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Updated on Tuesday, May 19 at 09:20 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


Eastern Screech Owl,©David Sibley

19 May Quinta Mazatlan, Anzalduas, & River Roads [Mary Beth Stowe ]
18 May Masked Ducks @ Laguna Atascosa [Mary Beth Stowe ]
18 May Masked Ducks Take Two [Mary Beth Stowe ]
12 May Bentsen SP [Mary Beth Stowe ]
12 May Masked Ducks & Hudsonian Godwits @ Laguna Atascosa [Mary Beth Stowe ]
12 May Birds Lists from Yesterday [Mary Beth Stowe ]
8 May Quinta & Hidalgo Bird Lists [Mary Beth Stowe ]
8 May Quinta Mazatlan & Hidalgo Pumphouse [Mary Beth Stowe ]
3 May GTBC Highlights (for our RGV team...) [Mary Beth Stowe ]
30 Apr Day 9 - Aransas NWR [Mary Beth Stowe ]
28 Apr Galveston Island [Mary Beth Stowe ]
28 Apr Bird List from Attwater & Galveston Take Two [Mary Beth Stowe ]
26 Apr Poss Glossy Ibis & Brown-crested Flycatcher @ Attwater PC NWR [Mary Beth Stowe ]
25 Apr Palmetto SP & Attwater PC NWR [Mary Beth Stowe ]
24 Apr White-tipped Dove @ Government Canyon SP (Hill Country Part 4) [Mary Beth Stowe ]
24 Apr Mexico: Puerto Vallarta area March 2009 Part 2 [Mike Tanis ]
24 Apr FW: Mexico: Puerto Vallarta area March 2009 Part 1 [Barbara Passmore ]
24 Apr Mexico: Puerto Vallarta area March 2009 Part 1 [Mike Tanis ]
23 Apr Hill Country Part 3 - Lost Maples & Hill Country SPs [Mary Beth Stowe ]
23 Apr Hill Country Part 2: Garner State Park [Mary Beth Stowe ]
23 Apr Hill Country Part 1: McAllen to Uvalde [Mary Beth Stowe ]
18 Apr Hidalgo County Big Day (longish) [Mary Beth Stowe ]
16 Apr South Padre Island--the full story [Mary Beth Stowe ]
14 Apr Quinta Mazatlan & Hidalgo Pumphouse [Mary Beth Stowe ]
12 Apr Bentsen Bird Walk [Mary Beth Stowe ]
3 Apr Estero Llano Grande [Mary Beth Stowe ]
31 Mar Progresso & Hidalgo [Mary Beth Stowe ]
29 Mar Cameron County (longish) [Mary Beth Stowe ]
21 Mar Weslaco Birds [Mary Beth Stowe ]
20 Mar Spotted Towhee @ ESW [Mary Beth Stowe ]
18 Mar Estero Llano Grande [Mary Beth Stowe ]
14 Mar Quinta Mazatlan & Wallace Road [Mary Beth Stowe ]
11 Mar Santa Ana & Estero Llano [Mary Beth Stowe ]
9 Mar Hidalgo County [Mary Beth Stowe ]
8 Mar NE Mexico Trip List, 9-13 March 2008 (last year) [Chuck Sexton ]
7 Mar RFI: Records of Golden-cheeked Warbler in Mexico in Migration [Chuck Sexton ]
6 Mar Flicker along Rio Beef Road, Willacy Co. [Mary Beth Stowe ]
3 Mar Estero Llano Grande SP [Mary Beth Stowe ]
26 Feb NABA Birds [Mary Beth Stowe ]
24 Feb Blue Buntings YES @ Laguna Atascosa [Mary Beth Stowe ]
20 Feb Fox Sparrow Still @ VNC [Mary Beth Stowe ]
19 Feb Frontera Audubon [Mary Beth Stowe ]
18 Feb Falcon SP & Salieno [Mary Beth Stowe ]
14 Feb Quinta Mazatlan Practice [Mary Beth Stowe ]
13 Feb Testing the New Camera @ Edinburg Wetlands, TX (longish) [Mary Beth Stowe ]
12 Feb Quinta Mazatlan's Parula [Mary Beth Stowe ]
11 Feb Santa Ana NWR [Mary Beth Stowe ]
10 Feb Valley Nature Center [Mary Beth Stowe ]
7 Feb Zone-tailed Hawk, Pine Siskin, @ Anzalduas [Mary Beth Stowe ]
5 Feb Estero Llano Grande [Mary Beth Stowe ]
4 Feb Monte Cristo & Edinburg Wetlands [Mary Beth Stowe ]
3 Feb Sparrow-Hunting [Mary Beth Stowe ]
29 Jan Estero Llano Grande [Mary Beth Stowe ]
27 Jan Anzalduas & NABA [Mary Beth Stowe ]
25 Jan Boca Chica [Mary Beth Stowe ]
22 Jan TOS Bay City Pics On Line [Mary Beth Stowe ]
22 Jan McAllen Area [Mary Beth Stowe ]
21 Jan La sal Del Rey [Mary Beth Stowe ]
20 Jan Santa Ana NWR [Mary Beth Stowe ]
18 Jan Choke Canyon - No Pine Flycatcher [Mary Beth Stowe ]
17 Jan Quintana & Bryan Beach [Mary Beth Stowe ]
16 Jan Matagorda Rarity Hunt [Mary Beth Stowe ]
15 Jan Hidalgo Co Big Day (long), Monday, 12 JAN 09 [Mary Beth Stowe ]
15 Jan San Bernard NWR [Mary Beth Stowe ]
14 Jan Lake Texana State Park [Mary Beth Stowe ]
9 Jan Monte Cristo & Edinburg Wetlands [Mary Beth Stowe ]
8 Jan Hook-billed Kite @ Bentsen [Mary Beth Stowe ]
6 Jan Crimson-collared Grosbeak & Blue Bunting (FINALLY!!) [Mary Beth Stowe ]
3 Jan Bentsen CBC [Mary Beth Stowe ]
31 Dec Falcon SP & Salieno [Mary Beth Stowe ]
30 Dec Anzalduas & NABA [Mary Beth Stowe ]
29 Dec La sal Del Rey [Mary Beth Stowe ]
27 Dec Weslaco CBC [Mary Beth Stowe ]
25 Dec Laguna Atascosa [Mary Beth Stowe ]
25 Dec Bentsen SP [Mary Beth Stowe ]
22 Dec Sacahuistale & Masked Duck [Mary Beth Stowe ]

Subject: Quinta Mazatlan, Anzalduas, & River Roads
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 19:20:51 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Took Pamela and Cindy around for one last day in the Valley; they met me at 
 Quinta Mazatlan and missed the Red-crowned Parrots by three minutes! :-(   
The parakeets put on a great show, however, especially a pair investigating 
a  hole near the Screech Owl tree (with which the girls were delighted--the 
Screech  Owl, that is...).  A few migrants were still around: we managed to 
find a  female Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wilson's and Magnolia Warblers, a 
Swainson's  Thrush, and the girls each found a Mourning Warbler, both of which 
I missed!  :-P  The Chachalacas showed off as promised.
 
We decided to stop at Anzalduas to try for the Beardless Tyrannulet, and we 
 finally found one as we were heading out of the park!  A Clay-colored 
Robin also posed and then started bouncing along the lawn like an American! We 

 glimpsed the Gray Hawk being harassed by one of the kingbirds in the back  
section.
 
We then blasted over to Salieno where we picked up both kingfishers and a  
Bullock's Oriole, but no Audubon's.  A screaming Red-shouldered Hawk was a  
highlight for the girls, but the only other raptor we picked up along the 
river  (besides TVs) was a Swainson's Hawk.  We spent a little time at Larry's 
new  "hawk tower" at Chapeno, where the only duck was a Mottled and the 
only oriole  was a Hooded.  We also had a young Orchard Oriole.
 
What meager pics I got are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Full bird list below:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 
5-19-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 5-19-09 to  5-19-09

Black-bellied  Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
Mottled  Duck                           Anas fulvigula
Plain  Chachalaca                       Ortalis vetula
Neotropic  Cormorant                    Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Harris's  Hawk                          Parabuteo unicinctus
Red-shouldered  Hawk                    Buteo lineatus
Swainson's  Hawk                        Buteo swainsoni
Crested  Caracara                       Caracara cheriway
Common  Moorhen                         Gallinula chloropus
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Eurasian  Collared-Dove                 Streptopelia decaocto
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
White-winged  Dove                      Zenaida asiatica
Common  Ground-Dove                     Columbina passerina
Inca  Dove                              Columbina inca
White-tipped  Dove                      Leptotila verreauxi
Green  Parakeet                         Aratinga holochlora
Red-crowned  Parrot                     Amazona viridigenalis
Yellow-billed  Cuckoo                   Coccyzus americanus
Groove-billed  Ani                      Crotophaga sulcirostris
Eastern  Screech-Owl                    Megascops asio
Chimney  Swift                          Chaetura pelagica
Buff-bellied  Hummingbird               Amazilia yucatanensis
Ringed  Kingfisher                      Megaceryle torquata
Green  Kingfisher                       Chloroceryle americana
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker              Melanerpes aurifrons
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker               Picoides scalaris
Northern  Beardless-Tyrannulet         Camptostoma  imberbe
Eastern  Wood-Pewee                     Contopus virens
Great  Kiskadee                         Pitangus sulphuratus
Western  Kingbird                       Tyrannus verticalis
Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher              Tyrannus forficatus
Brown-crested  Flycatcher               Myiarchus tyrannulus
Northern Rough-winged  Swallow         Stelgidopteryx  serripennis
Purple  Martin                          Progne subis
Bank  Swallow                           Riparia riparia
Barn  Swallow                           Hirundo rustica
Cliff  Swallow                          Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Cactus  Wren                            Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Carolina  Wren                          Thryothorus ludovicianus
Bewick's  Wren                          Thryomanes bewickii
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Long-billed  Thrasher                   Toxostoma longirostre
Curve-billed  Thrasher                  Toxostoma curvirostre
Swainson's  Thrush                      Catharus ustulatus
Clay-colored  Thrush                    Turdus grayi
Black-crested  Titmouse                 Baeolophus atricristatus
Verdin                                 Auriparus flaviceps
Green  Jay                              Cyanocorax yncas
European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Lesser  Goldfinch                       Carduelis psaltria
Magnolia  Warbler                       Dendroica magnolia
Wilson's  Warbler                       Wilsonia pusilla
Olive  Sparrow                          Arremonops rufivirgatus
Rose-breasted  Grosbeak                 Pheucticus ludovicianus
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern  Meadowlark                     Sturnella magna
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus
Bronzed  Cowbird                        Molothrus aeneus
Brown-headed  Cowbird                   Molothrus ater
Hooded  Oriole                          Icterus cucullatus
Bullock's  Oriole                       Icterus bullockii
Orchard  Oriole                         Icterus spurius

70 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy 
Steps! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221823248x1201398651/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=May 

Excfooter51609NO62)
Subject: Masked Ducks @ Laguna Atascosa
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 20:58:34 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Yes, they're still there, in the center of Alligator Pond and generally  
being pretty cooperative!  I took Pamela and Cindy, two sisters visiting  the 
area, out there and we also had a handful of migrants, including  
Chestnut-sided and Magnolia Warblers (I didn't see the latter), Red-eyed Vireo, 
and 

Eastern Kingbird and Wood Pewee.  Another treat at Alligator Pond was a  
flyover Mississippi Kite!
 
We started the day along the south end of Old Port Isabel Road where both  
Cassin's and Botteri's Sparrows showed up, and working our way to the big 
pond  on the left we had a good selection of waders and shorebirds, including  
breeding-plumaged Stilt Sandpipers and Wilson's Phalaropes.  A flock of  
White-rumped Sandpipers flew about and gave us identifiable looks!  Heading  
back out we found a distant Aplomado Falcon, so the girls were happy!  Back  
at Laguna Atascosa, we skipped the Bayside Drive, but on the way out (along  
General Brandt Road) we stopped at a wetland that had a lingering pair of 
Lesser  Scaups and Redhead!
 
Complete bird list below:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 
5-18-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 5-18-09 to  5-18-09

Fulvous  Whistling-Duck                 Dendrocygna bicolor
Black-bellied  Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
Mottled  Duck                           Anas fulvigula
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Northern  Shoveler                      Anas clypeata
Redhead                                Aythya americana
Lesser  Scaup                           Aythya affinis
Masked  Duck                            Nomonyx dominica
Northern  Bobwhite                      Colinus virginianus
Least  Grebe                            Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed  Grebe                      Podilymbus podiceps
Neotropic  Cormorant                    Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Great Blue  Heron                       Ardea herodias
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Tricolored  Heron                       Egretta tricolor
Little Blue  Heron                      Egretta caerulea
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
Cattle  Egret                           Bubulcus ibis
White  Ibis                             Eudocimus albus
White-faced  Ibis                       Plegadis chihi
Roseate  Spoonbill                      Platalea ajaja
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
White-tailed  Kite                      Elanus leucurus
Mississippi  Kite                       Ictinia mississippiensis
  Harris' Hawk
Swainson's  Hawk                        Buteo swainsoni
White-tailed  Hawk                      Buteo albicaudatus
Aplomado  Falcon                        Falco femoralis
Common  Moorhen                         Gallinula chloropus
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Black-necked  Stilt                     Himantopus mexicanus
American  Avocet                        Recurvirostra americana
Wilson's  Plover                        Charadrius wilsonia
Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
Long-billed  Curlew                     Numenius americanus
Spotted  Sandpiper                      Actitis macularius
Greater  Yellowlegs                     Tringa melanoleuca
Willet                                 Tringa semipalmata
Lesser  Yellowlegs                      Tringa flavipes
Least  Sandpiper                        Calidris minutilla
White-rumped  Sandpiper                 Calidris fuscicollis
Dunlin                                 Calidris alpina
Stilt  Sandpiper                        Calidris himantopus
Wilson's  Phalarope                     Phalaropus tricolor
Gull-billed  Tern                       Gelochelidon nilotica
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
White-winged  Dove                      Zenaida asiatica
Common  Ground-Dove                     Columbina passerina
White-tipped  Dove                      Leptotila verreauxi
Yellow-billed  Cuckoo                   Coccyzus americanus
Groove-billed  Ani                      Crotophaga sulcirostris
Greater  Roadrunner                     Geococcyx californianus
Common  Nighthawk                       Chordeiles minor
Chimney  Swift                          Chaetura pelagica
Buff-bellied  Hummingbird               Amazilia yucatanensis
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker              Melanerpes aurifrons
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker               Picoides scalaris
Eastern  Wood-Pewee                     Contopus virens
Great  Kiskadee                         Pitangus sulphuratus
Couch's  Kingbird                       Tyrannus couchii
Western  Kingbird                       Tyrannus verticalis
Eastern  Kingbird                       Tyrannus tyrannus
Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher              Tyrannus forficatus
Brown-crested  Flycatcher               Myiarchus tyrannulus
Horned  Lark                            Eremophila alpestris
Bank  Swallow                           Riparia riparia
Barn  Swallow                           Hirundo rustica
Cliff  Swallow                          Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Cave  Swallow                           Petrochelidon fulva
Cactus  Wren                            Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Long-billed  Thrasher                   Toxostoma longirostre
Verdin                                 Auriparus flaviceps
Green  Jay                              Cyanocorax yncas
  Chihuahuan Raven
European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Red-eyed  Vireo                         Vireo olivaceus
Chestnut-sided  Warbler                 Dendroica pensylvanica
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Yellow-breasted  Chat                   Icteria virens
Olive  Sparrow                          Arremonops rufivirgatus
Botteri's  Sparrow                      Aimophila botterii
Cassin's  Sparrow                       Aimophila cassinii
Northern  Cardinal                      Cardinalis cardinalis
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern  Meadowlark                     Sturnella magna
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus
Bronzed  Cowbird                        Molothrus aeneus
Brown-headed  Cowbird                   Molothrus ater

92 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See Yours in Just 2 Easy 
Steps! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221322941x1201367178/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=115&bcd 

=Mayfooter51809NO115)
Subject: Masked Ducks Take Two
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 20:59:41 EDT
I forgot the link to the pics:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_mon_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_mon) 
 
Enjoy!  MB  

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See Yours in Just 2 Easy 
Steps! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221322941x1201367178/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=115&bcd 

=Mayfooter51809NO115)
Subject: Bentsen SP
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 18:54:43 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Made a quick scouting trip to Bentsen this morning; highlights included a  
couple of low-flying Lesser Nighthawks, the singing Gray Hawk, a pair of 
Ringed  Kingfishers at the boat ramp, my first Roseate Spoonbills for the park 
flying  overhead, several Beardless Tyrannulets, and Mrs. Clay-colored 
gathering mud for the nest at Kiskadee Blind! Yellow-billed Cuckoos appear to 

be back in  force, and several anis were at the hawk tower, along with 
grebes, ibis, a  White-tailed Kite, and a Caracara.  Back at the office Jose 
showed me an  injured Purple Gallinule he found at the gate that I wound up 
taking to the rehabber. A female Painted Bunting also knocked herself out at a 

window,  but she recovered nicely.  Not many pics, but what I got are here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     Bentsen-Rio Grande Val. SP WBC (Mission)(LTC  069)
Observation date:     5/12/09
Notes:   The Purple Gallinule was found injured at the park gate.
Number  of species:     58

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck   9
Mottled Duck     4
Blue-winged Teal   4
Plain Chachalaca     15
Northern  Bobwhite     1
Least Grebe     8
Pied-billed  Grebe     10
Little Blue Heron     3
Green  Heron     1
White Ibis     15
White-faced  Ibis     2
Roseate Spoonbill      6
White-tailed Kite     1
Gray Hawk      1
Crested Caracara     1
Purple Gallinule   1
Common Moorhen     3
American Coot   20
Black-necked Stilt     1
White-winged  Dove     20
Mourning Dove     5
White-tipped  Dove     20
Yellow-billed Cuckoo      6
Greater Roadrunner     1
Groove-billed Ani   6
Lesser Nighthawk     2
Ringed  Kingfisher     2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      15
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     5
Northern  Beardless-Tyrannulet     4
Brown-crested Flycatcher   7
Great Kiskadee     10
Couch's Kingbird   12
Western Kingbird     1
White-eyed  Vireo     1
Green Jay     8
Northern  Rough-winged Swallow     1
Bank Swallow      15
Cliff Swallow     4
Barn Swallow      12
Black-crested Titmouse     1
Verdin      1
Marsh Wren     1
Clay-colored Thrush      5
Northern Mockingbird     15
Long-billed Thrasher   5
Black-and-white Warbler     1
Common  Yellowthroat     1
Olive Sparrow      20
Northern Cardinal     15
Blue Grosbeak   1
Indigo Bunting     1
Painted Bunting   1
Red-winged Blackbird     6
Great-tailed  Grackle     10
Bronzed Cowbird     20
Hooded  Oriole     1
Altamira Oriole     6

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy 
steps! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221322936x1201367173/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=115&bcd 

=Mayfooter51209NO115)
Subject: Masked Ducks & Hudsonian Godwits @ Laguna Atascosa
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 18:10:54 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Sorry for the late report but was out all day yesterday and this  
morning... Went on a scouting trip in Cameron County yesterday that included 
Old 

Port Isabel Road, South Padre, and Laguna Atascosa.  Cassin's  Sparrows were 
out the wazoo on OPIR, and a beautiful Aplomado Falcon perched not  too far 
past the railroad tracks near the south end of the road (heading  north).  
Unfortunately there was too little light (even with the flash) to  get a clear 
shot.  Also had a Botteri's Sparrow singing about 4.5 miles up  the road, 
which is still in great shape.
 
Highlights at South Padre include the continuing Purple Gallinule, calling  
Clapper Rails, and a great show by a Roseate Spoonbill and a Reddish  
Egret.  Had a good larid and shorebird collection as well, including at  least 
ten Common Terns (eBird flagged me at a dozen...).  Migrants were  scarce: had 
a Yellow Warbler, Northern Parula, and a young Orchard Oriole.   There was 
nothing except grackles at Sheepshead.
 
The two female-type Masked Ducks continue at Alligator Pond at Laguna  
Atascosa, although the lilies (or whatever they are) are growing up fast, so it 

won't be long until they'll have lots of places to hide!  Before hiking  
over there, a flock of at least 20 Hudsonian Godwits flew overhead and then  
caught a thermal!  A pair of Wilson's Plovers were along the shoreline of  
the laguna right across from the Alligator Pond observation deck, but the  
alligators were in the laguna! The little wetland along the road to that area 

had several Stilt Sandpipers along with the usual.
 
The Bayside Loop was pretty quiet; there's still some water at the first  
pullout after the road forks, which had several White Pelicans, coots, and  
egrets.  Coming back around, however, that large part of Pelican Lake that  
was flooded by Dolly and provided such great shorebird and duck habitat is 
now  dry as a bone.
 
The link to the pics is here; I'll post the bird lists in a separate  
message:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_mon_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_mon) 
 
Enjoy!  MB  

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy 
steps! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221322936x1201367173/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=115&bcd 

=Mayfooter51209NO115)
Subject: Birds Lists from Yesterday
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 18:12:32 EDT
Location:     Old Port Isabel Rd (Cameron  Co.)
Observation date:     5/11/09
Number of species:   43

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck      15
Mottled Duck     12
Blue-winged Teal      1
Northern Shoveler     2
Northern Bobwhite   8
White-faced Ibis     4
Roseate  Spoonbill     6
White-tailed Kite      1
Harris's Hawk     2
White-tailed Hawk      1
Crested Caracara     2
Aplomado Falcon      1
American Coot     30
Black-bellied Plover   1
Killdeer     2
Black-necked Stilt   1
Willet     8
Whimbrel      1
Long-billed Curlew     2
Wilson's Phalarope   4
Laughing Gull     15
Gull-billed Tern   7
Mourning Dove     5
Common Nighthawk   9
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      1
Brown-crested Flycatcher     2
White-eyed Vireo   3
Chihuahuan Raven     2
Bank Swallow   2
Barn Swallow     12
Cactus Wren   2
Bewick's Wren     2
Northern  Mockingbird     9
Long-billed Thrasher      3
Olive Sparrow     5
Cassin's Sparrow      20
Botteri's Sparrow     2
Northern Cardinal   2
Red-winged Blackbird     15
Eastern  Meadowlark     20
Great-tailed Grackle      9
Bronzed Cowbird     1
Brown-headed Cowbird   1

Location:     South Padre I.- WBC/Conv Ctr./Laguna Madre  Trail (LTC 035)
Observation date:     5/11/09
Number of  species:     53

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck   2
Mottled Duck     3
Blue-winged Teal   1
Brown Pelican     8
Neotropic  Cormorant     3
Least Bittern     1
Great  Blue Heron     6
Snowy Egret     1
Little  Blue Heron     2
Tricolored Heron      5
Reddish Egret     2
Green Heron      1
White Ibis     15
Roseate Spoonbill      1
Osprey     1
Clapper Rail     2
Purple  Gallinule     1
Common Moorhen      5
Semipalmated Plover     1
Killdeer      2
Black-necked Stilt     2
Greater Yellowlegs   1
Willet     7
Lesser Yellowlegs   2
Ruddy Turnstone     7
Sanderling   3
Dunlin     30
Short-billed Dowitcher   30
Laughing Gull     20
Herring Gull   1
Least Tern     2
Caspian Tern   2
Common Tern     10
Royal Tern   30
Sandwich Tern     12
Black Skimmer   15
Inca Dove     2
Willow Flycatcher   1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher     1
Bank  Swallow     1
Cave Swallow     1
Barn  Swallow     6
Marsh Wren     1
Northern  Mockingbird     2
Northern Parula      1
Yellow Warbler     1
Wilson's Warbler      1
Northern Cardinal     1
Red-winged Blackbird   3
Great-tailed Grackle     15
Brown-headed  Cowbird     1
Orchard Oriole     1
House  Sparrow     3

Location:     Laguna Atascosa NWR (LTC 024)
Observation  date:     5/11/09
Number of species:      71

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck     4
Fulvous  Whistling-Duck     2
Blue-winged Teal      5
Northern Shoveler     3
Masked Duck      2
Ruddy Duck     1
Plain Chachalaca      3
Northern Bobwhite     3
Least Grebe      4
Pied-billed Grebe     2
American White Pelican   15
Brown Pelican     2
cormorant sp.   5
Great Blue Heron     12
Great Egret   12
Snowy Egret     2
Tricolored Heron   2
White Ibis     8
White-faced Ibis   3
Roseate Spoonbill     20
Turkey  Vulture     8
White-tailed Kite      1
Harris's Hawk     2
Crested Caracara      2
Common Moorhen     4
American Coot      100
Black-bellied Plover     1
Wilson's Plover   2
Black-necked Stilt     3
Greater  Yellowlegs     1
Willet     3
Lesser  Yellowlegs     3
Long-billed Curlew      5
Hudsonian Godwit     20
Dunlin      5
Stilt Sandpiper     12
Short-billed/Long-billed  Dowitcher     20
Wilson's Phalarope      6
Laughing Gull     20
Gull-billed Tern      3
Caspian Tern     5
Royal Tern      10
Mourning Dove     12
Common Ground-Dove   4
White-tipped Dove     10
Greater  Roadrunner     1
Buff-bellied Hummingbird      2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     7
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker     2
Great Kiskadee      3
White-eyed Vireo     5
Green Jay      3
Bank Swallow     5
Black-crested Titmouse   2
Verdin     2
Bewick's Wren   1
Northern Mockingbird     20
Long-billed  Thrasher     15
Curve-billed Thrasher      1
European Starling     1
Tennessee Warbler   1
Yellow Warbler     1
Olive Sparrow   7
Cassin's Sparrow     1
Northern  Cardinal     15
Red-winged Blackbird      20
Eastern Meadowlark     12
Great-tailed Grackle   30
Bronzed Cowbird     20
Brown-headed  Cowbird     4
House Sparrow     3

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy 
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=Mayfooter51209NO115)
Subject: Quinta & Hidalgo Bird Lists
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 8 May 2009 21:06:08 EDT
Location:     Quinta Mazatlan WBC (McAllen) (LTC  063)
Observation date:     5/8/09
Number of species:   41

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck      3
Plain Chachalaca     12
Rock Pigeon      2
White-winged Dove     20
Mourning Dove      1
Inca Dove     5
Common Ground-Dove      1
White-tipped Dove     4
Green Parakeet      8
Red-crowned Parrot     2
Eastern Screech-Owl   1
Chuck-will's-widow     1
Chimney Swift   3
Buff-bellied Hummingbird      8
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird      1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     9
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker     1
Brown-crested Flycatcher      5
Great Kiskadee     2
Couch's Kingbird      1
Green Jay     1
Purple Martin      1
Cliff Swallow     1
Barn Swallow      1
Carolina Wren     2
Clay-colored Thrush   1
Northern Mockingbird     7
Long-billed  Thrasher     3
Curve-billed Thrasher      3
European Starling     5
Northern Parula   1
Wilson's Warbler     1
Olive Sparrow   4
Northern Cardinal     2
Red-winged  Blackbird     2
Great-tailed Grackle      7
Bronzed Cowbird     3
Brown-headed Cowbird   2
Bullock's/Baltimore Oriole     1
Lesser  Goldfinch     1
House Sparrow     30

Location:     Old Hidalgo Pumphouse (WBC)  (LTC067)
Observation date:     5/8/09
Number of  species:     21

White-tailed Kite      1
Forster's Tern     1
Rock Pigeon      6
White-winged Dove     5
Mourning Dove      3
Inca Dove     1
Buff-bellied Hummingbird   3
Black-chinned Hummingbird      1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     2
Black Phoebe   1
Great Kiskadee     2
Couch's Kingbird   1
Western Kingbird     1
Clay-colored  Thrush     1
Northern Mockingbird      4
European Starling     3
Northern Cardinal   1
Great-tailed Grackle     10
Bronzed  Cowbird     4
Lesser Goldfinch     1
House  Sparrow     6

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy 
steps! 

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=May5509AvgfooterNO115)
Subject: Quinta Mazatlan & Hidalgo Pumphouse
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 8 May 2009 21:04:46 EDT
Hi, all!
 
The parrots and parakeets were very active at Quinta this morning, with  
several pairs investigating nestholes.  I ran into John and Tim Brush  later, 
and Tim had noticed that one of the Red-crowned Parrots had a broken  chain 
on its leg (oops), and sure enough, the one I photo'd happened to be the  
one with the chain!  Miriam behind the desk pointed me to the Screech Owl  
hole, and warbler-wise just had a Northern Parula and the continuing Wilson's. 

 Tim and John had a Mourning Warbler at the water feature just  north of 
the "Sulphurbelly Tree", and waiting a few minutes at the Amphitheater  
Feeders yielded Green Jay and a Clay-colored Thrush raiding the PB log.
 
At Hidalgo Pumphouse added two new birds for my list there: White-tailed  
Kite and Forster's Tern!  Got a glimpse of the Black Phoebe, and despite  the 
wind several leps were flying, including some very worn and beat-up 
Southern  Broken Dashes and several Cyna Blues.
 
Pics are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri) 
 
Just to be safe I'll put the bird lists in a separate post.  

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy 
steps! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221322931x1201367171/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=115&bcd 

=May5509AvgfooterNO115)
Subject: GTBC Highlights (for our RGV team...)
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sun, 3 May 2009 21:42:01 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Huck Hutchins and I joined Clay Taylor in the Great Texas Birding Classic  
yesterday (Saturday) and had a ball running from Bentsen several hours 
pre-dawn  to Falcon and then all the way back to SPI, with several stops in 
between! I'll leave the gory details to the team captain (if he wants ;-)), but 

 personally I had several highlights:
 
My state Elf Owl (finally) at Bentsen
Trilling Lesser Nighthawks along the road to Fronton
A gorgeous flyby adult Muscovy at Chapeno
Clay-colored Sparrow and Vermilion Flycatcher at Falcon County Park
A late Kestrel bombing a Caracara near Falcon Dam
A very cooperative Texas Spiny Lizard in the Quinta Mazatlan parking  lot
Being shown the Yellow-crowned Night Heron nests at Valley Nature Center  
that were probably there all along but I never noticed...
Several Buff-breasted Sandpipers (another state bird, and the first I've  
seen since getting my one life bird in San Diego a bazillion years ago) at 
the  Progresso Sod Farms
Not one, but TWO in-your-face Screech Owls at Estero Llano
A Least Bittern and Sora in plain view, also at Estero Llano Grande
Aplomado Falcon along Old Port Isabel Road (and the fact that it was  
actually SMOOTH for the first time in my memory!!!)
The continuing Purple Gallinule at the Convention Center
Getting to see old friends and make new ones during the course of the  day!
 
Pics for the day are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox) 
 
Thanks again to Clay for inviting me and to both he and Huck for helping to 
 make it a great day of fun and fellowship!  MB  

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************The Average US Credit Score is 692. See Yours in Just 2 Easy 
Steps! 

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ay5309AvgfooterNO62)
Subject: Day 9 - Aransas NWR
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:06:19 EDT
Hi, all!

Stopped at Aransas NWR on the way home yesterday, hoping to see a few more
migrants, but I guess the weather and time of month (?) didn't cooperate.
Was glad to pick up Swainson's Warbler for the year (easy to at least hear
there  in the spring), and there were still oodles of Indigo Buntings
around, but the  only other songbirds of note I had were Northern Parula and
Waterthrush.   Probably the most interesting sighting was a pair of Great
Kiskadees by Jones Lake (or Non-Lake as the case may be, as the whole of the 
tour 

route was dry as  a bone)!  Along the Rail Trail had a Sora right out in the
open, and  several Least Bitterns gave their contact call, but wouldn't
show  themselves.

The wind felt like gale force, so I was pleasantly surprised to see a big
fat Palamedes Swallowtail fighting tenaciously for a thistle along the tour
route!  Little did I know that several of these beauties would float by at
various points in the refuge; one meager patch of thistles by the visitor's
 center had no less than three different swallowtail species vying for  a
spot!  In back, however, was a large flower patch that had mostly  Checkered
Whites with a few of what I'm assuming were Orange Sulphurs, as they
wouldn't settle down for a look.

Also had some odes that the best guess was Thornbush Dasher and Seaside 
Dragonlet, plus a weird little bug on the Dagger Point Trail that I'm
presuming is a Robber Fly of some kind. I thought a small snake along the tour 

route  might have been a young Cottonmouth, as it spread its head and hissed at
me as I  passed, but checking the book, the best match appears to be
Florida Water  Snake.  Mammal-wise, the place was lousy with White-tailed Deer,
kicked up  a few Peccaries, and nearly had another road-killed Armadillo (the
vultures were  making short work of a previous one...).

Pics are posted here:

_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/aransas_
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/aransas)

Bird List:


Data of: Mary Beth Stowe                                        Date:
4-29-09
Limitations: One Sighting per  Species; From 4-29-09 to 4-29-09
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna autumnalis
Pied-billed Grebe                     Podilymbus  podiceps
Brown Pelican
Great Egret                           Ardea alba
Tricolored Heron                      Egretta tricolor
Little Blue Heron                     Egretta caerulea
Cattle Egret
Green Heron                           Butorides  virescens
LEAST BITTERN                         Ixobrychus exilis
Black Vulture                         Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture                        Cathartes aura
Crested Caracara                      Caracara cheriway
Sora                                  Porzana carolina
Common Moorhen                        Gallinula chloropus
Killdeer                              Charadrius vociferus
LONG-BILLED CURLEW                    Numenius americanus
Greater Yellowlegs                    Tringa melanoleuca
Willet                                Tringa semipalmata
Laughing Gull                         Leucophaeus atricilla
Royal Tern                            Thalasseus maximus
Rock Pigeon                           Columba  livia
Mourning Dove                         Zenaida macroura
White-winged Dove                     Zenaida asiatica
Common Nighthawk                      Chordeiles minor
Ruby-throated Hummingbird             Archilochus colubris
GREAT KISKADEE                        Pitangus sulphuratus
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher             Tyrannus forficatus
Brown-crested Flycatcher              Myiarchus tyrannulus
Barn Swallow                          Hirundo rustica
Cliff Swallow                         Petrochelidon  pyrrhonota
Carolina Wren                         Thryothorus ludovicianus
Marsh Wren                            Cistothorus palustris
European Starling                     Sturnus vulgaris
House Sparrow                         Passer  domesticus
White-eyed Vireo                      Vireo griseus
Northern Parula                       Parula americana
SWAINSON’S WARBLER                    Limnothlypis swainsonii
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH                  Seiurus noveboracensis
Common Yellowthroat                   Geothlypis trichas
Northern Cardinal                     Cardinalis cardinalis
Blue Grosbeak                         Passerina caerulea
Indigo Bunting                        Passerina cyanea
Painted Bunting                       Passerina ciris
Dickcissel                            Spiza americana
Red-winged Blackbird                  Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern Meadowlark                    Sturnella magna
Great-tailed Grackle                  Quiscalus  mexicanus
Brown-headed Cowbird                  Molothrus ater
48 SPECIES
For the trip: 179 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/)


**************Big savings on Dell XPS Laptops and

Desktops!(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1219491521x1201306563/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fad.double 

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Subject: Galveston Island
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:38:20 EDT
Hi, all!
 
The main purpose of the last two days was to enjoy visiting with my  
sister-in-law Audrey and her friend Diane, so birding bookended that activity! 

Yesterday morning I discovered to my chagrin that the state park  was only 
open on weekends (good thing I got in early Sunday to check it out), so  I 
pulled out the handy dandy Texas Wildlife Trail Map, primarily wanting to  
check out the famous Lefitte's Cove for migrants.  On the way to finding it  I 
stumbled upon a beautiful wetland with Roseate Spoonbills, along with the  
requisite Laughing Gulls and egrets and ibis.  I also found Nottingham  Ranch 
Road, so decided to check that out first, adding a Whimbrel to the trip  
list and hearing plenty of Upland Sandpipers.
 
The nature trail at Lefitte's Cove was absolutely beautiful; the  
neighborhood was gorgeous (how wonderful to be able to LIVE there and bird the 
area 

every day!), and had a nice marsh complete with Green, Tricolored, and  
Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Marsh Wrens, Mottled Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, and 

Neotropic Cormorants in their breeding finery.  I don't know what the  
woodlands looked like before Ike, but even with some of the trees stripped 
bare, 

there was still good thick woodland that, while not dripping with migrants 
as I  had hoped, still had a female Blue Grosbeak and a male Rose-breasted  
Grosbeak.  Checking out their dirt nature trail I scared up a Solitary  
Sandpiper in the mud.
 
Worked backwards to 8-mile and Sportsmen's Roads, where one spot had  
several dancing Reddish Egrets, Forster's and Gull-billed Terns, Dunlin, a  
Short-billed Dowitcher, and a couple of Semipalmated Plovers that came wheeling 

in just before I left!  Further down Clapper Rails sounded off, and I was  
getting ready to give up hope for the target Seaside Sparrow when I finally 
had  one singing at the very end of Sportsmen's Road!
 
Stopped at Moody Gardens to check out their butterfly garden, but only  
scared up a White-winged Dove.  A walk on the beach with Audrey and Diane  
later added Ruddy Turnstone and Sanderlings to the trip list. After some jokes 

about Alfred Hitchcock and the gulls, we pigged out at Landry's, Ben and  
Jerry's, and a seafood joint that I've forgotten the name of...
 
After breakfast this morning and kissing goodbye, I wanted to check out  
Lefitte's Cove once again as we had had a tremendous thunder boomer last  
night. I ran into four other birders who had the same idea :-) but although I 

saw more than yesterday, it wasn't a fallout.  A local lady  (who's moving 
to the Valley shortly) pointed out a Summer Tanager to me, and  another 
gentleman reported a Black-and-white and some Cape May Warblers. We definitely 

had a Downy Woodpecker call, but I could have sworn I also heard  the 
harsher laugh of the Ladder-backed Woodpecker, but since they're not supposed 
to 

be in Galveston County I let that one go, as I couldn't get a  visual.  The 
Blue Jays were vocal, so it was nice to get that for the  trip!  The 
skeeters finally drove the ladies back to their cars, but I continued on and 
found 

the Black-and-white, but got Hooded Warbler and American  Redstart instead 
of the Cape Mays.  In addition had two more Rose-breasted  Grosbeaks, a pair 
of Baltimore Orioles, and several Indigo Buntings.
 
Headed south after that, now at Port Lavaca with plans to hit Aransas  
tomorrow!  Pics are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/galveston_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/galveston) 
 
Bird list for the last two days:
 
 
Data of: Mary Beth Stowe                                        Date: 
4-28-09 
Limitations: One Sighting per  Species; From 4-27-09 to  4-28-09 
Mottled Duck                          Anas fulvigula 
Blue-winged Teal                      Anas discors 
Brown Pelican                         Pelecanus occidentalis 
Neotropic Cormorant                   Phalacrocorax brasilianus 
Great Blue Heron                      Ardea herodias 
Great Egret                           Ardea alba 
REDDISH EGRET                         Egretta rufescens 
Tricolored Heron                      Egretta tricolor 
Snowy Egret                           Egretta thula 
Cattle Egret                          Bubulcus ibis 
Green Heron                           Butorides virescens 
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron            Nyctanassa violacea 
White Ibis                            Eudocimus albus 
ROSEATE SPOONBILL                     Platalea ajaja 
Turkey Vulture                        Cathartes aura 
White-tailed Kite                     Elanus leucurus 
White-tailed Hawk                     Buteo albicaudatus 
Red-tailed Hawk                       Buteo jamaicensis 
Crested Caracara                      Caracara cheriway 
Clapper Rail                          Rallus longirostris 
Black-necked Stilt                    Himantopus mexicanus 
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER                   Charadrius semipalmatus 
Killdeer                              Charadrius vociferus 
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER                Limnodromus griseus 
WHIMBREL                              Numenius phaeopus 
Upland Sandpiper                      Bartramia longicauda 
SOLITARY SANDPIPER                    Tringa solitaria 
Greater Yellowlegs                    Tringa melanoleuca 
Willet                                Tringa semipalmata 
Lesser Yellowlegs                     Tringa flavipes 
RUDDY TURNSTONE                       Arenaria interpres 
SANDERLING                            Calidris  alba 
Least Sandpiper                       Calidris minutilla 
DUNLIN                                Calidris alpina 
Laughing Gull                         Leucophaeus atricilla 
Least Tern                            Sternula antillarum 
GULL-BILLED TERN                      Gelochelidon nilotica 
Caspian Tern                          Hydroprogne caspia 
Forster's Tern                        Sterna forsteri 
Royal Tern                            Thalasseus maximus 
Rock Pigeon                           Columba livia 
Eurasian Collared-Dove                Streptopelia decaocto 
Mourning Dove                         Zenaida macroura 
White-winged Dove                     Zenaida asiatica 
Common Nighthawk                      Chordeiles  minor 
Chimney Swift                         Chaetura pelagica 
Downy Woodpecker                      Picoides pubescens 
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher             Tyrannus forficatus 
Purple Martin                         Progne subis 
Barn Swallow                          Hirundo rustica 
Marsh Wren                            Cistothorus palustris 
Gray Catbird                          Dumetella carolinensis 
Northern Mockingbird                  Mimus polyglottos 
Loggerhead Shrike                     Lanius ludovicianus 
BLUE JAY                              Cyanocitta cristata 
American Crow                         Corvus brachyrhynchos 
European Starling                     Sturnus vulgaris 
House Sparrow                         Passer domesticus 
Black-and-white Warbler               Mniotilta varia 
AMERICAN REDSTART                     Setophaga ruticilla 
Common Yellowthroat                   Geothlypis  trichas 
HOODED WARBLER                        Wilsonia citrine 
Summer Tanager 
SEASIDE SPARROW                       Ammodramus maritimus 
Northern Cardinal                     Cardinalis cardinalis 
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK                Pheucticus ludovicianus 
Blue Grosbeak                         Passerina caerulea 
Indigo Bunting                        Passerina cyanea 
Dickcissel                            Spiza americana 
Red-winged Blackbird                  Agelaius  phoeniceus 
Eastern Meadowlark                    Sturnella magna 
Common Grackle                        Quiscalus quiscula 
Great-tailed Grackle                  Quiscalus mexicanus 
Brown-headed Cowbird                  Molothrus ater 
BALTIMORE ORIOLE                      Icterus galbula 
75 SPECIES 
So far:  174  SPECIES 

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy 
Steps! 

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ilExcScore428NO62)
Subject: Bird List from Attwater & Galveston Take Two
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:18:51 EDT

I got an error message saying this post was over 500 lines long (!!!), but
it obviously isn't, so I'm trying again...

Bird List:


Data of: Mary Beth Stowe                                        Date:
4-26-09
Limitations: One Sighting per  Species; From 4-26-09 to 4-26-09
Fulvous Whistling-Duck                Dendrocygna bicolor
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
Mottled Duck                          Anas fulvigula
Blue-winged Teal                      Anas discors
NORTHERN SHOVELER                     Anas clypeata
Northern Bobwhite                     Colinus virginianus
Least Grebe                           Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed Grebe                     Podilymbus podiceps
BROWN PELICAN                         Pelecanus occidentalis
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT                   Phalacrocorax brasilianus
GREAT BLUE HERON                      Ardea herodias
Great Egret                           Ardea alba
TRICOLORED HERON                      Egretta tricolor
Little Blue Heron                     Egretta caerulea
SNOWY EGRET                           Egretta thula
Cattle Egret                          Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron                           Butorides virescens
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON            Nyctanassa violacea
White Ibis                            Eudocimus albus
White-faced Ibis                      Plegadis chihi
Black Vulture                         Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture                        Cathartes aura
OSPREY                                Pandion haliaetus
WHITE-TAILED KITE                     Elanus leucurus
NORTHERN HARRIER                      Circus cyaneus
Red-shouldered Hawk                   Buteo lineatus
Swainson's Hawk                       Buteo swainsoni
Crested Caracara                      Caracara cheriway
CLAPPER RAIL                          Rallus longirostris
Sora                                  Porzana carolina
Common Moorhen                        Gallinula chloropus
American Coot                         Fulica americana
Black-necked Stilt                    Himantopus  mexicanus
Killdeer                              Charadrius vociferus
UPLAND SANDPIPER                      Bartramia longicauda
Greater Yellowlegs                    Tringa melanoleuca
WILLET                                Tringa  semipalmata
Lesser Yellowlegs                     Tringa flavipes
Least Sandpiper                       Calidris minutilla
LAUGHING GULL                         Leucophaeus atricilla
LEAST TERN                            Sternula antillarum
CASPIAN TERN                          Hydroprogne caspia
FORSTER’S TERN                        Sterna forsteri
ROYAL TERN                            Thalasseus maximus
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove                Streptopelia decaocto
Mourning Dove                         Zenaida macroura
COMMON NIGHTHAWK                      Chordeiles minor
Chimney Swift                         Chaetura pelagica
Red-bellied Woodpecker                Melanerpes carolinus
EASTERN KINGBIRD                      Tyrannus  tyrannus
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher             Tyrannus forficatus
Brown-crested Flycatcher
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW         Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Purple Martin                         Progne subis
BANK SWALLOW                          Riparia riparia
Barn Swallow                          Hirundo rustica
Cliff Swallow                         Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Carolina Wren                         Thryothorus  ludovicianus
SEDGE WREN                            Cistothorus platensis
MARSH WREN                            Cistothorus palustris
Gray Catbird                          Dumetella carolinensis
Northern Mockingbird                  Mimus  polyglottos
Tufted Titmouse                       Baeolophus bicolor
Loggerhead Shrike                     Lanius ludovicianus
American Crow                         Corvus brachyrhynchos
European Starling                     Sturnus vulgaris
House Sparrow                         Passer domesticus
BLACKPOLL WARBLER                     Dendroica striata
Common Yellowthroat                   Geothlypis trichas
Cassin's Sparrow                      Aimophila cassinii
Savannah Sparrow                      Passerculus sandwichensis
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW                   Ammodramus savannarum
Northern Cardinal                     Cardinalis cardinalis
Indigo Bunting                        Passerina cyanea
Painted Bunting                       Passerina  ciris
Dickcissel                            Spiza americana
Red-winged Blackbird                  Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern Meadowlark                    Sturnella magna
COMMON GRACKLE                        Quiscalus quiscula
Great-tailed Grackle                  Quiscalus mexicanus
Brown-headed Cowbird                  Molothrus ater
ORCHARD ORIOLE                        Icterus spurius
83 SPECIES
So far:  158  SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/)





**************An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy
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Subject: Poss Glossy Ibis & Brown-crested Flycatcher @ Attwater PC NWR
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:25:55 EDT
Hi, all!

