Johnson’s Canyon.

 

13^th April : Wild Basin Reserve near Austin, Attwater Reserve and on to High Island.

 

14^th April : Boy Scout’s Wood, Sun Oil Fields and Anahuac Reserve.

 

15^th April : Anahuac Reserve, Boy Scouts Wood and the Sun Oil Fields.

 

16^th April : Sun Oil Fields, West Galveston Island, Sun Oil Fields and the Boy Scouts Wood.

 

17^th April : Sun Oil Fields, Rollover Pass and on to the Boy Scouts Wood.

 

18^th April : Sun Oil Fields, Boy Scouts Wood, Bolivar Flats, West Galveston Island and Kempner Park.

 

19^th April : Jones State Forest, Bolivar Flats, Boy Scouts Wood.

 

20^th April : Sun Oil Fields, Boy Scouts wood, Smiths wood before returning to Houston for flight to London.

 

 

Common Loon - Gavia immer C

At the Aransas Bay c.25 were seen on the 31^st with observations both from the shore and the Whooping Crane boat.

 

Least Grebe - Tachybaptus dominicus bracypterus C

Only seen along the Rio Grande where 2 were seen along the Willow Lake Trail on the 4^th with 3 seen there the next day, and 10 seen on the Cattail Lake, Santa Ana including a bird on its nest on the 6^th.

 

Pied-billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps podiceps C

Seen on eleven dates with a daily maximum of c.10 seen on each visit to Anahuac Refuge and at the cattail Lake, Santa Ana.

 

Eared Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis californicus C

Seen on three dates at Aransas Bay, Connie Hagar and Laguna Atacosa with a daily maximum of 12 seen on the 1^st.

 

American White Pelican - Pelecanus erythrorhynchos C

Seen on thirteen dates in good numbers with a daily maximum of 350 recorded in the Corpus Christi area on the 2^nd.

 

Brown Pelican - Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis C

Seen out to sea off Connie Hagar with 12 seen there on the 31^st and 6 the following day.

 

Double-crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus C

Seen in good numbers every day but one.

 

Neotropic Cormorant - Phalacrocorax brasilianus mexicanus C

Seen on seven dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 4 recorded in the Galveston area on the 18^th.

 

Anhinga - Anhinga anhinga leucogaster C

Seen on seven dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 25 flushed from the trees along the track heading east at Salineno, Rio Grande.

 

Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias wardi C

Seen on nineteen dates in good numbers.

 

Great Egret - Ardea alba egretta C

Seen on sixteen dates in good numbers.

 

Reddish Egret - Egretta rufescens rufescens C

Seen on six dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 6 on Mustang Island on the 1^st.

 

Tricolored Heron - Egretta tricolor ruficollis C

Seen on thirteen dates in fair numbers.

 

Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea C

Seen on fourteen dates in fair numbers.

 

Snowy Egret - Egretta thula brewsteri C

Seen on fifteen dates in large numbers.

 

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis ibis C

Seen on sixteen dates in large numbers.

 

Green Heron - Butorides virescens C

Seen on fifteen dates in small numbers.

 

Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli C

Seen on nine dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 18^th.

 

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron - Nyctanassa violacea violacea C

A total of 3 were seen in the Boy Scouts Wood at High Island on the 15^th.

 

Least Bittern - Ixobrychus exilis exilis C

A single individual was seen on each visit to Anahuac Refuge on the 14^th and 15^th.

 

American Bittern – Botaurus lentiginosus C

We saw singles in a ditch running parallel to the entrance road to the Attwater Refuge on the 30^th and flying across the road near Anahuac on the 20^th.

 

White Ibis - Eudocimus albus C

Seen on nine dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 20 seen at West Galveston on the 18^th.

 

White-faced Ibis - Plegadis chihi C

Seen on fifteen dates in large numbers.

 

Roseate Spoonbill - Ajaia ajaja C

Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 100 seen on the islands visible from Rollover Pass on the 17^th.

 

Fulvous Whistling-Duck - Dendrocygna bicolor C

We saw 12 along the road between Brownsville and Santa Ana on the 4^th and 20 on Willow Lake, Santa Ana later the same day.

 

Black-bellied Whistling- Duck - Dendrocygna autumnalis C

Seen on ten dates in good numbers with a daily maximum of 40 seen at Attwater on the 30^th.

 

Greater White-fronted Goose - Anser albifrons gambelli C

A single individual of presumably the form gambelli was seen at the Anahuac Refuge on the 15^th.

 

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis C

We saw 20 at Rollover Pass on the 17^th.

 

American Wigeon - Anas americana C

Seen on five dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 25 seen on the Kings Ranch on the 2^nd.

 

Gadwall - Anas strepera strepera C

Seen on seven dates in small numbers.

 

Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca carolinensis C

Seen on eight dates in small numbers.

 

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos C

Seen on two dates.

 

Mottled Duck - Anas fulvigula C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 1^st.

 

American Black Duck - Anas rubripes C

Seen on eleven dates in small numbers.

 

Blue-winged Teal - Anas discors C

Seen on fourteen dates in good numbers.

 

Cinnamon Teal - Anas cyanoptera septentrionalium C

We saw 3 on roadside pools along the R281 between Brownsville and Santa Ana on the 4^th and 1 on Willow Lake, Santa Ana on the 5^th.

