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A Report from birdtours.co.uk

Birding trip in South Texas (11 February to 7 March 2000),

Author

Georges & Mireille Olioso, le Mail, 26230 Grignan (France)

georges.olioso@wanadoo.fr

We stayed the first week (12/19 Feb.) in Galleon Bay Club (South Padre Island), the second (19/26 Feb) in Mustang Island Beach Club and the third (26 Feb/5 March) in Austin Days Inn. Another days in Houston Days Inn Airport.

Weather was fine, generally cloudy or in the morning but very sunny in the evenings with wind. Temperatures ± 22° C to 27° C in the south, ± 18° to 23° in Austin area.

We saw 193 species. Raptors, Wildfowl, Woodpeckers, Wren species are numerous, but the more abundant birds are certainly Great-tailed Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird and Laughing Gull.

Itinerary:

February 10: leaving Paris 12.45 - Houston 20.50 pm
February 11: Houston - Lake Texana - Port Lavaca (stop at the Days Inn)
February 12: Port Lavaca - Brownsville - Sarita - South Padre Island
February 13: South Padre Island (SPI)
February 14: SPI - Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary (Brownsville)
February 15: SPI - Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
February 16: SPI - road 48 between SPI and Brownsville - Brownsville Zoo
February 17: SPI - Port Mansfield
February 18: SPI - Laguna Vista
February 19: SPI - Sarita - Kingsville - Mustang Island (MI)
February 20: MI - Port Aransas - Padre Island National Seashore
February 21: MI - Port Aransas
February 22: MI - Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
February 23: MI - Corpus Christi (Botanical Garden + Hans Suter Wildlife Park)
February 24: MI - Kingsville
February 25: MI -
February 26: MI - Bayside - Refugio - Goliad - Gonzales - Austin
February 27: Austin - Alkoa Lake - Lake Granger
February 28: Austin - McKinney State Park - Long Lake Metro Park
February 29: Austin - Palmetto State Park - Gonzales
March 1: Austin - Buescher State Park - Austin wastewater treatment Plant
March 2: Austin wastewater treatment Plant - Emma Long Metro Park - Georgetown (San Gabriel Park)
March 3: Austin - Pedernales State Park - Johnson City Area
March 4: Austin - Colorado Park in the city
March 5: Austin - Columbus - Attwater National Wildilfe Refuge - Houston
March 6: Houston - W. Goodrich Jones State Forest
March 7: leaving Houston 11.29 am - Paris March 8 : 12.45

Total mileage ± 3800 (25 days)

The best sites

When the places are not in A Birder's Guide to the Texas Coast, I show the road

A-) South Padre Island area:

                1- In South Padre Island, the Laguna Madre is very good with numerous Pelicans and Ducks ; American Oystercatchers is rare but Willet very abundant. There is a small pool near the Sheraton hotel with numerous Redheads but also some Soras. But the better place is the Laguna Madre Nature Trail (free), close the Convention Center at the North end of the town (Sora, Clapper and Virginia Rails, Roseate Spoonbill, Black Skimmer, etc.).

                2- Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary (fee), near Brownsville. South species include Least Grebe, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Green Jay, Altamira Oriole, Great Kiskadee, Tufted Titmouse (black crested), White-tipped Dove and Olive Sparrow. The forest is beautiful.

                3- Road 48 between Port Isabel and Brownsville. Best place is the bridge above the canal (numerous Brown and American Pelicans, Black Skimmers, Roseate Spoonbill, Ringed Kingfisher, Egrets, Harris' Hawk, etc.).

                4- Port Mansfield. This place is not in the Sites Guides. It's north of the laguna. (Bufflehead, Crested Caracara, American Avocet and numerous waders, Forster's Tern, Caspian Tern, Palm Warbler, Bronzed Cowbird, etc.). From South Padre Island, drive north on the road 77 and at Raymondville turn right on the 186.

B-) Mustang Island/Port Aransas area:

                1- Sarita (south of Kingsville). Walk in the small town and watch the ponds south and north (Least Grebe, Neotropic Cormorant, Anhinga, numerous Ducks, White-faced Ibis, Inca Dove, Great Kiskadee, Green Jay.)