I'm literally prying my eyes open, so I'll hit the highlights: returned to
Attwater this morning and picked up several new birds singing such as Sedge
Wren  and Grasshopper Sparrow.  An ibis in with a flock of White-faced
looked to have a rather bluish face, so I'm hoping those who know better than I 

can  provide some input after looking at the pictures (see below).  The 
flycatcher was along the Pipit Trail, along the fenceline, past where the main
 trail veers to the left (I went straight to check out the flowers for
leps, and  that's where the bird was, by the little pond).  At first I thought
it was  an Ash-throated (which would be more expected according to their
checklist,  although that would be a vagrant, too), but the rufous in the tail
went clear to  the end.  Unfortunately, except for a soft "pup", it didn't
vocalize.   In the lep department I had an unmarked brown skipper with pale
fringes that I'm  assuming is a Swarthy until told otherwise...

I was pleasantly surprised to see Galveston State Park open, although many
of the trails were flooded.  I ran into a local birding couple who
explained that the tall trees had been pretty much killed by in influx of salt
water, and the proliferation of grasses and flowers was the aftermath of a
controlled burn to get rid of the trash that had blown in.  Even on a sunny
day those trees along the road where the Clapper Rail Trail is were great for
migrants, as I had a pair each of Blackpoll Warblers, Eastern Kingbirds,
and  Orchard Orioles!  I'm curious to see what tomorrow's storm will cause to
stick around!

Pics are posted here:  _http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/attwater_
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/attwater)

Bird List:


Data of: Mary Beth Stowe                                        Date:
4-26-09
Limitations: One Sighting per  Species; From 4-26-09 to 4-26-09
Fulvous Whistling-Duck                Dendrocygna bicolor
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
Mottled Duck                          Anas fulvigula
Blue-winged Teal                      Anas discors
NORTHERN SHOVELER                     Anas clypeata
Northern Bobwhite                     Colinus virginianus
Least Grebe                           Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed Grebe                     Podilymbus podiceps
BROWN PELICAN                         Pelecanus occidentalis
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT                   Phalacrocorax brasilianus
GREAT BLUE HERON                      Ardea herodias
Great Egret                           Ardea alba
TRICOLORED HERON                      Egretta tricolor
Little Blue Heron                     Egretta caerulea
SNOWY EGRET                           Egretta thula
Cattle Egret                          Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron                           Butorides virescens
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON            Nyctanassa violacea
White Ibis                            Eudocimus albus
White-faced Ibis                      Plegadis chihi
Black Vulture                         Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture                        Cathartes aura
OSPREY                                Pandion haliaetus
WHITE-TAILED KITE                     Elanus leucurus
NORTHERN HARRIER                      Circus cyaneus
Red-shouldered Hawk                   Buteo lineatus
Swainson's Hawk                       Buteo swainsoni
Crested Caracara                      Caracara cheriway
CLAPPER RAIL                          Rallus longirostris
Sora                                  Porzana carolina
Common Moorhen                        Gallinula chloropus
American Coot                         Fulica americana
Black-necked Stilt                    Himantopus  mexicanus
Killdeer                              Charadrius vociferus
UPLAND SANDPIPER                      Bartramia longicauda
Greater Yellowlegs                    Tringa melanoleuca
WILLET                                Tringa  semipalmata
Lesser Yellowlegs                     Tringa flavipes
Least Sandpiper                       Calidris minutilla
LAUGHING GULL                         Leucophaeus atricilla
LEAST TERN                            Sternula antillarum
CASPIAN TERN                          Hydroprogne caspia
FORSTER’S TERN                        Sterna forsteri
ROYAL TERN                            Thalasseus maximus
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove                Streptopelia decaocto
Mourning Dove                         Zenaida macroura
COMMON NIGHTHAWK                      Chordeiles minor
Chimney Swift                         Chaetura pelagica
Red-bellied Woodpecker                Melanerpes carolinus
EASTERN KINGBIRD                      Tyrannus  tyrannus
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher             Tyrannus forficatus
Brown-crested Flycatcher
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW         Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Purple Martin                         Progne subis
BANK SWALLOW                          Riparia riparia
Barn Swallow                          Hirundo rustica
Cliff Swallow                         Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Carolina Wren                         Thryothorus  ludovicianus
SEDGE WREN                            Cistothorus platensis

MARSH WREN                            Cistothorus palustris
Gray Catbird                          Dumetella carolinensis
Northern Mockingbird                  Mimus  polyglottos
Tufted Titmouse                       Baeolophus bicolor
Loggerhead Shrike                     Lanius ludovicianus
American Crow                         Corvus brachyrhynchos
European Starling                     Sturnus vulgaris
House Sparrow                         Passer domesticus
BLACKPOLL WARBLER                     Dendroica striata
Common Yellowthroat                   Geothlypis trichas
Cassin's Sparrow                      Aimophila cassinii
Savannah Sparrow                      Passerculus sandwichensis
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW                   Ammodramus savannarum
Northern Cardinal                     Cardinalis cardinalis
Indigo Bunting                        Passerina cyanea
Painted Bunting                       Passerina  ciris
Dickcissel                            Spiza americana
Red-winged Blackbird                  Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern Meadowlark                    Sturnella magna
COMMON GRACKLE                        Quiscalus quiscula
Great-tailed Grackle                  Quiscalus mexicanus
Brown-headed Cowbird                  Molothrus ater
ORCHARD ORIOLE                        Icterus spurius
83 SPECIES
So far:  158  SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/)


**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy
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Subject: Palmetto SP & Attwater PC NWR
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:47:02 EDT
Hi, all!

It was pitch black when I left the motel this morning, but it was fun to
hear the constant buzzes of Dickcissels going overhead!  Got to Palmetto SP
just before dawn, where the Cardinals were going berserk, almost drowning
out  the Carolina Wrens and White-eyed Vireos!  A nice surprise was a hooting
Barred Owl, but alas the Crow beat him out as bird #100 for the trip...  A
huge roost of Cattle Egrets was lifting off the San Marcos River, and
Indigo  Buntings were tuning up in the open field.  One of the roads was
particularly lush and had the usual southern woodland songsters.

After checking out the roads I went back to the headquarters building and
hiked the trail there to the oxbow lake.  Scared up a Green Heron, a couple
of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, a Spotted Towhee, and the first
Yellowthroat of the trip along here, and on the way back was nearly attacked by
what looked like a good Tufted Titmouse this time, with the black  forehead!
Scared up a Catbird along the creek trail in the tent  campground, and
enjoyed the nesting Cliff Swallows at the bridge. At least one Cave Swallow was 

also in the bunch.

The next set of trails was back along that lush road.  Parking in the
picnic area I did the entire "Hiking Trail", picking up a Downy Woodpecker just
before the trailhead.  It looks like they're in the process of improving
the trail; it led down to the river, where they may be getting ready to build
a  bridge, as there's the beginnings of a good trail on the other side! 
Sitting for five added another Barred Owl, and this one I actually got to
see,  albeit briefly in flight!  Several odes were about, and I made best
guesses  on two of them (except for this brown damsel that I have no clue on).
Part  of the trail went through mesquite woodland, where there were Painted
Buntings.

Hiked a little of the River Trail, where I came upon this iridescent tiger
beetle with white spots.  There were more Weekend Warriors along this
stretch than there were birds; got on the wrong side of the fence coming back,
where there were some nice checkered skippers in the flowers, but had to
crawl  under the fence back at the group picnic area!  A Great Crested
Flycatcher sat out in the open fro my troubles... A quick run through the 
Palmetto 

 Trail was very pretty, but didn't produce anything new.

Headed east towards Sealy after that and arrived at the Attwater Prairie
Chicken NWR around 2:00.  It had been dreary and breezy all day, again
threatening to rain, with patches of sunshine here and there, so listening 
along 

the entrance and tour roads was sometimes tough.  But as in years past, 
there was a Dickcissel (or two or three or four) every five feet!  One of
them morphed into a Savannah Sparrow, and near the Pipit Trail was thrilled to
hear (and finally see) a Cassin's Sparrow skylarking!  What I thought was a
 Harrier at first turned out to be a Swainson's Hawk with a particularly
bright  white band on the rump; there were several floating around and
hunting,  including at least one immature bird.

Heading around to the wetlands, the Green Herons were out the wazoo, and
picked up a number of water birds to pad the trip list.  A Sora skittled
along the bank and into the marsh, but the highlight was a Purple Gallinule
that  flew a good ways before finally plopping down into the reeds!  A pair of
Pied-billed Grebes was right by the road (I never noticed a difference in
bill  size in the sexes before, but apparently there is one), and several
Fulvous  Whitsling Ducks were further out.  At one point I was yanking out an
apple  when I swore I heard a Least Grebe trumpet, and sure enough, there he
was out  among the lily pads!  A group of Turkey vultures had a single young
 Caracara in with them, and picked up the requisite White-tailed Hawk on
the  south leg.  Another stop produced both Lincoln's and Swamp Sparrow, plus
a  snake that struck me as a Banded Water Snake (I forgot to bring my
reptile book  in, so I'm just guessing...)

Headed in to Sealy and was all settled in when the rain storm hit!   Pics
for the day are posted here:

_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/palmetto_
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/palmetto)

Bird List:


Data of: Mary Beth Stowe                                        Date:
4-25-09
Limitations: One Sighting per  Species; From 4-25-09 to 4-25-09
FULVOUS WHISTLING DUCK                Dendrocygna bicolor
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
MOTTLED DUCK                          Anas fulvigula
BLUE-WINGED TEAL                      Anas discors
NORTHERN BOBWHITE                     Colinus virginianus
LEAST GREBE                           Tachybaptus dominicus
PIED-BILLED GREBE                     Podilymbus podiceps
GREAT EGRET                           Ardea alba
LITTLE BLUE HERON                     Egretta caerulea
Cattle Egret                          Bubulcus ibis
GREEN HERON                           Butorides  virescens
WHITE IBIS                            Eudocimus albus
WHITE-FACED IBIS                      Plegadis chihi
Black Vulture                         Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture                        Cathartes aura
Red-shouldered Hawk                   Buteo lineatus
SWAINSON’S HAWK                       Buteo swainsoni
White-tailed Hawk                     Buteo albicaudatus
Crested Caracara                      Caracara cheriway
SORA                                  Porzana  carolina
PURPLE GALLINULE                      Porphyrio martinica
COMMON MOORHEN                        Gallinula chloropus
AMERICAN COOT                         Fulica  americana
BLACK-NECKED STILT                    Himantopus  mexicanus
KILLDEER                              Charadrius vociferus
GREATER YELLOWLEGS                    Tringa melanoleuca
LESSER YELLOWLEGS                     Tringa flavipes
LEAST SANDPIPER
Rock Pigeon                           Columba livia
Eurasian Collared-Dove                Streptopelia decaocto
Mourning Dove                         Zenaida macroura
Inca Dove                             Columbina inca
BARRED OWL                            Strix  varia
Chimney Swift                         Chaetura pelagica
Red-bellied Woodpecker                Melanerpes carolinus
DOWNY WOODPECKER                      Picoides pubescens
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher             Tyrannus forficatus
Great Crested Flycatcher              Myiarchus crinitus
Purple Martin                         Progne subis
Barn Swallow                          Hirundo rustica
Cliff Swallow                         Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Cave Swallow                          Petrochelidon  fulva
Carolina Wren                         Thryothorus ludovicianus
GRAY CATBIRD                          Dumetella carolinensis
Northern Mockingbird                  Mimus polyglottos
Eastern Bluebird                      Sialia sialis
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher                 Polioptila caerulea
Carolina Chickadee                    Poecile carolinensis
TUFTED TITMOUSE                       Baeolophus bicolor
Loggerhead Shrike                     Lanius  ludovicianus
AMERICAN CROW                         Corvus brachyrhynchos
House Sparrow                         Passer domesticus
White-eyed Vireo                      Vireo griseus
Red-eyed Vireo                        Vireo olivaceus
House Finch                           Carpodacus mexicanus
Northern  Parula                       Parula  americana
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT                   Geothlypis trichas
Yellow-breasted Chat                  Icteria virens
Summer Tanager                        Piranga rubra
Spotted Towhee                        Pipilo maculatus
CASSIN’S SPARROW                      Aimophila cassinii
SAVANNAH SPARROW                      Passerculus sandwichensis
Lincoln's Sparrow                     Melospiza lincolnii
SWAMP SPARROW                         Melospiza georgiana
Northern Cardinal                     Cardinalis cardinalis
Indigo Bunting                        Passerina cyanea
Painted Bunting                       Passerina  ciris
Dickcissel                            Spiza  americana
Red-winged Blackbird                  Agelaius phoeniceus
EASTERN MEADOWLARK                    Sturnella magna
Great-tailed Grackle                  Quiscalus  mexicanus
Brown-headed Cowbird                  Molothrus ater
72 SPECIES
So far: 129

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/)


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Subject: White-tipped Dove @ Government Canyon SP (Hill Country Part 4)
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:01:35 EDT
Hi, all!
 
That was definitely the highlight today: from the C Parking Lot, take the  
Multiuse Trail and veer right at your first opportunity; the bird was 
singing not five minutes in, on the right, probably 30 feet or so into the 
woods. 

  This was one of those times I wish I had a recording device, as the bird  
naturally never showed itself, but that Coke-bottle "who-HOOOO!" is  
unmistakable! I consulted the TOS Handbook, and while it confirmed that the 
WTDO 

occasionally wanders this far north, they didn't mention any records  for 
Bexar County, so I hope this bird sticks around for the locals to chase and  
confirm!
 
It was threatening to rain all day, and I did get spit on a little, but in  
all was able to hike a little at all the trailheads.  Other highlights  
include both Pine Siskins and Dickcissels flying overhead (one of the latter  
actually gave a little bit of his song in addition to the obnoxious buzz), 
and a  singing Yellow-breasted Chat and Spotted Towhee along the Recharge 
Trail.   Even had a couple of Golden-cheeked Warblers giving a buzzy song, but 
they  weren't nearly as numerous here as at other places.  Surprisingly leps 
were  pretty active, with several Reakirt's Blues, Sleepy Oranges, and a 
Northern  Cloudywing.  Had a real weird-looking female Dun Skipper that had a 
white  crescent on her hindwing!
 
After finishing that up got a taste of San Antonio traffic with several  
accidents along the 1604 loop, then headed over to Lockhart State Park.   This 
place actually has a golf course!!  Looking at their little checklist,  I 
noticed they evidently had both titmice, and sure enough, near the campground 
 I heard something different, and I initially thought the gray-crested 
birds I had were Tufted, but then noticed they didn't have the black forehead! 

 Upon closer inspection they had the light forehead (actually buffy on one 
bird)  of the Black-crested but the crest was definitely NOT black, yet not 
quite as  light gray as the rest of the upperparts.  So I'm assuming I had a 
couple  of hybrids.  I was also chagrined to see they had both 
Golden-fronted and Red-bellied Woodpeckers on their list, but after hearing 
nothing but 

 Golden-fronteds for over a year in the Valley, the bird I heard calling 
DID  sound different: a little lower and more robust, with a slight upward 
inflection  to the "laugh".
 
Up the hill is a rec hall (which was dead abandoned while I was up there)  
that nonetheless had a pretty view of part of the golf course.  Along the  
road I was attacked by a pair of Carolina Chickadees and a Northern  Parula!  
Also flushed a Red-shouldered Hawk with lunch.
 
They have a couple of trails through the woods and I had time to check out  
one of them, that went by a stream with several sliders who saw me long 
before I saw them! Very few birds along this trail except for a curious House 

Wren,  but did have a pair of mating damsels that the best match seems to 
be Kiowa, and  another odd damsel with brownish wings that I'm calling a 
female American  Rubyspot until told otherwise...  
 
Headed in to Lockhart for the night after that, not quite making 100 for  
the trip!  Pics for the day are here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/govt_canyon_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/govt_canyon) 
 
Bird List:
 
 
Data of: Mary Beth Stowe                                        Date: 
4-24-09 
Limitations: One Sighting per  Species; From 4-24-09 to 4-24-09 
CATTLE EGRET                          Bubulcus ibis 
Black Vulture                         Coragyps  atratus 
Turkey Vulture                        Cathartes aura 
Red-shouldered Hawk                   Buteo lineatus 
Mourning Dove                         Zenaida macroura 
Common Ground-Dove                    Columbina passerina 
Inca Dove                             Columbina inca 
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE                     Leptotila verreauxi 
Greater Roadrunner                    Geococcyx californianus 
Archilochus Hummingbird               Archilochus  sp. 
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER                Melanerpes  carolinus 
Ladder-backed Woodpecker              Picoides scalaris 
Eastern Phoebe                        Sayornis phoebe 
Western Kingbird                      Tyrannus verticalis 
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher             Tyrannus forficatus 
Great Crested Flycatcher              Myiarchus crinitus 
Purple Martin                         Progne subis 
Barn Swallow                          Hirundo rustica 
CLIFF SWALLOW                         Petrochelidon pyrrhonota 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet                  Regulus calendula 
Carolina Wren                         Thryothorus ludovicianus 
Bewick's Wren                         Thryomanes bewickii 
House Wren                            Troglodytes aedon 
Eastern Bluebird                      Sialia  sialis 
Carolina Chickadee                    Poecile carolinensis 
TUFTED x Black-crested Titmouse       Baeolophus  bicolor x atricristatus  
Black-crested Titmouse                Baeolophus atricristatus 
Common Raven                          Corvus corax 
House Sparrow                         Passer domesticus 
White-eyed Vireo                      Vireo griseus 
Red-eyed Vireo                        Vireo olivaceus 
House Finch                           Carpodacus  mexicanus 
Pine Siskin                           Carduelis pinus 
Lesser Goldfinch                      Carduelis psaltria 
Orange-crowned Warbler                Vermivora celata 
Nashville Warbler                     Vermivora ruficapilla 
Northern Parula                       Parula americana 
Golden-cheeked Warbler                Dendroica chrysoparia 
Yellow-breasted Chat                  Icteria virens 
Summer Tanager                        Piranga rubra 
SPOTTED TOWHEE                        Pipilo  maculatus 
Northern Cardinal                     Cardinalis cardinalis 
Painted Bunting                       Passerina ciris 
Dickcissel                            Spiza americana 
Red-winged Blackbird                  Agelaius phoeniceus 
Great-tailed Grackle 
Brown-headed Cowbird                  Molothrus ater 
47 SPECIES 
So far:  99  SPECIES 

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************The Average US Credit Score is 692. See Yours in Just 2 Easy 
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Subject: Mexico: Puerto Vallarta area March 2009 Part 2
From: Mike Tanis <mtanis AT PORTICOSYS.COM>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:41:02 -0700
Part 2
MEXICO -- NAYARIT & JALISCO
Based in Nuevo Vallarta

21-28 March 2009

El Guamuchil village

I made two trips to El Guamuchil.  For both trips, I received quizzical 
looks from taxi drivers when asking about fares to my destination.  They 
all knew where it was, but had no idea why anyone would be interested in 
going there before sunrise.  Both drivers had to call into their 
dispatcher to find out what the fare should be.  I negotiated the taxi on 
the first morning to 150 pesos, about $11.  I arrived at the "plazito" in 
El Guamuchil at about 6:30am, when it was still dark.

After organizing my stuff and applying repellent to my socks for chiggers, 
it was light enough to begin walking.  I decided to go to the 
communications tower, since I thought it would be easiest to ask about 
directions for that, since my Spanish is rudimentary.  A friendly man in a 
pickup truck (delivering fresh tortillas) stopped and gave me a ride part 
way through town, and he helped by finding out which way to the antenna 
road.  I continued walking as the day lightened up and I began hearing 
birds high up in the tall trees along the road, which really is just the 
streambed once you walk out of town proper (upstream direction).  I found 
the "tree in the middle of the road" described in previous reports and 
took the path to the right.  The tree is surrounded by a small corral 
holding a couple of horses.  From here the slopes to the sides are steeper 
and the trees are very tall.  About 500m further so you will come to a 
place were the streambed splits into two equally-sized paths, both blocked 
by cattle gates.  (Leave gates as you found them--open if open, closed if 
closed.  I met no people at all on my first trip up this road, so there 
was no one to ask permission.)  The path on the right leads to the 
communication tower area.  After another 500m or so of gentle uphill 
alongside the streambed (dry in March), the path turns sharply to the 
right and climbs out of the canyon to the plateau above, which is both 
more open and provides far better birding since you are walking on a 
ridge.  Here you can walk about 700m along the undulating road to a little 
plateau situated just below the communications antenna itself.  Birding 
was excellent along the upper part of the road early in the morning.  
Highlights for me were awesome views of Varied Bunting, Blue Bunting, and 
Red-breasted Chat.  Elegant Trogons were heard constantly and seen fairly 
easily.  Citreoline Trogons went unheard and unseen until I played just a 
few notes of the call from my iPod.  Immediately four trogons came right 
in.

The second trip by taxi cost me 200 pesos (about $14); the driver wouldn't 
budge on the price.  I reached El Guamuchil a little earlier (about 
6:15am) this time.  Since I knew the way, I was able to walk to the ridge 
from the center of town using my flashlight and the early light of dawn in 
about 30 minutes of uphill walking.  Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (in town) and 
Mottled Owl (in the forest) were heard as I walked; I whistled at the 
Pygmy-owl and got a look at it flying by the streetlight! 

I returned to Nuevo Vallarta by bus from the Bucerias-Sayulita highway bus 
stop.  On my first trip, a bus arrived as I was walking out of the El 
Guamuchil road; on the second trip I had to wait ten minutes, but I saw 
two Rufous-bellied Chachalacas fly across the road, so the wait paid off 
in a new bird!   Any bus going to Puerto Vallarta costs 10 pesos to Nuevo 
Vallarta; it will drop you along the main highway, where you can catch a 
bus to the Mayan resorts (7 pesos).  I was in a hurry the second trip to 
meet the shuttle to Los Veranos, so I hopped out of the bus in Bucerias 
and took a taxi directly to the resort (110 pesos, about $8). 

Rufous-bellied Chachalaca
Magnificent Frigatebird
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Gray Hawk
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Inca Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Orange-fronted Parakeet
Lilac-crowned Parrot
Squirrel Cuckoo
Groove-billed Ani
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Mottled Owl
Lesser Nighthawk
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph
Cinnamon Hummingbird
Plain-capped Starthroat
Citreoline Trogon
Elegant Trogon
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker
Gray-crowned Woodpecker
Pale-billed Woodpecker
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
Greenish Elaenia
Greater Pewee
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Nutting's Flycatcher
Great Kiskadee
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Thick-billed Kingbird
Rose-throated Becard
Masked Tityra
Bell's Vireo
Plumbeous Vireo
Golden Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Black-throated Magpie-Jay
Gray-breasted Martin
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Sinaloa Wren
Happy Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Rufous-backed Robin
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Tropical Parula
Yellow Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Waterthrush
MacGillivray's Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Red-breasted Chat
Western Tanager
Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow
Stripe-headed Sparrow
Grayish Saltator
Blue Bunting
Lazuli Bunting
Varied Bunting
Great-tailed Grackle
Streak-backed Oriole
Yellow-winged (mexican) Cacique
Godman's [Scrub] Euphonia
House Sparrow

Las Palmas
This was the first stop on Alex's tour to San Sebastian.  We walked the 
first kilometer of a side road just off the main highway just past Las 
Palmas, which was very productive.  We birded there for about an hour from 
8 to 9am.

West Mexican Chachalaca
Cattle Egret (from road)
White-faced Ibis (from road)
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Rock Pigeon
Red-billed Pigeon
White-winged Dove
White-tipped Dove
Orange-fronted Parakeet
Mexican Parrotlet
Lilac-crowned Parrot
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Cinnamon Hummingbird
Plain-capped Starthroat
Elegant Trogon
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
Greater Pewee
Nutting's Flycatcher
Great Kiskadee
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Social Flycatcher
Rose-throated Becard
Masked Tityra
Black-throated Magpie-Jay
Gray-breasted Martin
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Rufous-backed Robin
Nashville Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Grayish Saltator
Indigo Bunting
Great-tailed Grackle
Streak-backed Oriole
Yellow-winged (Mexican) Cacique

San Sebastian
Also on Alex's tour, we made several stops in the arid mountains near San 
Sebastian.  The first was a short stop along an agave field between La 
Estancia and San Sebastian.  Our next stop was an orchard and coffee 
plantation just outside the main town of San Sebastian.  We walked the 
property for about 45 minutes.  Because the trees were planted so tightly 
together, birding here was challenging.  However, we were able to see Blue 
Mockingbird and Golden Vireo here. 

From about 10:45 until noon, we drove out of town up toward the peak of La 
Bufa, making a few birding stops along the way, eventually stopping for a 
very late breakfast where there was a nice lookout over the town.  Here 
there was an intersection where the main road descended the other side of 
the mountain and another continued up toward the peak of La Bufa.  The 
dirt road was somewhat rough in places, but I think that a passenger car 
might make it with care to that point.  Highlights along the road were 
Mountain Trogon and great views of Red-headed Tanager.  Back in town we 
enjoyed a walk to the church and around the town's plaza, and had a 
pleasant lunch at a restaurant on the edge of the plaza.

Turkey Vulture
Rock Pigeon
Berylline Hummingbird
Mountain Trogon
Acorn Woodpecker
Cordilleran Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher
Plumbeous Vireo
Golden Vireo
Spotted Wren
White-throated Thrush
Blue Mockingbird
Townsend's Warbler
Grace's Warbler
Slate-throated Redstart
Yellow-breasted Chat
Red-headed Tanager
Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow
Stripe-headed Sparrow
Rufous-capped Brush Finch (seen by others)
Audubon's Oriole
House Sparrow

End Part 2
Mike Tanis
Audubon PA
mtanis AT porticosys DOT com
Subject: FW: Mexico: Puerto Vallarta area March 2009 Part 1
From: Barbara Passmore <bkpass AT BELLSOUTH.NET>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:13:16 -0400
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Tanis [mailto:mtanis AT PORTICOSYS.COM] 
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 4:40 PM
To: BIRDTRIP AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Subject: Mexico: Puerto Vallarta area March 2009 Part 1

MEXICO -- NAYARIT & JALISCO
Based in Nuevo Vallarta

21-28 March 2009

This one week trip with my wife was my first to any part of Mexico.  A 
friend was able to utilize some accumulated timeshare points to give us a 
genuine deal on air/hotel to Puerto Vallarta.  We stayed at the Mayan Sea 
Garden in Nuevo Vallarta, and had a great time away from the cold 
weather.  

Puerto Vallarta is certainly very americanized, with an economy built on 
tourism.  But it still is culturally distinct from the US, even if it is 
not drastically different.  It seems that almost everyone you encounter 
speaks passable English.  We were also impressed by the friendliness of 
the people we met, even those who had no tourist service or item to sell.  
Regarding safety, we took normal precautions with our belongings and 
valuables, but felt very safe wherever we went, whether in Puerto Vallarta 
city or while walking alone in the dark outside El Guamuchil village.  

Lodging and meals
The Mayan Sea Garden was excellent: clean, well-run, with helpful staff, 
an adequate and clean pool, and a nice clean beach with typically fine 
Pacific gray/brown sand.  There were no bogus charges on our bill after 
our stay.   Meal prices at the one restaurant were reasonable considering 
the resort setting ($10-$25 per plate).  An OXXO convenience store just a 
few steps away provided snacks and drinks for the day.  Paradise Village 
mall (reached via free tourist bus) had cheaper American-style fast food 
(Subway, Domino's, McDonald's) as another choice.  To find other options 
you could take a bus or taxi to the non-resort part of Nuevo Vallarta, 
Bucerias, or Puerto Vallarta city.  We averaged under $50 per day for food 
for two of us, generally eating one or two excellent meals a day at the 
resort or at a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta.  We managed to resist all of 
the many offers to participate in timeshare sales meetings while in 
Mexico.  

Transportation
A bus stop was located just outside the resort with connections to 
everywhere, usually with a short wait time (20 minutes was our longest 
wait).  Our decision not to rent a car turned out to be a good one.  There 
were plenty of taxis available when we needed a timely arrival somewhere, 
and when time wasn't so important, the buses were frequent, cheap, and 
relatively easy to decipher.  Leave extra time for your route the first 
time you take a bus somewhere, but it is not difficult to go anywhere by 
bus.  However, competition between bus drivers for customers in Puerto 
Vallarta certainly makes the trip a bit more exciting than it has to be.

Birding
Because our trip was intended to be a vacation for both of us, and not a 
dedicated birding trip, my birding was limited to the trips below.  I 
managed to see or hear 130 species, with about 30 new birds for me.

- three late afternoon walks to the area just outside our resort (4 hours 
total)
- two early morning excursions to the El Guamuchil antenna road (5 hours 
total)
- one van excursion with a group of 7 to Las Palmas/San Sebastian with 
Alex Rodriguez (ALEJANDRO MARTINEZ RODRIGUEZ [birdinginmexico AT gmail.com])

Blake Maybank's website was very helpful in introducing me to El Guamuchil 
as a good birding site with convenient access for those staying north of 
Puerto Vallarta.  I found it to be wonderfully productive and so 
convenient that I could reach it by taxi from Nuevo Vallarta in 30 minutes 
and return by bus in about an hour.

http://maybank.tripod.com/Mexico/Jalisco-Nayarit-01-2006.htm

Alex Martinez's birding excursion was well-organized and on time.  Our 
group of seven had varying levels of birding interest, and included two 
spouses of birders.  The tour was described and sold as a birding tour 
with attention to the cultural highlights of San Sebastian, so the non-
birders knew what to expect; the 7am meeting time probably weeded out the 
shoppers.  Alex is very professional and did a great job of balancing the 
birding, driving, and sightseeing.  He brought a telescope for the group, 
and found some great birds for us at several stops.  The cultural 
activities included a visit to a coffee/fruit plantation (for birding, as 
well), a short walking tour to the San Sebastian church and plaza, and 
concluded with lunch in a restaurant on the plaza.  The cost of this 
particular tour was US$85, and included the transportation, guiding, light 
breakfast, and a group lunch at the restaurant in San Sebastian.  If we 
hadn't already planned so many activities for our short time in Puerto 
Vallarta, I would have joined other tours that Alex offered.

http://www.birdinginmexico.com/

Nuevo Vallarta area

There is a fenced-off area containing a tidal lagoon in front of the Mayan 
resort complex.  I birded along Boulevard de Nayarit surrounding this area 
and also along the Paseo de las Palmas north to just past the Vallarta 
Adventures offices.  A surprising number of interesting species were seen 
in the late afternoons I birded here.

In the list below I am including species I saw from the resort property, 
the beach, along the roadside in and around Nuevo Vallarta, and a couple 
of species seen on Banderas Bay during a whale-watching trip.  On that 
trip we eventually found 2 humpback whales, a mother and baby; they were 
perhaps the last two remaining whales in the bay for the season!

http://vallarta-info.com probably has the most useful maps of the whole 
Puerto Vallarta area; the best map of Nuevo Vallarta itself is here:
http://vallarta-info.com/nuevo.html

Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Brown Booby
Blue-footed Booby
Brown Pelican
Neotropic Cormorant
Magnificent Frigatebird
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Green Heron
Roseate Spoonbill
Wood Stork
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Collared Plover 
  (past the Mayan Palace on the beach near the mouth of the Rio Ameca) 
Black-necked Stilt
Spotted Sandpiper (lagoon)
Willet (beach)
Long-billed Curlew (beach)
Laughing Gull
Heermann's Gull
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Royal Tern
Common Tern
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove
Ruddy Ground-Dove
Green Kingfisher (Opequimar inlet)
Orange-fronted Parakeet
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
Greenish Elaenia
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Great Kiskadee
Tropical Kingbird
Cassin's Kingbird
Thick-billed Kingbird
Rose-throated Becard
Masked Tityra
Gray-breasted Martin
Mangrove Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Bank Swallow
Sinaloa Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Rufous-backed Robin
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Tropical Parula
Yellow Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
MacGillivray's Warbler
Summer Tanager
Cinnamon-rumped [White-collared] Seedeater
Great-tailed Grackle
Orchard Oriole
Streak-backed Oriole
Yellow-winged (Mexican) Cacique
House Finch
House Sparrow

Los Veranos

We did the Canopy Tour (zip-line) at Los Veranos on our last day in 
Mexico, which was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.   To try to put 
it into "thrill" perspective, it is not as scary is a big theme-park 
roller coaster.  It's more of a relaxing adventure, although you are 
indeed hanging over a lot of empty space at times.  It is a bit pricey, 
$69 with prepaid discount.  Don't forget to factor in tipping at the end 
(driver for the free shuttle, guys who run the zip-lines, the locker guy, 
the guys at the animal cages, the bartender and waitresses, and so on).  I 
didn't have binoculars with me that afternoon, but probably the best 
birding on site would be down at the river (near the restaurant area) 
early in the morning watching the trees on both sides of the gorge.  It 
would be fun to bird from one of their tree towers before tours start for 
the day, but it probably would not be worth the trouble to arrange that.  
Without bins, I was still able to get a lifer here.  [Maybe two, depending 
on the species status of Mexican Hermit.]  We took the free shuttle Los 
Veranos offered from Nuevo Vallarta.  The ride in the open-air vehicle was 
quite scenic.

Highlights:  Yellow Grosbeak, Western Long-tailed (Mexican) Hermit.

Muscovy Duck (domestic?)
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
White-winged Dove
Orange-fronted Parakeet
Western Long-tailed (Mexican) Hermit
Great Kiskadee
Masked Tityra
Gray-breasted Martin
Mangrove Swallow
Yellow Grosbeak
Great-tailed Grackle
Yellow-winged (Mexican) Cacique
House Sparrow

END PART 1
Mike Tanis
Audubon PA
mtanis AT porticosys DOT com
Subject: Mexico: Puerto Vallarta area March 2009 Part 1
From: Mike Tanis <mtanis AT PORTICOSYS.COM>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:39:33 -0700
MEXICO -- NAYARIT & JALISCO
Based in Nuevo Vallarta

21-28 March 2009

This one week trip with my wife was my first to any part of Mexico.  A 
friend was able to utilize some accumulated timeshare points to give us a 
genuine deal on air/hotel to Puerto Vallarta.  We stayed at the Mayan Sea 
Garden in Nuevo Vallarta, and had a great time away from the cold 
weather.  

Puerto Vallarta is certainly very americanized, with an economy built on 
tourism.  But it still is culturally distinct from the US, even if it is 
not drastically different.  It seems that almost everyone you encounter 
speaks passable English.  We were also impressed by the friendliness of 
the people we met, even those who had no tourist service or item to sell.  
Regarding safety, we took normal precautions with our belongings and 
valuables, but felt very safe wherever we went, whether in Puerto Vallarta 
city or while walking alone in the dark outside El Guamuchil village.  

Lodging and meals
The Mayan Sea Garden was excellent: clean, well-run, with helpful staff, 
an adequate and clean pool, and a nice clean beach with typically fine 
Pacific gray/brown sand.  There were no bogus charges on our bill after 
our stay.   Meal prices at the one restaurant were reasonable considering 
the resort setting ($10-$25 per plate).  An OXXO convenience store just a 
few steps away provided snacks and drinks for the day.  Paradise Village 
mall (reached via free tourist bus) had cheaper American-style fast food 
(Subway, Domino's, McDonald's) as another choice.  To find other options 
you could take a bus or taxi to the non-resort part of Nuevo Vallarta, 
Bucerias, or Puerto Vallarta city.  We averaged under $50 per day for food 
for two of us, generally eating one or two excellent meals a day at the 
resort or at a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta.  We managed to resist all of 
the many offers to participate in timeshare sales meetings while in 
Mexico.  

Transportation
A bus stop was located just outside the resort with connections to 
everywhere, usually with a short wait time (20 minutes was our longest 
wait).  Our decision not to rent a car turned out to be a good one.  There 
were plenty of taxis available when we needed a timely arrival somewhere, 
and when time wasn't so important, the buses were frequent, cheap, and 
relatively easy to decipher.  Leave extra time for your route the first 
time you take a bus somewhere, but it is not difficult to go anywhere by 
bus.  However, competition between bus drivers for customers in Puerto 
Vallarta certainly makes the trip a bit more exciting than it has to be.

Birding
Because our trip was intended to be a vacation for both of us, and not a 
dedicated birding trip, my birding was limited to the trips below.  I 
managed to see or hear 130 species, with about 30 new birds for me.

- three late afternoon walks to the area just outside our resort (4 hours 
total)
- two early morning excursions to the El Guamuchil antenna road (5 hours 
total)
- one van excursion with a group of 7 to Las Palmas/San Sebastian with 
Alex Rodriguez (ALEJANDRO MARTINEZ RODRIGUEZ [birdinginmexico AT gmail.com])

Blake Maybank's website was very helpful in introducing me to El Guamuchil 
as a good birding site with convenient access for those staying north of 
Puerto Vallarta.  I found it to be wonderfully productive and so 
convenient that I could reach it by taxi from Nuevo Vallarta in 30 minutes 
and return by bus in about an hour.

http://maybank.tripod.com/Mexico/Jalisco-Nayarit-01-2006.htm

Alex Martinez's birding excursion was well-organized and on time.  Our 
group of seven had varying levels of birding interest, and included two 
spouses of birders.  The tour was described and sold as a birding tour 
with attention to the cultural highlights of San Sebastian, so the non-
birders knew what to expect; the 7am meeting time probably weeded out the 
shoppers.  Alex is very professional and did a great job of balancing the 
birding, driving, and sightseeing.  He brought a telescope for the group, 
and found some great birds for us at several stops.  The cultural 
activities included a visit to a coffee/fruit plantation (for birding, as 
well), a short walking tour to the San Sebastian church and plaza, and 
concluded with lunch in a restaurant on the plaza.  The cost of this 
particular tour was US$85, and included the transportation, guiding, light 
breakfast, and a group lunch at the restaurant in San Sebastian.  If we 
hadn't already planned so many activities for our short time in Puerto 
Vallarta, I would have joined other tours that Alex offered.

http://www.birdinginmexico.com/

Nuevo Vallarta area

There is a fenced-off area containing a tidal lagoon in front of the Mayan 
resort complex.  I birded along Boulevard de Nayarit surrounding this area 
and also along the Paseo de las Palmas north to just past the Vallarta 
Adventures offices.  A surprising number of interesting species were seen 
in the late afternoons I birded here.

In the list below I am including species I saw from the resort property, 
the beach, along the roadside in and around Nuevo Vallarta, and a couple 
of species seen on Banderas Bay during a whale-watching trip.  On that 
trip we eventually found 2 humpback whales, a mother and baby; they were 
perhaps the last two remaining whales in the bay for the season!

http://vallarta-info.com probably has the most useful maps of the whole 
Puerto Vallarta area; the best map of Nuevo Vallarta itself is here:
http://vallarta-info.com/nuevo.html

Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Brown Booby
Blue-footed Booby
Brown Pelican
Neotropic Cormorant
Magnificent Frigatebird
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Green Heron
Roseate Spoonbill
Wood Stork
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Collared Plover 
  (past the Mayan Palace on the beach near the mouth of the Rio Ameca) 
Black-necked Stilt
Spotted Sandpiper (lagoon)
Willet (beach)
Long-billed Curlew (beach)
Laughing Gull
Heermann's Gull
Herring Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Royal Tern
Common Tern
Rock Pigeon
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove
Ruddy Ground-Dove
Green Kingfisher (Opequimar inlet)
Orange-fronted Parakeet
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
Greenish Elaenia
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Great Kiskadee
Tropical Kingbird
Cassin's Kingbird
Thick-billed Kingbird
Rose-throated Becard
Masked Tityra
Gray-breasted Martin
Mangrove Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Bank Swallow
Sinaloa Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Rufous-backed Robin
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Tropical Parula
Yellow Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
MacGillivray's Warbler
Summer Tanager
Cinnamon-rumped [White-collared] Seedeater
Great-tailed Grackle
Orchard Oriole
Streak-backed Oriole
Yellow-winged (Mexican) Cacique
House Finch
House Sparrow

Los Veranos

We did the Canopy Tour (zip-line) at Los Veranos on our last day in 
Mexico, which was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.   To try to put 
it into "thrill" perspective, it is not as scary is a big theme-park 
roller coaster.  It's more of a relaxing adventure, although you are 
indeed hanging over a lot of empty space at times.  It is a bit pricey, 
$69 with prepaid discount.  Don't forget to factor in tipping at the end 
(driver for the free shuttle, guys who run the zip-lines, the locker guy, 
the guys at the animal cages, the bartender and waitresses, and so on).  I 
didn't have binoculars with me that afternoon, but probably the best 
birding on site would be down at the river (near the restaurant area) 
early in the morning watching the trees on both sides of the gorge.  It 
would be fun to bird from one of their tree towers before tours start for 
the day, but it probably would not be worth the trouble to arrange that.  
Without bins, I was still able to get a lifer here.  [Maybe two, depending 
on the species status of Mexican Hermit.]  We took the free shuttle Los 
Veranos offered from Nuevo Vallarta.  The ride in the open-air vehicle was 
quite scenic.

Highlights:  Yellow Grosbeak, Western Long-tailed (Mexican) Hermit.

Muscovy Duck (domestic?)
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
White-winged Dove
Orange-fronted Parakeet
Western Long-tailed (Mexican) Hermit
Great Kiskadee
Masked Tityra
Gray-breasted Martin
Mangrove Swallow
Yellow Grosbeak
Great-tailed Grackle
Yellow-winged (Mexican) Cacique
House Sparrow

END PART 1
Mike Tanis
Audubon PA
mtanis AT porticosys DOT com
Subject: Hill Country Part 3 - Lost Maples & Hill Country SPs
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:58:38 EDT
Hi, all!
 
My original plan was to explore Hill Country State Park, as I had never  
been there, but when the girls told me about the feeding stations at Lost 
Maples  and what they saw there, I changed my mind!  It had been at least a 
decade  since I had been there last, and actually got my ABA Tropical Parula 
there (that  was long before digital cameras and the TBRC had to wait for the 
film to be  developed on that one), so it was fun revisiting the place.
 
The girls had primarily done the West Trail, but I blew it and drove all  
the way to the end where the East Trail was and decided to go ahead and hike  
that.  My original intention was to do the whole loop, but only got as far  
as the first "steep" spot, and when they say it's steep, they're not  
kidding! But it was a lovely hike through the woods and over several creek and 

river crossings; Golden-cheeked Warblers were everywhere, along with the  
usual White-eyed Vireos, gnatcatchers, titmice, chickadees, and Summer  
Tanagers.  Canyon Wrens again sang from the rock face, and at least three  
Louisiana Waterthrushes were along the creek beds. At one resting spot managed 
to 

get a Hermit Thrush to "thook" at me, and a single (!) Bushtit  chittered 
and came in to see what the fuss was all about!  The girls  reported that the 
Red-eyed Vireos had arrived the very day they birded the area,  and they 
(the vireos) were definitely all over, along with yet another Hutton's  Vireo! 
 A Yellow-throated sang on the way back, but alas, no Black-capped  sang 
for me... :-(  A pair of Variegated Fritillaries were going nuts along  the 
trail, and kept flushing a Roadside Skipper that I'm calling Celia's until  
proven otherwise (never could see the ventral).  Unfortunately, constantly  
switching lenses caused my first, "Dummy, you got dust on the contacts!" 
message from my camera, so I stuck with the long lens for the rest of the 
day... 

 
Wound my way to the other trailhead, and ran into the San Diego Audubon  
bunch enjoying the feeding stations and preparing to feed themselves! :-)   I 
had barely sat down at the picnic table when probably the best bird of the  
day, a dapper male Dickcissel, joined the Chippes and House Finches!  That  
was a life bird for some, so that was fun to hear the cheers and whoops!   
Other moochers included both Indigo and Painted Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks (one 
 young male looked like a Varied Bunting wannabe), Black-chinned Hummers, 
both  Chippies and Clay-colored Sparrows, plus Rufous- and White-crowned.   
Several Scrub Jays sailed in as well, and I noticed they sounded very 
different  than the Scrubbies in San Diego!  Pine Siskins also called from the 
trees  but never came in to the feeders.  The group told me a Ruby-throated 
Hummer  was hanging around, but he happened to be at the headquarters feeders 
when I  checked out!
 