 

Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata C

Seen on ten dates in good numbers.

 

Canvasback - Aythya valisineria C

We saw 15 at the Connie Hagar Refuge on the 31^st and 2 there the following day.

 

Redhead - Aythya american C

Seen at Connie Hagar, Small Live Oaks Refuge and the Kings Ranch in small numbers on just two dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 1^st.

 

Ring-necked Duck - Aythya collaris C

We saw 3 on the Willow Lake Trail, Santa Ana on the 4^th and 1 there the following day.

 

Lesser Scaup - Aythya affinis C

Seen on thirteen dates with a daily maximum of 300 seen on the sea off the Aransas Refuge on the 31^st.

 

Common Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula americana C

We saw 6 at Connie Hagar on the 31^st and 1 there the following day.

 

Bufflehead - Bucephala albeola C

We saw 10 at Connie Hagar on the 31^st and 2 there the following day.

 

Red-breasted Merganser - Mergus serrator C

Seen on six dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 8 seen at Connie Hagar on the 31^st.

 

Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis jamaicensis C

Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 400 being seen on the sea off the Aransas Refuge.

 

Black Vulture - Coragyps atratus atratus C

Seen on thirteen dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen on the 31^st.

 

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura C

Seen in large numbers on all but three dates.

 

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus carolinensis C

Seen on nine dates in fair numbers.

 

White-tailed Kite - Elanus leucurus majusculus C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 5 seen at Santa Ana on the 5^th.

 

Mississippi Kite - Ictinia mississippiensis C

A single individual was seen just north of Port Lavaca on the 30^th.

 

Northern (Hen) Harrier - Circus cyaneus hudsonius C

Seen on fifteen dates with a daily maximum of 20 on the 30^th.

 

Sharp-shinned Hawk - Accipiter striatus velox C

Seen on eight dates in small numbers.

 

Cooper’s Hawk - Accipiter cooperii C

Singles seen on the Kings Ranch HQ Loop on the 2^nd and at La Joya on the 7^th.

 

Harris’ Hawk - Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen between Rio Grande City and Falcon Dam on the 9^th.

 

Broad-winged Hawk - Buteo platypterus platypterus C

Seen on thirteen dates in good numbers with a daily maximum of 150 at the Santa Margarita Ranch on the 7^th.

 

Swainson’s Hawk - Buteo swainsoni C

Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 30 seen at the Santa Margarita Ranch on the 7^th.

 

White-tailed Hawk - Buteo albicaudatus hypospodius C

Seen at Attwater, the Rockport area and at the King’s Ranch on just four dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen on the 31^st. Superb.

 

Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis fuertesi C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the Kings Ranch on the 2^nd.

 

Ferruginous Hawk - Buteo regalis C

A single individual was seen at Falcon Dam on the 9^th.

 

Crested Caracara – Polyborus plancus C

Seen on five dates in small numbers being seen in the Rockport area, King’s Ranch and along the Rio Grande west of Falcon Dam. A daily maximum of 6 were seen between Falcon Dam and the Edward’s Plateau on the 10^th.

 

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius sparverius C

Seen on twelve dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 10^th.

 

Merlin - Falco columbarius columbarius C

A single individual was seen sat in fields on the Bolivar Peninsula on the 14^th.

 

Prairie Falcon - Falcon mexicanus C

A single individual was seen on the Kings Ranch HQ Loop on the 2^nd.

 

Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus anatum C

A single individual was seen hunting over roadside pools between Brownsville and Port Isabel on the 3^rd.

 

Plain Chachalaca - Ortalis vetula mccallii C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 50 seen at Bentsen on the 4^th and 5^th where they proved tame around the trailer parks.

 

Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo intermedia C

Singles were seen at the Garner State Park and the Lost Maples Park on the 11^th and 2 were seen in Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th.

 

Greater Prairie-Chicken - Tympanuchus cupido attwateri C

We saw 7 at a dawn gathering at the Attwater Refuge on the 30^th including an individual being pursued by a White-tailed Hawk.

 

Scaled Quail - Callipepla squamata castanogastris C

We saw 6 at the Falcon Dam State Park on the 8^th and 12 there on the 10^th favouring the area around the caravans.

 

Northern Bobwhite - Colinus virginianus C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen at Laguna Atacosa on the 3^rd.

 

Sandhill Crane - Grus canadensis C

We saw 2 in fields bordering the Port Bay Club Road near Rockport on the 1^st and 2 seen around the fourteen mile loop around the King’s Ranch HQ on the 2^nd.

 

Whooping Crane - Grus americana C

We saw 10 from the Whooping Crane boat in Aransas Bay on the 31^st. Superb.

 

Yellow Rail - Coturnicops noveboracensis noveboracensis C

We saw 8 from the ‘Rail Buggy’ at the Anahuac Refuge on the 15^th.

 

Clapper Rail - Rallus longirostris saturatus C

Seen in suitable salt-marsh near the coast at West Galveston and near Rollover Pass on three dates with a daily maximum of just 2 on both the 16^th and 18^th.

 

King Rail - Rallus elegans elegans C

We saw 1 at Attwater on the 13^th, 2 at Anahuac on the 14^th and 2 at West Galveston on the 18^th.

 

Virginia Rail - Rallus limicola limicola C

We saw 2 from the ‘Rail Buggy’ at the Anahuac Refuge on the 15^th.