                2- Kingsville. There is three good places:

                                2-1- Dick Kleberg Park (free), south of the city on the business road (White-faced Ibis, White Ibis, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Great Kiskadee, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Vermilion Flycatcher, numerous Sparrows.)

                                2-2 Santa Gertrudis Creek Bird Sanctuary (free), east of the city (3 or 4 miles of D. Kleberg P.) (Ducks, Waders, American Bittern.)

                                2-3 L.E. Ramey County Park (free, 2 miles Santa Gertrudis Sanctuary) (Crested Caracara, Barn Owl, Couch's Kingbird, Great Kiskadee, Green Jay.)

                3- Port Aransas Birding Center (free, a very good place with very close views of birds, not on the sites guides). Numerous Ducks (some Cinnamon Teals and numerous Black-bellied Whistling Ducks) and American White Pelican, Tricolared, Great Blue Herons, Great White Egret, Neotropic Cormorant + 1 big Alligator (in the evening). To go to the Birding Center arriving from South, at the traffic lights (not at the two flashing lights) turn left on Cutoff Road to the ferry and left on Ross avenue to the pool and drive ± 0.5 mile. The Center is on the right, park behind the Whales and Birds Wall.

                4- Always arriving from South, 1 mile before the traffic lights, watch on the left for the Port Aransas Wetland Park (free). There are numerous waders here.

                5- Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (fee) is an obligatory place for Whooping Cranes sighting ! There is also Sandhill Cranes, White-winged Dove, Couch's Kingbird, Sprague's Pipit and numerous Sparrows. On the Rail Trail, (near the Headquarter) watch for alligators on the trail ! There is very numerous alligators at the Jones Lake viewing area (we saw 64 !).

                6- Hans Suter Wildlife Park (free) in Corpus Christi. Very good at high tide with numerous ducks, herons, waders, gulls and terns.

C-) Austin area:

                1- Gonzales, Independence Park (free). A recreation area with Eastern Bluebird, Red-bellied, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers and numerous Sparrows. The park is on the road 183, left, at the city entrance. It's well indicated.

                2- McKinney Falls State Park (fee), south of Austin. Beautiful landscapes and trails, numerous wood birds. Drive south on the 183 and watch for the signs on the right after the airport.

                3- Ottine, Palmetto State Park (fee, ± 55 miles south of Austin on the road 183). Very beautiful landscapes and trails. Forest birds with numerous Tufted Titmouse and Carolina Chickadees, numerous Carolina Wrens, Eastern Bluebird, numerous Sparrows, Black-and-White Warbler.

                4- Austin wastewater treatment plant. (free). A very good place for ducks (Cinnamon Teal), geese (Snow, Ross', Canada and White-fronted) and waders, but also Eastern Bluebird, numerous Sparrows. Drive south on the 183, turn left on the 71 east (to the airport), pass the airport and turn left on the 973. Pass the Colorado bridge, the entrance is on the left, ± 300 m after.

                5- Pedernales Falls State Park. (fee) I think the better place of the area. From Austin, drive west on the road 290. Just after Henly, turn right and follow the signs. Very beautiful landscapes. After entering, follow the signs to Perdernales Falls and stop at the second road on the left. Walk to the viewing place (100 m). Very good with Western Scrub-Jays, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher and numerous Sparrows. The other trails are also good.

Explore also the small roads north and west, between Johnson City and Cypress Mill (Wild Turkey, Cactus Wren.)

                6- Austin Town Lake along the Colorado River. Good for ducks, swallows and Dove. Monk Parakeet bred on the light towers around the base-ball field near the S. Lamar Blvd, south of the river.

D-) Houston area:

                1- W. Godrich Jones State Forest. One of the rare place where the rare Red-cockaded Woodpecker is easy to see.