I was sorely tempted to head up to Kerr WMA just to get the BC Vireo for  
the trip, but looking at the map, it looked like one of those "you can't get  
there from here" situations, so decided to head down to Hill Country SP 
after  all.  After finally finding the place (the AAA map made it look like it 
was  off FM 470, but it's actually off SR 173 south of Bandera) I did a 
little road  birding and added gobbling Turkeys and a lovely Scissor-tailed 
Flycatcher to the  list, but I soon discovered they were gearing up for a big 
equestrian  event!  There was only one day use parking area, so I crawled down 
there  and hiked a little of the Wilderness Trail, where yet another 
Hutton's Vireo sang, as well as Nashville Warbler, more Goldencheeks, and 
plenty 

of Whiteyes,  but no Blackcaps. :-(  Had another pretty Dun Skipper, at 
least.
 
Had to head back to Kerrville soon after that, but the dirt road going out  
the west end dumped out on FM 462, and would make a terrific birding road 
if I  had had the time!  On the way up had a road-killed deer that was being  
devoured by Black Vultures and caracaras!
 
Pics for the day:  _http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/lost_maples_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/lost_maples) 
 
Bird List:
 
 
Data of: Mary Beth Stowe                                        Date: 
4-23-09 
Limitations: One Sighting per  Species; From 4-23-09 to 4-23-09 
WILD  TURKEY                           Meleagris gallopavo 
Black Vulture                         Coragyps  atratus 
Turkey Vulture                        Cathartes aura 
Crested Caracara                      Caracara cheriway 
Mourning Dove                         Zenaida macroura 
White-winged Dove                     Zenaida asiatica 
Inca Dove                             Columbina inca 
Ruby-throated Hummingbird             Archilochus colubris 
Black-chinned Hummingbird             Archilochus alexandri 
Ladder-backed Woodpecker              Picoides scalaris 
Eastern Phoebe                        Sayornis phoebe 
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher             Tyrannus forficatus 
Ash-throated Flycatcher               Myiarchus cinerascens 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet                  Regulus calendula 
Canyon Wren                           Catherpes mexicanus 
Carolina Wren                         Thryothorus ludovicianus 
Bewick's Wren                         Thryomanes bewickii 
HERMIT THRUSH                         Catharus guttatus 
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher                 Polioptila caerulea 
BUSHTIT                               Psaltriparus minimus 
Carolina Chickadee                    Poecile carolinensis 
Black-crested Titmouse                Baeolophus atricristatus 
WESTERN SCRUB JAY                     Aphelocoma  californica 
Common Raven                          Corvus corax 
House Sparrow                         Passer domesticus 
White-eyed Vireo                      Vireo griseus 
Yellow-throated Vireo                 Vireo flavifrons 
Hutton's Vireo                        Vireo huttoni 
RED-EYED VIREO                        Vireo olivaceus 
House Finch                           Carpodacus mexicanus 
Pine Siskin                           Carduelis pinus 
Lesser Goldfinch                      Carduelis  psaltria 
Orange-crowned Warbler                Vermivora celata 
Nashville Warbler                     Vermivora ruficapilla 
Golden-cheeked Warbler                Dendroica chrysoparia 
Black-and-white Warbler               Mniotilta  varia 
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH                 Seiurus motacilla 
Summer Tanager                        Piranga rubra 
Rufous-crowned Sparrow                Aimophila ruficeps 
Chipping Sparrow                      Spizella passerina 
Clay-colored Sparrow                  Spizella pallida 
Field Sparrow                         Spizella pusilla 
Lark Sparrow                          Chondestes grammacus 
Lincoln's Sparrow                     Melospiza lincolnii 
White-crowned Sparrow                 Zonotrichia leucophrys 
Northern Cardinal                     Cardinalis cardinalis 
BLUE GROSBEAK                         Passerina caerulea 
INDIGO BUNTING                        Passerina cyanea 
PAINTED BUNTING                       Passerina ciris 
DICKCISSEL                            Spiza  americana 
Great-tailed Grackle                  Quiscalus mexicanus 
Brown-headed Cowbird                  Molothrus ater 
Hooded Oriole                         Icterus  cucullatus 
53 SPECIES 
So far:  93 SPECIES
 
 
 
Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 

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Subject: Hill Country Part 2: Garner State Park
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:04:48 EDT
Hi, all!

I wanted to hit Garner pre-dawn to check for night birds, so I got there
around 6:20, with several "day birds" tuning up already including
Ash-throated and Vermilion Flycatchers and Field Sparrows!  Did get a
Chuck-will's-widow singing, but no owls. :-( It was magical experiencing the 
dawn chorus, 

however, stopping periodically along the roads until it was  time to meet
the girls at the Pavilion.

I had heard that the Old Entrance Road was a good birding road, so I
suggested we hike that.  Great Crested Flycatchers were calling, but too  far
away to even hope to see.  We took the paved walkway along the river  and tried
unsuccessfully to draw out a curious Yellow-breasted Chat, then worked  our
way up the road.  An Eastern Wood Pewee serenaded us as we gawked
dutifully at the scenic overlook, then started plodding up the trail. Even 
though 

it's paved, the first part of the trail is quite steep, and we almost
turned around, but thankfully it leveled off shortly.  The first highlight
actually wasn't a bird at all, but another gorgeous Red Satyr, right in the 
sun! 

 A little later we had an old friend from San Diego yet that is kind  of a
local specialty here: a Hutton's Vireo!  A Scott's Oriole also sang  from
somewhere over the hill.  Several Golden-cheeked Warblers sang, and we  just
happened to have two males aggressively song-battling when these two  [human]
guys came up the trail (one was Canadian but the other guy sounded
British) who hadn't seen any yet, so we were happy to show them their life 
bird! 

We hiked all the way to the old gate and just turned around rather  than go
down Wild Horse Creek Trail and back on the road.  By the residence  we had
a female Cardinal with whitish eyebrows!

Back at the Pavilion we fixed some lunch and actually had quite a bit of
action: both Yellow-throated and another Hutton's Vireo came to say hello
(Sue  actually saw them mating--two Yellow-throateds, that is), and a Nashville
 Warbler sang his jingly little song.  After that we headed down to the
Frio  River to try for Green Kingfisher (I had had a pair of Ringed there
earlier);  dipped on that one, but got a Spotted Sandpiper and great looks at a
Yellow-throated Warbler.  A Canyon Wren sang his distinctive song from the
rock faces, and a Black-crested Titmouse entertained us by taking a bath and
 preening at point-blank range!  Another old San Diego friend, the Common
Raven, croaked in the distance.

We then headed over to the old Bicycle Trail where I had the fighting Field
 Sparrows the day before, as the girls really wanted that, but they (the
sparrows) weren't cooperative this time (except for a feeding flock that Jan
and  Sue went chasing after and almost got themselves lost--Sue got the
Field but Jan  didn't...).  It proved to be another great trail for leps,
however, as not  only did we have several Silvered Checkerspots again, but yet
another lifer: a  Juniper Hairstreak!  Also had a pretty male Dun Skipper with
his golden  head, and a female Vesta Crescent.

We headed back to Neil's Lodges after that and down to the Pecan Grove, 
where there were more feeders.  In addition to the same birds we had the  day
before, both Pine Siskins and American Goldfinches came in, along with a
White-crowned Sparrow and Summer Tanager!  Chickadees came to the drip, and  a
titmouse with the rattiest-looking tail we had ever seen whanged on a
sunflower seed!  An empid of some kind peeped, but Sue was the only one  ene
rgetic enough to go chase it down (it eluded her, anyway...).

Kissed the girls goodbye so I could get up to Kerrville at a decent hour,
only they found a Bullock's Oriole on the way out--alas, I couldn't find it
for  my list!

Pics for the day:  _http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/garner_
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/garner)

Bird List (birds in CAPS are new for the trip):


Data of: Mary Beth Stowe                                        Date:
4-22-09
Limitations: One Sighting per  Species; From 4-22-09 to 4-22-09
BLACK VULTURE                         Coragyps  atratus
Turkey Vulture                        Cathartes aura
Red-shouldered Hawk                   Buteo lineatus
SPOTTED SANDPIPER                     Actitis macularius
Rock Pigeon                           Columba livia
Eurasian  Collared Dove
Mourning Dove                         Zenaida macroura
White-winged Dove                     Zenaida asiatica
CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW                    Caprimulgus carolinensis
Black-chinned Hummingbird             Archilochus alexandri
Ringed Kingfisher                     Megaceryle torquata
Golden-fronted Woodpecker             Melanerpes aurifrons
Ladder-backed Woodpecker              Picoides scalaris
EASTERN WOOD PEWEE                    Contopus virens
Eastern Phoebe                        Sayornis  phoebe
Vermilion Flycatcher                  Pyrocephalus rubinus
Western Kingbird                      Tyrannus verticalis
Ash-throated Flycatcher               Myiarchus cinerascens
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER              Myiarchus crinitus
PURPLE MARTIN                         Progne subis
Barn Swallow                          Hirundo rustica
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET                  Regulus calendula
CANYON WREN                           Catherpes mexicanus
Carolina Wren
Bewick's Wren                         Thryomanes bewickii
HOUSE WREN                            Troglodytes aedon
Northern Mockingbird                  Mimus polyglottos
Eastern  Bluebird
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher                 Polioptila caerulea
Carolina Chickadee                    Poecile carolinensis
Black-crested Titmouse                Baeolophus atricristatus
Common Raven                          Corvus corax
European Starling                     Sturnus vulgaris
House Sparrow                         Passer domesticus
White-eyed Vireo                      Vireo griseus
Yellow-throated Vireo                 Vireo flavifrons
HUTTON’S VIREO                        Vireo huttoni
House Finch                           Carpodacus mexicanus
PINE SISKIN                           Carduelis pinus
Lesser Goldfinch                      Carduelis psaltria
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH                    Carduelis tristis
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER                Vermivora celata
NASHVILLE WARBLER                     Vermivora ruficapilla
Northern Parula                       Parula americana
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER                 Dendroica coronata
GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLER                Dendroica chrysoparia
Yellow-throated Warbler               Dendroica dominica
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER               Mniotilta varia
Yellow-breasted Chat                  Icteria virens
Summer Tanager                        Piranga rubra
Olive Sparrow                         Arremonops rufivirgatus
Chipping Sparrow                      Spizella passerina
Clay-colored Sparrow                  Spizella pallida
Field Sparrow                         Spizella pusilla
Lark Sparrow                          Chondestes  grammacus
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW                 Zonotrichia leucophrys
Northern Cardinal                     Cardinalis cardinalis
Great-tailed Grackle                  Quiscalus mexicanus
Bronzed Cowbird                       Molothrus  aeneus
Brown-headed Cowbird                  Molothrus ater
Scott's Oriole                        Icterus parisorum
61 SPECIES
So Far:  83  SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/)


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Subject: Hill Country Part 1: McAllen to Uvalde
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:14:52 EDT
Hi, all!
 
I got WAY behind in the journal, so I hope I remember the details!   Left 
McAllen, TX on Tuesday the 21st to head into the Hill Country to meet San  
Diego birding buddies Jan Nordenberg, Sue Smith, Ann Hannon, and Marcie (she 
was  the only one I didn't know and unfortunately didn't catch her last 
name... :-(  ).  The plan was to bird Garner State Park together on Wednesday, 
but it  didn't take me long to get to Uvalde and check in, picking up nice 
birds on the  way such as several Chihuahuan Ravens, a White-tailed Hawk, 
Caracara (lots), and  a Krider's Redtail.
 
After getting the key I headed up to Garner to check the place out.   
White-eyed Vireos were all over, and had Field Sparrows singing on the way in. 

The feeders at the little visitor's center had both Ruby-throated and  
Black-chinned Hummers coming in for a drink, plus lots of Chipping Sparrows  
going after the seeds.  Barn Swallows were building a nest under the  eaves.
 
Heading up the hill added the first Golden-cheeked Warbler of the trip  
buzzing outside the car window, then swung down through the cabin area and  
stopped briefly at the Frio River, where both Yellow-throated Warblers and  
Northern Parulas were singing. Other road birds included Eastern Bluebird and 

Vermilion Flycatcher.  
 
After checking out all the roads I went back to where I saw a trailhead in  
an old camping area that looked like it was no longer in use (it was a big 
field  now with just a paved loop).  It didn't say No Parking, so I applied 
the  It's Easier To Get Forgiveness Than Permission Rule and backed Jip into 
one of  the old slots nearest the trail.  Just heading in ten minutes was a 
lovely  walk through the woods, the highlight being a couple of Field 
Sparrows having a  tiff.  A Red-shouldered Hawk yelled in the distance, and 
several Summer Tanagers "pik-a-chewed". By that time the butterflies were out, 

and after  editing the pics I discovered I had my first lifer: a Silvery 
Checkerspot!   Also had a Bordered Patch and several Pipevine Swallowtails.
 
Had time to hike a little of the Wild Horse Creek Trail over by Shady  
Meadows, and this looked great for Goldencheeks with all the Ash Junipers, but 

didn't hear any probably due to the time of day.  The butterflies were more  
active, with several Viola's Wood Satyrs, and another lifer I was thrilled 
to  find: the Red Satyr!  A very friendly Chipping Sparrow posed for 
pictures on the way out, and back at the visitor's center a female Hooded 
Oriole 

had  discovered the hummer feeder, much to the chagrin of the hummers!
 
Jan called about that time, so I met the girls at Neal's Lodges where after 
 a happy reunion we headed down to one of the feeding stations (where the  
Rufous-capped Warbler had shown up) and enjoyed the moochers: a brilliant 
male  Hooded Oriole was raiding the jelly when we arrived, and Rufous-crowned 
and  Clay-colored Sparrows were new for my trip list.  An Olive Sparrow made 
a  very brief appearance, but unfortunately not everyone got on that one.  
We  were entertained by a female House Finch that seemed hypnotized by the 
drip (the  girls couldn't believe House Finches are actually accidental in 
the  Valley)!  Lots of "Black-backed" Goldfinches came in to the faucet, as 
well  as the usual dove contingent of White-winged, Inca, and Common Ground.   
Just before we left a Bell's Vireo decided to sing next to us!
 
We had a wonderful dinner at the restaurant overlooking the river, where  
the star of the show was the Ringed Kingfisher that flew in!  Comedy relief  
was supplied by Sue when she accidentally dropped her fried pickle in her 
glass  of wine...  After that we kissed goodbye and I headed back to Uvalde 
with  plans to meet at Garner the next morning.
 
Pics for the day:  _http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/uvalde_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/uvalde) 
 
Bird List:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 
4-21-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 4-21-09 to  4-21-09

Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Harris's  Hawk                          Parabuteo unicinctus
Red-shouldered  Hawk                    Buteo lineatus
White-tailed  Hawk                      Buteo albicaudatus
Red-tailed  Hawk                        Buteo jamaicensis
Crested  Caracara                       Caracara cheriway
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Eurasian  Collared-Dove                 Streptopelia decaocto
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
White-winged  Dove                      Zenaida asiatica
Common  Ground-Dove                     Columbina passerina
Inca  Dove                              Columbina inca
Greater  Roadrunner                     Geococcyx californianus
Lesser  Nighthawk                       Chordeiles acutipennis
Chimney  Swift                          Chaetura pelagica
Ruby-throated  Hummingbird              Archilochus colubris
Black-chinned  Hummingbird              Archilochus alexandri
Ringed  Kingfisher                      Megaceryle torquata
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker              Melanerpes aurifrons
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker               Picoides scalaris
Eastern  Phoebe                         Sayornis phoebe
Vermilion  Flycatcher                   Pyrocephalus rubinus
Western  Kingbird                       Tyrannus verticalis
Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher              Tyrannus forficatus
Ash-throated  Flycatcher                Myiarchus cinerascens
Brown-crested  Flycatcher               Myiarchus tyrannulus
Horned  Lark                            Eremophila alpestris
Barn  Swallow                           Hirundo rustica
Cave  Swallow                           Petrochelidon fulva
Carolina  Wren                          Thryothorus ludovicianus
Bewick's  Wren                          Thryomanes bewickii
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Eastern  Bluebird                       Sialia sialis
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher                  Polioptila caerulea
Carolina  Chickadee                     Poecile carolinensis
Black-crested  Titmouse                 Baeolophus atricristatus
Loggerhead  Shrike                      Lanius ludovicianus
Chihuahuan  Raven                       Corvus cryptoleucus
Common  Raven                           Corvus corax
European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Bell's  Vireo                           Vireo bellii
Yellow-throated  Vireo                  Vireo flavifrons
House  Finch                            Carpodacus mexicanus
Lesser  Goldfinch                       Carduelis psaltria
Northern  Parula                        Parula americana
Yellow-throated  Warbler                Dendroica dominica
Wilson's  Warbler                       Wilsonia pusilla
Yellow-breasted  Chat                   Icteria virens
Summer  Tanager                         Piranga rubra
Olive  Sparrow                          Arremonops rufivirgatus
Rufous-crowned  Sparrow                 Aimophila ruficeps
Chipping  Sparrow                       Spizella passerina
Clay-colored  Sparrow                   Spizella pallida
Field  Sparrow                          Spizella pusilla
Lark  Sparrow                           Chondestes grammacus
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
Northern  Cardinal                      Cardinalis cardinalis
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus
Bronzed  Cowbird                        Molothrus aeneus
Brown-headed  Cowbird                   Molothrus ater
Hooded  Oriole                          Icterus cucullatus

64 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Hidalgo County Big Day (longish)
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:35:36 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Had a great time Friday doing a springtime Big Day, following pretty much  
the same pattern I did in January with a couple of additions due to the 
extra  daylight hours.  My first bird happened to be the cacophony of 
Great-tailed Grackles (1) at the corner of Bentsen Palm Drive and Business 83 
well 

before  dawn!  Arrived at Bentsen an hour before sunrise where the place was  
crawling with cops and Border Patrol (and I was very happy to see them,  
frankly)! The Pauraques (2) were tuning up, but unfortunately that's all that 

was calling; I made a loop around Acacia to listen for Elf Owl and ran into 
 another visiting birder named Leo, who joined me as we made our way down 
the  Kiskadee Trail and back over towards the Green Jay Blind.  A 
Black-bellied Whistling Duck (3) flew overhead in the darkness, and by then 
both 

White-winged (4) and White-tipped Doves (5) were waking up. Leo did happen to 

hear an  Eastern Screech Owl (6), which thankfully called again for me!  
Red-winged  Blackbirds (7) were calling from the reeds, and soon Couch's 
Kingbirds (8), a Long-billed Thrasher (9), Mourning Doves (10), Cardinals (11), 

and Kiskadees  (12) joined the dawn chorus.  As we sat at Kingfisher Overlook 
awaiting  sunrise, we could pick out a Clay-colored Thrush (13) in the mix.  
Some  Chachalacas (14) growled from the vicinity of the blind, and a 
Pied-billed Grebe (15) hooted from the resaca. A Gray Hawk (16) whistled back 

around where  the nest was, and soon other marsh birds piped up including Coot 
(17),  Yellowthroat (18), and a cackling Least Bittern (19).  A 
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (20) made his presence known as Leo headed for the 
Hawk 

Tower, while  I scanned the marsh when it became light enough to see and added 
roosting Cattle  Egrets (21) and an Anhinga (22).
 
On the way out the Black-crested Titmice (23) and Beardless Tyrannulet (24) 
 were singing up a storm, and Brown-crested Flycatcher (25), Green Jay 
(26), and  Mockingbird (27) quickly were added.  Barely caught an Osprey (28)  
flying past, and then spotted about three Mississippi Kites (29) circling 
over  the trees!  Ran into Jose with the van, and he had seen the same group  
taking off.  Continuing down the entrance road added Ladder-backed  
Woodpecker (30), Olive Sparrow (31), a burbling House Wren (32), Altamira 
Oriole 

(33--at least I'm assuming it was that and not a Smudgy...), and a  
powerful-sounding Great Crested Flycatcher (34), possibly the same one I heard 
the 

previous Saturday.  An unidentified waterthrush "pinked" and flew at  the "wet 
spot" along the entrance road, and at the levee several swallows  were 
wheeling around, mostly Caves (35) but also some Banks (36)  giving their 
rapid-fire calls. Another raptor proved to be a White-tailed Kite (37), and a 

Bronzed Cowbird (38) sang from the headquarters  area.  Heading to the parking 
lot added a flyover Killdeer (39) and an Inca  Dove (40) on the sidewalk.
 
On the way to Anzalduas several Scissor-tailed Flycatchers (41) lined the  
wires, and the House Finch-like song of a Blue Grosbeak (42) wafted into the 
car  along Military Highway, along with Eastern Meadowlarks (43).  A 
Bewick's  Wren (44) sang along the levee road, and heard the requisite House 
Sparrows (45) near human habitation. At Anzalduas the guy at the entrance booth 

 told me about their Gray Hawk nest (didn't have the heart to tell him I 
already  had it for the day ;-)), and down at the river added Laughing Gulls 
(46) and  several Turkey Vultures (48) lounging around.  Starlings (49) were  
chattering, and a lone Gadwall (49) was in the river, along with a Moorhen 
(50)  along the bank (no flames about him being on the Mexican side, 
please... ;-)). Chimney Swifts (51) chittered overhead, and a few Rock Pigeons 

(52)  powered over as well.  Driving slowly through the park yielded the 
singing  Black Phoebe (53), and in the back area (the road over the levee is 
actually  PAVED now) had a flock of Lark Sparrows (54) with a single Chippie 
(55) in with  them!  Swallows were all over, so easily added Cliff (56), 
Rough-winged (57), and Barn (58) to the list. At the overlook a lone cormorant 

turned  out to be a Double-crested (59, complete with double crests), and a 
Spotted  Sandpiper (60) bobbed along the rocks.  Closer scrutiny added a 
hiding  Neotropic Cormorant (61), several Mottled Ducks (62), and a pair of 
American  Wigeon (63) I almost overlooked!  A Great Egret (64) was standing 
stoically in the river, and a Lincoln's Sparrow (65) buzzed from the grass. On 

the  way out I did look at the Gray Hawk nest tree just in case the guy 
asked...  ;-)
 
Next stop was Quinta Mazatlan, and got a double whammy upon stepping out of 
 the car: the Green Parakeets (66) were screeching over as last time, but 
so was  a Red-crowned Parrot (67)!  That was a first!  (He later allowed good 
 looks from his palm tree...)  A Curve-billed Thrasher (68) feeding at one  
of the stations was a target bird, and going around the back side ran into 
a  little feeding flock that included Nashville (69), Black-throated Green 
(70),  and John Brush's Blue-winged Warbler (71)!  A funny whistle turned out 
 to be a Baltimore Oriole (72) perched atop a dead tree near the little  
amphitheater, and John's Chuck-will's-widow (73) had moved over to this area 
as  well!  Even with the dreary weather, a male Ruby-throated Hummer (74)  
turned his head so that I was able to get a flash of red, and the resident  
Buff-bellied Hummers (75) chattered as well.  Another target bird, the  
Tropical Kingbirds (76), twittered over by the golf course, and a 
Yellow-breasted 

Chat (77) made an appearance in the little butterfly  garden!
 
Blasted up Ware Road and over to Wallace Road, where a Red-tailed Hawk (78) 
 played Telephone Pole Tag with me for a mile or so!  Practically ran over 
a  Horned Lark (79), and at one stop Bobwhite (80) were calling in the  
distance. Savannah Sparrows (81) were in the fields along with lots more Lark 

Sparrows, and a White-eyed Vireo (82) sang at the NWR tract.  A  Caracara 
(83) came through near the tract trailhead, and flushed a Common Ground  Dove 
(84) along the road.  A presumed Western Kingbird would have been #85,  but 
the fact that, when he flew off, he was making nice with a Scissortail  
raised an eyebrow, and indeed the pictures showed a short-tailed Scissortail  
whose pink flush looked more yellow to me at first glance. :-(
 
Arriving at the wetlands the real #85 was a gurgling Marsh Wren, and in the 
 water added Least Grebe (86) and Ruddy Duck (87).  It was really rather  
quiet except for another White-tailed Kite perched on a dead tree (until I 
got  my camera out); the normal Anhingas were around, but only picked up a few 
 Blue-winged Teal (88) and a single Great Blue Heron (89) flying past.  A  
Brown-headed Cowbird (90) whistled from somewhere, and was pleased to hear 
the  staccato song of a Sedge Wren (91)!  At the next wetland some Black  
Vultures (92) flopped around, and thankfully while I was out of the car the  
Green Kingfisher (93) decided to zip by!  Also along here picked up a  single 
Snowy Egret (94), Tricolored Heron (95), and a couple of Black-necked  
Stilts (96). Towards the north end of the road, I was shocked to hear Turkeys 

(97) gobbling, and also the obnoxious buzz of a Dickcissel (98)!
 
Headed over and down to Edinburg Wetlands after that, where I checked the  
south pond first.  Several Long-billed Dowitchers (99) were added to the  
list, as well as a Green Heron (100) I almost missed along the bank!  Least  
Sandpipers (101) were in the mix as well, along with a few more Neotrops and 
a  pair of Forster's Terns (102) that were unique for the day.  In the north 
 pond was a Black-crowned Night Heron (103) and several Shovelers (104), 
along  with the usual contingent of teal, coots, and grebes.  I accused Javier 
of  locking up the Spotted Towhee ;-) but did manage to spot another male  
Archilochus hummer who turned his head enough to show a PURPLE throat this 
time,  nailing him as a Black-chinned (105)!  A bright chirp got me into the  
butterfly gardens again from the other side of the resaca, and was able to 
track  down the Yellow Warbler (106) making it, while also adding the Least 
Tern (107)  flying overhead.  Javier was upset on my behalf that I dipped on 
the  Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer that had been there earlier!
 
From there headed down to Santa Ana, where a young Broad-winged Hawk (108)  
was sailing over the levee.  At Willow Lake had several White-faced Ibis  
(109) feeding, and a Red-shouldered Hawk (110) made off with a snake!   There 
were more dowitchers here, along with several Lesser Yellowlegs (111), and  
over by the blind a couple of White Ibis (112) fed with another truly 
glossy White-faced! A Sora (113) whinnied in response to the camera clicking, 

and  finally added Carolina Wren (114) singing in the distance.  Another 
migrant  flock was heading through, but the only birds I could get on were 
another knockout Blue-winged Warbler and a cooperative Eastern Wood Pewee 
(115). 

 
Headed over to the Progresso Sod Farms after that, stopping along 281 for a 
 pair of White-tailed Hawks (116).  There was nothing at all along this  
route or the levee (except more Horned Larks), but picked up a Swainson's Hawk 
 (117) where the levee dumped onto 88.  Headed north to Frontera Audubon  
Thicket, and this was where the real party was: migrants were coming in to 
the  water feature like nobody's business!  Before I even got there, though,  
several Tennessee Warblers (118) were in the parking lot, and Purple Martins 
 (119) gurgled overhead.  A few other birders were also staked out at the  
feature when I got there, and shortly both Tennessee and Nashville Warblers 
came  in, along with both male and female Northern Parulas (120), and a 
lovely male Chestnut-sided Warbler (121)! I decided to take a walk around the 

loop,  but it was rather quiet except for another chat in the marshy area 
and several  more Nashville Warblers near the butterfly gardens.  When I came 
back to  the water feature Huck Hutchins had a few people camped out at a 
drip I didn't  even know was there, and they had had both Indigo and Painted 
Buntings while I  was gone! :-(  But as Huck was trying to get me on another 
Chestnut-sided  Warbler, I was distracted by an odd metallic chink coming 
from the water  feature, and when my eyes finally caught the movement in the 
shadows, it was the  female Blue Bunting (122)!  She eclipsed the warbler, to 
be sure, and she  thankfully gave a brief life look for another visiting 
birder!  I found  myself glued there for a good long time after that, just 
enjoying the birds and  fellowship, and adding a skulky Catbird (123), a 
calling Lesser Goldfinch (124),  and another big surprise: a couple of Pine 
Siskins (125) that had evidently been  hanging around!
 
It was 4:50 by that time and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get into  
Estero Llano Grande, but Huck assured me I could, so I zipped over there 
(sorry  I missed you, John! :-( ) and right away saw that Javier was at least 
half  vindicated as a pair of Gull-billed Terns (126) were batting around, as 
well as  a pair of Least Terns!  The light was terrific, and even though 
they  weren't new for the day, enjoyed point blank looks at Long-billed 
Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers, BN Stilts, and even a Savannah Sparrow! But 
hidden 

in  the pack of shorebirds were several Wilson's Phalaropes (127), including 
a  couple of brilliant ladies!  Also almost overlooked a Stilt Sandpiper 
(128)  in with the dowitchers!  Made the loop around the grasslands and didn't 
 kick up anything except Lincoln's Sparrows, but an adult and immature 
Little  Blue Heron (129) flew by in the distance, and walking back along 
Dowitcher Pond managed to flush a couple of Fulvous Whistling Ducks (130) from 
the 

reeds!
 
Still had plenty of daylight, so blasted up to the La Sal del Rey area,  
stopping every mile along the dirt roads to hopefully tack on some "western" 
and  mesquite grassland stuff.  Dipped on the hoped-for Painted Bunting and  
Cassin's Sparrow, but a Roadrunner (131) obliged nicely, and at another  
stop a Pyrrhuloxia (132) gave its distinctive chatter.  Several Harris'  Hawks 
(133) showed up, and finally picked out a Loggerhead Shrike (134) out of  
all the other wire birds!  I might have had Collared Doves as well, but  they 
took off before I could get a look at them, as did a couple of  accipiters.  
Got more nice looks at Broad-winged, White-tailed, and  Swainson's Hawks, 
and just as the sun was going down a Common Nighthawk (135)  was officially 
the last bird of the day!
 
Pics for the day are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri) 
 
Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 

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Subject: South Padre Island--the full story
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:35:26 EDT
Hi, all!

I've finally had a minute to write up yesterday's (15 APR) wonderful
morning with San Diego birding buddies Alice Debolt, Tony Merceica, and Dennis
and Jill Raffelson (Alice's hubby Chuck joined us later)!  We were to meet
at the Convention Center at eight, and of course I got there early and was
treated immediately to a Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the garden!  Another  birder
excitedly pointed out a Painted Bunting on the sidewalk before he ran to
get his camera, but by the time he got back (and I emerged from the ladies'
room) the bird was replaced by a bunch of Lincoln's Sparrows at the little
water  feature.  I headed out onto the boardwalk where I ran into Tony, and
we  enjoyed "Texas Flamingoes" (spoonbills), Avocets, Skimmers, and very
cooperative  Clapper Rails!  (I was afraid they had vamoosed with all the
construction  going on...)  The Golden Plover was seen that morning, but not by
me; there  were several other shorebirds about, including Dunlin and Marbled
Godwit.   Both flavors of Reddish Egrets were at the overlook, and both Sedge
and Marsh  Wrens sang from the grasses/reeds.

Found Alice and the Raffelsons back in the gardens, and between gab
sessions we enjoyed and shot cooperative Black-throated Green, Yellow, 
Tennessee, 

and Nashville Warblers, as well as a Warbling Vireo.  The female  Summer
Tanager was pretty skulky, however.  (Both Tony and Dennis have  monster
cameras, so there was a lot of good-natured bantering going on between the 
Nikon 

and Canon users... ;-))  Later it dawned on me that I totally  forgot to
check the mudflats... :-(

From there we went to a private lot belonging to a friend of Tony's, where
the real show took place: first to greet us was a male Blackpoll Warbler,
but  shortly after that a gorgeous male Cerulean Warbler dropped in and gave
a great  show!  Not to be outdone, a male Black-and-white came in at point
blank  range (Tony assured us he'd land on a certain tree and start working
it, and he  did)!.  In addition we had more Tennessees, a couple of Parulas,
a Catbird,  and Alice thought she had a Kentucky Warbler but he never showed
for the rest of  us.

From there we went to Sheepshead where they have quite the setup since the
last time I was there with several drips, a couple of little ponds, and
some  oranges set out!  Chuck, Alice's non-birding hubby, joined us here, but
managed to spot the only Worm-eating Warbler of the morning at the pond!  A
waterthrush also came in at the far pond that looked like a Northern back
there,  but when it came to the near pond it started looking suspiciously
like a  Louisiana!  I think that's what we're leaning towards (and my lousy
picture  sure isn't definitive, I don't think...).  Also coming in to the area
was a  Chestnut-sided Warbler; more Tennessees, Nashvilles, and Parulas;
Baltimore and  Orchard Orioles, and even a Green Heron!

Afterwards we all went to lunch at Yummy's (across the street from "Jaws"),
 a delightful little deli and coffee shop, that served a burger to die for!
  (I caved and got a coconut espresso afterwards... ;-))  Pics are posted
here (and I included the icky WE Warbler and waterthrush just because I know
 there are some on the list who will want to see those pics...):

_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_wed_
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_wed)

Bird List:

Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date:
4-15-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 4-15-09 to  4-15-09

Black-bellied  Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
Mottled  Duck                           Anas fulvigula
Brown  Pelican                          Pelecanus occidentalis
Great Blue  Heron                       Ardea herodias
Reddish  Egret                          Egretta rufescens
Tricolored  Heron                       Egretta tricolor
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
Green  Heron                            Butorides virescens
Roseate  Spoonbill                      Platalea ajaja
Osprey                                 Pandion haliaetus
Clapper  Rail                           Rallus longirostris
Common  Moorhen                         Gallinula chloropus
Black-necked  Stilt                     Himantopus mexicanus
American  Avocet                        Recurvirostra americana
Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
Short-billed  Dowitcher                 Limnodromus griseus
Marbled  Godwit                         Limosa fedoa
Greater  Yellowlegs                     Tringa melanoleuca
Willet                                 Tringa semipalmata
Lesser  Yellowlegs                      Tringa flavipes
Least  Sandpiper                        Calidris minutilla
Dunlin                                 Calidris alpina
Laughing  Gull                          Leucophaeus atricilla
Herring  Gull                           Larus argentatus
Least  Tern                             Sternula antillarum
Caspian  Tern                           Hydroprogne caspia
Royal  Tern                             Thalasseus maximus
Sandwich  Tern                          Thalasseus sandvicensis
Black  Skimmer                          Rynchops niger
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Eurasian  Collared-Dove                 Streptopelia decaocto
Inca  Dove                              Columbina inca
Yellow-billed  Cuckoo                   Coccyzus americanus
Couch's  Kingbird                       Tyrannus couchii
Northern Rough-winged  Swallow         Stelgidopteryx  serripennis
Barn  Swallow                           Hirundo rustica
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Sedge  Wren                             Cistothorus platensis
Marsh  Wren                             Cistothorus palustris
Gray  Catbird                           Dumetella carolinensis
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Warbling  Vireo                         Vireo gilvus
Tennessee  Warbler                      Vermivora peregrina
Nashville  Warbler                      Vermivora ruficapilla
Northern  Parula                        Parula americana
Chestnut-sided  Warbler                 Dendroica pensylvanica
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
Black-throated Green  Warbler          Dendroica  virens
Blackpoll  Warbler                      Dendroica striata
Cerulean  Warbler                       Dendroica cerulea
Black-and-white  Warbler                Mniotilta varia
Worm-eating  Warbler                    Helmitheros vermivorum
Louisiana  Waterthrush                  Seiurus motacilla
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Summer  Tanager                         Piranga rubra
Savannah  Sparrow                       Passerculus sandwichensis
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
Indigo  Bunting                         Passerina cyanea
Painted  Bunting                        Passerina ciris
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus
Brown-headed  Cowbird                   Molothrus ater
Baltimore  Oriole                       Icterus galbula
Orchard  Oriole                         Icterus spurius

65 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/)


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Subject: Quinta Mazatlan & Hidalgo Pumphouse
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:23:35 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Bookended a trip to the chiropractor's with a visit to Quinta Mazatlan  
early and Hidalgo Pumphouse afterwards!  I missed John Brush's Blue-winged  
Warbler, but DID manage to flush his Chuck-will's-widow towards the northwest  
corner of the loop trail (where the "Hummingbird Restaurant" is)!  His  
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were also still hanging around, and enjoyed the  
regulars going after the suet feeders, but only had Black-and-white and 
Wilson's  in the warbler department.  A group of four Green Parakeets went 
screaming over early on, and a pair kept circling over throughout the time I 
was 

there.  A pretty Ruby-throated Hummer showed up at the "sparrow feeders"  
where a banded Carolina Wren attacked another suet feeder.  I thought I  
heard a sapsucker at one point, but it didn't call again, and shortly 
afterwards 

 I spooked a Cooper's Hawk with breakfast off its perch, so that could have 
been  what I heard.  The tittering Tropical Kingbirds were still around, as 
well  as a vocal Clay-colored Thrush.
 
After the doctor's I happened to wheel in the OHP parking lot the same time 
 Mike Rickard did, so I followed him around looking for leps while trying 
to keep  a bird list; a Green Heron spooking from the "Swimming Hole" was 
nice, but  dipped on the Black Phoebe this time.  I parted company with him 
briefly in  order to check out the resaca, where a Clay-colored Thrush was 
calling querulously, and a double-take at a Couch's Kingbird proved it to be a 

Western!  A real Couch's was very brave and caught a wasp for lunch, and  
swallows of several varieties flew overhead, along with a few Chimney  
Swifts.  We had a few nice leps, including Nysa Roadside Skipper and Theona  
Checkerspot.  Pics are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Quinta Mazatlan WBC (McAllen) (LTC  063)
Observation date:     4/14/09
Number of species:   37

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck      2
Plain Chachalaca     6
Cattle Egret      4
Cooper's Hawk     1
White-winged Dove      12
Mourning Dove     2
Inca Dove      2
White-tipped Dove     6
Green Parakeet      4
Chuck-will's-widow     1
Chimney Swift      1
Buff-bellied Hummingbird     5
Ruby-throated  Hummingbird     1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      8
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     1
Great Kiskadee   4
Tropical Kingbird     1
Couch's  Kingbird     5
White-eyed Vireo     1
Green  Jay     3
Black-crested Titmouse      1
Carolina Wren     3
House Wren      1
Clay-colored Thrush     2
Northern Mockingbird   4
Long-billed Thrasher     4
Curve-billed  Thrasher     2
European Starling      2
Black-and-white Warbler     1
Wilson's Warbler   1
Olive Sparrow     3
Lincoln's Sparrow   2
Northern Cardinal     2
Red-winged  Blackbird     5
Great-tailed Grackle      7
Bronzed Cowbird     1
House Sparrow      20

Location:     Old Hidalgo Pumphouse (WBC)  (LTC067)
Observation date:     4/14/09
Number of  species:     24

Green Heron     1
Rock  Pigeon     4
White-winged Dove      1
Mourning Dove     3
Inca Dove      1
Chimney Swift     2
Buff-bellied Hummingbird   1
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird      2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     1
Great Kiskadee   1
Couch's Kingbird     1
Western  Kingbird     1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher      1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow     5
Bank Swallow   4
Barn Swallow     2
Clay-colored Thrush   1
Northern Mockingbird     3
European  Starling     1
Lincoln's Sparrow      1
Northern Cardinal     1
Great-tailed Grackle   5
Lesser Goldfinch     2
House Sparrow   3

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Bentsen Bird Walk
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 2009 09:23:09 EDT
 
Hi, all!
 
A power outage prevented me from getting this out earlier, but joined Jose  
Uribe in leading the bird walk yesterday morning; I actually got there 
about  7:18 and walked down to the "10-minute Bench" where I had a singing 
Clay-colored Thrush and a pair of flyover Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, which we 

didn't see  later.  I ran into Jose as he was pulling the van out and we 
cruised around the park, actually seeing a CC Thrush on a tree by the pavilion, 

making his  querulous little call!  The biggest surprise was a mini 
downpour when no  rain was even forecast!
 
It let up by the time we reached the VC and joined the rest of the crowd  
that had shown up; the highlight was a Louisiana Waterthrush that was hanging 
 around the dragonfly pond, along with a Yellowthroat.  Jose pointed out an 
 Inca Dove nest to us, and a male Ruby-throated Hummer also made an 
appearance,  while the Buffbellies were vocal but less cooperative.
 
We all piled in and headed to the Gatehouse where we enjoyed the icterids  
chowing down, including a Darth Vaderish Bronzed Cowbird.  More Rubythroats  
buzzed around the olive tree, and someone spotted a snoozing nighthawk in a 
 tree!  We pulled out the books and settled on Common, based on the fact  
that the wingtips projected a bit beyond the tail.
 
Heading over to Kingfisher Overlook, Jose found said Ringed Kingfisher  
across the resaca, beating the snot out of a big fish before devouring it and  
then flying past us!  A mob of roosting Turkey Vultures soon started to  
lift off, and before long we were treated to flight after flight of raptors (I 

think the overcast skies kept them rather low), mostly Broadies and TVs but 
with  a few Swainson's Hawks sprinkled in.  We enjoyed the Kiskadees and 
Altamira  Orioles working on their nests, then made our way over to Acacia 
loop where Jose showed us the Gray Hawk nest, complete with Gray Hawk! One of 

the  participants spotted a Brown-crested Flycatcher, and in short order we 
were  treated to two sparring Clay-colored Thrushes, and a surprisingly 
cooperative  Beardless Tyrannulet!  Eagle Pond was quiet, but Kiskadee Blind 
produced  two gorgeous Indigo Buntings and a photogenic Green Jay, as well as 
White-tipped  Doves an a Javelina.  (After editing the pics, it looked as 
though one of  the buntings was more turquoise than the other!)  On the way 
back to the  vans a Smudgy Oriole gave us a show!
 
I had to take off after that, but the rest of the gang went on to the Hawk  
Tower; I'll let Jose report on that part! :-)  On the walk out heard a  
Great Crested Flycatcher and Common Ground Dove to add to my own list.   Pics 
are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox) 
 
(and the moth and the dragon are best guesses...)
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     Bentsen-Rio Grande Val. SP WBC (Mission)(LTC  069)
Observation date:     4/11/09
Number of species:   47

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck      3
Plain Chachalaca     5
Anhinga      2
Turkey Vulture     40
Broad-winged Hawk   30
Gray Hawk     2
Swainson's Hawk   6
American Coot     40
Gull-billed Tern   1
White-winged Dove     7
Mourning Dove   3
Inca Dove     3
Common Ground-Dove   1
White-tipped Dove     15
Common  Nighthawk     1
Buff-bellied Hummingbird      3
Ruby-throated Hummingbird     4
Ringed Kingfisher   1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      12
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     4
Northern  Beardless-Tyrannulet     2
Great Crested Flycatcher   1
Brown-crested Flycatcher     2
Great  Kiskadee     6
Couch's Kingbird      12
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher     2
Green Jay   10
Cave Swallow     6
Black-crested  Titmouse     2
House Wren     6
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher     3
Clay-colored Thrush      6
Northern Mockingbird     6
Long-billed Thrasher   7
Orange-crowned Warbler     1
Louisiana  Waterthrush     1
Common Yellowthroat      2
Olive Sparrow     5
Lincoln's Sparrow      1
Northern Cardinal     5
Indigo Bunting      2
Red-winged Blackbird     50
Great-tailed Grackle   30
Bronzed Cowbird     4
Altamira Oriole   2
Altamira x Audubon's Oriole (hybrid)      1
House Sparrow     20

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 



**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make dinner for $10 
or less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)
Subject: Estero Llano Grande
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 21:32:31 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Had a lovely day at Estero Llano with good company and great birds,  
including (finally) the very cooperative Rose-throated Becard! The magpie jay 
also 

stole the show from a basking Mexican Bluewing! No sign of the Masked Duck or 

LeConte's Sparrow, however (the wind really kicked up later), but  three 
Cinnamon Teal were out in the open, along with many whistling ducks of  both 
flavors.
 