 

Sora - Porzana carolina C

Seen on seven dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 4 seen from the ‘Rail Buggy’ at Anahuac on the 15^th.

 

American Purple Gallinule - Porphyrula martinica C

A single individual was seen at the Shoveler Lake at Anahuac on the 15^th.

 

Common Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus cachinnans C

Seen in small numbers on 7 dates.

 

American Coot - Fulica americana americana C

Seen on twelve dates in good numbers.

 

American Oystercatcher - Haematopus palliatus palliatus C

We saw 2 in the Rockport area on the 30^th and 10 there the following day.

 

Black-necked Stilt - Himantopus mexicanus mexicanus C

Seen on thirteen dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 30 seen on the 4^th.

 

American Avocet - Recurvirostra americana C

Seen on eight dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 66 seen on the 1^st.

 

American Golden Plover - Pluvialis dominica C

Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen at Port Lavaca on the 30^th.

 

Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola C

Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 30 seen at the Bolivar Flats on the 18^th.

 

Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus C

Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 50 seen at the Bolivar Flats on the 18^th.

 

Wilson’s Plover - Charadrius wilsonia wilsonia C

Seen in small numbers on eight dates with a daily maximum of 13 at Laguna Atacosa on the 3^rd. Always seen at the Sun Oil Fields near Rollover Pass.

 

Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus vociferus C

Seen on eighteen dates with a daily maximum of 50 seen on the 15^th.

 

Piping Plover - Charadrius melodus C

Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 100 seen on the Bolivar Flats on the 18^th.

 

Kentish (Snowy) Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus C

We saw just 6 at Tule Lake, Corpus Christi on the 1^st.

 

Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago delicata C

Seen on twelve dates with a daily maximum of 50 seen on the 30^th.

 

Short-billed Dowitcher - Limnodromus griseus C

Seen on fifteen dates with a daily maximum of 150 seen on the Bolivar Flats on the 18^th.

 

Long-billed Dowitcher - Limnodromus scolopaceus C

We saw 100 along the road between Brownsville and Port Isabel on the 3^rd.

 

Hudsonian Godwit - Limosa haemastica C

We saw 12 at the Bolivar Flats on the 18^th and 1 there the following day.

 

Marbled Godwit - Limosa fedoa fedoa C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 12 seen at Tule Lake on the 1^st.

 

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 5 seen on the Bolivar Flats on the 18^th.

 

Long-billed Curlew - Numenius americanus C

Seen on seven dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 17 seen at Connie Hagar on the 31^st.

 

Upland Sandpiper - Bartramia longicauda C

Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 18 seen in the fields along the R87 on the Bolivar Peninsular on the 15^th.

 

Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca C

Seen on eleven dates with a daily maximum of 60 seen at Anahuac on the 15^th.

 

Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes C

Seen on fifteen dates with a daily maximum of 250 seen at the Bolivar Flats on the 18^th.

 

Solitary Sandpiper - Tringa solitaria C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 1^st.

 

Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularia C

Seen in small numbers on six dates.

 

Willet - Catoptrophorus semipalmatus C

Seen on twelve dates in good numbers with a daily maximum of 100 seen at the Bolivar Flats on the 18^th.

 

Turnstone - Arenaria interpres morinella C

Seen on nine dates with a daily maximum of 25 seen on the 30^th.

 

Red Knot - Calidris canutus C

We saw 25 at the Bolivar Flats on the 15^th and 40 there on the 18^th.

 

Sanderling - Calidris alba C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 300 seen at the Bolivar Flats on the 18^th.

 

Semipalmated Sandpiper - Calidris puisilla C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 200 seen at Laguna Atacosa on the 3^rd.

 

Western Sandpiper - Calidris mauri C

Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 30 seen at Tule Lake on the 1^st.

 

Least Sandpiper - Calidris minutilla C

Seen on four dates with as daily maximum of 125 seen at Tule Lake on the 1^st.

 

Pectoral Sandpiper - Calidris melanotos C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen at Tule Lake on the 1^st.

 

Dunlin - Calidris alpina hudsonia C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 2,000 seen at the Bolivar Flats on the 18^th.

 

Stilt Sandpiper - Calidris himantopus C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 14 seen at Tule Lake on the 1^st.

 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper - Tryngites subruficollis C

We saw 4 just beyond the Golf Course on Stewart Road, Galveston on the 16^th.

 

Wilson’s Phalarope - Phalaropus tricolor C

We saw 4 on roadside pools between Brownsville and Port Isabel on the 3^rd.

 

Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis C

Seen on twelve dates in fair numbers.

 

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus smithsonianus C

Seen on twelve dates.

 

Bonaparte’s Gull - Larus philadelphia C

We saw 3 from the Whooping Crane boat at Aransas on the 31^st.

 

Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla megalopterus C

Seen every day but four.

 

Franklin’s Gull - Larus pipixcan C

We saw 16 superb adults whilst driving across the farmland between Attwater and Port Lavaca on the 30^th.

 

Gull-billed Tern - Sterna nilotica arenea C

Seen on thirteen dates in small numbers.

 

Caspian Tern - Sterna caspia C

Seen on sixteen dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 40 seen on the 31^st.

 

Sandwich Tern - Sterna sandvicensis acuflavidus C

Seen on five dates.

 

Royal Tern - Sterna maxima maxima C

Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 300 seen at the Bolivar Flats on the 18^th.