Species list follows Birds of North America (National Geographic)

Abbreviations: B.S. = Birds Sanctuary ; I. = Island ; Nat. = National ; N.W.R. = National Wildlife Refuge ; P. = Park ; S. = Sanctuary ; S.P. = State Park ; W.P. = Wildlife Park

  1. Common Loon Gavia immer. 1 Laguna Madre, South Padre Island 15 Feb. and one Port Aransas harbor 25 Feb.
  2. Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis. Common at coast (34 on 2 miles at Mustang Island, 25 Feb. Inland: 1 Sarita 19 Feb., 2 Austin wastewater treatment plant 2 March.
  3. Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps. Common, seen on all the rivers, lakes and ponds: 14 Austin Emma Long Metro Park, 2 March.
  4. Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus. Only in the south. 2 Sarita, 12 Feb., 1 Sheraton hotel, South Padre Island, 13 Feb. and 8 (+) Sabal Palm Grove S. 14 Feb.
  5. American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. Abundant on the coast (> 200 Port Aransas harbor, > 100 between Brownsville and South Padre I. And at H. Suter W.P. in Corpus Christi). Inland: 2 Sarita, 19 Feb., > 50 Lake Granger, 27 Feb., 2 Lake Bastrop, 1 March and 1 Attwater N.W.R., 5 March.
  6. Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis.  Only on the coast where is common (> 100 Port Aransas harbor).
  7. Anhinga Anhinga anhinga. Rare. 1 Lake Texana 11 Feb., 1 Sarita 12 Feb. and 1 Sabal Palm S. 14 Feb.
  8. Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus. Uncommon but widespread at the southern coast between Blessing and South Padre I. (14 Port Aransas Birding Center 21 Feb.), rarer inland: 6 Sarita 12 Feb. and 1 Kingsville 24 Feb.
  9. Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus. Common on the coast (> 350 Port Aransas harbor). Widespread in small number inland.
  10. American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus. 1 Sta Gertrudis Creek B.S. in Kingsville 24 Feb.
  11. Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax. Only on the southern coast: 1 Sheraton hotel South Padre I. 13 Feb., 1 Brownsville zoo 16 Feb., 8 canal between Port Isabel and Brownsville 16 Feb and 3 Corpus Christi Botanical Garden 23 Feb
  12. Yellow-crowned Night Heron Nyctanassa violacea. In Laguna Madre South Padre I., 1 12 Feb. and 3 13 Feb, 11 canal between Port Isabel and Brownsville 16 Feb.
  13. Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor. Only near the coast, widespread in small number. Easy to see.
  14. Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea. Rare. 1 Laguna Atascosa N.W.R. 15 Feb., 1 canal between Port Isabel and Brownsville 16 Feb., 1 Padre Island N. Seashore 20 Feb., 1 Laguna Shores in Corpus Christi 21 Feb. and 1 H. Suter W.P. in Corpus Christi 23 Feb.
  15. Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens. Uncommon. All the data from the south but 1 near Houston Airport 7 March.
  16. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Widespread in small number. Maxima 19 west of Corpus Christi 19 Feb. and D. Kleberg Park in Kingsville 24 Feb.
  17. Snowy Egret Egretta thula. Widespread in small number along the coast and in Kingsville area. Rare inland: 1, bridge on the Colorado river (road 973) near Austin 2 March.
  18. Great Egret Ardea alba. Very common along the coast, rarer inland.
  19. Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias. Common and widespread.
  20. White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi. 19 Feb. 7 Kleberg P. in Kingsville (1 Feb. 24 here) and 5 Sarita. March 5, 2 Attwater NWR and 4, road 3013, between Attwater and Sealy.
  21. White Ibis Eudocimus albus. Widespread in small number near the coast.  Not seen in Austin area.
  22. Roseate Spoonbill Ajaia ajaja. Widespread along the coast. 14 canal between Port Isabel and Brownsville (road 48) Feb. 16. > 50 Corpus Christi H. Suter W.P. Feb. 23.
  23. (Mute Swan Cygnus olor). 3 Town Lake Austin March 4. Not wild birds. This species is not on the official List of the Birds of Texas.
  24. Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons. Uncommon. > 250, Feb 24, along the road 772, south-west of Kingsville. 52, Feb. 27, north of Thrall. 5, March 2, Austin wastewater treatment plant and 8, Mar. 5, Attwater NWR.