After Huck took us around The Forbidden Zone, Joyce Davidson and her friend  
plus Cheryl from Salieno (now at Santa Ana) and I went around the boardwalk in 
 search of the Masked Duck, but just had the usual.  (A young Roseate  
Spoonbill feeding in Ibis Pond was nice, however...) After we split up I had a 

flyover Ringed Kingfisher near Dowitcher Pond and a calling Least Bittern in 
the 

reeds.  On the way back to the cars we ran into each other again and  had a 
couple of Nashville Warblers where the Green Kingfisher usually hangs out  by 
the ditch pipe (and we did indeed have one there during the butterfly  walk).  
As the day wore on I switched from birding to lepping when the  Rickards 
showed up along with Tom Pendelton and Fran Bartle, plus a couple of guys from 
New 

York, where the star of the show was a Mexican Silverspot in the  parking 
lot!  (Although the Cyna Blue was a life bug for Fran... ;-))
 
Pics for the day are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri) 
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     Estero Llano Grande SP WBC (Weslaco)(LTC  054)
Observation date:     4/3/09
Notes:      A "Myrtle" Warbler and White-tailed Kite were also observed by 
the rest of the  group.
Number of species:     84

Black-bellied  Whistling-Duck     20
Fulvous Whistling-Duck   30
Blue-winged Teal     20
Cinnamon Teal   3
Northern Shoveler     10
Lesser Scaup   1
Plain Chachalaca     3
Least Grebe   20
Pied-billed Grebe     4
American White  Pelican     4
Double-crested Cormorant      100
Anhinga     1
Least Bittern      1
Great Blue Heron     1
Great Egret      2
Snowy Egret     3
Tricolored Heron      2
Cattle Egret     5
Green Heron      5
White-faced Ibis     5
Roseate Spoonbill   1
Osprey     1
Broad-winged Hawk   4
Crested Caracara     1
Sora   4
Common Moorhen     7
American Coot   100
Killdeer     4
Black-necked Stilt   8
American Avocet     2
Spotted  Sandpiper     1
Greater Yellowlegs      1
Lesser Yellowlegs     5
Long-billed Dowitcher   50
Gull-billed Tern     2
Rock Pigeon   2
White-winged Dove     8
Mourning Dove   10
Inca Dove     6
Common Ground-Dove   3
White-tipped Dove     10
Red-crowned  Parrot     8
Chimney Swift      1
Buff-bellied Hummingbird     3
Ruby-throated  Hummingbird     1
Ringed Kingfisher      1
Green Kingfisher     1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker   10
Ladder-backed Woodpecker      2
Brown-crested Flycatcher     2
Great Kiskadee   7
Couch's Kingbird     8
Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher     7
Rose-throated Becard      1
Loggerhead Shrike     1
White-eyed Vireo   2
Black-throated Magpie-Jay     1
Green  Jay     2
Purple Martin     2
Northern  Rough-winged Swallow     8
Cliff Swallow      3
Barn Swallow     3
Black-crested Titmouse   3
Carolina Wren     2
House Wren   3
Marsh Wren     2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet   1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     1
Clay-colored  Thrush     1
Northern Mockingbird      10
Long-billed Thrasher     2
European Starling   4
Orange-crowned Warbler     1
Nashville  Warbler     2
Common Yellowthroat      3
Olive Sparrow     3
Lincoln's Sparrow      8
Northern Cardinal     3
Pyrrhuloxia      1
Red-winged Blackbird     20
Great-tailed Grackle   20
Altamira Oriole     1
Lesser  Goldfinch     3
House Sparrow     20

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make dinner for $10 or 
less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)
Subject: Progresso & Hidalgo
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:07:09 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Since I had to be out of the apartment this morning I decided to finally  
check out the Progresso Sod Farms, a new spot for me. It was pretty much as Rex 

described yesterday: what birds that were out there were WAY out there at  
the north end! But could positively ID a dozen or so American Golden Plovers, 

and an Upland Sandpiper also flew over.  I continued road-birding  past the 
little reservoir and up to the levee, where something evidently spooked  the 
plovers as they all zipped overhead along with some Least Sandpipers.   Some 
Red-crowned Parrots calling in the distance were nice for the list.
 
Decided to continue west along the levee, where after it crossed SR 88 I  was 
on familiar territory from the Weslaco CBC!  This was a terrific road  to 
bird as it had many little wetlands and ponds, and today didn't disappoint, as 

some of the highlights included four Roseate Spoonbills in with a large flock  
of White-faced Ibis (had some Whites, too), several kinds of ducks, an 
Anhinga, and at least three Krider's-type Hawks along with a couple of immature 

White-taileds. Another Upland Sandpiper also flew over, as well as my FOS Cliff 

Swallows.  There was quite a substantial freshwater marsh at one  point where 
I got a Sora to respond to hand-clapping.  When I got to FM 493  I decided to 
be adventurous and continue on, and enjoyed more combinations of  
agricultural and wetland habitats, along with some thorn scrub and even some 
grassland 

thrown in.  A Harris' Hawk flew by with a gob of nesting  material, and a 
scruffy-looking Caracara pumped past as well. The unpleasant surprise at Alamo 

Road was a locked tank-stopping yellow gate, so Jip got to take a nose-dive off 

the levee onto the farm road in order to access the  paved road!
 
Headed to Hidalgo Pumphouse after that, where it was actually drizzling  when 
I got there! :-(  I sat in the car for 15 enjoying a pair of Couch's  
Kingbirds and a Black-crested Titmouse, which was my first for the park. The 
sun 

finally came out and I headed down to the channel where I added Green Heron and 

Cattle Egret, also firsts.  The Black Phoebe peeped from  somewhere, and 
added both Buff-bellied and an Archilochus hummingbird after Mike  Rickard had 
joined me.  Lep highlights included an ovipositing Cyna Blue  and a Forrester 
Moth Mike pointed out.
 
Headed home with 68 species for the day.  Pics are posted  here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Bird list:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 
3-31-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 3-31-09 to  3-31-09

Black-bellied  Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
Mottled  Duck                           Anas fulvigula
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Northern  Shoveler                      Anas clypeata
Pied-billed  Grebe                      Podilymbus podiceps
Double-crested  Cormorant               Phalacrocorax auritus
Anhinga                                Anhinga anhinga
Great Blue  Heron                       Ardea herodias
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Tricolored  Heron                       Egretta tricolor
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
Cattle  Egret                           Bubulcus ibis
Green  Heron                            Butorides virescens
White  Ibis                             Eudocimus albus
White-faced  Ibis                       Plegadis chihi
Roseate  Spoonbill                      Platalea ajaja
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Northern  Harrier                       Circus cyaneus
Cooper's  Hawk                          Accipiter cooperii
Harris's  Hawk                          Parabuteo unicinctus
White-tailed  Hawk                      Buteo albicaudatus
Red-tailed  Hawk                        Buteo jamaicensis
Crested  Caracara                       Caracara cheriway
American  Kestrel                       Falco sparverius
Sora                                   Porzana carolina
Common  Moorhen                         Gallinula chloropus
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Black-necked  Stilt                     Himantopus mexicanus
American  Golden-Plover                 Pluvialis dominica
Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
Long-billed  Dowitcher                  Limnodromus scolopaceus
Upland  Sandpiper                       Bartramia longicauda
Greater  Yellowlegs                     Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser  Yellowlegs                      Tringa flavipes
Least  Sandpiper                        Calidris minutilla
Gull-billed  Tern                       Gelochelidon nilotica
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
White-winged  Dove                      Zenaida asiatica
Common  Ground-Dove                     Columbina passerina
Red-crowned  Parrot                     Amazona viridigenalis
Buff-bellied  Hummingbird               Amazilia yucatanensis
Ruby-throated  Hummingbird              Archilochus colubris
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker              Melanerpes aurifrons
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker               Picoides scalaris
Black  Phoebe                           Sayornis nigricans
Great  Kiskadee                         Pitangus sulphuratus
Couch's  Kingbird                       Tyrannus couchii
Horned  Lark                            Eremophila alpestris
Purple  Martin                          Progne subis
Cliff  Swallow                          Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Marsh  Wren                             Cistothorus palustris
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher                  Polioptila caerulea
Black-crested  Titmouse                 Baeolophus atricristatus
European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Olive  Sparrow                          Arremonops rufivirgatus
Lark  Sparrow                           Chondestes grammacus
Savannah  Sparrow                       Passerculus sandwichensis
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern  Meadowlark                     Sturnella magna
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus
Bronzed  Cowbird                        Molothrus aeneus

68 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make dinner for $10 or 
less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)
Subject: Cameron County (longish)
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:39:03 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Sorry about the late report, but I had a lot of photos to sort  through...
 
Did a dawn-to-dusk run of Cameron County on Friday the 27th, starting at  
Sabal Palm Grove. The Audubon's Oriole pair was right there in the parking lot, 

singing away!  Also added my first Altamira for the park while I was  taking 
advantage of the porta potty...  A loop of the Forest Trail added a  couple of 
Solitary Sandpipers in the drying resaca along the boardwalk, and a  
Sharp-shinned Hawk sat on a dead limb. Heard an unfamiliar parrot calling in 
the 

distance, and at the photo blind ran into a Canadian gentleman who had  seen a 
Red-lored Parrot in the parking lot, so that could have been what I heard, but 

I'm not sure.  He pointed out a Green Kingfisher to me across  the way, as 
well as a Green Heron, and later a big Ringed same sailing in.   Also had my 
first Lesser Scaup for the park, as well as a Ring-necked Duck. Back at the VC 

Jimmy Paz filled the feeders and pointed out the  "Cooper's Hawk" that was 
terrorizing everyone (and indeed it was big), but then it started making 
Sharpie 

noises!  The photos I got of the bird showed that  it was indeed a Sharpie 
(the skinny legs gave it away) and taught me once again to be careful calling 
an 

Accipiter by size alone!  Sure had ME  fooled!  The Chachalacas were getting 
territorial and therefore provided  comedy relief...
 
Headed down Boca Chica Boulevard after that; no Aplomados, but lots of  
meadowlarks, and at one watery stop added Northern Waterthrush and Swamp 
Sparrow! 

Had a good selection of raptors, including Black Vulture,  harrier, and 
Red-tailed Hawk which were unique for the day. Also picked up Chihuahuan Raven 

(saving a trip to the dump), and the expected beach-loving shorebirds at road's 

end.
 
South Padre was next, and I'm kicking myself for not checking out the  jetty, 
as Dennis Raffelson and Alice DeBolt were enjoying a Black-legged  Kittiwake 
at the time (I found out later)!  But there was plenty of action  at the 
Convention Center; sadly no rails due to the construction, but there was a 
great 

display (in wonderful light) of White Ibis in high breeding plumage,  along 
with Tricolored Herons, Willets, and Black-necked Stilts! The only ducks out in 

the laguna were several Red-breasted Mergansers.  On the way  back had 
several of these white tiger-like moths feeding on the flowers, which turned 
out to 

be Ornate Moths (best match, anyway).  The butterfly garden  was in good 
shape, with an Obscure Skipper feeding, and lots of Great Southern Whites 
batting 

around.  In back of the Convention Center the tide was high,  so no 
shorebirds, but picked up several Skimmers, and the posts were lined with 
larids 

watching a fight between two Reddish Egrets (I swear I thought one of them was 

going to drown the other)!
 
Headed up to Laguna Atascosa after that, where the heat was pretty  
oppressive (I think the Roadrunner I shot on the way in would agree with that  
assessment...) and at the visitor's center the leps were rather quiet except 
for a 

nice Giant Swallowtail that put on a show.  Picked up a Catbird, a  
Black-and-white Warbler, and Northern Parula along Kiskadee Trail, but the Blue 
Buntings 

were smarter than I was and were apparently hiding deep in the  shade...  
After a visit at the feeders I headed down to Alligator Pond for the first time 

in my life, and was very impressed with the setup!  Met a  guy named Glen who 
already had the Masked Duck staked out and in the scope, and what a view! She 

was near the back side of the pond but still way out in  the open, and I have 
to say that I am very impressed with this Canon EOS Rebel:  I could barely 
see the bird through the viewfinder but several of the shots miraculously came 

out halfway decent!  The Alligator apparently made a  lunge at someone and put 
every bird in the pond on alert status!
 
We walked back to our cars together and then kept leapfrogging on the  
Bayside Trail; even though he was from Texas and now living on the east coast, 
he'd 

never been to the Valley before, so everything was new!  I tried to  point 
out his life White-tailed Hawk when I had stopped at one point, but the  thing 
flew behind some trees before he could get on it... :-(  We all  converged at 
another stop (Glen, another family I ran into at Sabal Palm, and  local birder 
John whom I keep mistaking for Father Tom... :-}) where there was a  Pectoral 
Sandpiper amongst the other shorebirds and ducks.  At one point  was a male 
Shoveler with a BLUE head who was absolutely stunning!  The  Ospreys had their 
attendant gulls and turnstones, and on the back side of the  loop in the 
Dolly-flooded fields were many more shorebirds, including several Stilt 
Sandpipers 

and my FOS Wilson's Plovers.  Most of the peeps I could  make out were 
Westerns (one coming into breeding plumage), but there were also some Leasts 
and 

Dunlins tossed in; I couldn't call any of them Semipals with a  clear 
conscience... A beautiful but distant group of spoonbills added to the color, 
and the 

icing was a beautiful perched White-tailed Hawk (one of the  pics included a 
Pipevine Swallowtail; almost looked as though he was bombing the  hawk, but I 
doubt that...) Flushed a Merlin on the way out, and was very surprised that I 

dipped on Caracara...
 
Headed home with 115 species for the day!  Pics are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri) 
 
Bird list:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 
3-27-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 3-27-09 to  3-27-09

Black-bellied  Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
American  Wigeon                        Anas americana
Gadwall                                Anas strepera
Green-winged  Teal                      Anas crecca
Mottled  Duck                           Anas fulvigula
Northern  Pintail                       Anas acuta
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Northern  Shoveler                      Anas clypeata
Ring-necked  Duck                       Aythya collaris
Lesser  Scaup                           Aythya affinis
Red-breasted  Merganser                 Mergus serrator
Masked  Duck                            Nomonyx dominica
Ruddy  Duck                             Oxyura jamaicensis
Plain  Chachalaca                       Ortalis vetula
Least  Grebe                            Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed  Grebe                      Podilymbus podiceps
American White  Pelican                 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Brown  Pelican                          Pelecanus occidentalis
  Neotropic Cormorant
Double-crested  Cormorant               Phalacrocorax auritus
Great Blue  Heron                       Ardea herodias
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Reddish  Egret                          Egretta rufescens
Tricolored  Heron                       Egretta tricolor
Little Blue  Heron                      Egretta caerulea
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
Cattle  Egret                           Bubulcus ibis
Green  Heron                            Butorides virescens
White  Ibis                             Eudocimus albus
White-faced  Ibis                       Plegadis chihi
Roseate  Spoonbill                      Platalea ajaja
Black  Vulture                          Coragyps atratus
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Osprey                                 Pandion haliaetus
White-tailed  Kite                      Elanus leucurus
Northern  Harrier                       Circus cyaneus
Sharp-shinned  Hawk                     Accipiter striatus
Harris's  Hawk                          Parabuteo unicinctus
White-tailed  Hawk                      Buteo albicaudatus
Red-tailed  Hawk                        Buteo jamaicensis
American  Kestrel                       Falco sparverius
Merlin                                 Falco columbarius
Common  Moorhen                         Gallinula chloropus
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Black-necked  Stilt                     Himantopus mexicanus
American  Avocet                        Recurvirostra americana
Black-bellied  Plover                   Pluvialis squatarola
Wilson's  Plover                        Charadrius wilsonia
Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
Long-billed  Dowitcher                  Limnodromus scolopaceus
Long-billed  Curlew                     Numenius americanus
Solitary  Sandpiper                     Tringa solitaria
Greater  Yellowlegs                     Tringa melanoleuca
Willet                                 Tringa semipalmata
Lesser  Yellowlegs                      Tringa flavipes
Ruddy  Turnstone                        Arenaria interpres
Sanderling                             Calidris alba
Western  Sandpiper                      Calidris mauri
Least  Sandpiper                        Calidris minutilla
Pectoral  Sandpiper                     Calidris melanotos
Dunlin                                 Calidris alpina
Stilt  Sandpiper                        Calidris himantopus
Laughing  Gull                          Leucophaeus atricilla
Ring-billed  Gull                       Larus delawarensis
Herring  Gull                           Larus argentatus
Gull-billed  Tern                       Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian  Tern                           Hydroprogne caspia
Royal  Tern                             Thalasseus maximus
Sandwich  Tern                          Thalasseus sandvicensis
Black  Skimmer                          Rynchops niger
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
White-tipped  Dove                      Leptotila verreauxi
Greater  Roadrunner                     Geococcyx californianus
Buff-bellied  Hummingbird               Amazilia yucatanensis
Ringed  Kingfisher                      Megaceryle torquata
Green  Kingfisher                       Chloroceryle americana
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker              Melanerpes aurifrons
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker               Picoides scalaris
Great  Kiskadee                         Pitangus sulphuratus
Couch's  Kingbird                       Tyrannus couchii
Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher              Tyrannus forficatus
Tree  Swallow                           Tachycineta bicolor
Barn  Swallow                           Hirundo rustica
Cactus  Wren                            Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Carolina  Wren                          Thryothorus ludovicianus
Bewick's  Wren                          Thryomanes bewickii
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Sedge  Wren                             Cistothorus platensis
Gray  Catbird                           Dumetella carolinensis
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Long-billed  Thrasher                   Toxostoma longirostre
Curve-billed  Thrasher                  Toxostoma curvirostre
Black-crested  Titmouse                 Baeolophus atricristatus
Loggerhead  Shrike                      Lanius ludovicianus
Green  Jay                              Cyanocorax yncas
Chihuahuan  Raven                       Corvus cryptoleucus
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Northern  Parula                        Parula americana
Black-and-white  Warbler                Mniotilta varia
Northern  Waterthrush                   Seiurus noveboracensis
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Wilson's  Warbler                       Wilsonia pusilla
Olive  Sparrow                          Arremonops rufivirgatus
Lark  Sparrow                           Chondestes grammacus
Savannah  Sparrow                       Passerculus sandwichensis
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
Swamp  Sparrow                          Melospiza georgiana
Northern  Cardinal                      Cardinalis cardinalis
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern  Meadowlark                     Sturnella magna
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus
Brown-headed  Cowbird                   Molothrus ater
Altamira  Oriole                        Icterus gularis
Audubon's  Oriole                       Icterus graduacauda

115 SPECIES


Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 

**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make dinner for $10 or 
less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)
Subject: Weslaco Birds
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:46:18 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Made a quick trip to Frontera this morning, where sadly yesterday's big  show 
had moved on... :-(  Nothing out of the ordinary, but highlights  included a 
very cooperative Green Kingfisher (thanks to a visiting birder who  found him 
on the boardwalk and pointed him out to me), flyover Green Parakeets  and 
Red-crowned Parrots, a singing (!) Ovenbird and Wilson's Warbler, a calling  
Clay-colored Thrush, and my FOS Chimney Swift. My first Marsh Wren for the park 

was also gurgling from the reeds along the boardwalk.  After the  program at 
Valley Nature Center I took a quick swing around there as well, where  the 
Chachalacas were chorusing up a storm, and had another Wilson's Warbler at one 
of 

the benches.  A handful of pics are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox) 
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Frontera Audubon Ctr (LTC 058)
Observation  date:     3/21/09
Number of species:      41

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck     70
Plain  Chachalaca     20
Snowy Egret     1
Turkey  Vulture     5
Killdeer     1
White-winged  Dove     1
Mourning Dove     2
Inca  Dove     4
White-tipped Dove     15
Green  Parakeet     7
Red-crowned Parrot      2
Chimney Swift     1
Buff-bellied Hummingbird   4
Green Kingfisher     1
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker     8
Ladder-backed Woodpecker      1
Great Kiskadee     5
Couch's Kingbird      1
White-eyed Vireo     4
Blue-headed Vireo   1
Green Jay     1
Black-crested Titmouse   2
Carolina Wren     3
House Wren   2
Marsh Wren     1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet   1
Clay-colored Thrush     1
Northern  Mockingbird     4
European Starling      1
Orange-crowned Warbler     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  (Myrtle)     2
Black-throated Green Warbler      1
Black-and-white Warbler     1
Ovenbird      1
Common Yellowthroat     1
Wilson's Warbler   1
Lincoln's Sparrow     1
Northern  Cardinal     3
Red-winged Blackbird      15
Great-tailed Grackle     8
Brown-headed Cowbird   1

Location:     Valley Nature Ctr. (LTC 057)
Observation  date:     3/21/09
Number of species:      14

Plain Chachalaca     20
White-winged Dove   2
Inca Dove     4
White-tipped Dove   4
Buff-bellied Hummingbird      1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     1
Carolina Wren   1
Northern Mockingbird     1
Yellow-rumped  Warbler (Myrtle)     1
Wilson's Warbler      1
Northern Cardinal     1
Red-winged Blackbird   40
Great-tailed Grackle     4
House  Sparrow     50

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make dinner for $10 or 
less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)
Subject: Spotted Towhee @ ESW
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:30:29 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Just a quick note to report that the Spotted Towhee is still at Edinburg  
Wetlands, as it "rrrrr"ed at me from the Kiskadee Pond. The Pyrrhuloxias were 

very cooperative today; the Wilson's and Yellow Warblers weren't...
 
A few pics are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri) 
 
Enjoy!  MB  

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make dinner for $10 or 
less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)
Subject: Estero Llano Grande
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:41:50 EDT
Hi, all!
 
After a fabulous potluck and program on Valley reptiles by Jennifer  
Owen-White, decided to take an exercise walk around the park, but got 
shanghaied by 

Ranger John and we (along with Huck and a few others) ended up in The  
Forbidden Zone! The target birds never showed (I've been back there three times 
and 

have yet to see any of them, at least well), but we had some other  nice 
things, including a snoozing Pauraque and Eastern Screech Owl, a  cooperative 
Blue-headed Vireo, and even a displaying Green Anole (appropriate  after the 
reptile talk)!  Took my walk after that and enjoyed both flavors  of Whistling 
Ducks, a flushed Sedge Wren, and an iridescent White-faced Ibis. Chatting with 

Huck back on the deck he told me about the anis I  missed at the feeders :-( 
only to have them pop up on the way out!
 
Pics for the day are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Bird List:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 
3-18-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 3-17-09 to  3-18-09

Fulvous  Whistling-Duck                 Dendrocygna bicolor
Black-bellied  Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
Green-winged  Teal                      Anas crecca
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Northern  Shoveler                      Anas clypeata
Least  Grebe                            Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed  Grebe                      Podilymbus podiceps
Tricolored  Heron                       Egretta tricolor
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
White-faced  Ibis                       Plegadis chihi
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Northern  Harrier                       Circus cyaneus
Harris's  Hawk                          Parabuteo unicinctus
Common  Moorhen                         Gallinula chloropus
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Black-necked  Stilt                     Himantopus mexicanus
Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
Spotted  Sandpiper                      Actitis macularius
Lesser  Yellowlegs                      Tringa flavipes
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Eurasian  Collared-Dove                 Streptopelia decaocto
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
Common  Ground-Dove                     Columbina passerina
Inca  Dove                              Columbina inca
White-tipped  Dove                      Leptotila verreauxi
Groove-billed  Ani                      Crotophaga sulcirostris
Eastern  Screech-Owl                    Megascops asio
Pauraque                               Nyctidromus albicollis
Buff-bellied  Hummingbird               Amazilia yucatanensis
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker              Melanerpes aurifrons
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker               Picoides scalaris
Great  Kiskadee                         Pitangus sulphuratus
Couch's  Kingbird                       Tyrannus couchii
Tree  Swallow                           Tachycineta bicolor
Cave  Swallow                           Petrochelidon fulva
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet                   Regulus calendula
Carolina  Wren                          Thryothorus ludovicianus
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Sedge  Wren                             Cistothorus platensis
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Curve-billed  Thrasher                  Toxostoma curvirostre
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher                  Polioptila caerulea
Black-crested  Titmouse                 Baeolophus atricristatus
Green  Jay                              Cyanocorax yncas
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Blue-headed  Vireo                      Vireo solitarius
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
Black-and-white  Warbler                Mniotilta varia
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Olive  Sparrow                          Arremonops rufivirgatus
Savannah  Sparrow                       Passerculus sandwichensis
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern  Meadowlark                     Sturnella magna
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus

57 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make dinner for $10 or 
less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)
Subject: Quinta Mazatlan & Wallace Road
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:27:50 EDT
Hi, all!
 
The main event this morning was leading a bird walk at Quinta Mazatlan with  
John Brush, but the only two people to show up happened to be relatives of a  
friend from church! :-)  So we took them around (they had never been  birding 
before), and despite the weather we had good looks at several Valley  
specialties, including a skulky Olive Sparrow that John spotted! New for my QM 
list 

was a pretty male sapsucker showing off, which made for a woodpecker  sweep 
all told! Jan said we made a great team as I'd hear them, then John would find 

them! :-)  A twittering Tropical Kingbird in the parking lot was  a treat, 
and Curve-billed Thrashers seemed to be all over.  Towards the end  we were 
enjoying a snazzy Kiskadee when an accipiter whizzed in and broke up the party; 

it looked pretty small, so I tentatively called it a Sharpie.  I  actually 
arrived long before the bird walk (around sunrise) and had a singing 
Clay-colored 

Thrush coming up the entrance drive.

 
We wrapped that up pretty quickly, so since John had no other plans I  
suggested showing him Wallace Road (the Monte Cristo tract), so up we went! We 
had 

a nice selection of sparrows along the ag fields, but we  didn't stop to 
listen (although I heard a Bobwhite at one point).  Winter  Texan Joyce had 
pointed out the "real" Sapo Lake a few months ago, so we decided to see if we 
could 

access it, and we could!  The road we turned right onto  to access the lake 
was about four miles north of Monte Cristo Road, and then you  take a small 
dirt road past a fenced off area. The lake was pretty large and surrounded by 

rushes, and we had a flock of about 80 Lesser Scaup in there,  as well as a 
couple of grebes, coots, and moorhen, plus a whinnying Sora.   John flushed a 
Snipe, but I missed that one...
 
We continued on to the "old" Sapo Lake and enjoyed lots of ducks, Anhingas,  
ibis of both flavors, both yellowlegs, and some dowitchers and Least  Sands.  
Several Barn Swallows swooped over the water surface, and John  picked out a 
Cave Swallow among them.  On the way out we added Roughwing as  well.  Raptors 
included a Redtail, Harrier, a couple of Harris' Hawks, and  several 
Caracaras, including two that were having an aerial spat; John had never heard 
them 

rattle before!
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Quinta Mazatlan WBC (McAllen) (LTC  063)
Observation date:     3/14/09
Number of species:   29

Plain Chachalaca     25
Sharp-shinned  Hawk     1
Rock Pigeon     7
White-winged  Dove     2
Mourning Dove     1
White-tipped  Dove     4
Buff-bellied Hummingbird      2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     6
Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker     1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker      1
Great Kiskadee     5
Tropical Kingbird      2
Green Jay     2
Black-crested Titmouse      1
Carolina Wren     1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher   4
Clay-colored Thrush     1
Northern  Mockingbird     2
Long-billed Thrasher      2
Curve-billed Thrasher     4
European Starling   5
Yellow-rumped Warbler     1
Olive  Sparrow     2
Northern Cardinal      5
Red-winged Blackbird     30
Great-tailed Grackle   6
Brown-headed Cowbird     1
American  Goldfinch     1
House Sparrow     40

Location:     Monte Cristo Tract (LTC 062)
Observation  date:     3/14/09
Number of species:      59

Blue-winged Teal     10
Northern Shoveler   20
Green-winged Teal     1
Lesser Scaup   80
Ruddy Duck     15
Northern Bobwhite   1
Least Grebe     5
Pied-billed Grebe   4
American White Pelican     2
Neotropic  Cormorant     1
Anhinga     10
Great Blue  Heron     2
Great Egret     2
Snowy  Egret     1
Tricolored Heron     2
Cattle  Egret     10
White Ibis     10
White-faced  Ibis     15
Turkey Vulture     7
Northern  Harrier     1
Harris's Hawk     2
Red-tailed  Hawk     1
Crested Caracara     6
American  Kestrel     5
Sora     1
Common  Moorhen     2
American Coot      100
Killdeer     1
Greater Yellowlegs      1
Lesser Yellowlegs     1
Least Sandpiper   3
Long-billed Dowitcher     8
Wilson's  Snipe     1
Mourning Dove     20
Belted  Kingfisher     1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     2
Couch's Kingbird   1
Loggerhead Shrike     1
White-eyed  Vireo     2
Green Jay     1
Northern  Rough-winged Swallow     1
Cave Swallow      1
Barn Swallow     8
House Wren      1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     2
Northern Mockingbird   1
Long-billed Thrasher     1
European  Starling     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)   10
Common Yellowthroat     8
Lark  Sparrow     8
Savannah Sparrow      10
Lincoln's Sparrow     2
Northern Cardinal   2
Red-winged Blackbird     200
Eastern  Meadowlark     2
Great-tailed Grackle      40
American Goldfinch     1

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Santa Ana & Estero Llano
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:53:37 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Took Rubin and Paulette out to Santa Ana and Estero Llano yesterday, hoping  
to find them a Green Kingfisher but dipped miserably.  We did have some  nice 
things, though: at Santa Ana we hiked the west branch of the Willows Lake  
Trail and then cut across to the Chachalaca Trail and back to headquarters. I 

heard a Buff-bellied Hummingbird chatter in the parking  lot, but as is often 
the case, the bird didn't hang around.  Along this  stretch we finally got a 
White-eyed Vireo to come out, and a Clay-colored Thrush did its querulous call 

and then zipped across a clearing.  Tree Swallows  gurgled overhead, and an 
odd honk alerted us to a flock of White Ibis flying  overhead!  In the lep 
department we had a couple of Mexican Bluewings and  Zebra Heliconians, plus a 
couple of Emerald Moths (I thought we had the same bug  that flew but the pics 
showed otherwise) that even with the LRGV Moth Guide I  couldn't pin them down 
for sure. The wind was ferocious, so not much was out on the lakes, but we did 

have a pair of Least Grebes that were courting; by  their behavior I almost 
expected them to hike up and start dancing across the  water a la Westerns!  A 
pair of White-faced Ibis flew in and landed in a  hidden area.
 
Over at Estero Llano we were pretty sheltered along the entrance walk, so  
had nice looks at a Giant Swallowtail and a dragonfly that I think was a Blue  
Dasher (best match, anyway). Out on the boardwalk the wind was ferocious, but 

we had great looks at the normal grebes and coots, plus a Lesser Yellowlegs  
and the reported Fulvous Whistling Ducks.  Both Savannah and Lincoln's  
Sparrows were trying to stay out of the wind, so they only gave brief looks. 
While 

enjoying the Least and Spotted Sands, we noticed an American  Pipit strutting 
among them!  Even a Great-tailed Grackle put on a show for  us!
 
On the way to Alligator Lake a nice Little Blue Heron posed in Grebe Marsh,  
and after the turn I was reminded of Rex's account of shorebirds "escorting" 
an alligator at Laguna Atascosa as we watched a pair of very alert Pied-billed 

 Grebes "escort" the alligator southbound!  At least I thought that was  
"the" alligator until we spotted Big Mama resting on the bank opposite the 
deck!! 

 We looked for the Pauraques on the way in, and miraculously I  spotted one 
close to the trail (and it helped that it was probably the same one  Huck 
pointed out a week or so ago...)! Other fun birds included an Anhinga doing its 

"snakebird" thing, and a Green Heron hunkered on the opposite shore. A feisty 

Snowy Egret challenged a Tricolored Heron, and a female  Lesser Goldfinch 
made a brief appearance on the way out.  It was a great  morning with great 
company!
 
Pics for the morning are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Bird List:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 
3-10-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 3-10-09 to  3-10-09

Fulvous  Whistling-Duck                 Dendrocygna bicolor
Gadwall                                Anas strepera
Green-winged  Teal                      Anas crecca
Mottled  Duck                           Anas fulvigula
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Northern  Shoveler                      Anas clypeata
Plain  Chachalaca                       Ortalis vetula
Least  Grebe                            Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed  Grebe                      Podilymbus podiceps
Double-crested  Cormorant               Phalacrocorax auritus
Anhinga                                Anhinga anhinga
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Tricolored  Heron                       Egretta tricolor
Little Blue  Heron                      Egretta caerulea
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
Green  Heron                            Butorides virescens
White  Ibis                             Eudocimus albus
White-faced  Ibis                       Plegadis chihi
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Common  Moorhen                         Gallinula chloropus
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Spotted  Sandpiper                      Actitis macularius
Lesser  Yellowlegs                      Tringa flavipes
Least  Sandpiper                        Calidris minutilla
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
Common  Ground-Dove                     Columbina passerina
Inca  Dove                              Columbina inca
White-tipped  Dove                      Leptotila verreauxi
Pauraque                               Nyctidromus albicollis
Buff-bellied  Hummingbird               Amazilia yucatanensis
Belted  Kingfisher                      Megaceryle alcyon
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker              Melanerpes aurifrons
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker               Picoides scalaris
Eastern  Phoebe                         Sayornis phoebe
Great  Kiskadee                         Pitangus sulphuratus
Couch's  Kingbird                       Tyrannus couchii
Tree  Swallow                           Tachycineta bicolor
American  Pipit                         Anthus rubescens
Carolina  Wren                          Thryothorus ludovicianus
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Long-billed  Thrasher                   Toxostoma longirostre
Clay-colored  Thrush                    Turdus grayi
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher                  Polioptila caerulea
Black-crested  Titmouse                 Baeolophus atricristatus
Green  Jay                              Cyanocorax yncas
European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Lesser  Goldfinch                       Carduelis psaltria
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Olive  Sparrow                          Arremonops rufivirgatus
Savannah  Sparrow                       Passerculus sandwichensis
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus

59 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Need a job? Find employment help in your area. 

(http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agencies&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000005) 

Subject: Hidalgo County
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 21:33:53 EDT
Hi, all!
 
Had a great day taking visiting birders Rubin and Paulette Stenseng around  
the county, starting at Bentsen pre-dawn, where we enjoyed several Pauraques  
tuning up and even caught a couple in the spotlight!  Unfortunately I think  
the wind kept us from hearing much else in the way of night birds (although the 

Elf Owl was heard by someone else along the Acacia Loop).  As it got  lighter 
we added Cardinals and Long-billed Thrashers to the list, and Gray Hawks  
kept singing in the distance. Over at Kingfisher Overlook a Ringed Kingfisher 

gave a great look, and a mob of Anhingas sat across the way.  A  Clay-colored 
Thrush gave its querulous call back near the Kiskadee Trail.   We spent some 
time at the blind, enjoying White-tipepd Doves and Green Jays, and  at Eagle 
Pond Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Orange-crowned Warblers came in to the drip, but 

no buntings.  On the way out we got great looks at Couch's  Kingbird, Altamira 
Oriole, and Golden-fronted Woodpeckers on the feeders.   The real treat was 
by the gatehouse where Carol and Jose were leading a bird  walk, and they had 
another Clay-colored Thrush staked out!
 
Headed over to Anzalduas after that where we immediately heard the  Beardless 
Tyrannulet and finally tracked him down, where he gave great  looks.  In the 
back section we had a Vermilion Flycatcher and a nice  selection of ducks at 
the overlook, plus good comparative views of the  cormorants and pretty White 
Pelicans.  On the way out we found a Black  Phoebe in the big pavilion, and a 
Blue-headed Vireo in a nearby tree. A couple of flocks of Western Meadowlarks 

gave photo ops as well.
 
We then made our way up to Wallace Road where we had a nice raptor  
selection, including a subadult White-tailed Hawk and several Caracaras vying 
for 

feeding rights with the vultures (the squabble was over a smushed  turtle).  A 
pretty White-tailed Kite posed, and what was probably a  Cooper's Hawk batted 
overhead. Songbirds along here included American Goldfinch, Lark and Lincoln's 

Sparrows, Horned Larks, and a single Loggerhead  Shrike.  The marshy area held 
a Swamp Sparrow and Northern Waterthrush, and  good numbers of the usual 
waterbirds (although low on waders this time). A Belted Kingfisher went 
whizzing 

by, but unfortunately no Green this time,  although we had a tittering 
Tropical Kingbird. Perhaps the best sighting wasn't even a bird, but a 
Diamondback 

Water Snake that Rubin spotted!  He  also spotted a big Rio Grande Leopard 
Frog that posed for pics!  A nice  Harris' Hawk flew across 490 on the way to 
the freeway.
 
Our last stop was Edinburg Wetlands, where some cooperative Inca Doves were  
new for the day, as well as a single Black-crowned Night Heron in the north 
pond  (I'm wondering where they all went!)  An uncooperative Wilson's Warbler  
called from the "jungle trail", and a pair of Curve-billed Thrashers were  
gathering nesting material! Incredibly we ran across another snake (a Coachwhip 

this time), but he didn't stick around for pics.  No luck with  the resident 
rarities, though, although some butterflies posed for us, in  addition to an 
amberwing of some kind.
 
Part 2 to follow!  Pics for the day are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_mon_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_mon) 
 
Bird List:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 3-9-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 3-9-09 to  3-9-09

Black-bellied  Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
American  Wigeon                        Anas americana
Gadwall                                Anas strepera
Mottled  Duck                           Anas fulvigula
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Northern  Shoveler                      Anas clypeata
Ruddy  Duck                             Oxyura jamaicensis
Plain  Chachalaca                       Ortalis vetula
Least  Grebe                            Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed  Grebe                      Podilymbus podiceps
American White  Pelican                 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Double-crested  Cormorant               Phalacrocorax auritus
Neotropic  Cormorant                    Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Anhinga                                Anhinga anhinga
Great Blue  Heron                       Ardea herodias
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Tricolored  Heron                       Egretta tricolor
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
Black-crowned  Night-Heron              Nycticorax nycticorax
Black  Vulture                          Coragyps atratus
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
White-tailed  Kite                      Elanus leucurus
Cooper's  Hawk                          Accipiter cooperii
Harris's  Hawk                          Parabuteo unicinctus
Gray  Hawk                              Buteo nitidus
White-tailed  Hawk                      Buteo albicaudatus
Crested  Caracara                       Caracara cheriway
American  Kestrel                       Falco sparverius
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Greater  Yellowlegs                     Tringa melanoleuca
Least  Sandpiper                        Calidris minutilla
Caspian  Tern                           Hydroprogne caspia
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Common  Ground-Dove                     Columbina passerina
Inca  Dove                              Columbina inca
White-tipped  Dove                      Leptotila verreauxi
Pauraque                               Nyctidromus albicollis
Belted  Kingfisher                      Megaceryle alcyon
Ringed  Kingfisher                      Megaceryle torquata
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker              Melanerpes aurifrons
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker               Picoides scalaris
Northern  Beardless-Tyrannulet         Camptostoma  imberbe
Black  Phoebe                           Sayornis nigricans
Vermilion  Flycatcher                   Pyrocephalus rubinus
Great  Kiskadee                         Pitangus sulphuratus
Tropical  Kingbird                      Tyrannus melancholicus
Couch's  Kingbird                       Tyrannus couchii
Horned  Lark                            Eremophila alpestris
Cave  Swallow                           Petrochelidon fulva
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet                   Regulus calendula
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Long-billed  Thrasher                   Toxostoma longirostre
Curve-billed  Thrasher                  Toxostoma curvirostre
Clay-colored  Thrush                    Turdus grayi
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher                  Polioptila caerulea
Black-crested  Titmouse                 Baeolophus atricristatus
Loggerhead  Shrike                      Lanius ludovicianus
Green  Jay                              Cyanocorax yncas
European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Blue-headed  Vireo                      Vireo solitarius
American  Goldfinch                     Carduelis tristis
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
Northern  Waterthrush                   Seiurus noveboracensis
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Wilson's  Warbler                       Wilsonia pusilla
Olive  Sparrow                          Arremonops rufivirgatus
Lark  Sparrow                           Chondestes grammacus
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
Swamp  Sparrow                          Melospiza georgiana
Northern  Cardinal                      Cardinalis cardinalis
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Western  Meadowlark                     Sturnella neglecta
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus
Bronzed  Cowbird                        Molothrus aeneus
Altamira  Oriole                        Icterus gularis

79 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: NE Mexico Trip List, 9-13 March 2008 (last year)
From: Chuck Sexton <gcwarbler AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2009 10:49:03 -0700
Since I've requested Golden-cheeked Warbler sightings in Mexico and have begun 
to dig through the archives of this and other lists, it seems only appropriate 
that I post my own stuff. The year on this list is correct; I undertook this 
trip precisely one year ago: 


Northeast Mexico, March 9-13, 2008

Chuck Sexton, Ph.D., Wildlife Biologist
Balcones Canyonlands NWR
Austin, Texas

ITINERARY:

-- Sunday, March 9: Reynosa to El Cielo Biosphere Reserve. Late morning stop on 
Rio Corona off Hwy 101. Drove up into El Cielo, past Alta Cima ~ 2km; camped in 
cloud forest. 


-- Monday, March 10: El Cielo Biosphere Reserve. hiked from campsite, up road 
nearly to San Jose and back. Descend to Gomez Farias. Stayed that night at 
Motel Diamante in Mante. 


-- Tuesday, March 11: Mante, through El Naranjo and up through mountains; 
periodic stops in cloud forest, humid oak, dry oak, and arid pasturelands. 
Campsite near Colonia Magdeleno Cedillo (off Hwy 80 E of Cd. de Maiz). 


-- Wednesday, March 12: Birded woodlands around Colonia Magdaleno Cedillo in 
a.m. Long drive via Hwy 80 and 57, through Cd. de Maiz and Matehuala, thence 
back into mountains at Galeana and La Laguna. Failed to find a camping area 
there; drove E down mountains and stayed at Hacienda Real de Linares. 


-- Thursday, March 13: Drove Hwy 2, from Hwy 85 (above Montemorelos) over first 
mountain range to Rayones and returned. Departed N on 85, via Cadereyta and 
Quota highways to Nuevo Laredo in evening. 


WEATHER CONDITIONS: Mostly excellent, with sunny to occasionally partly cloudy 
skies; mild temperatures. Gusty SE winds en route south on Sunday and gusty SW 
winds en route home Thursday afternoon, but mostly not too windy for birding 
anywhere. 


HABITAT CONDITIONS: Variable; Tamaulipan thorn scrub mostly very dry although 
most huisache and mesquite were leafing out; cypress/willow woodlands along 
lowland rivers fully leafed out. Cloud forest dry, but many trees in bloom 
including virtually all emergent oaks. Above the cloud forest (e.g. above El 
Naranjo), hundreds of sq. mi. of humid and dry oak woodlands were in bloom. 
Some green areas and/or blooming shrubs in arid thorn brush in W side of 
mountains, but most of desert areas very dry. The "usual" periodic small to 
medium sized fires were burning along roadsides or in pastures. One wildfire of 
a few hundred acres outside of Monterrey had jumped the autopista and was 
racing on gusty SW winds; very dangerous. 


ROAD CONDITIONS: Relatively pleasant driving (for Mexico) in most areas. Many 
smaller towns (Mante, El Naranjo, Cd. de Maiz, Linares, etc.) were terribly 
congested. 


-- El Cielo: Road from Gomez Farias to Alta Cima is passable with reasonable 
care and high clearance. Above Alta Cima towards San Jose, the road is much 
steeper, rockier, and irregular; need *very* high clearance and powerful 4x4 
drive. (My 4x4 Ford Ranger was only capable of making it up the road about 2 
km; too little power and in danger of bottoming out.) 


-- Notwithstanding the info in Howell's birdfinding guide and others, Hwy 80 up 
into mountains from El Naranjo to Cd. de Maiz is just busy enough with few 
pull-offs to make birding stops few and far between. (Many areas of former open 
land now fenced off and private.) 


-- I was told that the road beyond Galeana, from 18 de Marzo up to Cerro Potosi 
is dangerous due to some recent "incidents", so I did not ascend that mountain 
nor try to camp in that area. 


-- The "Rayones Highway", which is numbered Hwy 2 on some maps, connects Hwy 85 
(just above Montemorelos), up over the mountains to the village of Rayones, 
thence S to Galeana and points south. This is a paved state highway which was 
in very good condition during my drive. HOWEVER, based on its setting, through 
steep rugged rocky mountains, it is likely to be littered with rocks and rock 
slides after many rainstorms and may be frequently impassable. It is 
exceptionally steep, windy, and dangerous with precipitous drop-offs and no 
guardrails. That said, it has stunning vistas and innumerable small (and a few 
large) pull-offs which allow roadside birding. Traffic on the day I drove it 
(Thursday morning) was almost non-existent (one vehicle every 10 to 20 
minutes). 


ANNOTATED BIRD LIST:

 This was a fast-moving trip to briefly check out many areas and roads. With 
the exception of my hike in the cloud forest on Monday, birding opportunities 
were limited to a few minutes at various stops and a few hours at my campsites. 
This version has the complete bird list. Common urban and widespread lowland 
species will be listed but not annotated. Species sequence is AOU 7th ed. + 
48th Supplement. 


Thicket Tinamou -- Heard a few in lowlands and low cloud forest.
waterfowl sp. -- Few seen on ponds in Tam., etc., not identified.
Plain Chachalaca -- Fairly common.
Singing Quail -- Heard in cloud forest; two seen.
heron sp. -- Unid. lg heron on RC.
Black Vulture -- Relatively few.
Turkey Vulture -- Common, but not abundant.
Sharp-shinned Hawk -- At least one seen in cloud forest, Alta Cima
Cooper's Hawk -- Poss. one seen in cloud forest, above Alta Cima.
[Harris' Hawk -- In S. Texas on 3/8.]
Red-tailed Hawk -- Probably only 3 to 4 seen in Mexico.
Collared Forest-Falcon -- One seen at close range, cloud forest, Hwy 80 at 
Maguey de Oriente turnoff. 