 

Common Tern - Sterna hirundo hirundo C

Seen on eleven dates.

 

Forster’s Tern - Sterna forsteri C

Seen on ten dates in good numbers.

 

Least Tern - Sterna antillarum C

Seen on twelve dates in good numbers.

 

Black Skimmer - Rynchops niger niger C

Seen on eight dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 65 seen on the 1^st.

 

Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura carolinensis C

Common and widespread being seen every day.

 

White-winged Dove - Zenaida asiatica asiatica C

We saw 8 at Neal’s Lodge on the 10^th, 2 at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th and 1 at Kempner Park on the 18^th.

 

Common Ground-Dove - Columbina passerina passerina C

We saw 1 at Sarita on the 2^nd, 1 at Santa Ana on the 6^th, 1 at La Joya on the 7^th and 1 at Falcon Dam on the 8^th.

 

Inca Dove - Columbina inca C

Seen on ten dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 16 seen in the Rockport area on the 1^st.

 

White-tipped Dove - Leptotila verreauxi angelica C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 35 seen at the Bentsen trailer park on the 5^th.

 

Green Parakeet - Aratinga holochlora holochlora C

We saw 2 in flight at Los Ebanos Street, Brownsville on the 3^rd.

 

Red-crowned Parrot - Amazona viridigenalis C

A single individual was seen at Los Ebanos Street, Brownsville on the 3^rd.

 

Yellow-billed Cuckoo - Coccyzus americanus C

Seen on four dates whilst at the High Island woods with a daily maximum of 4 seen in the Boy Scouts Wood on the 14^th.

 

Greater Roadrunner - Geococcyx californianus C

We saw 2 near Rockport on the 1^st, 4 at Laguna Atacosa on the 3^rd, 1 at La Joya on the 7^th and 1 at the Falcon Dam on the 8^th and 10^th. Superb.

 

Eastern Screech-Owl - Otus asio mccallii C

We saw 1 in our car’s headlight beams whilst driving the loop around Bentsen Park at dusk on the 4^th and another looking out of a hole in the trailer park at Bentsen on both the 4^th and 5^th. On entering the trailer park turn right and the dead tree was located c.50m after the first left hand bend of the road. Superb.

 

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl – Glaucidium brasilianum

We heard 1 calling just east of the Old Primitive Campground below Falcon Dam but unfortunately couldn’t see it in its large nesting tree bordering the Rio Grande River.

 

Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus virginianus C

We found a nest near Falcon Dam containing 2 large juveniles with the adults seen to be active at dusk and viewable from the roadside. We saw 4 on the 8^th and 9^th and 1 on the 10^th.

 

Barred Owl - Strix varia C

A single individual was flushed from the trees next to the river at the Garner State Park on the 11^th.

 

Lesser Nighthawk - Chordeiles acutipennis texensis C

We saw 1 at the Bentsen Loop on the 6^th, 2 at the Santa Margarita Ranch on the 7^th and 2 flying over the Rio Grande alongside Common Nighthawks below the Falcon Dam on the 8^th.

 

Common Nighthawk - Chordeiles minor C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen flying over the Rio Grande below the Falcon Dam on the 8^th. An impressive 5 were seen arriving from over the sea near High Island on the 19^th.

 

Pauraque - Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli C

We saw 4 sat on the road on the Bentsen Loop on the 4^th, 4 seen from the levee at Santa Ana on the 5^th and 3 at the Bentsen Loop on the 6^th with others heard calling at both sites. Superb.

 

Chuck-will’s-widow - Caprimulgus carolinensis C

A single individual was watched calling whilst perched in a dead tree along the Bentsen Loop at dusk.

 

Chimney Swift - Chaetura pelagica C

Seen on twelve dates with a daily maximum of 150 seen on the 9^th.

 

Buff-bellied Hummingbird - Amazilia yucatanensis chalconota C

A pair were found near the style at the Sarita rest-stop on the Kings Ranch with the female seen sat on its nest on the 2^nd, 4 were watched feeding at flowers with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at the junction of Los Ebanos and Russel roads in Brownsville on the 3^rd with 1 seen there on the 4^th, and finally 1 was seen briefly at a feeder at the Bentsen Trailer Park on the 6^th.

 

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris C

Seen on fourteen dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at the Boy Scouts Wood on both the 14^th and 18^th.

 

Black-chinned Hummingbird - Archilochus alexandri C

We saw around 60 attending feeders in a garden in Hunt on the 11^th, 8 in Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th and 1 at Kerrville on the 13^th.

 

Belted Kingfisher - Ceryle alcyon C

Seen on thirteen dates in small numbers.

 

Ringed Kingfisher - Ceryle torquata torquata C

We saw 1 at the oxbow lake in Bentsen State Park on the 6^th and 3 below the Falcon Dam on the 10^th. Superb.

 

Green Kingfisher - Chloroceryle americana hachisukai C

A female was seen at the Santa Margarita Ranch on the 7^th and a male was seen below Falcon Dam on the 10^th.

 

Red-headed Woodpecker - Melanerpes erythrocephalus C

We saw 1 just north of Rockport on the 31^st, 5 at the Welder Wildlife Sanctuary on the 1^st, 2 at West Galveston on the 16^th and 5 at the Jones State Forest on the 19^th. Superb.