  25. Snow Goose Chen caerulescens. Widespread. ± 150 near Texana Lake, Feb. 11. > 250 migrating above Sabal Palm G.S. Feb. 14. ± 200 road 1420, north of Rio Hondo Feb. 17. ± 100 Padre Island Nat. Seashore Feb. 20. > 200, Feb 24, along the road 772, south-west of Kingsville. ± 30 between Bayside & Refugio, Feb 26. At least 1, Austin wastewater treatment plant, Mar 2.
  26. Ross' Goose Chen rossii. Three, Austin wastewater treatment plant, Mar 2.
  27. Canada Goose Branta canadensis. 2, Feb 27, Round Rock and 2 Mar 2 Austin wastewater treatment plant.
  28. Black-bellied Whistling Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis. Only in Port Aransas area. The best place is Port Aransas Birding Center: 121 here Feb 21. Also some birds (wild ?) in Brownsville zoo.
  29. Wood Duck Aix sponsa. 2 pairs near Houston international airport, Mar 7.
  30. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos. Widespread but uncommon.
  31. Mottled Duck Anas fulvigula. Widespread along the coast (Sarita, Kingsville, South Padre I., Padre Island Nat. Seas, Mustang Island, Port Aransas). Numerous Attwater N.W.R., Mar 5.
  32. Gadwall Anas strepera. Widespread and common on large or small lakes and ponds, also in the towns.
  33. Green-winged Teal Anas crecca carolinensis. Widespread and common on large or small lakes and ponds, also in the towns. Very numerous in Corpus Christi H. Suter W. P. and Austin wastewater treatment plant.
  34. American Wigeon Anas americana. Widespread but not common. Maximum ± 50, Austin wastewater treatment plant, Mar 2.
  35. Northern Pintail Anas acuta. Widespread. Numerous, Sarita Feb 19 and Corpus Christi H. Suter W.P. Feb 23.
  36. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata. Abundant everywhere. > 400, Mar 2, Austin wastewater treatment plant.
  37. Blue-winged Teal Anas discors. Widespread but uncommon. Numerous, Mar 5, Attwater N.W.R.
  38. Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera.  Rare. Port Aransas Birding Center (4 males Mar 20/25), the best site with very close views. 1 Austin wastewater treatment plant, Mar 1 & 2. ± 20, Mar 5, Attwater N.W.R.
  39. Canvasback Aythya valisineria. Sarita, Feb 12 and 1 male Lake Bastrop, Mar 1.
  40. Redhead Aythya americana. Abundant in the south (Laguna Madre). Rare near Austin and Houston.
  41. Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris. Rare. 1, Feb 22, Mustang Island. Pair, Feb 24, D. Kleberg P. Kingsville and 1, Mar 1, Austin wastewater treatment plant.
  42. Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis. Widespread and common. > 100, Mar 4, Town Lake in Austin.
  43. Bufflehead Bucephala albeola. Pair, Feb 17, Port Mansfield. Male, Feb 21, Corpus Christi Laguna Shores. 3 (1 male), Feb 21, Mustang Island. 2, Mar 4, Austin Town Lake.
  44. Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator. Common in Laguna Madre. Inland: 1, Feb 19, Sarita.
  45. Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus. 3 (1 male), Mar 7, Days Inn near Houston Airport.
  46. Ruddy Duck Oxuyra jamaicensis. Common and widespread. > 100, Feb 23, Corpus Christi H. Suter W.P.  ± 250, Mar 2, Austin wastewater treatment plant.
  47. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura. Common and widespread, present everywhere.
  48. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus. Widespread but less common than Turkey Vulture.
  49. Osprey Pandion haliaetus. Widespread and locally common along south coast (8 between Brownsville and Boca Chica, Feb 14). Rare inland: 1, Mar 1 & 2, Austin wastewater treatment plant.
  50. White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus. Widespread south of Victoria, more common in southern area.
  51. Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus. Widespread in small number along the coast. 4, Feb 20, Padre Island Nat. Seashore. 3, Feb 24, near Kingsville. 3, Feb 15, Laguna Atascosa N.W.R.
  52. Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus. 1, Feb 25, Port Aransas.
  53. Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii. 1, Feb 19, Sarita. 1, Feb 24, D. Kleberg P. Kingsville. 1, Feb 28, Austin Long Lake Metro Park and 1, Mar 1, Austin wastewater treatment plant.
  54. Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus. Common south of Kingsville.
  55. Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus. 1, Feb 12, near Woodsboro. 1, Feb 14, between Brownsville and Boca Chica. 1, Mar 1, Austin wastewater treatment plant. 1, Mar 1, Garfield (road 71). 1, Mar 5, Columbus (road 71).