Crested Caracara -- Few
American Kestrel -- Few
Rock Pigeon
Red-billed Pigeon -- One at RC, few elsewhere, but common in/around El Naranjo.
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove
Common Ground-Dove -- Few here and there
White-tipped Dove -- Few at RC and El Cielo.
parakeet sp. -- One flock heard at El Cielo
Red-crowned Parrot -- None seen, one or a few heard
Squirrel Cuckoo -- Brief good looks at one.
Greater Roadrunner -- Two
[Groove-billed Ani -- missed!]
Tamaulipas Pygmy-Owl -- One heard above Alta Cima
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl -- A few heard above Alta Cima
[no nightjars or swifts]
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing -- Few in El Cielo
Canivet's Emerald? -- Poss. one seen at El Cielo
Broad-billed Hummingbird -- Few, but widespread: El Cielo, Cd. de Maiz, 
Rayones. 

White-eared Hummingbird -- One, El Cielo
Azure-crowned Hummingbird -- Two or three in dry oaks at Col. Magdeleno Cedillo
Buff-bellied Hummingbird -- One+ at El Cielo
Magnificent Hummingbird -- At least 1 female at El Cielo
Broad-tailed Hummingbird -- One prob. fem/imm. at El Cielo
Mountain Trogon -- Fairly common in El Cielo, El Naranjo
Elegant Trogon -- Fairly common, El Cielo, El Naranjo, CMC, Rayones Hwy
Blue-crowned Motmot -- One in cloud forest above Alta Cima
Ringed Kingfisher -- RC
Green Kingfisher -- RC
Acorn Woodpecker -- Dry oaks above El Naranjo; C on Rayones Hwy
Golden-fronted Woodp. -- Gulf lowlands
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker -- One
Ladder-backed Woodpecker -- Fairly common in drier areas.
[Golden-olive Woodpecler? -- Poss. heard in El Cielo]
Northern Flicker -- One heard in pinyon on W side
Olivaceous Woodcreeper -- Few in cloud forest above Alta Cima
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper -- Heard a few in cloud forest above Alta Cima
N. Beardless Tyrannulet -- Few in lowlands, low cloud forest
Greater Pewee -- Fairly common in mts.
Wood-Pewee sp. -- One
Empidonax sp. -- Just a few; none id. to species.
Black Phoebe -- One on Rio Pilon nr Rayones
Eastern Phoebe -- A few in Gulf lowlands, also Valle del Ovni
Say's Phoebe -- A few in drier habitats
Dusky-capped Flycatcher -- Common in mountains and oaks
Great Kiskadee -- Heard in lowlands
Social Flycatcher -- Heard a few flocks in lowlands
Couch's Kingbird -- Heard ? in lowlands
White-eyed Vireo -- Fairly common in lowlands
Black-capped Vireo -- One migrant ASY adult male in arid thorn brush about 8 km 
NW of Ciudad de Maiz on Hwy 80 in e. San Luis Potosi (coordinates: 22d 22.456m 
N, 99d 40.636m W; elevation 1440m). The bird was non-responsive to playback of 
BCVI song, shrads, mewing calls. 

Blue-headed Vireo -- Fairly common in oaks in mountains. If Cassin's Vireos 
were among them, they are hard to distinguish in woodland canopy. 

Hutton's Vireo -- A few in oak-pine on Rayones Hwy.
Rufous-browed Peppershrike -- Few heard in cloud forest
Green Jay -- Fairly common; seen as far s.w. as dry oak woods on Hwy 80, at 
1195m, W of La Barbarita. 

Brown Jay -- Few heard in lowlands
[Mexican Jay -- missed.]
Tamaulipas Crow -- Only one seen, in a village somewhere in lowlands; didn't 
mark in journal (traffic). Around Cd. Mante or Antiguo Morelos? 

Chihuahuan Raven -- Common in Gulf lowlands
Common Raven -- Common in mts.
N. Rough-winged Swallow -- Few at RC
Bridled Titmouse -- Few in dry oaks in highlands and on Rayones Hwy.
Black-crested Titmouse -- Fairly common in oaks, etc. Both titmice occur in 
mixed foraging flocks in the dry oaks nr Colonia Magdaleno Cedillo (1322m) and 
occurred fairly close in elevation on the Rayones Highway (BCTI at 860m+, BRTI 
at 1210m). 

Bushtit -- One flock in pinyon SW of Galeana.
Spotted Wren -- One or two in dry oaks in highlands on Hwy 80 at 1140m.
Cactus Wren -- Few heard on arid W side of mts.
Canyon Wren -- Few in mts, cloud forest, etc.
Spot-breasted Wren -- Fairly common in oaks and cloud forest in mountains, as 
low as 660m on Rayones Hwy. 

Carolina Wren -- Fairly common in lowlands and foothills.
Bewick's Wren -- Widespread
House Wren -- Few hear and there in most habitats; migrants not distinguished 
from resident races. 

Golden-crowned Kinglet -- One or a few probably heard in mixed flocks, none 
seen. 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet -- Probably the most abundant and widespread bird seen all 
trip. Numbers at every stop. 

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher -- Small numbers (but not common) in mixed flocks.
?Eastern Bluebird -- Seem to remember seeing a bluebird somewhere; failed to 
mark it down. 

Brown-backed Solitaire -- Common in mountains, cloud forest, humid oaks, dry 
oaks (?). 

Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush -- One seen well in understory of cloud forest 
above Alta Cima 

Hermit Thrush -- Widespread, fairly common; always coming to owl tapes
Clay-colored Thrush -- Few in cloud forest
Northern Mockingbird
Thrasher sp. -- Long-billed and/or Curve-billed heard in a few places, none 
seen. 

Blue Mockingbird -- Several heard in cloud forest above Alta Cima.
[European Starling -- missed.]
?Olive Warbler -- Probable songs heard in high pine-oak near Valle del Ovni
Orange-crowned Warbler -- Fairly common, widespread
Crescent-chested Warbler -- Fairly common, higher cloud forest and humid oaks.
Tropical Parula -- Common at RC and in cloud forest
Yellow-rumped Warbler -- Few (not common), widespread, one Audubon's, most 
Myrtle. 


Dendroica virens-group warblers:
Black-throated Gray Warbler -- Just one in dry oak woods at Col. Mag. Cedillo 
(1320m). 

[Golden-cheeked Warbler -- Not found.]
Black-throated Green Warbler -- Fairly common and widespread in most woodlands 
in mixed flocks; common on Rio Corona. [See end notes.] 

Townsend's Warbler -- Three in dry oaks at Col. Mag. Cedillo.
[Hermit Warbler -- missed.]

Yellow-throated Warbler -- One in cloud forest above Alta Cima.
Black-and-white Warbler -- Fairly common, widespread in woodlands; responsive.
Common Yellowthroat -- Heard in cattails on roadside near Cd. Mante.
Wilson's Warbler -- Moderately small numbers, widespread in woodlands.
Painted Redstart -- Few in oaks and cloud forest.
Golden-crowned Warbler -- Common from low foothills to cloud forest, humid 
oaks. 

Rufous-capped Warbler -- Fairly common, widespread from Gulf lowlands, through 
mountains and into arid brush on dry side. 

Hepatic Tanager -- Fairly common in oaks and cloud forest
Summer Tanager -- RC and a few elsewhere
Flame-colored Tanager -- Fairly common in cloud forest
White-collared Seedeater -- Only one: Riparian brush on Rio Pilon on Rayones 
Hwy. I did very little birding in good "seedeater" habitat. 

Rufous-capped Brush-Finch -- One+ in oaks on Rayones Hwy at 660m; apparently 
relatively low elevation for this species. 

Olive Sparrow -- Few in Tamaulipan brush, low cloud forest; also detected in 
dry oak woods nr. Col. Mag. Cedillo (1320m), probably near s.w. edge of Gulf 
range. 

Green-tailed Towhee -- One in pinyon-juniper S of Galeana (MX bird for me).
Spotted Towhee -- Just a single bird heard in oaks on Rayones Hwy.
Canyon Towhee -- Few in arid brush near Cd. de Maiz.
Rufous-crowned Sparrow -- Just one in open oaks woods on steep hill on Rayones 
Hwy. 

Chipping Sparrow -- Fairly common in open oaks, arid brush, pinyon-juniper.
Black-chinned Sparrow -- One in arid brush N of Cd. de Maiz.
Lark Sparrow -- Few, scattered in open country.
?Black-throated Sparrow -- Poss. heard in arid brush on W side of mts.
Lincoln's Sparrow -- Few in brush at Alta Cima, elsewhere.
Black-headed Saltator -- Few heard in foothills and cloud forest.
Crimson-collared Grosbeak -- Several seen/heard in cloud forest.
Northern Cardinal -- Few in lowlands and in arid habitats W of mts (Cd. de 
Maiz, Rayones). 

Pyrrhuloxia -- Heard in arid habitats on W side.
Blue Bunting -- Pair seen in cloud forest.
Painted Bunting -- Pair seen in brush in Alta Cima; elsewhere?
Eastern Meadowlark -- Few heard in Gulf lowlands
Western Meadowlark -- One heard in arid pasture W of El Naranjo.
Melodious Blackbird -- Heard in humid lowlands, foothills.
Great-tailed Grackle
cowbird sp. -- One roadside flock, probably Bronzed.
Altamira Oriole -- Few in Gulf lowlands.
Audubon's Oriole -- Widespread, fairly common to common from Gulf lowlands 
through cloud forest and oak woodlands up to highest elevations I visited 
(1350m). A nuclear species in oak woodlands nr Col. Mag. Cedillo. 

House Finch -- Fairly common in arid brush and open dry oaks.
Lesser Goldfinch -- Few heard in flocks in woodlands.
Hooded Grosbeak -- Heard calls in cloud forest and humid oaks several times, 
not seen. 

House Sparrow




      
Subject: RFI: Records of Golden-cheeked Warbler in Mexico in Migration
From: Chuck Sexton <gcwarbler AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2009 11:47:20 -0800
Hi, BirdTrippers.

I am researching records of the Golden-cheeked Warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) 
(GCWA) in migration in Mexico. I contacted some of you privately last year, but 
I’m now issuing a wider RFI on this species. Please pardon any duplication 
and cross-posting to various discussion groups. 


I am interested in both the spring and fall movements of this species through 
Mexico. The spring migration likely spans the period of mid February through 
March. There is one questionable April report in n.e. Mexico which may have 
been a late lingerer. GCWAs head south on their fall migration remarkably 
early. There are several records of birds away from their breeding grounds in 
Texas by mid-July and there are even late June and early July reports in n.e. 
Mexico. The bulk of the fall migration probably extends from July through 
August and into September. The species has been recorded on its winter range in 
Chiapas, Guatemala, and elsewhere as early as late August, and has been 
recorded, presumably as a migrant, in Queretaro in mid-September. There are at 
least two December sight records by very experienced observers in the Xilitla 
area near the SLP/Queretaro state line which may represent late fall migrants 
or the very northern fringe of their 

 winter range which is otherwise known only to extend as far north as Chiapas.

If you have encountered the Golden-cheeked Warbler anywhere in Mexico, I will 
be very interested in notes on your sighting(s). While the migration appears to 
be mostly confined to the mountainous regions of eastern Mexico, I am 
interested in all reports. If your sighting is outside of that area or outside 
of the general pattern described above, I would like more detailed notes on the 
identification and how similar species were eliminated. 


I will appreciate as much detail as you might remember or care to offer: 
numbers of birds, associated species, habitat, elevation, precise location, 
etc., etc. We are finding that this species may be as specialized in its 
preferences on migration as is it picky on the wintering and breeding ranges.. 


Please contact me off-line with your information:  or 
. At an appropriate time, I will post a summary of the 
reports here on this list. 


Chuck Sexton, Ph.D., Wildlife Biologist
Balcones Canyonlands NWR



Subject: Flicker along Rio Beef Road, Willacy Co.
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 20:34:54 EST
Hi, all!
 
Had a great day bouncing around Willacy County with Gary Davidson, and the  
Flicker was definitely the bird of the day, seen shortly north of the little  
marsh on Rio Beef. The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in the trailhead parking lot 

off 183 was definitely a highlight as well (although not in the  county...)!  
Had a Vermilion Flycatcher at the marsh, and a small flock of  Sandhill 
Cranes flew over around the same spot. Many things were singing before the wind 

kicked up, including my FOS (singing, anyway) Cassin's  Sparrows!  Also in the 
sparrow department was a Grasshopper Sparrow that  sat up and posed!
 
Part of the reason for the trip was so that Gary could show me the "dicey  
roads" that go east from GI Road where I normally make the turn north.   That 
was a terrific area, with bogs (where Gary had a Masked Duck previously) and a 

large lake with dead trees where we had several Wilson's Phalaropes along  
with various ducks, plus a pair of Anhingas battling against the wind! A small 

snake wiggled across the road and stopped in the grass long enough to get  
some shots of his rear, and based on the pattern I think he was a Patchnose  
Snake. As I approached a little Spotted Whiptail came scurrying out of the 
brush 

and stopped in the middle of the road!  Somewhere along in here we  also 
scared up a herd of Nilgai.
 
From there we headed down to the Mountain Plover spot on Mesquite Road, but  
the wind was really wicked by then, and only Horned Larks and a single 
Sprague's Pipit were braving the area. From there we headed over to the levee 
that 

I  bird as part of the Santa Monica Wetlands route, and got another Sprague's 
Pipit  (Gary got a much better look at this one than the previous one through 
the  windshield...)!  Heading up Old Alice Road and into the NWR tract, we 
found  another hidden bog that had a Northern Waterthrush!
 
From there I showed him Sacahuistale Flats and Fred Stone County Park in  
Port Mansfield, where we picked up a few water birds for the day list (most  
notably a Gull-billed Tern coming in to town), and where some scoping revealed 

some Ruddy Turnstones and a Black-bellied Plover.  A string of White  Pelicans 
sailed by while the Browns guarded the posts.  On the way out Gary  spotted a 
Long-billed Curlew in the ditch! A Harrier was at the Nature Trail, but other 

than that we just had a curious Orange-crowned Warbler and some  exercise.
 
We were bemoaning the fact that we hadn't seen a White-tailed Hawk when one  
suddenly showed up overhead on the way back!  We were almost back to the  
trailhead when what was probably the same Krider's Hawk that the Rivers and I 
had 

in January posed on his post; the super-enhanced shot I got through the  
windshield almost looks like an abstract painting! Pics for the day are posted 

here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri) 
 
Bird List:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 3-6-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 3-6-09 to  3-6-09

American  Wigeon                        Anas americana
Gadwall                                Anas strepera
Green-winged  Teal                      Anas crecca
Mottled  Duck                           Anas fulvigula
Northern  Pintail                       Anas acuta
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Northern  Shoveler                      Anas clypeata
Ring-necked  Duck                       Aythya collaris
Lesser  Scaup                           Aythya affinis
Least  Grebe                            Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed  Grebe                      Podilymbus podiceps
American White  Pelican                 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Brown  Pelican                          Pelecanus occidentalis
Anhinga                                Anhinga anhinga
Great Blue  Heron                       Ardea herodias
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Cattle  Egret                           Bubulcus ibis
White  Ibis                             Eudocimus albus
White-faced  Ibis                       Plegadis chihi
Black  Vulture                          Coragyps atratus
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Northern  Harrier                       Circus cyaneus
Cooper's  Hawk                          Accipiter cooperii
Harris's  Hawk                          Parabuteo unicinctus
White-tailed  Hawk                      Buteo albicaudatus
Red-tailed  Hawk                        Buteo jamaicensis
Crested  Caracara                       Caracara cheriway
American  Kestrel                       Falco sparverius
Sandhill  Crane                         Grus canadensis
Sora                                   Porzana carolina
Common  Moorhen                         Gallinula chloropus
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Black-necked  Stilt                     Himantopus mexicanus
Black-bellied  Plover                   Pluvialis squatarola
Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
Long-billed  Dowitcher                  Limnodromus scolopaceus
Long-billed  Curlew                     Numenius americanus
Greater  Yellowlegs                     Tringa melanoleuca
Lesser  Yellowlegs                      Tringa flavipes
Ruddy  Turnstone                        Arenaria interpres
Least  Sandpiper                        Calidris minutilla
Wilson's  Phalarope                     Phalaropus tricolor
Laughing  Gull                          Leucophaeus atricilla
Ring-billed  Gull                       Larus delawarensis
Gull-billed  Tern                       Gelochelidon nilotica
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Eurasian  Collared-Dove                 Streptopelia decaocto
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
Common  Ground-Dove                     Columbina passerina
Greater  Roadrunner                     Geococcyx californianus
Belted  Kingfisher                      Megaceryle alcyon
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker              Melanerpes aurifrons
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker               Picoides scalaris
Northern  Flicker                       Colaptes auratus
Eastern  Phoebe                         Sayornis phoebe
Vermilion  Flycatcher                   Pyrocephalus rubinus
Great  Kiskadee                         Pitangus sulphuratus
Couch's  Kingbird                       Tyrannus couchii
Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher              Tyrannus forficatus
Horned  Lark                            Eremophila alpestris
Sprague's  Pipit                        Anthus spragueii
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet                   Regulus calendula
Cactus  Wren                            Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Bewick's  Wren                          Thryomanes bewickii
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Marsh  Wren                             Cistothorus palustris
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Curve-billed  Thrasher                  Toxostoma curvirostre
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher                  Polioptila caerulea
Black-crested  Titmouse                 Baeolophus atricristatus
Verdin                                 Auriparus flaviceps
Loggerhead  Shrike                      Lanius ludovicianus
Green  Jay                              Cyanocorax yncas
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
Northern  Waterthrush                   Seiurus noveboracensis
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Olive  Sparrow                          Arremonops rufivirgatus
Cassin's  Sparrow                       Aimophila cassinii
Lark  Sparrow                           Chondestes grammacus
Savannah  Sparrow                       Passerculus sandwichensis
Grasshopper  Sparrow                    Ammodramus savannarum
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
Northern  Cardinal                      Cardinalis cardinalis
Pyrrhuloxia                            Cardinalis sinuatus
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern  Meadowlark                     Sturnella magna
Western  Meadowlark                     Sturnella neglecta
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus
Brown-headed  Cowbird                   Molothrus ater

92 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Need a job? Find employment help in your area. 

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Subject: Estero Llano Grande SP
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 16:36:32 EST
Hi, all!
 
Had a wonderful morning out with visiting birder Janie Henderson (all the  
way from Dallas ;-))! While waiting for her in the parking lot, a large flock 

of Red-crowned Parrots was flying around across the street, and she pulled  up 
just in time to jump out and get a look before they all settled down, never  
to be seen again!
 
I took her down to the llano first, where we had a gorgeous Roseate  
Spoonbill, several stilts and avocets, some White Pelicans, and a pod of 
Long-billed 

Dowitchers (she saw a Black-bellied Whistling Duck that I  missed).  A quick 
drive down the levee added Harrier, a Long-billed Curlew, my FOS Barn Swallow, 

and several Great Blue Herons standing like sentinels out  in the field!  
American Pipit was a life bird for her, and on the way out a pair conveniently 

bobbed around next to a pair of Horned Larks for  comparison!
 
Once in the park we swung around to the "good" side of the boardwalk,  
enjoying a single Lesser Yellowlegs along with Least Sands and Grebes, plus the 

usual duck contingent.  A big surprise was three Nutria right next to the  
boardwalk, seemingly unafraid of us and the other tourists! Soras called from 
the 

reeds, but we couldn't spot any.  We were warned that a big group  of school 
kids would be coming soon and heading over to Alligator Lake, so when we heard 

them arrive :-) we hightailed it over there!  Our target was the  Green 
Kingfisher, but alas, we couldn't kick one up; we DID have nice looks at 
Anhinga, 

Black-crowned Night Herons, and the resident Alligator, however!   A Cooper's 
Hawk kept working the area and sent the Moorhens scrambling, and a  Ringed 
Kingfisher called way in the distance, but unless he happened to be flying our 

direction (which he apparently wasn't) I knew that would be a lost  cause so 
far as seeing him went.
 
On the way out the kids had caught up with us, and true to form, Huck had  
spotted the Pauraques we looked for but couldn't find!  So he gave us  
directions and we found one way in the back of the little "clearing" of the 
"island", 

but before long he was racing back, asking if we had found it.   We happily 
pointed out the one we were enjoying, but he had been talking about  one 
snoozing RIGHT THERE next to the trail! He woulda bit us had he been awake! :-) 

 
Janie also needed the two kingbirds, so we headed back on the Camino de  Aves 
Trail, which was surprisingly quiet (except for the ubiquitous Ground  
Doves); around the back side we finally started to get some action with a young 

Harris' Hawk, a Pyrrhuloxia, and a skulky Long-billed Thrasher that finally 
gave 

us an identifiable look.  An Eastern Phoebe was cooperative, feeding from  
the fenceline,  Near Kiskadee Pond I heard a "tic-tic", and as is often the  
case, Janie spotted her life Green Kingfisher long before I ever found the 
silly 

thing!  As we came around the corner I heard the "wheeK!" call of a  
Beardless Tyrannulet that sounded pretty close; we saw a suspicious bird fly 
into one 

of the mesquites (directly in the sun, of course), but we never could  track 
it down for a look.  I couldn't believe we had NO KINGBIRDS all  morning!!
 
With Alligator Lake out of the way, we took our time around Dowitcher Pond  
and the Llano Grande Trail (I believe that's the one that goes through the back 

 grasslands), getting some great looks at a variety of ducks.  The  
Grasshopper Sparrow popped up for us, as well as my first Chipping Sparrow for 
the 

park near the gazebo!  Coming back around Ibis Pond we spotted one of  the two 
Cinnamon Teal, and a lovely White-tailed Kite showed off overhead.
 
Pics for the morning are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     Estero Llano Grande SP WBC (Weslaco)(LTC  054)
Observation date:     3/3/09
Number of species:   74

Gadwall     1
Blue-winged Teal   40
Cinnamon Teal     1
Northern Shoveler   40
Green-winged Teal     20
Least Grebe   15
Pied-billed Grebe     5
American White  Pelican     30
Double-crested Cormorant      5
Anhinga     4
Great Blue Heron      15
Great Egret     2
Snowy Egret      2
Little Blue Heron     2
Tricolored Heron   5
Black-crowned Night-Heron     2
White-faced  Ibis     3
Roseate Spoonbill     2
Turkey  Vulture     1
White-tailed Kite      1
Northern Harrier     1
Cooper's Hawk      1
Harris's Hawk     1
American Kestrel      1
Sora     2
Common Moorhen      10
American Coot     70
Killdeer      8
Black-necked Stilt     30
American Avocet   25
Spotted Sandpiper     2
Lesser  Yellowlegs     1
Long-billed Curlew      1
Least Sandpiper     20
Long-billed Dowitcher   20
Mourning Dove     20
Inca Dove   2
Red-crowned Parrot     30
Common  Pauraque     2
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird   1
Ringed Kingfisher     1
Green  Kingfisher     2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      10
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     1
Northern  Beardless-Tyrannulet     1
Eastern Phoebe      2
Great Kiskadee     5
White-eyed Vireo      8
Horned Lark     5
Purple Martin      20
Tree Swallow     30
Barn Swallow      1
House Wren     2
Marsh Wren      1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher   5
Northern Mockingbird     5
Long-billed  Thrasher     1
American Pipit      4
Orange-crowned Warbler     5
Yellow-rumped Warbler  (Myrtle)     5
Common Yellowthroat      3
Olive Sparrow     1
Chipping Sparrow      1
Savannah Sparrow     6
Grasshopper Sparrow   1
Lincoln's Sparrow     5
Northern  Cardinal     1
Pyrrhuloxia     1
Red-winged  Blackbird     100
Eastern Meadowlark      2
Great-tailed Grackle     20
Lesser Goldfinch   1
House Sparrow     30

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Need a job? Find employment help in your area. 

(http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agencies&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000005) 

Subject: NABA Birds
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:43:18 EST
Hi, all!
 
Got a late start on birding NABA today, but I needn't have worried about a  
lack of activity, nor did the wind keep good butterflies from coming our way! 

I wound up planting myself at the new feeder area and was shortly  joined by 
May Snider, enjoying a variety of things including Orange-crowned  Warblers 
going after the PB mix.  American Goldfinches and Butterbutts  favored the 
birdbaths, and Lincoln's and Olive Sparrows skulked around in the  brushpile.  
Mockingbirds provided comic relief by chasing each other all around the area! 

The grape cluster tied to the line was one of the most  popular items: when I 
first got there it was full, being robbed mostly by  Altamira Orioles (plus a 
Clay-colored Thrush that speared one that fell), but  then the Chachalacas 
discovered it and decimated it pretty well! Kiskadees, Green Jays, titmice, and 

Golden-fronted Woodpeckers all put on a  great show, along with many Tropical 
Leafwings, a Band-celled Sister, and a Mexican Bluewing in the lep department! 

 Running into Rick later he pointed  me to a patch that was hopping with 
skippers, the best being a fresh  Purple-washed.
 
Pics for the day, including the thrush making a getaway with a grape on his  
nose, are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_thu_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_thu) 
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     NABA International Butterfly  Park
Observation date:     2/26/09
Number of species:   28

Plain Chachalaca     4
Turkey  Vulture     1
Common Ground-Dove      2
White-tipped Dove     2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker   3
Great Kiskadee     5
Green Jay   6
Black-crested Titmouse     1
House  Wren     2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet      1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     3
Clay-colored Thrush   1
Northern Mockingbird     3
Long-billed  Thrasher     1
Curve-billed Thrasher      1
Orange-crowned Warbler     5
Yellow-rumped Warbler  (Myrtle)     2
Olive Sparrow     1
Savannah  Sparrow     2
Lincoln's Sparrow      2
Northern Cardinal     1
Red-winged Blackbird   20
Eastern Meadowlark     1
Western  Meadowlark     12
Great-tailed Grackle      2
Altamira Oriole     2
American Goldfinch   3
House Sparrow     3

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Get a jump start on your taxes. Find a tax professional in your 
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Subject: Blue Buntings YES @ Laguna Atascosa
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:09:34 EST
Hi, all!
 
No time for a detailed report, but many thanks to Chuck Lorenz for tracking  
me down and getting me on the Blue Bunting pair at the Kiskadee Trail!   
(Several of us were looking for the Hermit Warbler without success, and I was  
already off looking for leps when the buntings showed up...) My first male Blue 

Metalmark was in the Gazebo Gardens, so that was also definitely a  highlight! 
 Pics for the day are here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     Laguna Atascosa NWR (LTC 024)
Observation  date:     2/24/09
Number of species:      86

Gadwall     6
American Wigeon      100
Mottled Duck     4
Blue-winged Teal      6
Northern Shoveler     100
Northern Pintail   50
Redhead     100
Ruddy Duck   6
Plain Chachalaca     2
Least Grebe   5
Pied-billed Grebe     10
American White  Pelican     4
Brown Pelican      1
Double-crested Cormorant     5
Great Blue Heron   20
Great Egret     4
Snowy Egret   3
Little Blue Heron     4
Tricolored  Heron     5
Reddish Egret     9
Green  Heron     1
White Ibis     30
White-faced  Ibis     15
Black Vulture     5
Turkey  Vulture     20
Osprey     20
White-tailed  Kite     3
Northern Harrier      2
White-tailed Hawk     2
Crested Caracara   5
American Kestrel     4
Merlin   1
Peregrine Falcon     1
Sora   1
Common Moorhen     2
American Coot   1000
Black-bellied Plover     2
Killdeer   9
Black-necked Stilt     12
Greater  Yellowlegs     5
Willet     100
Lesser  Yellowlegs     4
Long-billed Curlew      15
Least Sandpiper     40
Dunlin      2
Stilt Sandpiper     5
Short-billed Dowitcher   50
Long-billed Dowitcher     100
Laughing  Gull     1
Ring-billed Gull      4
Gull-billed Tern     8
Forster's Tern      1
Mourning Dove     100
White-tipped Dove   1
Greater Roadrunner     2
Groove-billed  Ani     1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      7
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     1
Eastern Phoebe   1
Great Kiskadee     3
White-eyed Vireo   12
Green Jay     7
Horned Lark   6
Cave Swallow     4
Black-crested  Titmouse     1
Bewick's Wren     1
House  Wren     8
Sedge Wren     4
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet     1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher      1
Northern Mockingbird     20
Long-billed Thrasher   8
American Pipit     1
Orange-crowned  Warbler     15
Northern Parula      1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     12
Common  Yellowthroat     6
Olive Sparrow      9
Savannah Sparrow     15
Lincoln's Sparrow   12
Northern Cardinal     12
Blue Bunting   2
Red-winged Blackbird     500
Eastern  Meadowlark     20
Great-tailed Grackle      70
House Sparrow     3

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Fox Sparrow Still @ VNC
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:25:44 EST
Hi, all!
 
The Red Fox Sparrow (I heard rumors that there was even a second bird) was  
seen again today at Valley Nature Center; I got there around 10:45 and ran into 

 Rex and Birgit, and after a few minutes of waiting along the "Butterfly 
Trail", the bird sang beautifully, only feet off the trail! Trouble was, 
between 

 the three of us (plus another couple that walked up), we couldn't spot him 
to save our lives! But that song was unmistakable! He moved around a bit as 

well, as I also heard him well from the vicinity of the little "cactus  
pond".  Other highlights included a flock of Green Parakeets and a pair of  
Catbirds at the feeders.
 
Before that I was at Estero Llano doing the rounds, first checking the  llano 
itself; something spooked the birds, and over 100 Black-bellied Whistling  
Ducks (among other things) exploded from the hidden reeds!  A single  Roseate 
Spoonbill was a treat, and from the levee had a pair of White-tailed  Kites.  
Heard Red-crowned Parrots not only from the levee, but also the  park parking 
lot, and then later near Kiskadee Pond flying overhead! At the deck a wedge of 

Snow Geese flew over, delighting the crowd preparing to go  into The 
Forbidden Zone. It was fun hearing both Couch's and Tropical Kingbirds side by 
side 

along the Camino de Aves.
 
Pics for today are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri) 
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Estero Llano Grande SP WBC (Weslaco)(LTC  054)
Observation date:     2/20/09
Number of species:   76

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck      150
Snow Goose     30
Blue-winged Teal      54
Northern Shoveler     52
Northern Pintail   1
Green-winged Teal     50
Plain  Chachalaca     7
Least Grebe      8
Pied-billed Grebe     5
American White Pelican   60
Neotropic Cormorant     3
Great Blue  Heron     9
Great Egret     5
Snowy  Egret     10
Little Blue Heron      1
Tricolored Heron     2
Cattle Egret      1
White-faced Ibis     10
Roseate Spoonbill   1
White-tailed Kite     2
Northern  Harrier     1
Cooper's Hawk     1
Harris's  Hawk     4
American Kestrel     1
Common  Moorhen     5
American Coot      170
Killdeer     1
Black-necked Stilt      22
American Avocet     26
Spotted Sandpiper   2
Lesser Yellowlegs     2
Long-billed  Curlew     1
Least Sandpiper      10
Long-billed Dowitcher     9
Mourning Dove   30
Inca Dove     4
Common Ground-Dove   19
White-tipped Dove     6
Red-crowned  Parrot     20
Ringed Kingfisher     1
Belted  Kingfisher     1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      21
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     2
Eastern Phoebe   3
Great Kiskadee     10
Tropical  Kingbird     3
Couch's Kingbird      3
White-eyed Vireo     4
Green Jay      1
Horned Lark     22
Tree Swallow      8
Black-crested Titmouse     1
Carolina Wren   2
Bewick's Wren     1
House Wren   4
Marsh Wren     2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet   4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     7
Northern  Mockingbird     4
Long-billed Thrasher      3
Curve-billed Thrasher     1
American Pipit   8
Orange-crowned Warbler     5
Yellow-rumped  Warbler (Myrtle)     6
Common Yellowthroat      9
Olive Sparrow     6
Savannah Sparrow      1
Lincoln's Sparrow     4
Northern Cardinal   5
Pyrrhuloxia     1
Red-winged Blackbird   670
Eastern Meadowlark     3
Great-tailed  Grackle     16
Brown-headed Cowbird      15
Lesser Goldfinch     3
House Sparrow      80

Location:     Valley Nature Ctr. (LTC 057)
Observation  date:     2/20/09
Number of species:      27

Plain Chachalaca     6
White-winged Dove   5
Mourning Dove     5
Inca Dove   3
White-tipped Dove     5
Green Parakeet   5
Buff-bellied Hummingbird      2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     5
Great Kiskadee   5
Couch's Kingbird     1
White-eyed  Vireo     2
Green Jay     1
Purple  Martin     2
Black-crested Titmouse      3
Carolina Wren     1
Gray Catbird      2
Northern Mockingbird     1
Long-billed Thrasher   1
Curve-billed Thrasher     1
Orange-crowned  Warbler     5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)   2
Wilson's Warbler     1
Fox Sparrow  (Red)     1
Northern Cardinal      2
Great-tailed Grackle     5
Lesser Goldfinch   2
House Sparrow     50

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Need a job? Find an employment agency near you. 

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Subject: Frontera Audubon
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:02:29 EST
Hi, all!
 
Spent the morning at Frontera, where I (and apparently everyone else)  dipped 
on the Crimson-collared Grosbeak, but had great looks at the  Rose-breasted.  
Ran into Steve Howell and Chris Wood, and while I was under  the impression 
the grosbeak was a young male, Steve confirmed that it was  actually an adult 
in winter plumage!  He also confirmed a couple of calling  Ovenbirds for me; 
not being intimately familiar with eastern warbler calls, I knew they sounded a 

little harsher than most, but still wasn't sure of what I  was hearing.  
Other highlights include the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker chiseling his little row 
by 

the pond, a flock of Green Parakeets screaming over,  a brilliant male 
Black-throated Green Warbler. My first Least Grebe for the preserve was in the 

"back" pond behind the fence, where the whistling ducks were also hanging out. 

A Clay-colored Thrush called softly where there's a  bench at the bend of the 
trail on the north side, and Chachalacas and  White-tipped Doves at the 
feeders were entertaining as always! A lovely male Lesser Goldfinch delighted 
the 

crowds back at the water feature.
 
Pics for the day are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_thu_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_thu) 
 
Bird list:
 
Location:     Frontera Audubon Ctr (LTC 058)
Observation  date:     2/19/09
Number of species:      42

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck     17
Plain  Chachalaca     17
Least Grebe     1
Mourning  Dove     2
Inca Dove     7
White-tipped  Dove     6
Green Parakeet      20
Buff-bellied Hummingbird      4
Ruby-throated/Black-chinned Hummingbird      1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     9
Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker     1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker      3
Eastern Phoebe     2
Great Kiskadee      8
Couch's Kingbird     1
White-eyed Vireo   5
Tree Swallow     5
Black-crested  Titmouse     5
Carolina Wren     3
House  Wren     4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet      3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     6
Clay-colored Thrush   1
Northern Mockingbird     5
Long-billed  Thrasher     4
Curve-billed Thrasher      1
European Starling     1
Orange-crowned Warbler   6
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)      8
Black-throated Green Warbler     1
Ovenbird   2
Common Yellowthroat     1
Wilson's  Warbler     1
Olive Sparrow     4
Lincoln's  Sparrow     2
Northern Cardinal      4
Rose-breasted Grosbeak     1
Red-winged Blackbird   104
Great-tailed Grackle     6
Lesser  Goldfinch     7
American Goldfinch      2
House Sparrow     8

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Falcon SP & Salieno
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:35:09 EST
Hi, all!
 
Despite the drizzle, had a great day out in Starr County yesterday; at  
Falcon State Park a sunning (interesting in itself seeing as there was no sun) 

Caracara in the cabin loop was a highlight, and since the picnic area was still 

flooded I walked down there, logging several Least Sandpipers, a few Spotties, 
 and a pair of Bufflehead.  The Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are starting to get  
their "Groucho Marx" brows (dipped on the Blacktails, although the primitive  
area was pretty crowded with campers so I didn't walk around there), and down 
by the boat ramp had Savannah Sparrows in the disturbed area. Heard a Purple 

Martin gurgling overhead which wasn't my personal FOS but apparently they're  
showing up all over now!  Also in the cabin area had a couple of Western  
Meadowlarks in a tree, and one actually tried to sing a little! Kinda nice to 

hear them again! :-)  The blind was active with several Bobwhite and the  shy 
Scaled Quail coming in occasionally!
 
Salieno was packed as well: a 15-minute watch at the river yielded several  
ducks (including a "Northern" Mallard male with a Mexican Duck--he looked like 
a  good wild bird and not a domestic type), a preening Gray Hawk, an Osprey, 
and a  pair of Red-billed Pigeons on the island.  At the feeders several 
Altamira Orioles were coming in, and the Green Jays were bobbing and weaving in 

some kind of courtship display, I imagine. Carolyn turned her back to greet and 

chat  with some newcomers, and that's when the Audubon's Oriole decided to 
come  in...  The regular dove contingent was there as well, including  
White-winged and a hidden White-tipped. I went back down to the trail to look 
for the 

seedeater (it had apparently been seen last week), but got a pair  of Green 
Kingfishers and a single Ringed instead.  Somewhere unseen some  White-fronted 
Geese flew by.
 
Stopped at Roma to use the restroom and found a Texan Crescent trying  vainly 
to get nectar out of a fallen olive blossom!
 
Pics for the morning are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Falcon SP (Starr Co.)(LTC 084)
Observation  date:     2/17/09
Number of species:      47

Bufflehead     2
Scaled Quail      1
Northern Bobwhite     14
American White Pelican   1
Neotropic Cormorant     2
Double-crested  Cormorant     20
Great Blue Heron      5
Great Egret     2
Snowy Egret      1
Crested Caracara     1
American Coot      12
Killdeer     6
Spotted Sandpiper      3
Least Sandpiper     20
Ring-billed Gull   1
Inca Dove     6
Common Ground-Dove   4
Greater Roadrunner     2
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker     1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker      2
Eastern Phoebe     1
Vermilion Flycatcher   2
Great Kiskadee     3
White-eyed Vireo   3
Green Jay     10
Purple Martin   1
Cactus Wren     3
Bewick's Wren   5
House Wren     4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet   3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     9
Northern  Mockingbird     18
Curve-billed Thrasher      3
American Pipit     2
Orange-crowned Warbler   8
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     11
Olive  Sparrow     3
Black-throated Sparrow      4
Savannah Sparrow     5
Lincoln's Sparrow   1
Northern Cardinal     9
Pyrrhuloxia   13
Red-winged Blackbird     595
Western  Meadowlark     9
Great-tailed Grackle      100
Brown-headed Cowbird     7
House Sparrow   10

Location:     Salineño (LTC 080)
Observation date:   2/17/09
Notes:     The Mallard was a male in  company with a yellow-billed Mexican 
Duck; it looked like a good wild male and not a domestic type (photos available 

upon request)
Number of species:   50

Greater White-fronted Goose      3
Gadwall     7
American Wigeon      1
Mallard     1
Mallard (Mexican)      1
Blue-winged Teal     4
Canvasback      1
Lesser Scaup     1
Plain Chachalaca      2
Double-crested Cormorant     2
Great Blue Heron   1
Great Egret     3
Black Vulture   1
Turkey Vulture     1
Osprey   1
Gray Hawk     1
Crested Caracara   1
American Coot     2
Red-billed Pigeon   2
White-winged Dove     2
Mourning Dove   3
Inca Dove     2
Common Ground-Dove   6
White-tipped Dove     1
Greater  Roadrunner     1
Ringed Kingfisher      1
Green Kingfisher     2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker   3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     2
Great  Kiskadee     4
Couch's Kingbird     1
Green  Jay     5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow      1
Black-crested Titmouse     2
House Wren   1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     1
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher     2
Long-billed Thrasher      2
American Pipit     1
Orange-crowned Warbler   1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     4
Common  Yellowthroat     3
Olive Sparrow      1
Lincoln's Sparrow     1
Northern Cardinal   3
Red-winged Blackbird     50
Great-tailed  Grackle     10
Altamira Oriole      5
Audubon's Oriole     1
House Sparrow      30

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Need a job? Find an employment agency near you. 

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Subject: Quinta Mazatlan Practice
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:06:06 EST
Hi, all!
 
Spent an hour or so at Quinta Mazatlan this afternoon practicing with the  
Canon; I upped the ISO to 400 and knocked the exposure meter down a couple of  
notches, and that helped tremendously, although there are still some exposure  
issues in high contrast situations.  Also tried using the flash, and it  
worked particularly well with the Mockingbird: he was totally hidden in shadow 
in 

the tree, and although he's hidden, the flash really brought out the details  
well.  The parula was hanging out at the house but wouldn't come out;  
although it was hard to tell with the cacophany of House Sparrows, it sounded 
like 

his ending "tzip" was going down most of the time.  
 
Pics are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox) 
 
Enjoy!  MB  

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Nothing says I love you like flowers! Find a florist near you 
now. 
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Subject: Testing the New Camera @ Edinburg Wetlands, TX (longish)
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:13:43 EST
Hi, all!
 
Sorry about the cross-posting, but since several people have asked me to  let 
them know of my final decision, and since the testing grounds was here in  
Texas for both birds and butterflies, I figured I'd hit everyone...
 
I settled on the Canon Rebel XSI along with the 70-300mm zoom, as that's  
what I had ages ago, and it fit well within my budget. Edinburg Wetlands (aka 

the World Birding Center) is great for both birds and butterflies, and that  
proved to be a great proving ground as well.  Being able to see my subjects  
clearly through the viewfinder was a great blessing, although until I got the  
diopter adjusted it WAS a little fuzzy...  For the most part I opted to use  
manual focus (I tried the auto-focus on the Myrtle Warbler), and while Joseph  
Kennedy warned me about the possibility that "in focus" in the viewfinder does 

not necessarily equal "in focus" in reality due to those pesky things called  
trifocals ;-), the camera's sensor would beep at me to let me know the subject 
 was truly in focus, so that was a great help.  Hand-holding undoubtedly  
added some "fuzz" to some of the images, even with the image stabilizer; for  
illustration's sake, I didn't "sharpen" any of the images except for those that 

obviously needed some help, and some of the butterflies.  I may need to use  
the sharpen feature more often, but I think once I figure out how to boost the 

ISO up (I was used to using ASA 400 film to get the fastest possible shutter  
speed), some of those motion problems may clear up.
 
With the exception of the "jungle trail" shot, all images were taken at the  
full zoom, and I found that to be acceptable for both birds and  butterflies.  
As with other cameras I've had, using the automatic settings  caused some 
over-exposure in some of the shots, particularly checkered-skippers  against a 
dark background or anything with light against dark, so I'll need to  fiddle 
with that.  Like I've said ad nauseum before, the one really great  feature on 
the Olympus PAS was the super macro for butterflies, so I doubt I'll be able to 

beat that quality without actually buying a macro lens, but for the  most 
part, the frustrations of the old PAS camera are non-existent with this camera. 

 
Bird and lep highlights include the continuing Groove-billed Ani, a  Wilson's 
Warbler (not photographed), amorous Phaon Crescents, a Funereal  Duskywing, 
and a lovely little Reakirt's Blue.  
 
Pics are posted here, with added comments about what I was trying to do  with 
some of the shots and my thoughts about the results:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_fri) 
 
I also noticed that you can't view the comments if you view it in slideshow  
mode...
 
Thanks again to everyone who offered advice!  I'm looking forward to  honing 
my skills with this new toy! :-)
 
MB  

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Nothing says I love you like flowers! Find a florist near you 
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Subject: Quinta Mazatlan's Parula
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:36:20 EST
Hi, all!
 
Birded Quinta Mazatlan and Hidalgo Pumphouse this morning, and happened to  
get excellent looks at what I'm presuming is the continuing Tropical Parula  
(practically landed on me at one point).  Even more miraculous was the fact  
that I was able to get a couple of shots of this guy showing what I saw, which 

appeared to be characteristics of both Northern AND Tropical Parulas!  The  
bird was singing almost constantly (which honestly is what got me on him), and 

recalling the discussions on the differences of the endings of the Tropical and 

 Northern Parulas (see the following post by Chris Benesh:)
 
_http://listserv.uh.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0802&L=TEXBIRDS&P=R21338&I=-3_ 
(http://listserv.uh.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0802&L=TEXBIRDS&P=R21338&I=-3) 
 
I tried to pay attention to the terminal element (to over-simplify, Texas  
Northern Parulas go up, while Tropicals go down), and while he mostly did an  
"up" ending, he also did "down" endings periodically, as well as the more  
excited "zhreee-zhreee-zezezezezeze-tzup!" song. He had the warm orange breast 

typical of Tropicals, but also white eye crescents, not nearly as strong as in 

Northern, but definitely there if you got a good look.  Dare I  mention the 
dreaded "H" word?  Or has this possibility already been  suggested with this 
bird and I just missed it?  Pics are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_thu_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_thu) 
 
Miriam told me about a Pauraque roosting along the entrance road, but I  
couldn't spot that one (not surprised...).  As usual, it was entertaining  
watching the Chachalacas, Long-billed Thrashers, and Carolina Wrens at the 
feeders! 

The Olive Sparrows are starting to sing, and had side-by-side  Tropical and 
Couch's Kingbirds near the golf course. White-winged Doves are there in force. 