 

Golden-fronted Woodpecker - Melanerpes aurifrons aurifrons C

Seen on eleven dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 6^th.

 

Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus C

A single individual was seen in the Brownsville area on the 3^rd. Howell & Webb mention this species occurring in the lower Rio Grande valley.

 

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus varius C

We saw singles at the Boy Scouts Wood on the 16^th, at the Sun Oil Fields on the 17^th and 18^th, and at the Smith Woods on the 20^th. Superb.

 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker - Picoides scalaris cactophilus C

Seen on nine dates in small numbers.

 

Red-cockaded Woodpecker - Picoides borealis C

We saw 2 in the Jones State Forest on the 19^th having asked at the Reserve HQ for directions to the best locations.

 

Pileated Woodpecker - Dryocopus pileatus pileatus C

A single individual was seen in the Jones State Forest on the 19^th.

 

Eastern Wood-Pewee - Contopus virens C

We saw 2 at the Boy Scouts Wood on both the 16^th and 19^th.

 

Least Flycatcher - Empidonax minimus C

In the Boy Scouts Wood we saw 1 on the 16^th, 2 on the 17^th and 1 on the 18^th.

 

Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe C

We saw 5 at Neal’s Lodge on the 10^th, 6 at Lost Maples on the 11^th and 4 in Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th.

 

Black Phoebe - Sayornis nigricans semiatra C

We found 1 feeding beneath a bridge between Johnson’s Canyon and Medina. Superb.

 

Vermilion Flycatcher - Pyrocephalus rubinus mexicanus C

We saw 3 at Neal’s Lodge on the 10^th and a pair along the road between Kerrville and Hunt on the 11^th. Superb.

 

Ash-throated Flycatcher - Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens C

We saw 4 at the Lost Maples Park and 2 near Hunt on the 11^th and 2 at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th.

 

Great Crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus crinitus C

We saw 2 at Santa Ana on the 6^th and 1 in the Boy Scouts Wood on the 16^th.

 

Brown-crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus tyrannulus cooperi C

We saw 1 at Salineno on the 8^th, 2 by the old primitive campground at Falco Dam on the 9^th and 1 just below the dam on the 10^th.

 

Great Kiskadee - Pitangus sulphuratus texanus C

Seen in small numbers in the Rio Grande valley on eight dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen on the 5^th. Superb.

 

Couch’s Kingbird - Tyrannus couchii C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 12 seen in Santa Ana on the 6^th.

 

Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus C

Seen on nine dates with a daily maximum of 25 seen on the Bolivar Peninsula on the 14^th.

 

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Tyrannus forficatus C

Seen daily with a daily maximum of 55 seen on the 5^th. Superb.

 

Shore Lark - Eremophila alpestris C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 8 seen on the 1^st.

 

Purple Martin - Progne subis subis C

Seen on sixteen dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen at High Island on the 16^th.

 

Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 300 seen at High Island on the 18^th.

 

Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis C

Seen on eleven dates with a daily maximum of 100 seen at High Island on the 14^th.

 

Sand Martin - Riparia riparia riparia C

Seen in good numbers on fifteen dates.

 

Cliff Swallow - Petrochelidon pyrrhonota C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen at the Falcon Dam State Park on the 9^th.

 

Cave Swallow - Petrochelidon fulva pelodoma C

We saw 10 during the evening at the Concan Bat Cave on the 10^th along with a few million bats !

 

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica erythrogaster C

Seen nearly every day generally in good numbers.

 

American Buff-bellied Pipit - Anthus rubescens C

We saw 1 near Rockport on the 1^st and 20 at the Golf Course on Stewart Road, Galveston on the 16^th and 18^th.

 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Regulus calendula calendula C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 7 seen on the Kings Ranch on the 2^nd.

 

Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedorum C

We saw 40 along Coria Street, Brownsville on the 3^rd and 10 there the following day.

 

Cactus Wren - Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus couesi C

We saw 3 at La Joya on the 7^th and 2 at the Falcon Dam State Park on the 8^th. Superb.

 

Canyon Wren - Catherpes mexicanus albifrons C

We saw 1 attending a nest located under one of the white huts at Neals Lodge on the 10^th and 4 at Lost Maples Park on the 11^th.

 

Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus C

Seen in small numbers around High Island on seven dates.

 

Bewick’s Wren - Thryomanes bewickii C

We saw 1 near the river at Neals Lodge on the 10^th, 1 near Hunt on the 11^th and 4 at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th.

 

House Wren - Troglodytes aedon C

Seen in small numbers on four dates.

 

Sedge Wren - Cistothorus platensis stellaris C

We saw 3 from the Anahuac Rail Buggy on the 15^th and 2 in a marshy area just as you leave the free ferry at Galveston arriving from the Boliver Peninsular on the 18^th.

 

Grey Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis C

Seen on the seven dates spent at High Island with a daily maximum of 12 seen on the 19^th.

 

Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos polyglottos C

Seen in large numbers every day but one.

 

Brown Thrasher - Toxostoma rufum C

Seen on nine dates mainly at High Island with a daily maximum of 5 seen at the Boy Scouts Wood on the 17^th.

 

Long-billed Thrasher - Toxostoma longirostre sennetti C

Up to 6 were seen at Bentsen Trailer Park on each of our three visits, 4 were seen at Santa Ana on the 6^th, 1 at the Primitive Campground below Falcon Dam on the 8^th and 4 there on the 9^th.