  56. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis. Common and widespread, the commoner Hawk.
  57. White-tailed Hawk Buteo albicaudatus. 1, Feb. 11, near Lake Texana. 4, Feb 20, Padre Island Nat. Seashore. 1, Feb 21, Mustang Island. 1, Feb 25, Port Aransas Wetland Park.
  58. Crested Caracara Caracara plancus. Widespread south of Austin and Houston, more common in the south.
  59. American Kestrel Falco sparvierus. Abundant and widespread.
  60. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus. 1, Feb 17, road 106 near Rio Hondo. 1, Feb 18, Laguna Vista. 2, Feb 20, Padre Island Nat. Seashore. 1, Feb 21, Mustang Island State P.
  61. Wilde Turkey Meleagris gallopavo. 23 together (6 males), Mar 3, between Perdernales Falls and Johnson City.
  62. Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus. 15 together, Feb 15, Laguna Atascosa N.W.R.
  63. Clapper rail Rallus longirostris. 1, Feb 14, Laguna Madre Nature Trail in South Padre I.
  64. Virginia Rail Rallus limicola. 1, Feb 16, Laguna Madre Nature Trail in South Padre I.
  65. Sora Porzana carolina. 1, Feb 12, Sarita. 1 (2), Feb 14-16, Laguna Madre Nature Trail in South Padre I. 1, Feb 16, Sheraton hotel South Padre I.
  66. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus. Not very common.
  67. American Coot Fulica americana. Abundant and widespread.
  68. Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis. Widespread. ± 450, Feb 27, north of Thrall.
  69. Whooping Crane Grus americana. Only in Aransas N.W.R., where we saw 9, Feb 22.
  70. Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola. Widespread In small number along the coast.
  71. American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica. 6, Mar 5, Attwater N.W.R. The first migrants.
  72. Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus. 14, Feb 25, Port Aransas Wetland P.
  73. Killdeer Charadrius vociferus. Widespread in small number in fields and campgrounds.
  74. American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus. Rare. 2, Feb 12 & 13, Laguna Madre in South Padre I. 2, Feb 19, Mustang Island.
  75. American avocet Recurvirostra americana. 5, Feb 17, Port Mansfield. ± 20, Feb 23, Corpus Christi H. Suter W.P. 1, Feb 24, Kingsville Sta Gertrudis Creek B.S.
  76. Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus. 8, Feb. 19, Sarita. > 200, Feb 23, Corpus Christi H. Suter W.P. 2, Mar 5, Attwater N.W.R.
  77. Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus. Very abundant along the coast.
  78. Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca. Widespread in small number. Maximum, > 20, Mar 4, Attwater N.W.R.
  79. Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes. More abundant but less widespread than Greater. > 80, Feb 20, Port Aransas W.P.
  80. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia. Widespread but not common. 5, Feb 17, Port Mansfield bay.
  81. Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus. Common along the coast. ± 10, Feb 17, Port Mansfield airport.
  82. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres. Common on the beaches.
  83. Sanderling Calidris alba. Widespread on the beaches, numerous at South padre I.
  84. Dunlin Calidris alpina. 1, Feb 18, South Padre I. 6, Feb 24, Kingsville Sta Gertrudis Creek B.S. 12, Feb 25, Port Aransas W.P.
  85. Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri. 2, Mar 5, Attwater N.W.R.
  86. Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla. Common inland. ± 120, Mar 2, Austin wastewater treatment plant. > 150, Mar 5, Attwater N.W.R.
  87. Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus. Common north of Kingsville. > 200, Feb 26, Bayside. > 250, Mar 5, Attwater N.W.R. We have not seen L. griseus.
  88. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago. Widespread in small number. 17, Mar 2, Austin wastewater treatment plant. > 20, Mar 5, Attwater N.W.R.
  89. Laughing Gull Larus atricilla. Very abundant along the coast. Inland, only in Kingsville.
  90. Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia. 1, Feb 17, Port Mansfield. 1, Feb 23, Corpus Christi H. Suter W.P. Some, Feb 27, Lake Granger.