 
Hidalgo Pumphouse had a few nice things as well, including Solitary  
Sandpiper and the requisite Black Phoebe. A mob of 20 Ring-necked Ducks steamed 
out 

to the middle of the resaca as I approached, where there was also  
first-for-my-list Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Anhinga, and Blue-winged Teal 
out 

there. A "choip"ing Altamira Oriole was also a first, as was an Audubon's 
Warbler 

hanging out in the trees down by the deck.  Best lep was  a White-sided 
Longtail.
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Quinta Mazatlan WBC (McAllen) (LTC  063)
Observation date:     2/12/09
Notes:   The parula actually had characteristics of both species: the soft  
orange breast of the Tropical, thin white eye crescents suggestive of Northern, 

 and both song types (the ending "tzip" going up on one song, then going down 
on  another, plus the "zhree-zhree-dedededede-tzirp" song.
Number of  species:     36

Plain Chachalaca      14
Killdeer     1
Rock Pigeon      10
White-winged Dove     22
Mourning Dove   3
Inca Dove     7
White-tipped Dove   4
Buff-bellied Hummingbird      3
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     8
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker     1
Eastern Phoebe     1
Great  Kiskadee     8
Tropical Kingbird      3
Couch's Kingbird     1
White-eyed Vireo   1
Blue-headed Vireo     1
Green Jay   2
Black-crested Titmouse     1
Carolina  Wren     2
House Wren     2
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet     3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher      3
Northern Mockingbird     3
Long-billed Thrasher   3
Curve-billed Thrasher     3
European  Starling     4
Orange-crowned Warbler      5
Tropical Parula     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  (Myrtle)     3
Olive Sparrow     5
Northern  Cardinal     4
Red-winged Blackbird      50
Great-tailed Grackle     5
Lesser Goldfinch   2
American Goldfinch     2
House Sparrow   150

Location:     Old Hidalgo Pumphouse (WBC)  (LTC067)
Observation date:     2/12/09
Number of  species:     33

Blue-winged Teal      1
Ring-necked Duck     20
Anhinga      1
Great Blue Heron     1
Great Egret      1
Turkey Vulture     1
Solitary Sandpiper   1
Rock Pigeon     2
White-winged Dove   1
Mourning Dove     3
Inca Dove   1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     1
Black Phoebe   1
Eastern Phoebe     1
Great Kiskadee   5
Couch's Kingbird     1
Green Jay   1
House Wren     1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher   1
Northern Mockingbird     2
European  Starling     1
Cedar Waxwing      2
Orange-crowned Warbler     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  (Myrtle)     3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)   1
Common Yellowthroat     3
Lincoln's  Sparrow     1
Great-tailed Grackle      1
Altamira Oriole     1
Lesser Goldfinch      1
American Goldfinch     1
House Sparrow      4

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 

**************Nothing says I love you like flowers! Find a florist near you 
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Subject: Santa Ana NWR
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:23:57 EST
Hi, all!
 
I was joined by Winter Texan Gary Davidson this morning, making the usual  
rounds around Santa Ana, and it was a beautiful day out, although the 
mosquitoes 

 were really bad for some reason.  Had the usual thornbrush stuff on the way  
to Willow Lake, and the usual suspects on the lakes themselves; someone had  
pointed out to me the little black gape spot on the bill of the Mottled Duck 
as  being a good separation point between that and Mexican, so I got to show 
that to  Gary on a nice pair we had there!  He then found a Snipe on the back 
side of Willow Lake Trail that I would have otherwise missed, and had a Green 

Kingfisher along the Rio Grande.  Another pair at the "little" Pintail  Lakes 
was very cooperative and put on a great show flying back and forth!   Ran into 
Carolyn doing HER survey back there, and amongst the many Ring-necked  Ducks 
here were two female scaup that I initially wrote off as Lesser, but the  more 
we looked at them, the more big-billed and round-headed they looked (and  
they weren't actively feeding), and we began to strongly lean towards Greater. 

Thankfully Gary got a decent shot of one of the birds, so as soon  as he gets 
it to me I'll post it on PBase for comment by those who know  better...  Along 
that back trail we also had a couple of pretty little  Gemmed Satyrs.
 
"Big" Pintail Lakes had more ducks, plus a group of White-faced Ibis along  
with a single immature White. We also had an immature Little Blue Heron along 

the back.  We converged with a huge birding group and all enjoyed a  Sora 
feeding out in the open along with some Lesser Yellowlegs and a dowitcher, and 

before long they were joined by a Greater.  Swinging around the back  side of 
Pintail Lakes we found another Snipe feeding away, but nothing else out of the 

ordinary.  A swing around the "old" butterfly gardens produced a  pair of 
mating Funereal Duskywings.  Gary had seen a Great-tailed Grackle  at Pintail 
that I missed, but thankfully (???) one flushed out of the gardens for the day! 

 
The only two pics I got today (the satyr and duskywings) are posted  here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_wed_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_wed) 
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     Santa Ana NWR (LTC 059)
Observation  date:     2/11/09
Notes:     The scaup looked  very round-headed and large-billed to us, but 
considering the rarity and  location, we weren't willing to commit...
Number of species:   57

Gadwall     30
Mottled Duck   3
Blue-winged Teal     30
Northern  Shoveler     60
Northern Pintail      14
Green-winged Teal     2
Ring-necked Duck   15
Greater/Lesser Scaup     2
Plain  Chachalaca     10
Least Grebe      13
Pied-billed Grebe     10
Great Egret      3
Little Blue Heron     1
Tricolored Heron   1
White Ibis     1
White-faced Ibis   12
Turkey Vulture     17
Red-shouldered  Hawk     2
Sora     3
Common Moorhen   5
American Coot     40
Killdeer   2
Black-necked Stilt     16
Greater  Yellowlegs     5
Lesser Yellowlegs      5
Long-billed Dowitcher     1
Wilson's Snipe   2
White-tipped Dove     1
Belted  Kingfisher     3
Green Kingfisher      3
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     6
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker     8
Eastern Phoebe     7
Great  Kiskadee     21
Couch's Kingbird      3
White-eyed Vireo     8
Green Jay      7
Tree Swallow     3
Black-crested Titmouse   11
Carolina Wren     7
Bewick's Wren   2
House Wren     4
Marsh Wren   4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     4
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher     2
Northern Mockingbird      2
Long-billed Thrasher     5
European Starling   1
Orange-crowned Warbler     8
Yellow-rumped  Warbler (Myrtle)     9
Common Yellowthroat      9
Olive Sparrow     5
Lincoln's Sparrow      8
Northern Cardinal     3
Red-winged Blackbird   130
Great-tailed Grackle     1
Altamira  Oriole     2

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Valley Nature Center
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:20:28 EST
Hi, all!
 
After a mini-lesson with Martin on Valley habitat types (VERY fascinating,  
BTW) I did the rounds around the property and picked up a few nice things.   
May have had a Clay-colored Robin, but couldn't rule out Curve-billed Thrasher 

(which I DID see later) with the brief non-bin look I had.  There's one  
little feeder and drip area on the north side of the property that's 
consistently 

pretty birdy; a White-winged Dove was taking a drink when I  arrived, and 
after he left a pair of Cardinals came in; it was fun watching him  crack and 
manipulate several sunflower seeds while chasing off the House Sparrows (HE was 

chasing them, not me)!  Meanwhile a Hermit Thrush, BC  Titmouse, Ovenbird, 
female Wilson's Warbler, and a White-eyed Vireo lurked in the background. Two 

Long-billed Thrashers were song-battling, and had at  least four Buff-bellied 
Hummers fighting around the main viewing area.   Despite the wind and overcast 
skies, leps were pretty active, the highlights  being Zebras and a Texan 
Crescent.  Also had some colorful bugs on the bait  logs!
 
Pics are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     Valley Nature Ctr. (LTC 057)
Observation  date:     2/10/09
Number of species:      30

Plain Chachalaca     2
White-winged Dove   1
Mourning Dove     3
Inca Dove   2
White-tipped Dove     2
Buff-bellied  Hummingbird     4
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      5
Great Kiskadee     3
Couch's Kingbird      1
White-eyed Vireo     2
Black-crested Titmouse   2
Carolina Wren     1
House Wren   1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     1
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher     2
Hermit Thrush      1
Northern Mockingbird     2
Long-billed Thrasher   2
Curve-billed Thrasher     1
European  Starling     7
Orange-crowned Warbler      4
Ovenbird     1
Wilson's Warbler      1
Lincoln's Sparrow     2
Northern Cardinal   3
Great-tailed Grackle     3
Brown-headed  Cowbird     2
Lesser Goldfinch      1
American Goldfinch     1
House Sparrow      30

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Zone-tailed Hawk, Pine Siskin, @ Anzalduas
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2009 22:11:14 EST
Hi, all!
 
Joined my San Diego birding buddies Barb Carlson and Jan Nordenberg today  to 
clean up on some target birds they wanted.  Started at Bentsen pre-dawn,  
where we easily picked up Pauraques tuning up, but the star was the VERY close 

tooting Ferruginous Pygmy Owl near the Kiskadee Trail! Either he flew over to 

the Green Jay Blind or else another bird started tooting over there, and as  
we made our way in that direction, what we thought was a low stump turned out 
to  be a snoozing Javalina--boy, we all got a start when he jumped to life!   
(What was more amazing was the fact that after we gave him a wide berth he 
laid down and went back to sleep...) We also heard a Least Bittern cackle from 

the resaca, then spent a few minutes at the water feature and the Kiskadee  
Blind, but added nothing but several White-tipped Doves and a Green Jay.   
Picked up Altamira Oriole on the way back to headquarters, where we joined the 

rest of the gang waiting for the Allen's Hummer! Shortly said bird came in to 

the feeder down at the other building, so we all hitailed it over and got  
scope looks at this little guy!
 
From there we headed to Anzalduas, but on the way the girls, driving behind  
me, did a "Uie" on Inspiration Road, and when I went back to check on them,  
discovered they had seen a flock of Green Parakeets!  At Anzalduas, the  girls 
had received intelligence that the Hook-billed Kites flew from nine till  noon 
at the river overlook, but with the wind blasting we weren't too sure of  
seeing anything.  At any rate we dutifully headed to the overlook, where we  
added the usual cormorants, gulls, and ducks, along with a few White Pelicans, 

one with something rather large in its beak! (A couple from Houston suggested 

it could have been a Siren--sp?)  An Anhinga did its snakebird  thing in the 
river, while an Osprey took off from the shore where all the  vultures were 
hanging out.  No kites appeared, but a beautiful Zonetail DID  rock overhead, 
doing its TV thing!  A Gray, Red-shouldered, and Red-tailed  all got our 
attention at various times before proving they weren't the coveted bird. There 
were 

several Rough-winged Swallows swooping around, but a Cave  hung in the air 
right overhead, which was great as it was a life bird for  Jan!
 
We headed back over to the other side to look for dickey birds, picking up  
Eastern Bluebirds on the way.  Over by the boat ramp we initially didn't  find 
anything, but the Houston couple came over and saved the day by pointing us  
to the feeding flock they had found, which by the time we got there included  
Pine Siskin among the American Goldfinches; Black-and-white, Black-throated  
Green, Black-throated Gray, and Pine Warblers; and a fabulous look at a silent 

Beardless Tyrannulet!  While enjoying a Ladder-backed Woodpecker, a female  
sapsucker flew in and proceeded to lead us halfway around the park just to get 
a 

 good look! :-)  A Chipping Sparrow flock gave good looks as well, and the  
meadowlark flock finally gave some Western-specific vocalizations so Barb could 

 count them for her Texas list! :-)
 
From there we grabbed some lunch, and since Jan needed White-tailed Hawk  for 
a life bird, I took them up to La Sal del Rey for the driving route, but  
first we braved the biting gnats and hiked the trail, as Barb needed Vesper  
Sparrow for Texas and that had been the most reliable spot (for me) for the  
Vespers. Got lots of Savannahs instead, a couple of Bewick's Wrens, and a 
Cactus 

Wren at the lake.  A Verdin called on the way back, but on the way  out, two 
big, beautiful White-tailed Hawks wheeled over head and gave great  looks!
 
We cruised the roads after that, getting wonderful views of Caracaras and a  
couple of Pyrrhuloxias.  Up by the "ranch ponds" on Brushline we got a  female 
Vermilion Flycatcher, Least Grebes, and White Ibis, but at the turnaround  
gate a flock of Lark Sparrows close to the road actually had a Vesper in with  
them!  Thankfully it flew into a tree and stayed put long enough for Jan to  
get her scope on it! A Merlin ended the party, and back down along GI Road we 

checked the feedlots for strange blackbirds.  We got Barb's Brewer's  
Blackbird further down by the mud hole. It was getting late, so we headed 
straight 

down Rio Beef Road to the highway, picking up a Roadrunner on the way,  and on 
186 itself had a beautiful young Krider's Hawk on a pole!
 
Celebrated at the Outback (yum!) and headed home while the girls headed to  
Brownsville for one last day of birding before heading home themselves.   
Didn't quite nail 100 species, but almost!  Pics are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox) 
 
Bird List:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 2-7-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 2-7-09 to  2-7-09

American  Wigeon                        Anas americana
Gadwall                                Anas strepera
Mottled  Duck                           Anas fulvigula
Northern  Pintail                       Anas acuta
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Northern  Shoveler                      Anas clypeata
Plain  Chachalaca                       Ortalis vetula
Least  Grebe                            Tachybaptus dominicus
American White  Pelican                 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Double-crested  Cormorant               Phalacrocorax auritus
Neotropic  Cormorant                    Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Anhinga                                Anhinga anhinga
Great Blue  Heron                       Ardea herodias
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Little Blue  Heron                      Egretta caerulea
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
Least  Bittern                          Ixobrychus exilis
White  Ibis                             Eudocimus albus
White-faced  Ibis                       Plegadis chihi
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Osprey                                 Pandion haliaetus
Northern  Harrier                       Circus cyaneus
Harris's  Hawk                          Parabuteo unicinctus
Red-shouldered  Hawk                    Buteo lineatus
Gray  Hawk                              Buteo nitidus
White-tailed  Hawk                      Buteo albicaudatus
Zone-tailed  Hawk                       Buteo albonotatus
Red-tailed  Hawk                        Buteo jamaicensis
Crested  Caracara                       Caracara cheriway
American  Kestrel                       Falco sparverius
Merlin                                 Falco columbarius
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
Spotted  Sandpiper                      Actitis macularius
Greater  Yellowlegs                     Tringa melanoleuca
Least  Sandpiper                        Calidris minutilla
Laughing  Gull                          Leucophaeus atricilla
Ring-billed  Gull                       Larus delawarensis
Caspian  Tern                           Hydroprogne caspia
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
Common  Ground-Dove                     Columbina passerina
Inca  Dove                              Columbina inca
White-tipped  Dove                      Leptotila verreauxi
Green  Parakeet                         Aratinga holochlora
Greater  Roadrunner                     Geococcyx californianus
Ferruginous  Pygmy-Owl                  Glaucidium brasilianum
Pauraque                               Nyctidromus albicollis
Archilochus  Hummingbird              Archilochus sp.
  Allen's  Hummingbird                    Selasphorus sasin
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker              Melanerpes aurifrons
Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker               Sphyrapicus varius
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker               Picoides scalaris
Northern  Beardless-Tyrannulet         Camptostoma  imberbe
Eastern  Phoebe                         Sayornis phoebe
Vermilion  Flycatcher                   Pyrocephalus rubinus
Great  Kiskadee                         Pitangus sulphuratus
Couch's  Kingbird                       Tyrannus couchii
Northern Rough-winged  Swallow         Stelgidopteryx  serripennis
Cave  Swallow                           Petrochelidon fulva
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet                   Regulus calendula
Cactus  Wren                            Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Bewick's  Wren                          Thryomanes bewickii
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Long-billed  Thrasher                   Toxostoma longirostre
Eastern  Bluebird                       Sialia sialis
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher                  Polioptila caerulea
Black-crested  Titmouse                 Baeolophus atricristatus
Verdin                                 Auriparus flaviceps
Loggerhead  Shrike                      Lanius ludovicianus
Green  Jay                              Cyanocorax yncas
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
Pine  Siskin                            Carduelis pinus
American  Goldfinch                     Carduelis tristis
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
Black-throated Gray  Warbler           Dendroica  nigrescens
Black-throated Green  Warbler          Dendroica  virens
Pine  Warbler                           Dendroica pinus
Black-and-white  Warbler                Mniotilta varia
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Chipping  Sparrow                       Spizella passerina
Vesper  Sparrow                         Pooecetes gramineus
Lark  Sparrow                           Chondestes grammacus
Savannah  Sparrow                       Passerculus sandwichensis
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
Northern  Cardinal                      Cardinalis cardinalis
Pyrrhuloxia                            Cardinalis sinuatus
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern  Meadowlark                     Sturnella magna
Western  Meadowlark                     Sturnella neglecta
Brewer's  Blackbird                     Euphagus cyanocephalus
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus
Brown-headed  Cowbird                   Molothrus ater
Altamira  Oriole                        Icterus gularis

96 SPECIES
 
Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 

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Subject: Estero Llano Grande
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 17:12:18 EST
Hi, all!
 
Met San Diego birding buddies Barbara Carlson and Jan Nordenberg at Estero  
Llano to hopefully get them a few lifers!  We started at the llano where we  
had a great display of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, plus a few White 
Pelicans, 

 Stilts, Avocets, and other ducks.  Some American Pipits fed in the field  
behind us as a Horned Lark called overhead.  Our only Harris' Hawk of the  day 
flew by in the distance.
 
On the way into the park proper we got Jan her ABA Golden-fronted  Woodpecker 
(first on many), plus a nice Blue-headed Vireo just outside The  Forbidden 
Zone. Some distant Snow Geese cackled while we enjoyed the vireo. Inside the 

park we met Huck to go back to said Zone for the  rarities, but in the 
meantime we got Jan her life Least Grebe, a nice Green Kingfisher, and a 
sunning 

Buff-bellied Hummer.  
 
Since a huge group showed up at the last minute, we opted to explore the  
inside of the park first and then go back with Huck later, and that proved to 
be 

productive as we got good looks at the waterfowl in Ibis Pond once we were on 
 the boardwalk, and actually saw a Sora scoot underneath!  A pretty  
Vermilion Flycatcher showed off at the little overlook, and had wonderful 
sparrow 

studies, including a Swamp near the little overlook, and a Grasshopper back in 

the savannah!  A large flock of Spoonbills sailed in over the  levee, while 
another large flock of White Ibis descended into Dowitcher  Pond.  At the pond 
itself we enjoyed all three teal and some closeup  yellowlegs and Least 
Sandpipers, while a pair of White-tailed Kites chirped behind us. We tried for 
the 

Pauraque at Alligator Lake, but dipped on  that, getting Anhingas instead at 
the overlook.
 
Joined Huck and a smaller group after that, where we DID get to see a  
snoozing Pauraque back in TFZ, along with a female Black-throated Gray and  
Black-and-white Warblers, but the price of getting separated from the main 
group was 

missing the Tropical Parula! :-(  We were able to add Carolina Wren and  
another lifer for Jan, the Black-crested Titmouse, however. Finally one of the 

kingbirds talked a little, nailing them as Couch's.  After that we  raided the 
McDonald's and ate on deck, then perused the butterfly garden,  picking up a 
worn but still beautiful Malachite!
 
Pics for the day are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_thu_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_thu) 
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     Estero Llano Grande SP WBC (Weslaco)(LTC  054)
Observation date:     2/5/09
Number of species:   75

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck      200
Snow Goose     5
Blue-winged Teal      50
Cinnamon Teal     2
Northern Shoveler      20
Northern Pintail     2
Green-winged Teal   20
Least Grebe     20
Pied-billed Grebe   5
American White Pelican     20
Neotropic  Cormorant     2
Double-crested Cormorant      7
Anhinga     2
Snowy Egret     5
Little  Blue Heron     1
White Ibis      10
White-faced Ibis     2
Roseate Spoonbill   20
Turkey Vulture     2
White-tailed  Kite     2
Harris's Hawk     1
American  Kestrel     1
Sora     3
Common  Moorhen     10
American Coot      20
Killdeer     1
Black-necked Stilt      5
American Avocet     10
Spotted Sandpiper   2
Greater Yellowlegs     1
Lesser  Yellowlegs     3
Least Sandpiper      40
Mourning Dove     2
Inca Dove      5
Common Ground-Dove     8
White-tipped Dove   3
Common Pauraque     1
Buff-bellied  Hummingbird     1
Belted Kingfisher      1
Green Kingfisher     2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker   10
Eastern Phoebe     1
Vermilion  Flycatcher     1
Great Kiskadee      10
Tropical Kingbird     1
Couch's Kingbird   2
White-eyed Vireo     1
Blue-headed  Vireo     1
Green Jay     1
Horned  Lark     1
Tree Swallow     10
Black-crested  Titmouse     3
Carolina Wren     1
House  Wren     3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet      3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     2
Northern Mockingbird   3
Long-billed Thrasher     1
Curve-billed  Thrasher     1
European Starling      7
American Pipit     6
Orange-crowned Warbler   5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)      10
Black-throated Gray Warbler     1
Black-and-white  Warbler     1
Common Yellowthroat      10
Savannah Sparrow     20
Grasshopper Sparrow   1
Lincoln's Sparrow     15
Swamp Sparrow   1
Northern Cardinal     4
Red-winged  Blackbird     100
Great-tailed Grackle      800
Lesser Goldfinch     5
House Sparrow      50

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Stay up to date on the latest news - from sports scores to 
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Subject: Monte Cristo & Edinburg Wetlands
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2009 14:57:28 EST
Hi, all!
 
It was quite foggy along Wallace Road starting off this morning, but had a  
nice selection of birds, including a Bobwhite tuning up!  The ag fields had  
good numbers of Horned Larks, Killdeer, a single Long-billed Curlew, and a few 

Western Meadowlarks (probably more, but I only got a glimpse of a small  
group). As the fog lifted was treated to a "fogbow": like a rainbow only 
entirely 

white!  The only Olive Sparrow of the day was in the little  parking area of 
the wildlife refuge tract where the pumphouse is, and also had  several Lesser 
Goldfinches in here.  The wetland was alive with stuff,  including 20 
White-faced Ibis and a single White, a couple of White Pelicans,  and lots of 
Anhingas as well as the normal stuff. Both Belted and Green Kingfishers were 
along 

here, as well as a couple of Red-shouldered Hawks.   A flock of White-fronted 
Geese flew over, but had to literally get out of the  way of a mean-looking 
farm machine coming up the road behind me! :-)   Further down the road I heard 
Sandhill Cranes in the distance, and three large  bodies down the road turned 
out to be Turkeys!
 
I headed straight to Edinburg Wetlands after that; dipped on the towhees  :-( 
but had several other nice things, including a cooperative Least Flycatcher,  
a posing Curve-billed Thrasher hanging out with a Mocker, a flock of Green  
Parakeets north of the north lake, the over-wintering Yellow Warbler that 
Javier pointed out while leading a bird walk, the continuing Yellow-crowned 
Night 

Heron  (I swear he's glued to that branch), and an Audubon's Warbler in 
amongst the  many Myrtles down by the spillway.  Two turtles (one big and one 
little) on a piece of wood in the lake made for a great photo op! Walked the 
whole 

 loop around the south lake, picking up a Pyrrhuloxia on the west side and a  
Green Kingfisher on the south side.  A female Canvasback was snoozing in  the 
middle of the lake along with some scaup and Ruddy Ducks; an Osprey flying  
overhead spooked them all, and she put her head up so the group with Javier  
could see her profile! As we were talking about how cormorant numbers were way 

down, a Snowy Egret landed on the deck and posed!  Returning to the  garden 
to "butter", couldn't kick up the ani or the towhees, but Javier got a glimpse 

of one shooting through the garden.  Leps were sparse, the  highlight being a 
pretty Painted Lady.  Picked up the Roadrunner in the  ditch on the way out!
 
Pics for the day are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_wed_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_wed) 
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Monte Cristo Tract (LTC 062)
Observation  date:     2/4/09
Number of species:      69

Gadwall     12
Mottled Duck      14
Blue-winged Teal     3
Northern Pintail   2
Ring-necked Duck     9
Lesser Scaup   3
Ruddy Duck     27
Wild Turkey   3
Northern Bobwhite     1
Least Grebe   8
Pied-billed Grebe     3
American White  Pelican     2
Neotropic Cormorant      4
Double-crested Cormorant     17
Anhinga   19
Great Blue Heron     2
Great Egret   2
Snowy Egret     9
Cattle Egret   2
White Ibis     1
White-faced Ibis   20
Northern Harrier     1
Sharp-shinned  Hawk     1
Red-shouldered Hawk      2
Red-tailed Hawk     1
American Kestrel      1
Common Moorhen     1
American Coot      49
Sandhill Crane     3
Killdeer      27
Greater Yellowlegs     2
Mourning Dove   40
Common Ground-Dove     2
Belted  Kingfisher     2
Green Kingfisher      2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     6
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker     5
Eastern Phoebe     4
Great  Kiskadee     5
Loggerhead Shrike      1
White-eyed Vireo     3
Green Jay      2
Horned Lark     11
Verdin      1
Bewick's Wren     1
House Wren      5
Marsh Wren     1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher      1
Northern Mockingbird     4
Long-billed Thrasher   3
Curve-billed Thrasher     1
European  Starling     1
American Pipit      2
Orange-crowned Warbler     2
Yellow-rumped Warbler  (Myrtle)     14
Common Yellowthroat      16
Olive Sparrow     1
Lark Sparrow      10
Savannah Sparrow     4
Lincoln's Sparrow   13
Northern Cardinal     1
Red-winged  Blackbird     701
Eastern Meadowlark      1
Western Meadowlark     6
Great-tailed Grackle   58
Brown-headed Cowbird     23
Lesser  Goldfinch     11
American Goldfinch      6
House Sparrow     15

Location:     Edinburg Scenic Wetlands WBC (LTC  061)
Observation date:     2/4/09
Number of species:   50

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck      60
Gadwall     5
Blue-winged Teal      50
Northern Shoveler     10
Green-winged Teal   25
Canvasback     1
Lesser Scaup   4
Ruddy Duck     24
Least Grebe   3
Pied-billed Grebe     1
Neotropic  Cormorant     8
Double-crested Cormorant      10
Great Blue Heron     8
Great Egret      4
Snowy Egret     6
Little Blue Heron      1
Tricolored Heron     1
Cattle Egret      2
Black-crowned Night-Heron     12
Yellow-crowned  Night-Heron     1
Osprey     2
Common  Moorhen     10
American Coot      31
Killdeer     1
Rock Pigeon      40
Mourning Dove     1
Green Parakeet      25
Greater Roadrunner     1
Green Kingfisher   1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     2
Least  Flycatcher     1
Eastern Phoebe     1
Great  Kiskadee     5
House Wren     5
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet     2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher      1
Northern Mockingbird     2
Long-billed Thrasher   1
Curve-billed Thrasher     3
Orange-crowned  Warbler     6
Yellow Warbler      1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     85
Yellow-rumped  Warbler (Audubon's)     1
Common Yellowthroat   1
Northern Cardinal     1
Pyrrhuloxia   1
Great-tailed Grackle     29
Lesser  Goldfinch     1
American Goldfinch      3
House Sparrow     6

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Stay up to date on the latest news - from sports scores to 
stocks and so much more. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000022)
Subject: Sparrow-Hunting
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 15:31:59 EST
Hi, all!  
 
Pam and Mason Rivers (I think that's their last name but they'll correct me  
if it isn't... :-}) and her sister Theas (sp?) joined me to do some sparrow  
hunting around the La Sal del Rey area this morning.  We met at the  trailhead 
parking lot on SR 186 (easy to find now that F&W has a big Burn  Ban sign 
there) and decided to hike the trail to the lake first thing. That worked out 

great, as we avoided those nasty little biting gnats, and got  great looks at 
Lark, Savannah, and White-crowned Sparrows, as well as some other  grassland 
birds. In the mesquite forest an Olive Sparrow showed off very nicely, followed 

by a Lincoln's.  Since they had never seen the lake we  took a quick peek, 
adding several Least Sandpipers and a couple of Killdeer to the list; there was 

an isolated pond to the south with some whitish shorebirds  poking around in 
them, but they were too far away to tell (probably  yellowlegs).  Couldn't 
find Karen's phalaropes, though... :-( We had a probable Vesper Sparrow on the 

way back, but I didn't get a definitive  look.
 
From there we cruised the roads, and logged more Caracaras and Harris'  Hawks 
than I think I've ever seen there!  Savannah Sparrows gave great  looks, 
while Lincoln's were harder to get on.  The wetlands at the north  end of 
Brushline had several Least Grebes and a single Pied-billed, a Great Blue, 
several 

Blue-winged Teal, and a pair of Vermilion Flycatchers.  Other  highlights 
included a pair of soaring White-tailed Hawks, a single Wilson's  Snipe in the 
mud-pond along GI Road (it was bone-dry the last time I went by there; don't 
know 

where the water came from...), and a Rhea sunning near a  tree!  
(Unfortunately he wasn't countable, along with the ibex or whatever they 
were...) We 

stopped near the Rio Beef feedlots to pish up some birds, and got a kick out of 

the steers that came stampeding over to us! Another winner was the Roadrunner 

who posed in a tree next to the road!
 
Made a brief stop at the marsh at the south end of Rio Beef Road, picking  up 
several new ducks, plus the three expected rails.  I had to head home  after 
that, but I got a phone call later that the trio had seen a big flock of  
Sandhill Cranes on the way south!
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     LRGV NWR Driving Route
Observation  date:     2/2/09
Number of species:      70

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck     1
Gadwall   5
Blue-winged Teal     12
Northern  Shoveler     20
Northern Pintail      4
Northern Bobwhite     1
Least Grebe      10
Pied-billed Grebe     2
Neotropic Cormorant   1
Great Blue Heron     1
Great Egret   1
Little Blue Heron     1
Black Vulture   2
Turkey Vulture     10
Sharp-shinned  Hawk     1
Harris's Hawk      8
Red-shouldered Hawk     2
White-tailed Hawk   2
Red-tailed Hawk     3
Crested Caracara   8
American Kestrel     5
Sora   2
American Coot     5
Killdeer   2
Black-necked Stilt     5
Least  Sandpiper     20
Wilson's Snipe      1
Eurasian Collared-Dove     1
Mourning Dove   150
Common Ground-Dove     10
Greater  Roadrunner     1
Belted Kingfisher      1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     8
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker     5
Eastern Phoebe      4
Vermilion Flycatcher     2
Great Kiskadee   2
Couch's Kingbird     1
Loggerhead  Shrike     2
White-eyed Vireo     1
Green  Jay     3
Horned Lark     2
Black-crested  Titmouse     3
Verdin     4
Cactus  Wren     3
Bewick's Wren     3
House  Wren     15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet      5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     3
Hermit Thrush   2
Northern Mockingbird     20
Long-billed  Thrasher     1
Curve-billed Thrasher      5
European Starling     2
Orange-crowned Warbler   10
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     5
Common  Yellowthroat     1
Olive Sparrow     3
Lark  Sparrow     5
Savannah Sparrow      20
Lincoln's Sparrow     8
White-crowned Sparrow   2
Northern Cardinal     5
Pyrrhuloxia   8
Red-winged Blackbird     100
Eastern  Meadowlark     3
Western Meadowlark      20
Great-tailed Grackle     60
Brown-headed Cowbird   2
House Sparrow     5

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Stay up to date on the latest news - from sports scores to 
stocks and so much more. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000022)
Subject: Estero Llano Grande
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:58:41 EST
Hi, all!
 
Had a wonderful day out at the park this morning; I think it was the first  
time I wasn't collapsing from the heat by the time I was done! :-) Started at 

the llano itself as usual and logged great numbers of White Pelicans and  
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, plus a few Avocets, ducks, and a beautiful  
Roseate Spoonbill. More of the same was up on the levee in the wetlands, and at 

the gate heard distant Red-crowned Parrots and a pair of Red-shouldered  Hawks 
yelling.  A White-tailed Kite cruised by just as I was heading back,  and a 
young Cooper's Hawk was sitting on one of the towers on the way out. Other "ag" 

birds included American Pipits, Horned Larks, and a single  Long-billed 
Curlew.
 
In the park proper, checked out the Green Jay Trail first where I added  
Olive Sparrow as well as the common wintering stuff. New for my park list was a 

mewing sapsucker, but dipped on the White-tipped Dove I usually get in  there. 
 At the deck, Huck was getting ready to take a group back into The  Forbidden 
Zone and told me that the magpie jay had just been sitting in the dead  snag 
across the way!  He was gone, of course, by the time I got there, but  Ibis 
Pond had a good selection of ducks and grebes in the meantime, plus a  
White-faced Ibis and the Belted Kingfisher still glued to the duck box!  :-)
 
Heading around the boardwalk had nice studies of both Lincoln's and  Savannah 
Sparrows side by side in the grasses, and as I approached the benches  at the 
intersection, the Magpie Jay was suddenly back on his perch!  The  only Green 
Jays of the day fussed from the same general area, and a mob of  female 
Red-winged Blackbirds sailed into the trees in front of me. Dowitcher Pond had 

Stilts, Least Sandpipers, and a couple of Cinnamon Teals in with the Bluewings, 

plus a ton of Coots.  No less than four Soras actually  showed themselves 
along this stretch!  A sit at Grebe Marsh eventually  yielded a flyby Ringed 
Kingfisher (that was my first for the park as well, interestingly) along with a 

pair of Tropical Kingbirds.  Over at Alligator  Lake a pretty male Green 
Kingfisher sat on an overhang and "tic-tic"ed; his mate was down by the deck, 
along 

with several Anhingas.  Looked carefully for a  Pauraque, but couldn't spot 
any.  A couple of grackles were scuffling so  intently that they literally 
tumbled out of the tree and hit the ground! On the way out a Spotted Sandpiper 

landed on a log next to the trail and danced  away!
 
Looped around Camino de las Aves, picking up Bewick's Wren and more  
Golden-fronted Woodpeckers than I've ever seen in one spot before! 
(Interestingly 

dipped on the Ladder-backed...)  As usual the place was  lousy with doves, and 
kicked up a Sharp-shinned Hawk over by the orchards, as  well as a Wilson's 
Warbler. Interestingly the White-tipped Dove came through along this trail! At 

the bridge one of the Green Kingfishers was  posing just in time for Huck and 
his group to come enjoy him!  They had  seen the becard, Black-throated Gray 
Warbler, Tropical Parula, and I forget what  else (I don't think he mentioned 
the Blue Bunting, but he'll post...).   Back at Ibis Pond a pair of Couch's 
Kingbirds called, and scared up a small  flock of Inca Doves in the butterfly 
garden. Chachalacas were hogging the feeders, but no hummers while I was there. 

 
Bird List:
 
Location:     Estero Llano Grande SP WBC (Weslaco)(LTC  054)
Observation date:     1/29/09
Number of species:   75

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck      200
Blue-winged Teal     40
Cinnamon Teal   2
Northern Shoveler     33
Green-winged  Teal     22
Plain Chachalaca     5
Least  Grebe     19
Pied-billed Grebe      11
American White Pelican     52
Neotropic Cormorant   5
Double-crested Cormorant     3
Anhinga   6
Great Blue Heron     2
Great Egret   2
Snowy Egret     6
Little Blue Heron   4
Tricolored Heron     1
White-faced  Ibis     4
Roseate Spoonbill      2
White-tailed Kite     1
Sharp-shinned Hawk   1
Cooper's Hawk     1
Harris's Hawk   1
Red-shouldered Hawk     2
American  Kestrel     1
Sora     5
Common  Moorhen     8
American Coot      140
Black-necked Stilt     16
American Avocet   13
Spotted Sandpiper     4
Lesser  Yellowlegs     1
Long-billed Curlew      1
Least Sandpiper     23
Mourning Dove      60
Inca Dove     5
Common Ground-Dove      25
White-tipped Dove     1
Red-crowned Parrot   3
Ringed Kingfisher     1
Belted  Kingfisher     2
Green Kingfisher      2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     17
Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker     1
Eastern Phoebe      4
Vermilion Flycatcher     1
Great Kiskadee   10
Tropical Kingbird     4
Couch's  Kingbird     2
White-eyed Vireo      6
Black-throated Magpie-Jay     1
Green Jay   1
Horned Lark     2
Black-crested  Titmouse     1
Carolina Wren     2
Bewick's  Wren     1
House Wren     10
Marsh  Wren     1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet      5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     8
Northern Mockingbird   6
Long-billed Thrasher     5
American  Pipit     4
Orange-crowned Warbler      13
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     21
Common  Yellowthroat     25
Wilson's Warbler      1
Olive Sparrow     3
Savannah Sparrow      14
Lincoln's Sparrow     19
Northern Cardinal   5
Red-winged Blackbird     101
Great-tailed  Grackle     19
American Goldfinch      1
House Sparrow     49

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay 
up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023)
Subject: Anzalduas & NABA
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:16:29 EST
Hi, all!
 
Despite the wind, it was quite a birdy day: while I couldn't find all the  
cool warblers I had last time, the river had several White Pelicans and Cattle 

Egrets lounging!  A pair of Ringed Kingfishers flying by was another  
highlight. Once again dipped on the Black Phoebe, but got Eastern instead. Had 
a 

small flock of Cave Swallows fly overhead doing their funny  little song, and 
over in the back side the female Vermilion Flycatcher was still  on the same 
spot on the same wire as last month, and didn't at all mind the Kestrel perched 

right next to her!  Most of the action was at the river  overlook where there 
were yet more pelicans, many cormorants (mostly DCs with a  couple token 
Neotrops), and a good variety of waterfowl, including both Mottled and Mexican 

Ducks.  I was the first to get there, but by the time I left  the place was 
crawling with birders--that's definitely a first in all my visits to Anzalduas! 

(Undoubtedly Sue's Hook-billed Kite drew attention...  ;-))  Rick from Bentsen 
showed up with a couple from Ohio (who were very  happy to be here), and 
pretty soon Pat showed up with a couple of other people  as I was leaving, but 
other birders were strung out along that stretch, with more coming in! While we 

didn't find the kite (at least while I was  there), we had a mob of Turkey 
Vultures on the Mexican side.
 
A mob of Western Meadowlarks graced the grass on the way out, and on the  way 
to NABA some TVs and a Caracara were interested in something near where the  
Walking Trail empties out onto Old Military Highway.  In the park, to my  
surprise they had several feeders of various types set up by the "picnic table 

bait log"! Sat with another couple for awhile as Altamira Orioles, Kiskadees, 

and Green Jays came in; they had also seen Clay-colored Thrush and  Nashville 
Warblers, but no MacGillivray's.  A stroll down the Walking Trail  added lots 
of Butterbutts and a calling Long-billed Curlew, and out in the  garden added 
the requisite Ground Doves, plus two each of Savannah and Vesper  Sparrows!  
Several Cattle Egrets fed outside the fence, and Carol told me it was probably 

because they had just mowed, and they were finding all sorts of  critters in 
there...  The lep highlight was a Malachite floating near the  Walking Trail 
entrance, but it was pretty windy for all but the most  hardy...
 
What pics I do have for today are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Anzalduas County Pk (LTC 068)
Observation  date:     1/27/09
Number of species:      42

Gadwall     30
American Wigeon      30
Mallard (Mexican)     1
Mottled Duck      6
Blue-winged Teal     10
Pied-billed Grebe   1
American White Pelican     27
Neotropic  Cormorant     2
Double-crested Cormorant      43
Great Egret     2
Snowy Egret      1
Little Blue Heron     1
Cattle Egret      9
Black Vulture     2
Turkey Vulture      36
American Kestrel     3
American Coot      14
Killdeer     1
Ring-billed Gull      2
Rock Pigeon     25
Ringed Kingfisher      2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     7
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker     1
Eastern Phoebe      1
Vermilion Flycatcher     1
Great Kiskadee   8
Loggerhead Shrike     1
Green Jay   1
Cave Swallow     8
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet     1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher      3
Northern Mockingbird     2
European Starling   10
Orange-crowned Warbler     6
Yellow-rumped  Warbler (Myrtle)     3
Olive Sparrow      1
Lincoln's Sparrow     1
Northern Cardinal   3
Red-winged Blackbird     7
Western  Meadowlark     45
Great-tailed Grackle      23
American Goldfinch     1

Location:     NABA International Butterfly  Park
Observation date:     1/27/09
Number of species:   29

Cattle Egret     8
Turkey Vulture   4
Red-tailed Hawk     1
Crested Caracara   1
American Kestrel     1
Long-billed  Curlew     1
Mourning Dove     1
Common  Ground-Dove     5
White-tipped Dove      2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     1
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker     2
Eastern Phoebe     1
Great  Kiskadee     4
Green Jay     3
House  Wren     3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet      2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     2
Northern Mockingbird   2
Long-billed Thrasher     1
Curve-billed  Thrasher     1
Orange-crowned Warbler      2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     19
Vesper  Sparrow     2
Savannah Sparrow      2
Lincoln's Sparrow     3
Northern Cardinal   1
Eastern Meadowlark     1
Western  Meadowlark     20
Altamira Oriole     3

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay 
up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023)
Subject: Boca Chica
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 10:00:10 EST
Hi, all!
 
Met up with Jimmy Paz and his friend Hugo at Sabal Palms yesterday to take  a 
trek down Boca Chica Boulevard and up the beach to try for Mangrove  
Warblers!  We had a hard time getting out of there, as we kept stopping for  
suspicious chips and chirps; my favorite was the somewhat cooperative Carolina 
Wren! 

In the distance were Sandhill Cranes and both Snow and White-fronted  Geese 
cackling up a storm.
 
Heading down towards the beach we stopped a couple of times for Sedge  Wrens, 
but nothing popped up.  Dipped on the Aplomados as well, but had a  couple of 
nice Harriers and several Caracaras; we were wondering what happened  to all 
the Harris' Hawks when suddenly a pair materialized towards the end of  the 
road!  We also stopped for a distant wetland that had both ibis,  several 
herons, and many puddle ducks, as well as a couple of fleeing Snipes. Closer to 

the end of the road a white heron with a bluish base to  the bill made me 
initially call immature Little Blue, but a second look by Jimmy suggested white 

morph Reddish Egret, and he was right: the thick black legs were  a dead 
giveaway, and because the bird was a juvenile it didn't have the pinkish cast 
to the 

bill (the neck was also really too shaggy for a Little Blue).
 
Headed up the beach, logging several Laughing Gulls and smaller numbers of  
Ringbills and Herrings.  Terns included Royal, a few Sandwich, and several  
Forster's, one poor bird with a fishing leader stuck in his throat. Shorebirds 

included Sanderlings, Willets, and a couple of Ruddy  Turnstones.  A lone 
Snowy Plover ran along as well, but we couldn't spot  any bands on the legs.
 
At the jetty we turned west and careened through the soft stuff (one lady  
was watching us with this terrified look on her face), adding several  
Oystercatchers to the list. We stopped at the first rather sparse mangrove 
patch and 

could only kick up Savannah Sparrows, and in the water a nice flock of  
Redheads. Out on a sand bar was a huge groups of Brown Pelicans and cormorants, 

with a token White Pelican in with them. Three Ospreys displayed overhead, one 

guy with his "landing gear" down and all four toes  spread in that unique "X" 
shape!  
 
We then headed to the thick stuff further on, where we had barely gotten  out 
of the vehicle and one of the Mangrove Warblers chirped brightly!  He  soon 
gave us fabulous looks at his bright yellow body and nappy rufous  head!  This 
was a "lifer" (if they ever split it) for Hugo, who said he was  gonna "rub it 
in" when his birding wife returned from Michigan and sub-zero  weather... ;-) 
 Further down a female gave great looks, which led to a  discussion of, how 
do you tell it from the female nominate Yellow Warbler?   In migration, that 
would be a good question...  
 
There was a pretty good lagoon there as well that housed a large roost of  
Roseate Spoonbills, but an even bigger surprise to me were over 20  
YELLOW-crowned Night Herons! I had seen roosts of BLACK-crowned like that 
before, but 

never the Yellow-crowned; that was quite a sight! I also heard something that 

sounded rather like a waterthrush "pink", but the bird wouldn't  come out.
 