 

Curve-billed Thrasher - Toxostoma curvirostre oberholseri C

Up to 6 were seen on eight dates mainly in the Rio Grande area.

 

Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis C

We saw 4 at Lost Maples on the 11^th and 5 at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th.

 

Veery - Catharus fuscescens C

We saw 1 in the puddle in the Boy Scouts Wood on the 16^th and the same or another in the same puddle on the 20^th.

 

Grey-cheeked Thrush - Catharus minimus C

We saw a single individual in the puddle in the Boy Scouts Wood on the 19^th.

 

Swainson’s Thrush - Catharus ustulatus C

Seen on six dates at High Island with a daily maximum of 8 seen on the 14^th.

 

Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus C

We saw 1 in the puddle in the Boy Scouts Wood on the 16^th and the same or another in the same puddle on the 19^th.

 

Wood Thrush - Hylocichla mustelina C

Seen on all of the seven days spent at the High Island Woods with a daily maximum of 6 seen on four dates.

 

American Robin - Turdus migratorius C

We saw 1 in Kempner Park, Galveston on the 16^th and 2 there on the 18^th.

 

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea C

Seen on eleven dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen at Santa Ana on the 6^th.

 

Bushtit - Psaltriparus minimus C

We saw 4 at the Garner State Park on the 11^th.

 

Carolina Chickadee - Poecile carolinensis C

We saw 4 at Neal’s Lodge on the 10^th, 1 at Lost Maples Park on the 11^th and 2 at Johnsons Canyon on the 12^th.

 

Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor C

Seen on twelve dates with two clearly different forms seen although predominantly ‘Black-crested’. A daily maximum of 20 were seen at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th.

 

Brown-headed Nuthatch - Sitta pusilla pusilla C

We saw 6 in the Jones State Forest on the 19^th.

 

Brown Creeper - Certhia americana C

We saw a single individual in the Boy Scouts Wood on the 16^th and the 20^th.

 

Loggerhead Shrike - Lanius ludovicianus C

Seen every day but three in large numbers.

 

Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata C

Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 60 seen at Rockport on the 1^st.

 

Green Jay - Cyanocorax yncas luxuosus C

Seen on six dates along the Rio Grande proving east to see at the Bentsen Trailer Park where a daily maximum of 20 were seen on the 4^th.

 

Brown Jay - Cyanocorax morio palliatus C

We saw 4 along the track leading along the Rio Grande eastwards from Salineno on the 8^th, 4 at the primitive campground below Falcon Dam on the 9^th and 1 there the following day.

 

Western Scrub-Jay - Aphelocoma californica C

We saw 3 at Lost Maples on the 11^th, 4 at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th and 2 near Austin on the 13^th.

 

Tamaulipas (Mexican) Crow - Corvus imparatus C

We watched 2 feeding alongside the Grackles at the Brownsville City Dump on the 3^rd. Apparently this species prefers associating with the Grackles rather than the Ravens at this site.

 

Chihuahuan Raven - Corvus cryptoleucus C

Seen on five dates along the Rio Grande with a daily maximum of 20 seen at the Brownsville Dump on the 3^rd.

 

Raven - Corvus corax sinuatus C

We saw 4 at Lost Maples on the 11^th and 2 at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th.

 

Starling - Sturnus vulgaris C

Seen virtually daily.

 

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus C

Seen daily.

 

White-eyed Vireo – Vireo griseus C

Seen on eight dates mainly at High Island where up to 4 were seen on each day.

 

Yellow-throated Vireo – Vireo flavifrons C

We saw 1 along the Los Ebanos road, Brownsville on the 3^rd, 1 at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th and 8 at the Boy Scouts Wood on the 14^th.

 

Blue-headed Vireo – Vireo solitarius C

We saw 2 at the Welder Wildlife Refuge on the 1^st.

 

Warbling Vireo – Vireo gilvus C

We saw 2 at the Boy Scouts Wood on the 14^th, 1 there on the 16^th and another 2 there on the 17^th.

 

Philadelphia Vireo – Vireo philadelphicus C

We saw 1 in the Boy Scouts Wood puddle on the 17^th.

 

Red-eyed Vireo – Vireo olivaceus olivaceus C

Seen on four dates at the Boy Scouts Wood with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 14^th.

 

Purple Finch – Carpodacus purpureus purpureus C

We saw 2 at Medina on the 12^th.

 

House Finch – Carpodacus mexicanus C

Seen in the Edward’s Plateau area on three dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 12^th.

 

Lesser Goldfinch – Carduelis psaltria psaltria C

We saw 2 on the King’s Ranch on the 2^nd, 2 at Neal’s Lodge on the 10^th and 1 at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th.

 

Blue-winged Warbler – Vermivora pinus C

Seen in the Boy Scouts Wood on five dates with a daily maximum of 5 seen on the 16^th.

 

Golden-winged Warbler – Vermivora chrysoptera C

A male attended the Boy Scouts Wood puddle on the 16^th along with sixteen other species of Warbler seen there in four hours during the afternoon along with Vireos, Thrushes and Tanagers etc.

 

Tennessee Warbler – Vermivora peregrina C

Seen at High Island on seven dates with a daily maximum of 12 seen on both the 16^th and 17^th.