  91. Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis. Common along the coast, rarer inland where we saw on the Austin and Georgetown area lakes.
  92. Herring Gull Larus argentatus. Widespread in small number along the coast.
  93. Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis. 1, Feb 13, South Padre I. 1, Feb 20, Padre Island N. Seashore.
  94. Royal Tern Sterna maxima. Common along the coast. 74 at roost, Feb 21, Mustang Island S.P.
  95. Caspian Tern Sterna caspia. Widespread in small number along the coast.
  96. Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri. Common to abundant along the coast. Also seen in small number inland (Kingsville, Lake Granger, Austin wastewater treatment plant).
  97. Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica. 1, Feb 13, South Padre I. 1, Feb 15, Laguna Atascosa N.W.R. 1, Feb 17, Port Mansfield airport.
  98. Black Skimmer Rynchops niger. Locally common in the south coast. ± 50, Feb 13, Laguna Madre Nature Trail in South Padre I. > 50, Feb 16, canal between Brownsville and Port Isabel (road 48). 6, Feb 23, Corpus Christi H. Suter W.P.
  99. Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura. Common and widespread. > 100, Feb. 17, in the field along road 106 near Rio Hondo.
  100. White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica. Seen in Aransas N.W.R., Palmetto S.P. and Austin Town Lake P.
  101. Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina. 2, Feb 24, Kingsville D. Kleberg P.
  102. Inca Dove Columbina inca. Widespread in the towns south of Austin.
  103. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi. Numerous, Feb 14, Sabal Palm Grove S. near Brownsville.
  104. Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus. Some nests and 11 birds, Mar 4, Austin base-ball field.
  105. Green Parakeet Aratinga holochlora.  6, Feb. 16, flying over Brownsville.
  106. Barn Owl Tyto alba. 1 (killed by a car), Feb 19, Sarita. 1, Feb 24, Kingsville.
  107. Barred Owl Strix varia. 1, Feb 29, Palmetto State Park.
  108. Buff-bellied Hummingbird Amazilia yucatanensis. 1, Feb 14, Sabal Palm Grove S.
  109. Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon. Widespread inland, rarer along the coast.
  110. Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata. 1, Feb 16, canal between Brownsville and Port Isabel (road 48).
  111. Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons. Widespread south of Kingsville.
  112. Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus. Abundant north of Kingsville.
  113. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius. Male, Mar 3, Days Inn near Houston airport.
  114. Ladder-backed Woodpecker Picoides scalaris. Common in the south, rarer in Austin area. 1, Mar 3, Pedernales Falls S.P.
  115. Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis. We saw 2 pairs of this endangered species, Mar 6, W.G. Jones State Forest north of Houston.
  116. Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens. Common in Austin and Houston areas.
  117. Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus. 1, Feb. 26, Gonzales Independence Park. 1, Feb 29, Palmetto State Park. 1, Mar 3, Pedernales Falls State Park.
  118. Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus. 1, Mar 1, Buescher S.P. 2, Mar 6, W.G. Jones State Forest. 1, Mar 7, Days Inn near Houston airport.
  119. Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe. Common and widespread.
  120. Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus. Female, Feb 19, Kingsville D. Kleberg P. Pair, Feb 24, same place. Male, Mar 3, Pedernales Falls S.P.
  121. Couch's Kingbird Tyrannus couchii. 1, Feb 22, Aransas N.W.R. 1, Feb 24, Kingsville old airport.
  122. Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus. Widespread south of Corpus Christi. Common at Sabal Palm Grove S. Seen at Port Mansfield, Kingsville D. Kleberg P., Kingsville old airport, Kingsville Sta Gertrudis Creek Birds S. and Corpus Christi botanical garden.
  123. Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus. Common and widespread.
  124. White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus. Seen at Sabal Palm Grove S., Corpus Christi botanical garden, Kingsville Sta Gertrudis Creek Birds S., Gonzales Independence Park and Palmetto S.P.
  125. Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata. Common in Austin and Houston areas.