On the way out we found a dark morph Reddish Egret with what looked like a  
bald spot on his head!  Headed back happy campers after that, picking up a  
White-tailed Hawk and a great show by a Chihuahuan Raven on a wire, bowing and 

preening so that his white neck showed in the wind!  On the way in to Sabal  
Palms a White-tailed Kite flew across the road.  A big thanks again to  Jimmy 
for doing all the adventurous driving! :-)
 
Pics are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox) 
 
Bird List:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 
1-24-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 1-24-09 to  1-24-09

Black-bellied  Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
Greater White-fronted  Goose           Anser  albifrons
Snow  Goose                             Chen caerulescens
Gadwall                                Anas strepera
Green-winged  Teal                      Anas crecca
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Northern  Shoveler                      Anas clypeata
Redhead                                Aythya americana
American White  Pelican                 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Brown  Pelican                          Pelecanus occidentalis
Double-crested  Cormorant               Phalacrocorax auritus
Great Blue  Heron                       Ardea herodias
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Reddish  Egret                          Egretta rufescens
Tricolored  Heron                       Egretta tricolor
Little Blue  Heron                      Egretta caerulea
Yellow-crowned  Night-Heron             Nyctanassa violacea
White  Ibis                             Eudocimus albus
White-faced  Ibis                       Plegadis chihi
Roseate  Spoonbill                      Platalea ajaja
Black  Vulture                          Coragyps atratus
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Osprey                                 Pandion haliaetus
White-tailed  Kite                      Elanus leucurus
Northern  Harrier                       Circus cyaneus
Harris's  Hawk                          Parabuteo unicinctus
Red-shouldered  Hawk                    Buteo lineatus
White-tailed  Hawk                      Buteo albicaudatus
Crested  Caracara                       Caracara cheriway
American  Kestrel                       Falco sparverius
Sandhill  Crane                         Grus canadensis
Sora                                   Porzana carolina
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
American  Oystercatcher                 Haematopus palliatus
Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
Snowy  Plover                           Charadrius alexandrinus
Wilson's  Snipe                         Gallinago delicata
Long-billed  Curlew                     Numenius americanus
Willet                                 Tringa semipalmata
Ruddy  Turnstone                        Arenaria interpres
Sanderling                             Calidris alba
Laughing  Gull                          Leucophaeus atricilla
Ring-billed  Gull                       Larus delawarensis
Herring  Gull                           Larus argentatus
Caspian  Tern                           Hydroprogne caspia
Forster's  Tern                         Sterna forsteri
Royal  Tern                             Thalasseus maximus
Sandwich  Tern                          Thalasseus sandvicensis
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
White-winged  Dove                      Zenaida asiatica
White-tipped  Dove                      Leptotila verreauxi
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker               Picoides scalaris
Black  Phoebe                           Sayornis nigricans
Great  Kiskadee                         Pitangus sulphuratus
Couch's  Kingbird                       Tyrannus couchii
Tree  Swallow                           Tachycineta bicolor
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet                   Regulus calendula
Carolina  Wren                          Thryothorus ludovicianus
Bewick's  Wren                          Thryomanes bewickii
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Long-billed  Thrasher                   Toxostoma longirostre
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher                  Polioptila caerulea
Black-crested  Titmouse                 Baeolophus atricristatus
Loggerhead  Shrike                      Lanius ludovicianus
Green  Jay                              Cyanocorax yncas
Chihuahuan  Raven                       Corvus cryptoleucus
European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Blue-headed  Vireo                      Vireo solitarius
Lesser  Goldfinch                       Carduelis psaltria
American  Goldfinch                     Carduelis tristis
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow  Warbler                         Dendroica petechia
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Savannah  Sparrow                       Passerculus sandwichensis
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern  Meadowlark                     Sturnella magna
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus

82 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: TOS Bay City Pics On Line
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:33:53 EST
Hi, all!
 
Finally got my pics (such as they are) from the Bay City TOS meeting  
uploaded: I made one gallery to hold five sub-galleries, one for each day:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/tos_jan09_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/tos_jan09) 
 
From the above link you can browse any or all of the TOS trip  galleries.  
Enjoy!
 
MB  

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay 
up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023)
Subject: McAllen Area
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:47:57 EST
Hi, all!
 
Started the day at Quinta Mazatlan, where highlights included two  "duetting" 
Cooper's Hawks sounding rather like sapsuckers, a pair of Tropical  Kingbirds 
twittering, and a Wilson's Warbler.  Had four Curve-billed  Thrashers all 
interacting at the "panther feeder" (with a fifth singing behind  me), and a 
large flock of White-winged Doves flew overhead as well. Exchanged notes with 

John Brush as he was whizzing through doing his own survey  before the kids 
came! :-)
 
Next stop was Hidalgo Pumphouse, and I actually logged the biggest bird  list 
yet there!  It was still too cold for butters, but picked up the  requisite 
Black Phoebes, and the resaca actually had water birds in it for the  first 
time in my memory!  A Green Kingfisher fished from the line that  spans the 
water, and just before I left my vigil at the lower deck a Ringed Kingfisher 
flew 

overhead!
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Quinta Mazatlan WBC (McAllen) (LTC  063)
Observation date:     1/22/09
Number of species:   28

Plain Chachalaca     4
Cooper's  Hawk     2
White-winged Dove     40
Mourning  Dove     41
Common Ground-Dove      1
White-tipped Dove     3
Buff-bellied Hummingbird   4
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      10
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     1
Great Kiskadee   5
Tropical Kingbird     2
White-eyed  Vireo     1
Green Jay     3
Black-crested  Titmouse     4
Carolina Wren     1
House  Wren     1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet      3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     3
Northern Mockingbird   4
Curve-billed Thrasher     5
European  Starling     4
Orange-crowned Warbler      5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     5
Wilson's  Warbler     1
Olive Sparrow     2
Northern  Cardinal     1
Great-tailed Grackle      6
House Sparrow     50

Location:     Old Hidalgo Pumphouse (WBC)  (LTC067)
Observation date:     1/22/09
Number of  species:     28

Ring-necked Duck      1
Pied-billed Grebe     3
Neotropic Cormorant   1
Cooper's Hawk     1
Rock Pigeon   6
Common Ground-Dove     2
Ringed  Kingfisher     1
Green Kingfisher      1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     2
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker     1
Black Phoebe     3
Eastern  Phoebe     2
Great Kiskadee      1
Blue-headed Vireo     1
House Wren      2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher   1
Northern Mockingbird     3
European  Starling     3
Orange-crowned Warbler      3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     4
Common  Yellowthroat     2
Lincoln's Sparrow      1
Northern Cardinal     2
Great-tailed Grackle   4
Lesser Goldfinch     5
American  Goldfinch     2
House Sparrow     3

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: La sal Del Rey
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:31:18 EST
Hi, all!
 
Was another beautiful day out on the dirt roads around La Sal, although I  
didn't make it out to the lake this time.  Sandhill Cranes were flying  early 
on, and had my first sapsucker of the route along Brushline. Pyyrs, Cardinals, 

and Green Jays were feeding all over the roads, as well as Savannah  Sparrows 
and Ground Doves.  The ponds along the northeastern "ranch road"  off 
Brushline had both Least and Pied-billed Grebes, as well as a single Neotrop 
Corm. 

 
Most of the action was along GI Road, where I had Snow Geese (both lounging  
around the Rio Beef Feedyard and flying over), White-fronted Geese, and one  
lonely Black-bellied Whistling Duck!  (Couldn't pick out any Ross' with the  
Snows...)  The one little wetland that was full of Brewer's Blackbirds and  
shorebirds a couple of months ago was totally dried up, but the Brewer's were  
still hanging around in good numbers, as well as hundreds of redwings, 
cowbirds, 

and grackles.  Where GI Road heads north I actually spooked a Screech Owl  
who stayed put long enough to get great looks at a very annoyed face!  I  went 
past the second cattle guard (where I usually turn around) to try and  assess 
whether that road is public or private at that point, and I really didn't  see 
anything to imply that it was a private road; it zigzagged on for another  
three miles before ending at bona fide private property.  Got the only  
Roadrunner of the day in here, and discovered another pond that had more Least 
Grebes 

and a Great Blue Heron.
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     LRGV NWR Driving Route
Observation  date:     1/21/09
Number of species:      82

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck     1
Greater  White-fronted Goose     18
Snow Goose      170
Gadwall     4
Mottled Duck      4
Blue-winged Teal     9
Northern Shoveler   23
Green-winged Teal     2
Lesser Scaup   2
Northern Bobwhite     2
Least Grebe   9
Pied-billed Grebe     9
Neotropic  Cormorant     1
Great Blue Heron     2
Great  Egret     1
Black Vulture     4
Turkey  Vulture     12
Northern Harrier      3
Sharp-shinned Hawk     1
Cooper's Hawk      1
Harris's Hawk     4
Red-shouldered Hawk   2
Red-tailed Hawk     4
Crested Caracara   4
American Kestrel     6
Sora   3
Common Moorhen     2
American Coot   9
Sandhill Crane     18
Killdeer   11
Black-necked Stilt     6
Greater  Yellowlegs     2
Long-billed Dowitcher      10
Wilson's Snipe     1
Eurasian Collared-Dove   1
Mourning Dove     111
Inca Dove   1
Common Ground-Dove     14
White-tipped  Dove     1
Greater Roadrunner     1
Eastern  Screech-Owl     1
Belted Kingfisher      1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     10
Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker     1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker      12
Eastern Phoebe     7
Great Kiskadee      23
Couch's Kingbird     7
Loggerhead Shrike   3
White-eyed Vireo     1
Green Jay   28
Horned Lark     1
Tree Swallow   1
Black-crested Titmouse     3
Verdin   6
Cactus Wren     3
Bewick's Wren   10
House Wren     20
Marsh Wren   1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     3
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher     6
Hermit Thrush      1
Northern Mockingbird     34
Long-billed Thrasher   7
Curve-billed Thrasher     3
European  Starling     4
Orange-crowned Warbler      16
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     14
Common  Yellowthroat     3
Olive Sparrow     1
Lark  Sparrow     16
Savannah Sparrow      14
Lincoln's Sparrow     30
Northern Cardinal   19
Pyrrhuloxia     9
Red-winged  Blackbird     260
Eastern Meadowlark      9
Western Meadowlark     8
Brewer's Blackbird   20
Great-tailed Grackle     210
Brown-headed  Cowbird     300
House Sparrow     6

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Santa Ana NWR
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:06:29 EST
Hi, all!
 
Birded Santa Ana this morning, but I wasn't back in the area where the  
possible Forest Falcon had been seen, and the rangers said there had been no  
further sightings. It was a beautiful morning to be out, however, starting out 

nippy but calm with clear skies.  Highlights include all three  kingfishers 
(Green was along the river and at Pintail Lakes, and the Ringed was  near the 
eastmost Pintail Lake), a probable Least Flycatcher also at Pintail Lakes (Lake 

#2), and a female Black-throated Gray Warbler in the parking  lot.  At Willow 
Lakes a Sora exploded from the vegetation near the blind  and swam around in 
plain view, which was fun! Scared up an Ovenbird along the eastern leg of the 

Willow Lakes Trail, and a Snipe sat motionless in the  shallow water in the 
same area.
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     Santa Ana NWR (LTC 059)
Observation  date:     1/20/09
Number of species:      59

Gadwall     25
American Wigeon      10
Mottled Duck     11
Blue-winged Teal      8
Northern Shoveler     13
Northern Pintail   4
Green-winged Teal     20
Ring-necked  Duck     8
Lesser Scaup     2
Plain  Chachalaca     20
Least Grebe      14
Pied-billed Grebe     9
Great Blue Heron   1
Great Egret     3
Tricolored Heron   1
White-faced Ibis     1
Turkey Vulture   3
Red-shouldered Hawk     2
Sora   2
Common Moorhen     8
American Coot   50
Killdeer     3
Black-necked Stilt   10
Greater Yellowlegs     2
Wilson's  Snipe     1
White-tipped Dove     1
Ringed  Kingfisher     1
Belted Kingfisher      3
Green Kingfisher     2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker   8
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     9
Least  Flycatcher     1
Eastern Phoebe     6
Great  Kiskadee     23
White-eyed Vireo      8
Blue-headed Vireo     1
Green Jay      8
Black-crested Titmouse     7
Carolina Wren   13
House Wren     10
Marsh Wren   3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     7
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher     5
Northern Mockingbird      2
Long-billed Thrasher     5
European Starling   9
Orange-crowned Warbler     7
Yellow-rumped  Warbler (Myrtle)     12
Black-throated Gray Warbler   1
Black-throated Green Warbler      1
Ovenbird     1
Common Yellowthroat      16
Olive Sparrow     11
Lincoln's Sparrow   11
Northern Cardinal     4
Red-winged  Blackbird     12
Altamira Oriole      2
Lesser Goldfinch     1
House Sparrow      3

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Choke Canyon - No Pine Flycatcher
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:32:04 EST
Hi, all!
 
Stopped at Choke Canyon on the way home from the TOS Convention, and since  
the park map showed that the Bird Trail made a little loop with the "Pine  
Flycatcher Trail", I started there and ran into a couple from Ohio who said the 

bird had been seen there yesterday, but not today yet.  Padded the trip  list 
with some Valley specialties like Green Jay, Golden-fronted Woodpecker,  
Long-billed Thrasher, Olive Sparrow, and White-tipped Dove in the meantime, 
while 

enjoying a holdout from the north in the form of a Carolina Chickadee that  
came shooting in! Had some nice ducks on the lake including a couple of female 

Canvasbacks, plus a single Laughing Gull.  
 
Looping around to "the trail" I ran into several photographers (found out  at 
least three of them weren't really birders), waiting around the little water  
treatment building as the bird had evidently been coming to the barbed  wire. 
 I hadn't heard a "whit" of ANY type on my walk, so I kept circling  and 
eventually made it over to the restrooms where several waders were hanging out 
on 

the shoreline and Neotropic Cormorants claimed the snags.  Across  the lake a 
couple of lines of Sandhill Cranes sailed in, and a feeding frenzy of  close 
to 100 cormorants of some kind and some White Pelicans was taking  place!  
Went back and hiked almost the entire Bird Trail (and at least got  my "doggie 
fix" with several folks walking their dogs), and while kinglets and  even 
Butterbutts initially got my heart rate going, no empids ever showed (at least 
for 

me and the folks who were there at the time).
 
Overall it was a marvelous trip, and I will post pictures in a separate  
PBase gallery shortly!  Bird list (new trip birds are in CAPS):
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 
1-18-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 1-18-09 to  1-18-09

American White  Pelican                 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Neotropic  Cormorant                    Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Little Blue  Heron                      Egretta caerulea
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
CATTLE EGRET     Bubulcus ibis
White  Ibis                             Eudocimus albus
White-faced  Ibis                       Plegadis chihi
Snow  Goose                             Chen caerulescens
Mallard                                Anas platyrhynchos
Northern  Pintail                       Anas acuta
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Canvasback                             Aythya valisineria
Ring-necked  Duck                       Aythya collaris
Black  Vulture                          Coragyps atratus
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Osprey                                 Pandion haliaetus
Harris'  Hawk                           Parabuteo unicinctus
Red-shouldered  Hawk                    Buteo lineatus
Red-tailed  Hawk                        Buteo jamaicensis
Crested  Caracara                       Caracara cheriway
American  Kestrel                       Falco sparverius
Sandhill  Crane                         Grus canadensis
American  Coot                          Fulica Americana
Killdeer
Laughing Gull
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Eurasian  Collared-Dove                 Streptopelia decaocto
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
Inca  Dove                              Columbina inca
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE     Leptotila  verreauxi
GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER     Melanerpes  aurifrons
Red-bellied  Woodpecker                 Melanerpes carolinus
LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER      Picoides scalaris
Eastern  Phoebe                         Sayornis phoebe
American  Pipit                         Anthus rubescens
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet                   Regulus calendula
Carolina  Wren                          Thryothorus ludovicianus
BEWICK’S WREN     Thryomanes  bewickii
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
LONG-BILLED THRASHER     Toxostoma  longirostre
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher                  Polioptila caerulea
Carolina  Chickadee                     Poecile carolinensis
VERDIN     Auriparus  flaviceps
Loggerhead  Shrike                      Lanius ludovicianus
GREEN JAY     Cyanocorax  yncas
American  Crow                          Corvus brachyrhynchos
European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
OLIVE SPARROW     Arremonops  rufivirgatus
Northern  Cardinal                      Cardinalis cardinalis
Western  Meadowlark                     Sturnella neglecta
BREWER’S BLACKBIRD     Euphagus  cyanocephalus
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus

57 SPECIES

Total for Trip: 156 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Quintana & Bryan Beach
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:53:16 EST
Hi, all!
 
Had a great day out with leader Steve Gross and another carfull of ladies  
from Plano Texas (I should have written the names down but I think they were  
Betty, Gerry, Carolyn, and Terri; Veda and Ethel and I rode with Steve), 
setting 

 out early and shooting to get to the Quintana Jetty before the gulls  
dispersed. We were waylaid by a pre-dawn Great Horned Owl by the highway, and 
at 

the same stop we heard Sedge Wrens tuning up!  We stopped briefly by  some 
ponds by a natural gas production plant that had several Black-bellied 
Whistling 

Ducks and a few Blue-winged Teal.
 
There was a mob of Laughing Gulls to greet us at the jetty, but the  
hoped-for Lesser Blackback was a no-show. We all agreed that this jetty should 
be 

the model for ALL of 'em, as it was a nice, flat, paved sidewalk clear out the 

end (I'm assuming--we didn't go that far)!  We shortly saw why they  designed 
it that way as a couple of fishermen wheeled by with enough gear to  spend a 
week there!  But it allowed us great looks at beautiful male  Red-breasted 
Mergansers, fly-by Gannets and Common Loons, Forster's Terns, a  first-year 
Bonaparte's Gull, and the real treat, a single Horned Grebe! The only 
"rockpipers" 

we could kick up were a couple of Willets and a single  Ruddy Turnstone.
 
From there we drove down the beach and couldn't scare up any odd gulls, but  
did great looks at cute Snowy Plovers in with the Sanderlings, and a nice male 
 Canvasback in a pond next to the dunes (along with a couple of Lesser Scaup 
and  tons of Ruddies).  A handsome Peregrine Falcon perched on some kind of  
washed-up rigging, and along the south access road, which crossed a nice marsh, 

 we had more ducks (including Mottled), a group of Sandhill Cranes flying by, 
a  Harrier, and several Common Goldeneye.  
 
I believe it was in Freeport where we checked a little marsh and kicked up  a 
Yellowthroat and Orange-crowned Warbler, and enjoyed a displaying Boat-tailed 
 Grackle.  From there we headed over to Surfside, where there was a marsh  
where we were going to try for Seaside and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows.   A 
fellow birder named Eric joined us and pointed us to a pair of Yellow-crowned  
Night Herons he had spotted on the way in!  Steve worked and worked to get  
the sparrows to respond, and in the meantime we enjoyed very cooperative 
Clapper 

 Rails (even one that sparked a "Why did the rail cross the road?"  joke...)! 
 Finally a Nelson's came right out on the mud, giving everyone  fabulous 
looks!
 
We had lunch at a little park right across from the Quintana Jetty, fending  
off the mooching Great-tailed Grackles and Laughing Gulls.  We decided to  go 
back and try again for the Seaside Sparrow, and this time we tried a  
different road in the same area. Someone (I think it was Carolyn) was teasing 
Steve 

about how a "good leader" would go out in that stuff and scare the  bird up, 
and he actually did it! :-D  Only got a Marsh Wren,  though...  We worked the 
same road as before, adding some Least Sandpipers and a couple of Semipalmated 

Plovers to the list, and at the end of the road we  had a better view of the 
huge gull flock which included a handful of  Skimmers.  A dowitcher wheeled in 
(we assumed Short-billed in that stuff,  although he didn't talk) who behaved 
very atypically, but nonetheless gave  everyone a good look.
 
From there we headed back towards Bay City, stopping along the road for  
great studies of Neotropic Cormorants next to one Doublecrest (we had seen  
several cormorants along the jetty that we were calling DCs, although some of 
them 

looked questionable), and a white goose flock that we kept swearing  included 
a Ross' until the thing would shape-shift and start looking no smaller  than 
the other Snows... :-P  A Long-billed Curlew squealed as three  presumed 
White-faced Ibis came sailing in and a small flock of White-fronted Geese took 
off, 

spooking the Snows as well.  Actually, before we hit the  geese, Steve 
stopped at a spot that commonly held wintering Palm Warblers, and after a bit 
of 

diligent searching, everyone (I think) got cracking looks at the  little 
tail-wagging guy! On the way home we were desperate to pad the list with 
Mourning 

Doves and Crows, and logged House Sparrow literally at the last  minute...
 
Bird List (and Steve et al definitely logged some I missed; those in CAPS  
are new for the trip):
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 
1-17-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 1-17-09 to  1-17-09

COMMON LOON     Gavia immer
Pied-billed  Grebe                      Podilymbus podiceps
HORNED  GREBE                  Podiceps auritus
American White  Pelican                 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Brown  Pelican                          Pelecanus occidentalis
NORTHERN GANNET     Morus  bassanus
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT     Phalacrocorax  auritus
Neotropic  Cormorant                    Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Great Blue  Heron                       Ardea herodias
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Tricolored  Heron                       Egretta tricolor
Little Blue  Heron                      Egretta caerulea
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON     Nyctanassa  violacea
White  Ibis                             Eudocimus albus
White-faced  Ibis                       Plegadis chihi
Roseate  Spoonbill                      Platalea ajaja
Black-bellied  Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
Greater White-fronted  Goose           Anser  albifrons
Snow  Goose                             Chen caerulescens
Mottled  Duck                           Anas fulvigula
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Northern Shoveler
CANVASBACK      Aythya valisineria
Lesser  Scaup                           Aythya affinis
COMMON GOLDENEYE     Bucephala  clangula
Red-breasted  Merganser                 Mergus serrator
RUDDY DUCK     Oxyura  jamaicensis
Black  Vulture                          Coragyps atratus
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Osprey                                 Pandion haliaetus
Northern  Harrier                       Circus cyaneus
Red-shouldered  Hawk                    Buteo lineatus
Red-tailed  Hawk                        Buteo jamaicensis
American  Kestrel                       Falco sparverius
Peregrine  Falcon                       Falco peregrinus
Sandhill  Crane                         Grus canadensis
Clapper  Rail                           Rallus longirostris
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Black-bellied  Plover                   Pluvialis squatarola
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER     Charadrius  semipalmatus
Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
SNOWY PLOVER     Charadrius  alexandrinus
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER     Limnodromus  griseus
LONG-BILLED CURLEW     Numenius  americanus
Greater  Yellowlegs                     Tringa melanoleuca
Willet                                 Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
RUDDY TURNSTONE      Arenaria interpres
Sanderling                             Calidris alba
Least  Sandpiper                        Calidris minutilla
Ring-billed  Gull                       Larus delawarensis
American Herring  Gull                  Larus smithsonianus
Bonaparte's  Gull                       Larus philadelphia
Laughing  Gull                          Larus atricilla
Royal  Tern                             Sterna maxima
Forster's  Tern                         Sterna forsteri
Black  Skimmer                          Rynchops niger
Eurasian  Collared-Dove                 Streptopelia decaocto
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
Great Horned  Owl                       Bubo virginianus
Eastern  Phoebe                         Sayornis phoebe
Sedge  Wren                             Cistothorus platensis
Marsh  Wren                             Cistothorus palustris
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Carolina  Chickadee                     Poecile carolinensis
Loggerhead  Shrike                      Lanius ludovicianus
American  Crow                          Corvus brachyrhynchos
European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
PALM WARBLER     Dendroica  palmarum
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
NELSON’S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW      Ammodramus nelsoni
Northern  Cardinal                      Cardinalis cardinalis
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern  Meadowlark                     Sturnella magna
Boat-tailed  Grackle                    Quiscalus major
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus

78 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Matagorda Rarity Hunt
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:58:11 EST
Hi, all!
 
What a whirlwind day!  Our little group joined Brent Ortega to look  for 
rarities and unusual birds sighted during the Matagorda CBC, and wound up 
logging 

well over 100 species!  It was a caravan affair and I wound up  riding with 
Gael and Leslie from Austin, and we had a grand old time!  I  didn't catch all 
the little county roads, but we started at a little gated  woodland I believe 
along CR 242 (south of Bay City, at any rate), mainly to look  for Woodcock.  
The guys managed to flush one (maybe more) enough so that  most people got a 
composite look (I heard the distinctive wing whistle).   At a little nearby 
wetland an Anhinga kept circling around as though waiting for us to leave 
before 

she decided to land, and scared up a small flock of Wood  Ducks, another 
target bird. A Downy Woodpecker gave a great look, and several Pileateds went 

flying over. Back out at the entrance, the guys pointed out a Bald Eagle nest, 

complete with eagle!  After that we cruised  through a neighborhood that had 
large park-like lawns and trees, adding Eastern  Bluebirds and Pine Warblers 
(at both extremes of brightness) to the list.
 
From there we headed south towards the Matagorda Peninsula, enjoying a pair  
of White-tailed Kites, several roadside Sandhill Cranes, and a close-up Snipe 
en  route.  The wetlands along the road to the peninsula had both Hooded and  
Red-breasted Merganser (I only saw the latter) and several waders, including  
Roseate Spoonbills and Reddish Egrets.  The target bird on the beach was an  
immature Lesser Black-backed Gull, but we couldn't find him amongst all the  
Bonies, Herrings, Laughers, Royal Terns, and Skimmers. A substantial flock of 

Avocets was also out in the surf, and a single Caspian Tern was in with the  
larid flock.
 
We then headed over to the nuclear power plant where there were several  
waterfowl impoundments, where we added several ducks in addition to both Least 

and Pied-billed Grebes. We then cruised a series of nearby dirt roads that had 

produced Groove-billed Anis during the count, and lo and behold, we found  
them, bouncing along the hedges! We ran into one of the other field trips who 

also spotted a bright Wilson's Warbler for the day, and Brent also managed  to 
spot a Least Flycatcher for us.  Down the road were good studies of both  
Cackling and Canada Geese in with the Whitefronts, and another road near some  
sod farms produced great looks at a Sprague's Pipit! We finally found a flock 

of white geese that contained both Snow and Ross' (for real), plus several  
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks.
 
The last stop of the day was Matagorda WMA, which you must get special  
permission to access. It was a glorious spot where we first formed a scrimmage 

line across an old burned field with yet another field trip (might  have been 
the same one) to scare up a Burrowing Owl. We managed to kick up two that went 

in opposite directions, which caused considerable confusion  amongst the 
group as everyone tried to direct people's attention onto the  bird(s)!  From 
there we headed to the lodge (the sleeping quarters which  rivaled any bed and 
breakfast I've seen) and down to the marsh overlook, where right away Clapper, 

Virginia, and Sora Rails all came out for us! Several distant shorebirds were 

added to the list as well before we headed back towards  the gate, adding a 
Peregrine sitting on a ridge.  We checked a little cow  pasture (complete with 
curious cows) for Vermilion Flycatcher and finding a  brilliant male, and when 
Brent went into an old building to try and flush a Barn  Owl, he wound up 
scaring out a Great Horned instead!
 
Rolled home tired and happy, and we three indulged at the Bay City Seafood  
joint (their gumbo is to die for)! Bird list (new species for the trip are in 

CAPS):
 
 
SIGHTINGS 
Data  of: Mary Beth Stowe                                        Date: 
1-16-09 
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 1-16-09 to  1-16-09 
LEAST GREBE                           Tachybaptus  dominicus 
Pied-billed Grebe                     Podilymbus  podiceps 
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN                Pelecanus  erythrorhynchos 
BROWN PELICAN                         Pelecanus  occidentalis 
Neotropic Cormorant                   Phalacrocorax brasilianus 
ANHINGA                               Anhinga  anhinga 
Great Blue Heron                      Ardea  herodias 
Great Egret                           Ardea alba 
REDDISH EGRET                         Egretta  rufescens 
Tricolored Heron                      Egretta tricolor 
LITTLE BLUE HERON                     Egretta  caerulea 
Snowy Egret                           Egretta  thula 
White Ibis                            Eudocimus albus 
White-faced Ibis                      Plegadis chihi 
ROSEATE SPOONBILL                     Platalea  ajaja 
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK          Dendrocygna  autumnalis 
Greater White-fronted Goose           Anser albifrons 
Snow Goose                            Chen caerulescens 
ROSS’ GOOSE                           Chen  rossii 
CANADA  GOOSE                          Branta  canadensis 
CACKLING GOOSE                        Branta  hutchinsii 
WOOD DUCK                             Aix  sponsa 
Gadwall                               Anas  strepera 
GREEN-WINGED TEAL                     Anas  carolinensis 
Mottled Duck                          Anas fulvigula 
Northern Pintail                      Anas acuta 
Blue-winged Teal                      Anas discors 
Northern Shoveler                     Anas clypeata 
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER                Mergus  serrator 
Black Vulture                         Coragyps atratus 
Turkey Vulture                        Cathartes aura 
Osprey                                Pandion haliaetus 
White-tailed Kite                     Elanus leucurus 
BALD EAGLE                            Haliaeetus  leucocephalus 
Northern Harrier                      Circus cyaneus 
Red-shouldered Hawk                   Buteo lineatus 
White-tailed Hawk                     Buteo albicaudatus 
Crested Caracara                      Caracara cheriway 
American Kestrel                      Falco sparverius 
PEREGRINE FALCON                      Falco  peregrinus 
Sandhill Crane                        Grus canadensis 
CLAPPER RAIL                          Rallus  longirostris 
VIRGINIA RAIL                         Rallus  limicola 
SORA                                  Porzana  carolina 
Common Moorhen                        Gallinula chloropus 
American Coot                         Fulica  americana 
AMERICAN AVOCET                       Recurvirostra  Americana 
Killdeer 
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER                  Pluvialis  squatarola 
American Woodcock                     Scolopax minor 
Wilson's Snipe                        Gallinago delicata 
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER                 Limnodromus  scolopaceus 
Greater Yellowlegs                    Tringa  melanoleuca 
WILLET                                Catoptrophorus  semipalmatus 
SANDERLING                            Calidris  alba 
WESTERN SANDPIPER                     Calidris  mauri 
LEAST SANDPIPER                       Calidris  minutilla 
DUNLIN                                Calidris  alpina 
Ring-billed Gull                      Larus  delawarensis 
AMERICAN HERRING GULL                 Larus  smithsonianus 
BONAPARTE’S GULL                      Larus  philadelphia 
LAUGHING GULL                         Larus  atricilla 
CASPIAN TERN                          Sterna  caspia 
ROYAL TERN                            Sterna  maxima 
Forster's Tern                        Sterna  forsteri 
BLACK SKIMMER                         Rynchops  niger 
Eurasian Collared-Dove                Streptopelia decaocto 
Mourning Dove                         Zenaida macroura 
GROOVE-BILLED ANI                     Crotophaga  sulcirostris 
GREAT HORNED OWL                     Bubo  virginianus 
BURROWING OWL                         Athene  cunicularia 
Belted Kingfisher 
Red-bellied Woodpecker                Melanerpes carolinus 
DOWNY WOODPECKER                      Picoides  pubescens 
NORTHERN FLICKER                      Colaptes  auratus 
PILEATED WOODPECKER                   Dryocopus  pileatus 
LEAST FLYCATCHER                      Empidonax  minimus 
Eastern Phoebe                        Sayornis phoebe 
VERMILION FLYCATCHER                  Pyrocephalus  rubinus 
Tree Swallow                          Tachycineta bicolor 
American Pipit                        Anthus  rubescens 
SPRAGUE’S PIPIT                       Anthus  spragueii 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet                  Regulus calendula 
Carolina Wren                         Thryothorus ludovicianus 
House Wren 
Gray Catbird                          Dumetella carolinensis 
Northern Mockingbird                  Mimus polyglottos 
EASTERN BLUEBIRD                      Sialia  sialis 
American Robin                        Turdus migratorius 
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher                 Polioptila caerulea 
Carolina Chickadee                    Poecile carolinensis 
Loggerhead Shrike                     Lanius ludovicianus 
American Crow                         Corvus brachyrhynchos 
European Starling                     Sturnus vulgaris 
House Sparrow                         Passer  domesticus 
American Goldfinch                    Carduelis tristis 
Orange-crowned Warbler                Vermivora celata 
Yellow-rumped Warbler                 Dendroica coronata 
PINE WARBLER                          Dendroica  pinus 
Common Yellowthroat                   Geothlypis  trichas 
WILSON’S WARBLER                      Wilsonia  pusilla 
Savannah Sparrow                      Passerculus sandwichensis 
Lincoln's Sparrow                     Melospiza lincolnii 
Swamp Sparrow                         Melospiza georgiana 
Northern Cardinal                     Cardinalis cardinalis 
Red-winged Blackbird                  Agelaius phoeniceus 
EASTERN MEADOWLARK                    Sturnella  magna 
Boat-tailed Grackle                   Quiscalus major 
COMMON GRACKLE                        Quiscalus  quiscula 
Great-tailed Grackle                  Quiscalus mexicanus 
BRONZED COWBIRD                       Molothrus  aeneus 
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD                  Molothrus  ater 
112  SPECIES 

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Hidalgo Co Big Day (long), Monday, 12 JAN 09
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:54:26 EST
Hi, all!
 
Sorry for the late report, but this is the first opportunity I've had to  
write up this thing.  Was antsy to forget about the numbers for once and  just 
have a fun day of birding the county and trying to log as many species as  
possible, and God gave me a perfect day for it (pleasantly cool, mostly sunny, 
and 

calm)!  
 
Overcame my paranoia and started at Bentsen an hour before dawn (i.e.,  
6:22), and was pleased to see another lady named Petra starting out at the same 

time!  We hiked in together and heard a Great Horned Owl (1), then parted  
company at the "10-minute bench" (i.e., 10 minutes from the parking lot). A 
quiet 

sit here for five added Eastern Screech Owl (2), and as I continued on,  I 
caught a Pauraque (3) in the spotlight! (I needn't have worried as they became 

very vociferous later...)  Sitting at the Kingfisher Overlook  awaiting the 
dawn was delightful, as the first bird to sound off there was a  Least Bittern 
(4) followed by several Coots (5)!  A Sora (6) tuned up  shortly afterwards, 
and Mottled Ducks (7) quacked unseen.  Soon the  Yellowthroats (8) started 
calling each other, and a Cardinal (9) and Carolina  Wren (10) sang from the 
private camp across the way. I was thrilled to hear the tooting of a 
Ferruginous 

Pygmy Owl near the Pavillion, until I  discovered later that Petra was over 
there tooting herself about that time... :-P The Gambels showed up, and while 

we chatted we logged Mockingbird  (11), House Wren (12), and a cackling 
Moorhen (13). By then it was light enough to see a pair of Ring-necked Ducks 
(14) 

across the way along with a lone  male Lesser Scaup (15), some Gadwall (16), 
and a couple of Anhingas (17). Shortly a Kiskadee (18) greeted the dawn while 

we watched a Pied-billed Grebe  (19) and logged the awakening Green Jays 
(20).  Mrs. Gambel was pointing  out her favorite kingfisher tree to me when a 
Green Kingfisher (21) suddenly  appeared on it!  Her "pet" Golden-fronted 
Woodpecker (22) showed up right on schedule on his pole :-), an American 
Goldfinch 

(23) bounced overhead, and a  Red-shouldered Hawk (24) yelled in the distance.
 
At sunrise I headed over to the Kiskadee Blind to at least try for the  
buntings, adding Eastern Phoebe (25), Orange-crowned Warbler (26), and  
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (27) to the list. No buntings, but a Lincoln's Sparrow 
(28) 

smacked nicely. On the way back a Gray Hawk (29) whistled (and if there was any 

question about it being a talented Green Jay, a real Gray  Hawk showed up at 
Anzalduas later...), and more common dickeys such as Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
(30), 

Red-winged Blackbird (31), and Ladder-backed Woodpecker (32)  got added to 
the list.  By now the White-tipped Doves (33) were at the  feeders, and 
Yellow-rumped Warblers (34) were chipping in the trees. A lone Long-billed 
Curlew 

(35) flew overhead, and at the next set of feeders added  Mourning (36) and 
Common Ground (37) to the dove lineup.  Past the  intersection a Long-billed 
Thrasher (38) sang, some distant Chachalacas (39) sounded off, and an Altamira 

Oriole (40) whistled.  Almost back at the  headquarters had the first 
Great-tailed Grackle (41) of the day, and a female Archilochus Hummer gave such 
a close 

view at one of the feeders that I felt  comfortable calling her a 
Black-chinned (42).
 
Narrowly escaping being shanghaied by Carol and Josh for the bird walk ;-)  I 
headed over to Anzalduas, picking up a Kestrel (43) on the way and hearing  
House Sparrows (44) in the neighborhoods.  A Loggerhead Shrike (45) was on  a 
wire, and the best sighting was a pair of Ringed Kingfishers (46) turning the  
corner onto Abierto Farias!  A Curve-billed Thrasher (47) whistled rudely  
from a bush on the fly, and logged the obligatory Rock Pigeons (48) and  
Starlings (49). Heading into Anzalduas, there was a lot of activity in some 
trees 

down by the river, so I got out to peruse and was immediately greeted  by 
several Eastern Bluebirds (50)! There was also a Chipping Sparrow (51) flock on 

the ground, and the trees were full of activity, including several Pine  
Warblers (52), the Beardless Tyrannulet (53), and a Blue-headed Vireo (54). I 
was 

thrilled to discover that one of the "chink" warblers was  indeed a 
Black-throated Gray (55), accompanied by two Black-throated Greens (56)  and a 
Black-and-white (57). The Black-crested Titmice (58) joined the fray, and a 
quick 

check of the river added Great (59) and Snowy Egrets (60). I was on the way 
back 

to the car when a Yellow-throated Warbler (61)  showed itself over my head!  
 
Continuing on the main drive a bulky Double-crested Cormorant (62) flew  
over, along with an Osprey (63), and a flock of Western Meadowlarks (64) fed in 

the grass.  Driving over the Dicey Dike, I was headed toward the dam  overlook 
when a female Vermilion Flycatcher (65) fluttered onto the wire!   Padded the 
list well at the overlook, adding American Wigeon (66), White Pelican  (67), a 
Laughing Gull (68), Neotropic Corms (69) along with the DCs, the  Ring-billed 
Gull (70) from last time (coulda used that Caspian Tern), a Little  Blue 
Heron (71), some Blue-winged Teal (72), and a Spotted Sandpiper (73).
 
Quinta Mazatlan was the next stop, but I added a singing Eastern Meadowlark  
(74) on the way.  Tropical Kingbirds (75) were song-battling driving in (I  
can't believe I dipped on Couch's), and at the first feeder a cute little Olive 

Sparrow (76) was very obliging!  Inca (77) and White-winged Doves (78) were  
also easy, as well as the requisite Buff-bellied Hummer (79).  Dipped on  the 
Parula, which was my target bird there...
 
A drive up 10th Street produced no parakeets, but did provide a couple of  
telephone lines' worth of little Darth Vaders (i.e., Bronzed Cowbirds-80)!   
Swinging over to Wallace Road, the ag fields held a Harrier (81) and  
sweet-sounding Horned Larks (82), which actually showed themselves nicely on 
North 

Bryan. Brown-headed Cowbirds (83) were in with the Redwings and grackles, and 

they all scattered when what I'm sure was the same Peregrine (84) that Joyce 
and 

I saw went tearing through, as it was so immaculately white  below.  Killdeer 
(85) were upset by this, and at the big wetland a big  flock of White-faced 
Ibis (86) came in!  Other new but expected species  here included Great Blue 
Heron (87), Pintail (88), Least Grebe (89), Ruddy Duck (90), and Shoveler (91). 

 Turkey Vultures (92) were starting to kettle by  then, and a Bewick's Wren 
(93) actually sang from the scrub. At the north end of the wetland the Belted 

Kingfisher (94) Joyce and I had before was still  there, and a Greater 
Yellowlegs (95) sounded off, along with a piping Green-winged Teal (96, which I 
saw 

plenty of later at Santa Ana).   Continuing on into the ag and thornscrub, 
picked up several Savannah Sparrows (97) and a distant Bobwhite (98) doing its 

covey call, and heard a lone Lark  Sparrow (99) singing tentatively from a 
tree, complete with snorts.  A  flyover Caracara was bird #100 (which usually 
turned out to be Rock Pigeon in San Diego...)! A quick peek at the flooded part 

of North Bryan added both  Avocets (101) and a Stilt (102), a few Least 
Sandpipers (103), a couple of  American Pipits (104), the only Long-billed 
Dowitchers (105) of the day, and a couple of Lesser Yellowlegs (106), along 
with a 

huge collection of  curlews!
 
Headed down the freeway to Edinburg Wetlands after that, adding Harris'  
(107) and Red-tailed Hawks (108) on the way, and at least one quick-flapping  
Black Vulture (109) in a kettle of TVs. Stepping foot in the butterfly gardens 
I 

heard a Lesser Goldfinch (110) make its sad little sound, and a female  
Pyrrhuloxia (111) fed along the path. Picked up the requisite Black-crowned 
(112) 

and token Yellow-crowned Night Herons (113) in the north  lake, along with a 
couple of Cattle Egrets (114) and several snoozing  Black-bellied Whistling 
Ducks (115) on the shore.  Heard the Rufous  Hummingbird (116) "zee-chuppity" 
past, but dipped on both the ani and the Roadrunner, which were both seen that 

day... :-(
 
Was definitely hitting the point of diminishing returns at Santa Ana, where  
the only new birds included a flyover Cave Swallow (117) singing its funny 
song, and a fussing Marsh Wren (118) at Willow Lake. Since time was running out 

 and I wanted to hit the La Sal del Rey area at dusk, I opted to skip 
Frontera and head to Estero Llano instead, where I was able to add a half dozen 
more 

 species: Tricolored Heron (119) and Swamp Sparrow (120) in the llano itself, 
the  Cinnamon Teal (121) from the deck, a spooked Snipe (122) from the 
boardwalk, Tree Swallows (123) flying all around, and the real treat, a 
Grasshopper 

Sparrow  (124) in amongst the other grassland sparrows (that made up for the 
Sedge Wrens  that didn't show this time...)!
 
Blasted up to La Sal with barely enough light to spare and headed straight  
to GI Road (so I knew I was still in Hidalgo)! Heard Sandhill Cranes (125) in 

the distance, so was glad to at least log that, but dipped on the hoped-for  
geese.  The consolation prize was a nice adult White-tailed Hawk  (126).  An 
odd dove on the wires morphed into a Eurasian Collared (127),  and a flyby 
Cooper's Hawk (128) saved the dove from being the last bird of the  day!  
Ironically, heard a Great Horned Owl as dusk settled in, so it was fun to begin 
and 

end the day with the same bird!  

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Inauguration '09: Get complete coverage from the nation's 
capital.(http://www.aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000027)
Subject: San Bernard NWR
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:35:03 EST
Hi, all!
 
Fellow Texbirder Lamont Brown and I joined forces to tackle San Bernard  this 
morning.  It was another glorious day out there (at least after we  found the 
place)!  The entrance road had a vulture on every telephone pole,  it seemed 
like, and the grasslands were full of Sedge Wrens!  Heading onto  the auto 
tour, the more wooded areas going in had Carolina Chickadees, singing  Tufted 
Titmice, and a cooperative Catbird at one stop! Sandhill Cranes bugled in the 

distance, although we never saw any.  When we finally reached  the wetlands, 
two cars in front of us had come to a dead halt, and soon we saw  why: a group 
of Snow Geese was literally blocking the road!  After awhile  we broke the 
party up by pulling ahead, and the geese hopped up and over to an area right 
next 

to the road, giving great looks!  Try as we might, however,  we could find no 
Ross' amongst them, although one bird looked as thought it  could have been a 
hybrid.  A few minutes at the overlook added many ducks  and waders to the 
day list, and behind us a King Rail grunted much like the Clappers back in San 

Diego!  Tree Swallows were all over, and other nice  wetland birds included a 
posing Belted Kingfisher (highly irregular, as they're  usually rather 
skittish), and a Snipe right next to the road! Took me a minute to recognize 
the 

song of an old friend from Florida: the Boat-tailed  Grackle!
 
We found an offshoot to the main auto tour and took that, which went  through 
a beautiful woodland area where we picked up White-eyed Vireo for the  day.  
In the wetter spots we were able to find Swamp Sparrows, while  Savannahs 
liked the drier areas. Sorting through the sparrows paid off as we were able to 

pick out a Vesper at one point!  A tern batted by that  "felt" like a 
Gull-billed, but I didn't get a good enough look to tell for sure. I pished in 
a 

couple of Ospreys, though... ;-)
 
Lamont got a message on his Blackberry about a Least Flycatcher on the  
refuge, so based on the directions I thought I knew where they were talking 
about: 

instead of pulling into the auto tour from the entrance road, you went  
straight, and right there was a little wetland with willows and palmettos. We 

couldn't find the flycatcher, so we went back to check out the Scissortail  
Trail, where the highlight there was a Woodcock we flushed!  
 
After checking the boat ramp and the part of the auto tour we bypassed (we  
had nice looks at White-fronted Geese, a Tricolored Heron, and White-faced  
Ibis on the second round), we called it a day and headed back to Bay City for  
lunch and registration, but not before adding a lovely White-tailed Kite to the 

list!  
 