 

Orange-crowned Warbler – Vermivora celata C

We saw 4 along the path heading east along the Rio Grande at Salineno on both the 8^th and 9^th, 2 near the river at Neal’s Lodge on the 10^th, 6 at Lost Maples Park on the 11^th and 2 at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th.

 

Nashville Warbler – Vermivora ruficapilla C

We saw 4 at Santa Ana on the 6^th, 1 at Neal’s Lodge on the 10^th, 2 at Lost Maples Park on the 11^th and 2 in the Boy Scouts Wood puddle on the 16^th.

 

Parula Warbler – Parula americana C

A male was always present at the entrance to the Boy Scout’s Wood being seen on five dates and 2 were seen in a small wood on the Sun Oil Field on the 17^th.

 

Yellow Warbler – Dendroica petechia C

A male was seen in Kempner Park, Galveston on the 18^th and a female was seen in the Boy Scout’s Wood on the 19^th.

 

Cape May Warbler – Dendroica tigrina C

A female was seen in bushes on the Sun Oil Field on the 16^th and a fine male was seen in the Boy Scout’s Wood on the 20^th.

 

Yellow-rumped Warbler – Dendroica coronata coronata / auduboni C

Myrtle Warblers were seen at the Welder Wildlife Refuge and around High Island on five dates with a daily maximum of up to 6 being seen and 6 Audubon’s Warblers were seen along the Rio Grande Trail at Bentsen on the 5^th.

 

Golden-cheeked Warbler – Dendroica chrysoparia C

We saw 12 in Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th. Although the birds spent the mornings singing from atop trees they would forage low in the trees in the afternoons where they reacted well to pishing allowing excellent views to be obtained.

 

Black-throated Green Warbler – Dendroica virens C

We saw 2 in low bushes at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th and 1 in the Boy Scout’s Wood on the 16^th.

 

Blackburnian Warbler – Dendroica fusca C

We saw 2 brilliant males at the Boy Scout’s Wood on the 14^th.

 

Yellow-throated Warbler – Dendroica dominica C

We saw 1 around the Welder Wildlife Refuge HQ on the 1^st presumably wintering with the Yellow-rumped Warblers with which it was associating in the Live Oaks there.

 

Pine Warbler – Dendroica pinus pinus C

We saw 1 and heard others at the Jone’s state Forest on the 19^th.

 

Palm Warbler – Dendroica palmarum C

A single individual was seen keeping to the edges of the low bushes and on the ground at the Sun Oil Field on both the 14^th and 15^th.

 

Blackpoll Warbler – Dendroica striata C

We saw 2 superb males in the small wood on the Sun Oil Fields on the 17^th and 18^th, 1 at the Boy Scout’s Wood on the 18^th and 3 in the Smith’s Woods on the 20^th.

 

Cerulean Warbler – Dendroica caerulea C

We saw a stunning male in the small wood on the Sun Oil Field on the 17^th.

 

Black-and-white Warbler – Mniotilta varia C

Seen in small numbers in the High Island areas on seven dates with a daily maximum of 3 seen on the 14^th.

 

American Redstart – Setophaga ruticilla C

Seen in small numbers at High Island on five dates with a daily maximum of 2 seen on the 14^th and 19^th.

 

Prothonotary Warbler – Protonotaria citrea C

Seen in the High Island areas on five dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen in the Woods there on the 14^th.

 

Worm-eating Warbler – Helmitheros vermivorus C

Seen in the High Island areas on five dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen in the Boy Scout’s Wood on the 14^th.

 

Swainson’s Warbler – Limnothlypis swainsonii C

We saw 1 attending the Boy Scout’s Wood puddle on the 14^th with 4 there on the 16^th and 1 there on the 19^th.

 

Ovenbird – Seiurus aurocapillus C

We saw 1 attending the Boy Scout’s Wood puddle on the 14^th, 2 there on the 16^th and 1 there on the 19^th.

 

Northern Waterthrush – Seiurus noveboracensis C

A single individual appeared at the Boy Scout’s Wood puddle on both the 16^th and 17^th.

 

Louisiana Waterthrush – Seiurus motacilla C

Seen in the High Island Woods on six dates with a daily maximum of 3 seen at the Boy Scout’s Wood puddle on the 16^th.

 

Kentucky Warbler – Oporornis formosus C

Seen in the High Island areas on five dates with a daily maximum of 8 seen in the Boy Scout’s Wood on the 16^th.

 

Common Yellowthroat – Geothlypis trichas C

Seen on ten dates mainly in the High Island areas with a daily maximum of 4 seen on the 16^th and 17^th.

 

Hooded Warbler – Wilsonia citrina C

Seen in the High Island areas on six dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen in the Boy Scout’s Wood on the 16^th.

 

Wilson’s Warbler – Wilsonia pusilla C

A single individual was seen at the puddle in the Boy Scout’s Wood on the 16^th.

 

Scarlet Tanager – Piranga olivacea C

Seen daily in the High Island woods with a daily maximum of 8 seen on the 14^th.

 

Summer Tanager – Piranga rubra C

Seen on nine dates being seen daily at High Island with a daily maximum of 10 seen on the 14^th.

 

Olive Sparrow – Arremonops rufivirgatus rufivirgatus C

Seen on five dates along the Rio Grande with a daily maximum of 4 seen along the Rio Grande Trail at Bentsen on the 5^th but also seen at the Trailer Park there.