  126. Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica texana. Only seen at Pedernales Falls S.P. where is common.
  127. Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas. Common in the south. Seen at Sarita, Sabal Palm Grove S., Laguna Atascosa N.W.R., Kingsville D. Kleberg P. and L.E. Ramey County P.
  128. American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos. Common and Widespread north of  Victoria.
  129. Chihuahuan Raven Corvus cryptoleucus. Only in Brownsville area. Easily seen on road 48 between Brownsville and Port Isabel.
  130. Common Raven Corvus corax. Very rare. 2, Mar 3, between road 290 and Pedernales Falls S.P..
  131. Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor. 4, Feb 21, Mustang Island. > 20, Feb 22, Lamar Peninsula. 3, Feb 23, Corpus Christi botanical garden. ± 30, Feb 24, Kingsville D. Kleberg P. 2, Mar 2, Austin wastewater Treatment plant.
  132. Purple Martin Progne subis. Pair, Feb 17, Port Mansfield. 1, Feb 21, Port Aransas Birding Center. 1, Feb 24, Kingsville Sta Gertrudis Creek B.S. 6, Mar 1, Buescher S.P.1, Mar 4, Austin Town Lake and 1, Mar 6, W.G. Jones State Forest.
  133. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica. First, Mar 1, Austin wastewater treatment plant (3) and Buescher S.P. (1).
  134. Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor. Common and widespread. Black-crested Titmouse Kingsville and far south. Grey-crested in Austin (but Pedernales Falls S.P.) and Houston area.
  135. Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis. Common north of Victoria.
  136. House Wren Troglodytes aedon. Seen in Port Mansfield, Corpus Christi botanical Garden, Mustang Island, Austin wastewater treatment plant and Town Lake.
  137. Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes. 1, Mar 1, Buescher S.P.
  138. Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus. 2, Mar 3, small road between road 281 and Cypress Mill.
  139. Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris. 1, Feb 14, Laguna Madre nature trail in South Padre Island. 1, Feb 25, Port Aransas Birding Center.
  140. Sedge Wren Cistithorus platensis. 1, Feb 26, Mustang Island.
  141. Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula. Common and widespread.
  142. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea. 1, Feb 19, Kingsville Dick Kleberg P.
  143. Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis. Widespread north of Victoria. Seen at Gonzales Independence P., Alkoa Lake (east of Austin), Austin Long Lake Metro Park (pair building nest), Palmetto S.P., Austin wastewater treatment plant and W.G. Jones State Forest.
  144. Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus. Seen in McKinney S.P., Palmetto S.P., Buescher S.P. and Georgetown Lake.
  145. American Robin Turdus migratorius. Very common north of Corpus Christi.
  146. Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos. Common and widespread. Very tame.
  147. Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum. 1, Mar 7, Days Inn near Houston airport.
  148. Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre. Only seen in D. Kleberg P. in Kingsville.
  149. European Starling Sturnus vulgaris. Common and widespread.
  150. American Pipit Anthus rubescens. 6, Feb 22, Aransas N.W.R. 104, Feb 28, Austin Long Lake Metro Park. 2, Feb 28, McKinney S.P. 1, Mar 5, Attwater N.W.R.
  151. Sprague's Pipit Anthus spragueii. 1, Feb 22, Aransas N.W.R.
  152. Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum. Only seen in Austin and Houston areas where it is common.
  153. Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata. Widespread in small number.
  154. Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla. Male, Feb 12, Nueces River P. near Corpus Christi.
  155. Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata. Common and widespread, locally abundant.
  156. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia. 1, Feb 29, Palmetto S.P. Very rare inland in winter.
  157. Pine Warbler Dendroica pinus. Common in the pine forest of the east (Buescher S.P., W.G. Jones State Forest). 1, Feb 22, Aransas N.W.R.
  158. Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum. 1, Feb 17, Port Mansfield. This species is very rare in south coast.