 

Spotted Towhee – Pipilo maculatus C

We saw 4 near Ingram on the 12^th.

 

Canyon Towhee – Pipilo fuscus texanus C

We saw 1 sat on telegraph wires at Johnsons Canyon on the 12^th.

 

Rufous-crowned Sparrow – Aimophila ruficeps eremoeca C

We saw 2 at Neal’s Lodge on the 10^th and 1 near Austin on the 13^th.

 

Chipping Sparrow – Spizella passerina passerina C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at Neal’s Lodge on the 10^th.

 

Clay-coloured Sparrow – Spizella pallida C

We saw 1 at Santa Ana on the 6^th and 1 at La Joya on the 7^th.

 

Field Sparrow – Spizela pusilla C

We saw 1 at Attwater on the 13^th.

 

Vesper Sparrow – Pooecetes gramineus gramineus C

We saw 8 around the farm buildings at Attwater on the 30^th, 1 at Salineno on the 8^th, 1 at Neal’s Lodge on the 10^th and 2 at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th.

 

Lark Sparrow – Chondestes grammacus grammacus C

Seen on nine dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen at La Joya on the 7^th.

 

Savannah Sparrow – Passerculus sandwichensis C

Seen on fourteen dates with a daily maximum of 200 seen at Attwater on the 30^th.

 

Seaside Sparrow – Ammodramus maritimus C

We saw 60 from the Rail Buggy at Anahuac on the 15^th.

 

Le Conte’s Sparrow – Amodramus leconteii C

We saw 4 in the grass on the left of the road at Galveston after leaving the ferry from Bolivar on the 18^th.

 

Grasshopper Sparrow – Amodramus savannarum C

We saw 1 at Connie Hagar on the 1^st, 3 at Laguna Atracosa on the 3^rd, 2 at La Joya on the 7^th and 1 at Johnson’s Canyon on the 12^th.

 

Song Sparrow – Melospiza melodia C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 5 seen on the 1^st.

 

Lincoln’s Sparrow – Melospiza lincolnii C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 12 seen at the Rio Grande trail on the Bentsen Reserve on the 5^th.

 

Swamp Sparrow – Melospiza georgiana C

We saw 4 at Attwater on the 30^th and 6 there on the 13^th.

 

White-crowned Sparrow – Zonotrichia leucophrys C

We saw a single individual at Attwater on the 30^th.

 

White-throated Sparrow – Zonotrichia albicollis C

We saw 1 at the Wild Basin Reserve near Austin on the 13^th.

 

Northern Cardinal – Cardinalis cardinalis magnirostris C

Seen on every day but three.

 

Pyrrhuloxia – Cardinalis sinuatus sinuatus C

We saw 1 on the King’s Ranch HQ loop on the 2^nd, 10 at La Joya on the 7^th, 12 at the Falcon Dam State Park on the 8^th and 5 there on the 10^th.

 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak – Pheucticus ludovicianus C

Seen on four dates in the Boy Scout’s Wood with a daily maximum of 11 seen there on the 19^th including some superb males.

 

Blue Grosbeak – Guiraca caerulea caerulea C

Seen in the High Island area on seven dates especially at the Sun Oil fields where a daily maximum of 8 were seen on the 16^th.

 

Indigo Bunting – Passerina cyanea C

Seen on ten dates mainly at the Boy Scout’s Wood but also along the Rio Grande with a daily maximum of 15 being seen at High Island on three dates.

 

Painted Bunting – Passerina ciris ciris C

We saw an adult male at the Boy Scout’s Wood on the 15^th, 16^th, 19^th and 20^th.

 

Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus C

Seen daily.

 

Eastern Meadowlark – Sturnella magna C

Seen most days.

 

Western Meadowlark – Sturnella neglecta neglecta C

We saw 6 at Laguna Atacosa on the 3^rd.

 

Boat-tailed Grackle – Quiscalus major major C

Seen on the coast on most days.

 

Common Grackle – Quiscalus quiscula versicolor C

Seen most days.

 

Great-tailed Grackle – Quiscalus mexicanus prosopidicola C

Seen virtually daily.

 

Bronzed Cowbird – Molothrus aeneus aeneus C

Seen on seven dates mainly along the Rio Grande.

 

Brown-headed Cowbird – Molothrus ater ater C

Seen virtually daily.

 

Altamira Oriole – Icterus gularis tamaulipensis C

We saw 3 at Bentsen Trailer Park on the 4^th, 5 there on the 5^th and 2 on the 6^th and 4 at the primitive campground below Falcon Dam on the 9^th.

 

Hooded Oriole – Icterus cucullatus sennetti C

We saw 2 just below the Falcon Dam on the 8^th, 4 there the next day and 1 at Neal’s Lodge on the 10^th.

 

Baltimore Oriole – Icterus galbula C

Seen at High Island on four dates.

 

Bullock’s Oriole – Icterus bullockii bullockii C

Only seen at La Joya on the 7^th.

 

Orchard Oriole – Icterus spurius spurius C

Seen every day spent in the High Island area especially at the Sun Oil Fields with daily maximums of 15 seen on the 14^th and 17^th.

 

Scott’s Oriole – Icterus parisorum C

We saw 4 along the road between Johnson’s Canyon and Medina in a meadow with palm trees where the birds appeared to be breeding.