  159. Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus motacilla. 1, Feb 14, Sabal Palm Grove S. Vagrant in winter.
  160. Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis tricas. Widespread in small number in wet places.
  161. Olive Sparrow Arremonops rufivirgatus. Common, Feb 14, Sabal Palm Grove S. 1, Feb 15, Laguna Atascosa N.W.R.
  162. Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus. 1, Feb 29, Palmetto S.P. and 1, Mar 2, Austin Emma Long Metro Park.
  163. Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculates. 1, Feb 27, Alkoa Lake road. 1, Feb 28, McKinney S.P. and 4, Mar 3, Pedernales Falls S.P.
  164. Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps. 1, Mar 3, small road between road 281 and Cypress Mill.
  165. Field Sparrow Spizella pusilla. Common, Mar 3, Pedernales Falls S.P.
  166. Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina. 12, Feb 24, Kingsville Dick Kleberg P. Also Austin Long Lake Metro P. and wastewater treatment plant, Palmetto S.P. and Attwater N.W.R.
  167. Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca. 1, Mar 3, Pedernales Falls S.P.
  168. Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis. Common and widespread.
  169. Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii. 1, Feb 25, Mustang Island and 1, Mar 3, Pedernales Falls S.P.
  170. Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia. 1, Mar 3, Pedernales Falls S.P.
  171. Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus. 6, Feb 27, Alkoa Lake road.
  172. Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana. Seen at Mustang Island, Palmetto S.P., Austin wastewater treatment plant and Attwater N.W.R.
  173. White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis. Common in Austin area.
  174. White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys. Common in Austin area.
  175. Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis. 13, Feb 28, Austin Long Lake Metro P. Numerous, Mar 3, Pedernales Falls S.P.
  176. Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus. Female, Feb 14, Sabal Palm Grove S.
  177. Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis. Common and widespread.
  178. Pyrrhuloxia Cardinalis sinuatus. Only seen in Laguna Atascosa N.W.R. and Kingsville D. Kleberg P.
  179. Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna. 1, Feb. 14, between Brownsville and Boca Chica, > 10, Feb 20, Padre Island Nat. Seashore, 1, Mar 5, Attwater N.W.R. and 2, Feb 20/25, Mustang Island are certainly this species because eared singing. 1, Feb 15, Laguna Atascosa N.W.R., > 20, Feb 24, Kingsville Dick Kleberg P. and 4, Mar 3, Pedernales S.P. perhaps also.
  180. (Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta). Birds seen near Blessing (12), Nueces River P. near Corpus Christi (> 10), Port Mansfield (8), near Rio Hondo (± 10), Laguna Vista (3), Port Aransas (3), Kingsville L.E. Ramey County Park (> 30) are perhaps this species.
  181. Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus. Abundant everywhere. > 500, Feb 12, Port Lavaca, > 300, Feb 17, Port Mansfield.
  182. Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula. 4, Feb 12, near Port Lavaca.
  183. Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus. One of the more abundant species. Widespread.
  184. Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus. 2, Feb 17, north of Rio Hondo. 1, Feb 19, Kingsville Dick Kleberg P. Some, Mar 4, Austin Town Lake.
  185. Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater. Widespread, seen with Red-winged Blackbirds.
  186. Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus. Rare. Some, Feb 17, north of Rio Hondo and 2, same day, Port Mansfield.
  187. Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis. 2, Feb 14, Sabal Palm Grove S.
  188. Purple Finch Carpodacus purpurea. 2, Feb 26, Gonzales Independence P.
  189. House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus. Numerous, Mar 3, Pedernales Falls S.P.
  190. Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus. 12, Feb 11, Days Inn near Houston airport. 2, Feb 27, Alkoa Lake road.
  191. American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis. Abundant in Austin and Houston areas.
  192. House Sparrow Passer domesticus. Widespread in towns. Very rare out.

 

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