Bird List (those in CAPS are new for the trip):
 
 
SIGHTINGS 
Data  of: Mary Beth Stowe                                        Date: 
1-15-09 
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 1-15-09 to  1-15-09 
PIED-BILLED GREBE                     Podilymbus  podiceps 
Great Blue Heron                      Ardea  herodias 
Great Egret                           Ardea alba 
TRICOLORED HERON                  Egretta tricolor 
SNOWY EGRET                       Egretta thula 
White Ibis                            Eudocimus albus 
WHITE-FACED IBIS                  Plegadis chihi 
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE       Anser  albifrons 
SNOW GOOSE                        Chen caerulescens 
GADWALL                           Anas strepera 
MOTTLED DUCK                      Anas fulvigula 
NORTHERN PINTAIL                  Anas acuta 
Blue-winged Teal                      Anas discors 
NORTHERN SHOVELER                 Anas clypeata 
RING-NECKED DUCK                  Aythya collaris 
LESSER SCAUP                      Aythya affinis 
Black Vulture                         Coragyps atratus 
Turkey Vulture                        Cathartes aura 
OSPREY                            Pandion haliaetus 
WHITE-TAILED KITE                 Elanus leucurus 
Northern Harrier                      Circus cyaneus 
Red-shouldered Hawk                   Buteo lineatus 
Red-tailed Hawk                       Buteo jamaicensis 
American Kestrel                      Falco sparverius 
Sandhill Crane                        Grus canadensis 
KING RAIL                         Rallus elegans 
COMMON MOORHEN                    Gallinula chloropus 
American Coot                         Fulica  americana 
Killdeer                              Charadrius vociferus 
AMERICAN WOODCOCK                 Scolopax minor 
Wilson's Snipe                        Gallinago delicata 
Greater Yellowlegs                    Tringa melanoleuca 
RING-BILLED GULL                  Larus delawarensis 
Eurasian Collared-Dove                Streptopelia decaocto 
Mourning Dove                         Zenaida macroura 
BELTED KINGFISHER                 Ceryle alcyon 
Red-bellied Woodpecker                Melanerpes carolinus 
Eastern Phoebe                        Sayornis phoebe 
TREE SWALLOW                      Tachycineta bicolor 
American Pipit                        Anthus rubescens 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet                  Regulus calendula 
Carolina Wren                         Thryothorus ludovicianus 
House Wren 
SEDGE WREN                        Cistothorus platensis 
MARSH WREN                        Cistothorus palustris 
GRAY CATBIRD                      Dumetella carolinensis 
Northern Mockingbird                  Mimus polyglottos 
Hermit Thrush                         Catharus guttatus 
American Robin                        Turdus migratorius 
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher                 Polioptila caerulea 
Carolina Chickadee                    Poecile  carolinensis 
TUFTED TITMOUSE                   Baeolophus bicolor 
Loggerhead Shrike                     Lanius ludovicianus 
American Crow                         Corvus brachyrhynchos 
House Sparrow                         Passer domesticus 
WHITE-EYED VIREO                  Vireo griseus 
American Goldfinch                    Carduelis tristis 
Orange-crowned Warbler                Vermivora celata 
Yellow-rumped Warbler                 Dendroica coronata 
Common Yellowthroat                   Geothlypis trichas 
VESPER SPARROW                    Pooecetes gramineus 
Savannah Sparrow                      Passerculus sandwichensis 
Lincoln's Sparrow                     Melospiza lincolnii 
Swamp Sparrow                         Melospiza georgiana 
Northern Cardinal                     Cardinalis cardinalis 
Red-winged Blackbird 
Western Meadowlark                    Sturnella neglecta 
BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE               Quiscalus major 
Great-tailed Grackle                  Quiscalus mexicanus 
69  SPECIES
 
Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 

**************Inauguration '09: Get complete coverage from the nation's 
capital.(http://www.aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000027)
Subject: Lake Texana State Park
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:27:22 EST
Hi, all!
 
Headed up to Bay City today for the TOS Convention starting tomorrow, and  
got a great start to the trip list going up the old "Hawk Alley", logging  
Harris', Red-tailed, and White-tailed Hawks, plus the requisite Caracaras! The 

cutover to US 77 also had several Sandhill Cranes very close to the  road!  
Stopped at Lake Texana, and it was a glorious time!  It was  sunny, cool, and 
calm, and a special delight to see some of my "old friends"  from back east!  
Right away at the entrance had a Blue Jay trying very hard to convince me he 
was 

a Red-shouldered Hawk, and a little pishing brought in  point-blank views of a 
Brown Thrasher, Hermit Thrush, and the ever-present  Orange-crowned Warblers 
and Ruby-crowned Kinglets.
 
Started by slowly cruising through the park, and a stop at the restroom and  
subsequent peek at the lake logged Coots accompanied by a single female  
Blue-winged Teal, and what I thought was a dowitcher at first glance (due to 
the 

"sewing-machine" behavior) turned out to be a Snipe!  A couple of Greater  
Yellowlegs also graced the shoreline.  While at the pier near the boat ramp  a 
couple of Neotropic Cormorants came sailing in, and a Forster's Tern batted  
around, making a clicking sound.
 
What I'm presuming to be Red-bellied Woodpeckers in this thick woodland  
habitat were very uncooperative, as looking at the range maps, it looked like  
this area might be on the cusp of the two species, and I wanted to get a look  
just to be sure, but never could. A real Red-shouldered Hawk flew up on a dead 

snag and never stopped yelling, and both Carolina Wrens and Chickadees  
chortled and sang.  Both Black and Turkey Vultures owned the skies.
 
After checking the roads I went back to the entrance gate to hike the first  
trail, which paralleled the highway for awhile.  There was a lot of  grassland 
and scrub along here, great for Savannah Sparrows and Western  Meadowlarks, 
and at the trailhead a group of Inca Doves joined the  Savannahs.  A single 
Lincoln's popped up at one point for good  comparisons.
 
At the second trailhead I glimpsed a small white wader in the water, so  
after parking I went over to take a peek, and the culprit turned out to be a  
White Ibis! This second trail made a very nice loop through the woods which was 

absolutely beautiful, and turned out to be a sparrow paradise as well:  a 
single Field Sparrow was hanging with some Cardinals at one point, and at the  
footbridge where there was ample deadwood and dry wetland habitat, several  
White-throated Sparrows popped up, along with two Swamp Sparrows! A Cooper's 
Hawk 

barreling through interrupted the party...  In the mammal  department several 
White-tailed Deer moseyed along unconcernedly, and a couple  of Armadillos 
shuffled through the leaf litter; one apparently heard the sound  of my camera 
focusing and actually sat up to see what was going on!
 
Headed on in to Bay City after that, adding a beautiful male Harrier to the  
list.  Those marked with an asterisk were seen en route and NOT within the  
state park.
 
Bird List:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 
1-14-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 1-14-09 to  1-14-09

Neotropic  Cormorant                    Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Great Blue  Heron                       Ardea herodias
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
White  Ibis                             Eudocimus albus
Mallard                                Anas platyrhynchos
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Black  Vulture                          Coragyps atratus
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
*Northern  Harrier                       Circus cyaneus
Cooper's  Hawk                          Accipiter cooperii
*Harris'  Hawk                           Parabuteo unicinctus
Red-shouldered  Hawk                    Buteo lineatus
*White-tailed  Hawk                      Buteo albicaudatus
*Red-tailed  Hawk                        Buteo jamaicensis
*Crested  Caracara                       Caracara cheriway
American  Kestrel                       Falco sparverius
*Sandhill  Crane                         Grus canadensis
American  Coot                          Fulica americana
Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
Wilson's  Snipe                         Gallinago delicata
Greater  Yellowlegs                     Tringa melanoleuca
Forster's  Tern                         Sterna forsteri
*Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
*Eurasian  Collared-Dove                 Streptopelia decaocto
*Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
Inca  Dove                              Columbina inca
Red-bellied  Woodpecker                 Melanerpes carolinus
Eastern  Phoebe                         Sayornis phoebe
American  Pipit                         Anthus rubescens
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet                   Regulus calendula
Carolina  Wren                          Thryothorus ludovicianus
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Brown  Thrasher                         Toxostoma rufum
Hermit  Thrush                          Catharus guttatus
American  Robin                         Turdus migratorius
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher                  Polioptila caerulea
Carolina  Chickadee                     Poecile carolinensis
*Loggerhead  Shrike                      Lanius ludovicianus
Blue  Jay                               Cyanocitta cristata
American  Crow                          Corvus brachyrhynchos
*European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
*House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
American  Goldfinch                     Carduelis tristis
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Field  Sparrow                          Spizella pusilla
Savannah  Sparrow                       Passerculus sandwichensis
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
Swamp  Sparrow                          Melospiza georgiana
White-throated  Sparrow                 Zonotrichia albicollis
Northern  Cardinal                      Cardinalis cardinalis
*Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Western  Meadowlark                     Sturnella neglecta
*Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus

56 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************Inauguration '09: Get complete coverage from the nation's 
capital.(http://www.aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000027)
Subject: Monte Cristo & Edinburg Wetlands
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 16:50:09 EST
Hi, all!
 
Joyce Davidson joined me this morning birding Wallace Road and environs,  
mainly to show me where the "real" Sapo Lake was (and to be honest, I never  
noticed it on any of my trips out there as it's away from the road and 
surrounded 

by trees), so now we're wondering what that big wetland is called  that 
Wallace Road actually transects! Red-winged Blackbirds were "storm-clouding" 
out 

in the fields (eBird wouldn't let me enter more than  10,000, but I wouldn't 
be surprised if there were more than that along the  route), and Joyce had 
found a Yellow-headed Blackbird amongst them on one of her excursions out here, 

but we couldn't find any today; the only mixtures (and that  mainly at the 
"swamp" crossing North Bryan) were with grackles and BH  Cowbirds.  It was 
certainly Hawk Alley, however, with Red-tailed, Harris', and a beautiful 
flyover 

White-tailed all represented, along with the usual  Harriers, Caracaras, and 
Kestrels, plus a single White-tailed Kite.
 
Most of the action, of course, was at the wetland, with a highlight being  an 
immaculate Peregrine Falcon perched on one of the dead trees!  We caught  up 
with Joyce's buddies about then, and we all enjoyed lots of Anhingas,  
cormorants, ducks, Coots, grebes, and egrets, as well as a few White Pelicans. 
A 

single Fulvous Whistling Duck was hiding in the southmost  wetland, and the 
girls had had a flock of feral Muscovies fly past!  Dickey  birds included a 
Tropical Kingbird and a Green Kingfisher, but couldn't locate the Vermilion 
Flys 

that were there last month.  In the shorebird department  we added both 
yellowlegs and a Spotted Sand.
 
We picked up a Vesper Sparrow hanging with some Western Meadowlarks along  FM 
490; Bryan Road was still impassable but we added several shorebirds and  
ducks to the list before backing out again.  Zipped over to Edinburg  Wetlands 
where we were met by Pat Reilley (I may have misspelled her name...  :-().  It 
was a bit windy for butters, but had plenty of Butterbutts  around, as well as 
the Rufous Hummer that "zee-chuppitied" by (surprisingly, I  had no 
Buff-bellieds this time). Kicked up my first Blue-headed Vireo for the park in 
the 

"forest trail", and the north lake still had its mob of  Black-crowned Night 
Herons (with the token Yellow-crowned) along with all three white egrets, 
several 

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, and a big pod of  Blue-winged Teal at the 
spillway.  The girls were tearing their hair out  trying to get me on a Green 
Heron they had spotted: I was looking at a different part of the spillway that 

still fit their description! :-)  The south lake  had the usual throng of 
Neotropical Corms plus a few additional herons for the list. The Groove-billed 
Ani 

had been seen earlier, but not by us...  :-(  As we were heading out of the 
park Joyce spotted the continuing  Roadrunner in the ditch!
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Monte Cristo Tract (LTC 062)
Observation  date:     1/9/09
Number of species:      71

Fulvous Whistling-Duck     1
Gadwall   7
Mottled Duck     6
Northern Shoveler   6
Northern Pintail     8
Green-winged  Teal     21
Ring-necked Duck     9
Lesser  Scaup     6
Ruddy Duck     70
Least  Grebe     2
Pied-billed Grebe     7
American  White Pelican     7
Neotropic Cormorant      7
cormorant sp.     40
Anhinga      20
Great Blue Heron     2
Great Egret      6
Snowy Egret     5
Turkey Vulture      1
Osprey     1
White-tailed Kite      1
Northern Harrier     3
Harris's Hawk      1
White-tailed Hawk     2
Red-tailed Hawk   2
Crested Caracara     4
American  Kestrel     3
Peregrine Falcon      1
Sora     2
Common Moorhen      2
American Coot     100
Killdeer      53
Black-necked Stilt     7
American Avocet   14
Spotted Sandpiper     1
Greater  Yellowlegs     1
Lesser Yellowlegs      1
Long-billed Curlew     35
Least Sandpiper   1
Long-billed Dowitcher     26
Mourning  Dove     38
Belted Kingfisher     2
Green  Kingfisher     2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      3
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     5
Eastern Phoebe   3
Great Kiskadee     5
Tropical Kingbird   1
Tropical/Couch's Kingbird     1
Green  Jay     4
Horned Lark     10
Black-crested  Titmouse     1
House Wren     5
Marsh  Wren     1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet      2
Northern Mockingbird     3
Long-billed Thrasher   1
American Pipit     3
Orange-crowned  Warbler     1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)   30
Common Yellowthroat     8
Vesper  Sparrow     1
Lark Bunting     3
Savannah  Sparrow     8
Lincoln's Sparrow      8
Red-winged Blackbird     10000
Western Meadowlark   20
Great-tailed Grackle     320
Brown-headed  Cowbird     20
Lesser Goldfinch      2
American Goldfinch     12

Location:     Edinburg Scenic Wetlands WBC (LTC  061)
Observation date:     1/9/09
Notes:      Groove-billed Ani also seen by other parties
Number of species:   39

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck      24
Blue-winged Teal     63
Northern Shoveler   6
Green-winged Teal     14
Ruddy Duck   2
Least Grebe     4
Pied-billed Grebe   2
Neotropic Cormorant     60
Double-crested  Cormorant     30
Great Egret     5
Snowy  Egret     6
Little Blue Heron      1
Tricolored Heron     1
Cattle Egret      4
Green Heron     1
Black-crowned Night-Heron   23
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron     1
Common  Moorhen     3
American Coot     20
Rock  Pigeon     10
Common Ground-Dove      3
Greater Roadrunner     1
Rufous Hummingbird   1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     1
Great  Kiskadee     1
Blue-headed Vireo     1
House  Wren     1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet      2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     1
Northern Mockingbird   5
Long-billed Thrasher     1
Curve-billed  Thrasher     1
Orange-crowned Warbler      2
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     32
Common  Yellowthroat     2
Lincoln's Sparrow      3
Great-tailed Grackle     3
Lesser Goldfinch   1
House Sparrow     3

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************New year...new news.  Be the first to know what is making 
headlines. (http://news.aol.com?ncid=emlcntusnews00000002)
Subject: Hook-billed Kite @ Bentsen
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 16:42:06 EST
Hi, all!
 
It was a gorgeous morning at Bentsen, with many folks searching for the  pair 
of Blue Buntings (which were seen, but not by me :-( ), but a female  
Hook-billed Kite perched along the east side of the loop near Roadrunner 
Crossing 

was definitely the highlight! Visiting birder "Joe from Ottowa" also saw her, 

but I'm not sure anyone else did; the news sure spread fast, but  further 
searches were apparently futile. The other highlight for me was a flyover Pine 

Siskin at the La Coma Rest Stop, and Groove-billed Anis were seen  at the Hawk 
Tower, but again not by me :-( .  I was hoping the rather dull  Solitary-type 
Vireo I had at the east end of the Acacia Loop might be the  reported 
Cassin's, but after talking to Mary G (who said it was a "classic" Cassin's 
seen 

earlier) and then consulting Sibley, I'm calling it Blue-headed  until proven 
otherwise... Other highlights included two Ringed Kingfishers, a good selection 

of water birds at the Hawk Tower (including Snipe,  Stilt and Solitary Sands, 
and both ibis), and a territorial confrontation by two  White-tipped Doves at 
the Kiskadee Blind that got some of us chuckling.   Ran into Rick Snider 
several times, but back at the headquarters "the other Rick" :-) pulled us over 
to 

the plants by the ladies' room where a fresh male  Silver Emperor was feeding 
away!  
 
Pics for the day are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_thu_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_thu) 
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     Bentsen-Rio Grande Val. SP WBC (Mission)(LTC  069)
Observation date:     1/8/09
Notes:      At least two Groove-billed Anis, at least one Black-headed 
Grosbeak, and the  Blue Bunting pair were seen by other parties.
Number of species:   64

Gadwall     20
American Wigeon   1
Mottled Duck     4
Blue-winged Teal   40
Northern Shoveler     4
Northern  Pintail     6
Green-winged Teal     70
Plain  Chachalaca     6
Pied-billed Grebe      2
Double-crested Cormorant     1
Great Egret   4
Snowy Egret     6
White Ibis   2
White-faced Ibis     4
Hook-billed  Kite     1
Northern Harrier     1
Crested  Caracara     1
Sora     1
Common  Moorhen     1
American Coot      50
Killdeer     4
Solitary Sandpiper      1
Lesser Yellowlegs     1
Least Sandpiper   70
Stilt Sandpiper     1
Long-billed  Dowitcher     100
Wilson's Snipe      1
Mourning Dove     3
Inca Dove      6
Common Ground-Dove     4
White-tipped Dove   8
Ringed Kingfisher     2
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker     9
Ladder-backed Woodpecker      10
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet     5
Eastern Phoebe   3
Great Kiskadee     8
Couch's Kingbird   1
White-eyed Vireo     4
Blue-headed  Vireo     1
Green Jay     30
Black-crested  Titmouse     3
Verdin     3
House Wren   12
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     5
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher     7
Hermit Thrush      2
Northern Mockingbird     5
Long-billed Thrasher   8
European Starling     1
Cedar Waxwing   1
Orange-crowned Warbler     15
Yellow-rumped  Warbler (Myrtle)     11
Common Yellowthroat      3
Olive Sparrow     10
Lincoln's Sparrow      7
Northern Cardinal     9
Red-winged Blackbird   20
Eastern Meadowlark     1
Great-tailed  Grackle     9
Altamira Oriole     5
Pine  Siskin     1
American Goldfinch     3
House  Sparrow     6

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************New year...new news.  Be the first to know what is making 
headlines. (http://news.aol.com?ncid=emlcntusnews00000002)
Subject: Crimson-collared Grosbeak & Blue Bunting (FINALLY!!)
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2009 17:42:25 EST
Hi, all!
 
Yes!!  With the help of Karen Chaisson and her friend Pat, I finally  got to 
see these two skulky critters (nice way to start the New Year by adding  two 
lifers to your list)!  They pulled in to the Frontera parking lot in  the 
drizzling rain and cold right after I did and said, "We were wondering if we 
were 

gonna be the only fools out here!" :-D  Turns out several "fools"  trickled in 
during the course of the morning!  We got an update from Wayne  and first 
started looking for the bunting along the citrus grove fenceline,  where Pat 
spotted a nice female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker!  Yellowthroats  and a Wilson's 
Warbler were among the common wintering things.  We then  eventually wandered 
down to the feeding area where the grosbeak had been  seen.  I kept meaning to 
review the vocalization (and kept forgetting to), but when we heard this strong 

but unfamiliar whistle, we suspected that was the  culprit, so we swung back 
to the feeder area, and there she was, feeding  contentedly on the plant 
material and giving us a great show!  
 
Someone had seen the bunting back at the fence, so we headed back and  
searched for awhile there and near the little resaca. No success, so I gave up 
and 

continued on my routine, exchanging numbers with Karen just in  case.  We 
kept leapfrogging anyway, picking up a nice Yellow-throated Warbler behind the 

lake and a Blue-headed Vireo in the same area (they had  already seen a 
Black-and-white). After sitting awhile on the bench at the base of the 
boardwalk 

(where I heard a Green Kingfisher), I took the "back" trail and picked up a few 

Black-bellied Whistlers in the hidden pond (plus  another kingfisher), as 
well as a calling Gray Hawk.  I eventually swung  back around to the feeders 
where I sat for awhile, and about that time Karen  called saying they had the 
bunting!  So I headed back once again, and after  a few tense moments the bird 
actually showed itself  Lovely little  thing!
 
I really needed to get over to Valley Nature Center, so I checked in again  
with Wayne, when he said, "Did you see the Woodcock?"  Karen and Pat  waltzed 
in about that time, so we immediately about faced and headed back to the  
shack! We looked diligently (along with several other people who showed up), 
but 

couldn't find the thing, but the girls DID spot an Ovenbird (which I  finally 
found after awhile)!  Pat was looking for a Black-throated Gray  Warbler, and 
when I heard the "chink" I pointed her in that direction (it was  either that 
or Black-throated Green), and by golly they found it, and it WAS a  
Black-throated Gray! I never got on that one, either (by sight anyway...)! Like 
I 

keep telling people, my ears are great, but my eyes are  lousy...
 
Headed over to VNC after that, where at the turnoff before the "pool", a  
Clay-colored Thrush popped up and preened a bit! Several Buff-bellied Hummers 

were buzzing around as well, and a sit at one of the feeders allowed  nice 
views of the titmice and chachalacas coming in for a snack. A female Wilson's 

Warbler came out for a peek, and as the sun was out and starting to warm things 

up, a beautiful Zebra Heliconian came out and posed!
 
Rather poor pics of the grosbeak and a nice one of the Zebra ;-) can be  seen 
here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Frontera Audubon Ctr (LTC 058)
Observation  date:     1/6/09
Notes:     Also reported by  others was an American Woodcock.
Number of species:      41

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck     7
Plain  Chachalaca     9
Gray Hawk     1
Mourning  Dove     3
Inca Dove     3
White-tipped  Dove     1
Green Parakeet     2
Buff-bellied  Hummingbird     1
Green Kingfisher      3
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     4
Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker     1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker      2
Eastern Phoebe     3
Great Kiskadee      4
White-eyed Vireo     1
Blue-headed Vireo   1
Green Jay     4
Black-crested Titmouse   4
Carolina Wren     5
House Wren   5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     4
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher     5
Northern Mockingbird      4
Long-billed Thrasher     2
European Starling   1
Orange-crowned Warbler     5
Yellow-rumped  Warbler (Myrtle)     3
Black-throated Gray Warbler   1
Yellow-throated Warbler     1
Ovenbird   1
Common Yellowthroat     2
Wilson's  Warbler     2
Olive Sparrow     3
Lincoln's  Sparrow     1
Crimson-collared Grosbeak      1
Northern Cardinal     3
Blue Bunting      1
Red-winged Blackbird     6
Great-tailed Grackle   3
Brown-headed Cowbird     1
House  Sparrow     3

Location:     Valley Nature Ctr. (LTC 057)
Observation  date:     1/6/09
Number of species:      23

Plain Chachalaca     6
Inca Dove      1
White-tipped Dove     2
Buff-bellied Hummingbird   3
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      6
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     1
Great Kiskadee   2
White-eyed Vireo     2
Black-crested  Titmouse     4
Carolina Wren     1
House  Wren     2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet      2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     2
Clay-colored Thrush   1
Northern Mockingbird     3
Long-billed  Thrasher     1
Curve-billed Thrasher      2
European Starling     1
Orange-crowned Warbler   8
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)      2
Wilson's Warbler     1
Great-tailed Grackle   6
House Sparrow     40

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************New year...new news.  Be the first to know what is making 
headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026)
Subject: Bentsen CBC
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 21:40:50 EST
Hi, all!
 
Myself, John Yochum, and Mike Rickard covered the western portion of what  
Josh Rose called the Great White North, and while the wind hampered birding, we 

did see a fair number of species.  Habitat consisted mainly of thorn scrub,  
disturbed areas, ag fields, and homesteads with a few patches of woodland here 
 and there.  The pressure was on to find Sprague's Pipits at the model  
airplane field, and while we kicked up plenty of American Pipits and Savannah  
Sparrows at that particular spot, we didn't kick up any Sprague's until we got 

west of there, on another road that abutted the area!   Other  highlights 
included adult and immature White-tailed Hawks, several sparrows including 
Lark, 

Vesper, and White-crowned (which wasn't on the list,  surprisingly), a single 
White-tailed Kite, Crested Caracara, and Osprey, and two Vermilion Flycatchers. 

 Also not on the list was Eurasian Collared Dove, of  which we had 15 (and 
the team west of us had 50)--do we REEELY have to write  those up??! ;-)
 
Bird List (and John had Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in addition to these):
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 1-3-09
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 1-3-09 to  1-3-09

Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
Cattle  Egret                           Bubulcus ibis
Black-bellied  Whistling-Duck          Dendrocygna  autumnalis
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Osprey                                 Pandion haliaetus
White-tailed  Kite                      Elanus leucurus
Northern  Harrier                       Circus cyaneus
White-tailed  Hawk                      Buteo albicaudatus
Red-tailed  Hawk                        Buteo jamaicensis
Crested  Caracara                       Caracara cheriway
American  Kestrel                       Falco sparverius
Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Eurasian  Collared-Dove                 Streptopelia decaocto
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
Common  Ground-Dove                     Columbina passerina
Inca  Dove                              Columbina inca
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker              Melanerpes aurifrons
Eastern  Phoebe                         Sayornis phoebe
Vermilion  Flycatcher                   Pyrocephalus rubinus
Great  Kiskadee                         Pitangus sulphuratus
Couch's  Kingbird                       Tyrannus couchii
Horned  Lark                            Eremophila alpestris
American  Pipit                         Anthus rubescens
Sprague's  Pipit                        Anthus spragueii
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet                   Regulus calendula
Bewick's  Wren                          Thryomanes bewickii
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Long-billed  Thrasher                   Toxostoma longirostre
Curve-billed  Thrasher                  Toxostoma curvirostre
Verdin                                 Auriparus flaviceps
Loggerhead  Shrike                      Lanius ludovicianus
Green  Jay                              Cyanocorax yncas
European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Lesser  Goldfinch                       Carduelis psaltria
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
Olive  Sparrow                          Arremonops rufivirgatus
Vesper  Sparrow                         Pooecetes gramineus
Lark  Sparrow                           Chondestes grammacus
Savannah  Sparrow                       Passerculus sandwichensis
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
White-crowned  Sparrow                  Zonotrichia leucophrys
Northern  Cardinal                      Cardinalis cardinalis
Pyrrhuloxia                            Cardinalis sinuatus
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern  Meadowlark                     Sturnella magna
Western  Meadowlark                     Sturnella neglecta
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus

52 SPECIES

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************New year...new news.  Be the first to know what is making 
headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026)
Subject: Falcon SP & Salieno
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:16:55 EST
Hi, all!
 
Spent a cool, drizzly morning in Starr County today, but a profitable one  
bird-wise; I hadn't been out to the park since the flooding, and it was quite a 

sight!  Pyrrhuloxias were out the wazoo (especially in the RV campground),  
and the flooded primitive area had tons of American Pipits and several Western 

Meadowlarks, along with whinnying Soras, a few Least Sandpipers, and a couple 
of  Snipes.  I also had a duck that I'm calling Mexican based on the fact 
that the speculum was broadly bordered in white, but the head matched Sibley's 

description of Mottled better; rather poor pictures are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_wed_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_wed) 
 
(and even though on the last shot it looks as though only one side of the  
speculum has the wide border, that's an illusion; both sides had broad white  
borders...).  Comments/corrections are welcome!
 
The boat ramp was flooded as well, so I could only walk down a little ways;  
ran into Ranger Donald, but he missed the Wood Duck that flew by just before 
he arrived! A multi-swallow flock was swirling around, with what sounded like 

 several Banks (and a few came by close enough for visual ID) with their  
rapid-fire chatter (Roughwings and a couple of Trees were also  represented).  
Over at the photo blind added an Olive Sparrow and Bronzed Cowbird to the list, 

but the Scaled Quail was a no-show for me (he showed up  earlier for another 
gentleman I ran into).  Dipped on the ani that is  apparently still hanging 
around the Rec Center, although I didn't spend as much time there as I normally 

do due to the weather (no self-respecting lep would be  out in that stuff...).
 
One road I normally go down was closed, and in retrospect I probably should  
have just walked down there, but all hindsight is 20/20...  There was more  
flooding on the way where Pied-billed Grebes and Great Egrets were hanging out, 

however!  A slow roll through the RV campground yielded the aforementioned  
Pyrrs and a few Black-throated Sparrows as well.
 
Headed over to Salieno to sit for 15; wasn't there long before Kim Eckert  
showed up with his VENT group!  After looking at a Gray Hawk (which I  
overlooked) the group made their way to Cheryl's feeders while Kim and I gave 
the 

river a good looking-over before heading up there ourselves: 20 American 
Wigeons 

were the main show as well as a flyover Osprey, but none of the  specialties 
showed while we were there (except for the hawk; they HAD seen  Red-billed 
Pigeon and Muscovy at Chapeno earlier). Kim reported an American Bittern flying 

across the river after I left! :-(
 
The feeders were entertaining as always: several Altamira and two Audubon's  
Orioles showed up, as well as Kiskadees, Green Jays, grackles, blackbirds, and 
 various doves (I was shocked at a flock of around 80 White-winged Doves in  
there!).  Butterbutts came to the peanut butter as well, including a pretty  
Audubon's!  (That caused a lot of confusion when someone would simply say,  
"There's an Audubon's!" :-)) After Kim reported his bittern I went back to the 

river to sit for another 15, where both Green and Ringed Kingfishers made an  
appearance, plus a pair of Redheads that wheeled in, but that was about  it.
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Falcon SP (Starr Co.)(LTC 084)
Observation  date:     12/31/08
Number of species:      58

Wood Duck     1
Mallard (Mexican)      1
Northern Bobwhite     3
Pied-billed Grebe   7
Neotropic Cormorant     4
Double-crested  Cormorant     15
Great Blue Heron      4
Great Egret     3
Snowy Egret      1
Tricolored Heron     2
Osprey      3
American Kestrel     1
Sora      3
American Coot     11
Killdeer      4
Least Sandpiper     5
Wilson's Snipe      2
Laughing Gull     3
Ring-billed Gull      3
Inca Dove     3
Common Ground-Dove      5
Greater Roadrunner     2
Belted Kingfisher   1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      4
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     3
Eastern Phoebe   3
Vermilion Flycatcher     1
Great  Kiskadee     6
White-eyed Vireo     2
Green  Jay     9
Tree Swallow     2
Northern  Rough-winged Swallow     7
Bank Swallow      5
Black-crested Titmouse     1
Cactus Wren   5
Bewick's Wren     4
House Wren   15
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     3
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher     6
Northern Mockingbird      25
Curve-billed Thrasher     9
American Pipit   47
Orange-crowned Warbler     15
Yellow-rumped  Warbler (Myrtle)     20
Common Yellowthroat      3
Olive Sparrow     1
Black-throated Sparrow   3
Savannah Sparrow     3
Lincoln's  Sparrow     2
Northern Cardinal      8
Pyrrhuloxia     23
Red-winged Blackbird   147
Western Meadowlark     12
Great-tailed  Grackle     70
Bronzed Cowbird      1
Brown-headed Cowbird     15
Altamira Oriole   1
House Sparrow     6

Location:     Salineño (LTC 080)
Observation date:   12/31/08
Number of species:      36

Gadwall     1
American Wigeon      20
Redhead     2
Double-crested Cormorant   2
Great Blue Heron     1
Osprey   1
Gray Hawk     1
Spotted Sandpiper   1
Eurasian Collared-Dove     1
White-winged  Dove     80
Mourning Dove     1
Common  Ground-Dove     2
White-tipped Dove      1
Ringed Kingfisher     1
Green Kingfisher   1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     2
Great Kiskadee   4
Green Jay     7
Black-crested Titmouse   1
House Wren     1
Marsh Wren   2
Long-billed Thrasher     1
Orange-crowned  Warbler     4
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)   6
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)      1
Common Yellowthroat     2
Olive Sparrow   2
Chipping Sparrow     1
Lincoln's  Sparrow     2
Northern Cardinal      3
Red-winged Blackbird     200
Great-tailed Grackle   5
Altamira Oriole     5
Audubon's Oriole   2
House Sparrow     10

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************New year...new news.  Be the first to know what is making 
headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026)
Subject: Anzalduas & NABA
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:32:38 EST
Hi, all!
 
I was very glad to see that Anzalduas CP was open today, as it had been  
closed last month when I tried (and evidently was closed several days last 
month 

according to some other birders I ran into).  The weather was great and the  
place was very birdy, although I dipped on the reported rarities.  The boat  
ramp IS closed, but the trees in that area had a nice winter flock (apparently 

the same flock the rarities had been hanging with) consisting of American  
Goldfinches, Butterbutts, Orangecrowns, and at least two Pine Warblers (one had 

one tail feather left).  Also had single Black-throated Greens and  
Black-and-whites. A pair each of Ringed and Belted Kingfishers carried on along 
the 

river, and picked up a mob of Coots and a couple of Moorhens and grebes. Found 

the requisite Black Phoebe in the picnic area, two Beardless  Tyrannulets 
(one near the ramp and the other near the levee), and the adult Gray  Hawk was 
very cooperative (he was along the back loop of the main park, then  flew into 
the back part of the park).  A huge flock of Western Meadowlarks  circled 
overhead and eventually landed, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk showed up at the far 
end 

near the river, along with an Osprey.  A pretty male Vermilion  Flycatcher was 
along the south side of the loop, and I thought I might have  heard a Cedar 
Waxwing, but there was so much squealing machinery that I wasn't  sure...
 
And just to clarify once again: you CAN go over the levee into the back  area 
(those "road closed" signs are very confusing, but apply only to the levee  
itself).  However, the road itself up and over the levee is VERY steep now;  
you almost need 4WD to get up it! And once up there, it was very difficult to 

see over Jip's hood to make sure I was still on the road going down!  So  some 
vehicles may not want to take the plunge...
 
The river overlook was great: lots of cormorants and ducks, with a few  
herons and Least Sandpipers thrown in.  New for my Anzalduas list was both  
Ring-billed Gull and Caspian Tern! A big flock of American Pipits was feeding 
in 

the area where you park to get to the overlook.  Back in the  main part of the 
park, I stopped at the salmon restrooms to check for moths but  only found one 
unidentified little guy.  On the way out I was bemoaning the  fact that none 
of us (myself and the three other birders I ran into) had seen  any Eastern 
Bluebirds yet, and suddenly there they were, at the four-way  stop!
 
Headed over to NABA after that, stopping a couple of times along Military  
Highway and picking up a Cooper's Hawk. It was rather cool for butterflies but 

very birdy; a noisy Ringed Kingfisher showed off over the canal, and Green  
Jays were coming in to the seed and orange fest the rangers had put out by the 

woodland picnic table.  The Walking Trail had a cooperative Olive Sparrow  at 
my feet and a preening Altamira Oriole in the open, along with the usual  
flocking things.  A Long-billed Curlew called from a nearby field, and a  
White-fronted Goose called overhead (there may have been more, but I couldn't 
spot 

the bird...).  Picked up the requisite Common Ground Doves in the  woodpile 
near the field. Lep-wise, Queens and Brown Longtails were about the only things 

moving; Phil and his wife were there, and he showed me an  aberrant Queen 
that looked like someone had taken a thick black magic marker to  it on the 
ventral side!
 
Pics from today are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_tues) 
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Anzalduas County Pk (LTC 068)
Observation  date:     12/30/08
Number of species:      61

Gadwall     47
American Wigeon      20
Mottled Duck     5
Blue-winged Teal      18
Pied-billed Grebe     2
Neotropic Cormorant   1
Double-crested Cormorant     38
Great Blue  Heron     1
Great Egret     2
Snowy  Egret     1
Little Blue Heron     1
Turkey  Vulture     1
Osprey     2
Sharp-shinned  Hawk     1
Gray Hawk     1
American  Kestrel     6
Common Moorhen     2
American  Coot     47
Killdeer     1
Least  Sandpiper     5
Ring-billed Gull      1
Caspian Tern     1
Rock Pigeon      25
Mourning Dove     4
Buff-bellied Hummingbird   1
Ringed Kingfisher     2
Belted  Kingfisher     2
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      5
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     4
Northern  Beardless-Tyrannulet     2
Black Phoebe      1
Eastern Phoebe     2
Vermilion Flycatcher   2
Great Kiskadee     5
Loggerhead Shrike   1
White-eyed Vireo     1
Blue-headed  Vireo     1
Green Jay     3
Cave  Swallow     1
Black-crested Titmouse      3
House Wren     3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet      5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     3
Eastern Bluebird   4
Northern Mockingbird     3
European  Starling     19
American Pipit      30
Orange-crowned Warbler     13
Yellow-rumped Warbler  (Myrtle)     11
Black-throated Green Warbler   1
Pine Warbler     1
Black-and-white  Warbler     1
Common Yellowthroat      5
Lincoln's Sparrow     1
Northern Cardinal   1
Red-winged Blackbird     26
Western  Meadowlark     150
Great-tailed Grackle      19
Altamira Oriole     1
American Goldfinch   15
House Sparrow     6

Location:     NABA International Butterfly  Park
Observation date:     12/30/08
Number of  species:     37

Greater White-fronted Goose   1
Plain Chachalaca     2
Great Egret   1
Turkey Vulture     1
Cooper's Hawk   1
American Kestrel     1
Long-billed  Curlew     1
Common Ground-Dove     3
Ringed  Kingfisher     1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     2
Eastern Phoebe   2
Great Kiskadee     3
Couch's Kingbird   2
White-eyed Vireo     1
Blue-headed  Vireo     1
Green Jay     4
Black-crested  Titmouse     1
House Wren     9
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet     3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher      2
Northern Mockingbird     2
Long-billed Thrasher   4
Curve-billed Thrasher     1
American  Pipit     2
Orange-crowned Warbler      6
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)     12
Common  Yellowthroat     2
Olive Sparrow      2
Lincoln's Sparrow     6
Northern Cardinal   4
Eastern Meadowlark     2
Western  Meadowlark     2
Great-tailed Grackle      1
Altamira Oriole     1
American Goldfinch   3
House Sparrow     3

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: La sal Del Rey
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:27:01 EST
Hi, all!
 
John Yochum joined me this morning birding the La Sal "driving route", and  
we had a marvelous time: although nippy, the wind had died, and we had sunny  
skies for most of the morning.  Sandhill Cranes were almost constant, and  we 
had a good variety of raptors, including many Kestrels and Caracaras, a  
beautiful pair of White-tailed Hawks, several Redtails and Harris', and a 
single 

Harrier and Sharpie.  The "seasonal wetlands" were very productive: one  pond 
off one of the Brushline spur roads had several Least Grebes (including a  
stripey-headed youngster) and several duck species, as well as a couple of  
Vermilion Flycatchers!  Also along the east-west portion of Brushline we  were 
barreling down the road to find a "whip"ping Least Flycatcher when we 
inadvertantly 

flushed a Barn Owl from a tree!  At the turnaround point at  the second spur 
road, we were enjoying a flock of Lark Sparrows when we noticed  a pretty 
Whitecrowned in with them! A nice flock of Western Meadowlarks gave us looks at 

their lazy flapping while a couple of Easterns sang  nearby.
 
The wetlands along GI road were very productive as well: the little puddle  
that had one Brewer's Blackbird last month had at least 25 this time (I  
guesstimated about 30 but eBird didn't like that... ;-)), and the snipe and  
dowitchers were still there giving great looks. A larger pond further back from 
the 

road had over 300 Snow Geese along the edge (along with a few Ross'),  and as 
many ducks in the water, along with a mob of Black-bellied Whistlers that  
John found. Further down the road a couple of wedges of Whitefronts flew over, 

rounding out the goose mix.  Vultures of both flavors started  kettling about 
that time, and we even found a Harris' Hawk trying to blend  in!  The marsh 
on Rio Beef Road yielded two Soras (one actually out in the  open), several 
Moorhens and Coots, a couple of Neotropic Cormorants, and more Redwings than 
you 

could shake a stick at (just when I thought I had escaped  them, another big 
mob flew over...)  At the intersection with the highway  was a Scissor-tailed 
Flycatcher on the wire!
 
We took the hike from SR 186 afterwards up to the salt lake; John found our  
first Curve-billed Thrasher of the day, and just as I mentioned that I often 
get  Vesper Sparrows in there, up popped said bird!  We also started chasing  
Dainty Sulphurs and Sleepy Oranges about that time, but those nasty little 
gnats hadn't gone away... At the lake were several Least Sandpipers, and the 

Snowy Plovers came close enough for great looks! A Bobwhite was tuning up just 

as we left.
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     LRGV NWR Driving Route
Observation  date:     12/29/08
Number of species:      79

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck     160
Greater  White-fronted Goose     142
Snow Goose      315
Ross's Goose     20
Mottled Duck      4
Blue-winged Teal     11
Northern Shoveler   102
Northern Pintail     10
Green-winged  Teal     200
Ruddy Duck     3
Northern  Bobwhite     6
Least Grebe     7
Pied-billed  Grebe     3
Neotropic Cormorant     3
Great  Blue Heron     2
Great Egret     2
Black  Vulture     11
Turkey Vulture      39
Northern Harrier     1
Sharp-shinned Hawk   1
Harris's Hawk     5
White-tailed Hawk   3
Red-tailed Hawk     5
Crested Caracara   13
American Kestrel     10
Sora   2
Common Moorhen     8
American Coot   3
Sandhill Crane     349
Snowy Plover   4
Killdeer     10
Black-necked Stilt   2
Greater Yellowlegs     2
Least  Sandpiper     30
Long-billed Dowitcher      6
Wilson's Snipe     6
Eurasian Collared-Dove   1
Mourning Dove     110
Inca Dove   4
Common Ground-Dove     10
Barn Owl   1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      13
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     11
Least Flycatcher   1
Eastern Phoebe     16
Vermilion  Flycatcher     2
Great Kiskadee      11
Couch's Kingbird     4
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher   1
Loggerhead Shrike     7
White-eyed  Vireo     3
Green Jay     20
Bewick's  Wren     2
House Wren     27
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet     6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher      4
Northern Mockingbird     18
Long-billed Thrasher   6
Curve-billed Thrasher     1
European  Starling     8
American Pipit      1
Orange-crowned Warbler     22
Yellow-rumped Warbler  (Myrtle)     22
Common Yellowthroat      2
Olive Sparrow     3
Vesper Sparrow      2
Lark Sparrow     30
Savannah Sparrow      12
Lincoln's Sparrow     19
White-crowned Sparrow   2
Northern Cardinal     10
Pyrrhuloxia   21
Red-winged Blackbird     4390
Eastern  Meadowlark     4
Western Meadowlark      13
Brewer's Blackbird     25
Great-tailed Grackle   7
Brown-headed Cowbird     740
House  Sparrow     6

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


**************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, 
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Subject: Weslaco CBC
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 20:05:10 EST
Hi, all!
 
Lewis Cocks, Karen Chaisson (hope I spelled that right ;-)) and myself  
braved the winds road-birding our section of the Weslaco CBC today, which 
included 

parts of the Las Palomas WMA and a couple of levees north of US  281.  
Despite the wind we logged 68 species, plus a very cooperative "Audubon's" 
Warbler. 

 Other highlights included a couple of Barn Owls in  some old buildings on 
the WMA, probably the same Sprague's Pipit I kicked up when I was scouting the 

area, a couple of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, three  White-winged Doves, a 
Vermilion Flycatcher we would have missed had Lewis not insisted on going down 

this particular road, ;-) and a Merlin bombing something  just as the Border 
Patrol pulled up! :-)  The bad news was that we couldn't  access the eastern 
edge of Donna Reservoir, but the good news was that there was  plenty of water 
around in patches, so we were able to log a good number of water-related birds. 

 
Pics of the pipit are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/inbox) 
 
Bird List:
 
Data of: Mary Beth  Stowe                                         Date: 
12-27-08
Limitations: One Sighting per Species; From 12-27-08 to  12-27-08

Least  Grebe                            Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed  Grebe                      Podilymbus podiceps
Double-crested  Cormorant               Phalacrocorax auritus
Neotropic  Cormorant                    Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Great Blue  Heron                       Ardea herodias
Great  Egret                            Ardea alba
Snowy  Egret                            Egretta thula
Cattle  Egret                           Bubulcus ibis
Blue-winged  Teal                       Anas discors
Turkey  Vulture                         Cathartes aura
Northern  Harrier                       Circus cyaneus
Sharp-shinned  Hawk                     Accipiter striatus
Cooper's  Hawk                          Accipiter cooperii
Harris'  Hawk                           Parabuteo unicinctus
White-tailed  Hawk                      Buteo albicaudatus
Red-tailed  Hawk                        Buteo jamaicensis
American  Kestrel                       Falco sparverius
Merlin                                 Falco columbarius
Plain  Chachalaca                       Ortalis vetula
  [Sora heard by Karen]
   Killdeer                               Charadrius vociferus
Long-billed  Dowitcher                  Limnodromus scolopaceus
Greater  Yellowlegs                     Tringa melanoleuca
Western  Sandpiper                      Calidris mauri
Least  Sandpiper                        Calidris minutilla
Rock  Pigeon                            Columba livia
Mourning  Dove                          Zenaida macroura
White-winged  Dove                      Zenaida asiatica
Common  Ground-Dove                     Columbina passerina
Inca  Dove                              Columbina inca
Barn  Owl                               Tyto alba
Buff-bellied  Hummingbird               Amazilia yucatanensis
Golden-fronted  Woodpecker              Melanerpes aurifrons
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker               Picoides scalaris
Eastern  Phoebe                         Sayornis phoebe
Vermilion  Flycatcher                   Pyrocephalus rubinus
Great  Kiskadee                         Pitangus sulphuratus
Tropical  Kingbird                      Tyrannus melancholicus
Couch's  Kingbird                       Tyrannus couchii
Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher              Tyrannus forficatus
Horned  Lark                            Eremophila alpestris
Tree  Swallow                           Tachycineta bicolor
American  Pipit                         Anthus rubescens
Sprague's  Pipit                        Anthus spragueii
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet                   Regulus calendula
Bewick's  Wren                          Thryomanes bewickii
House  Wren                             Troglodytes aedon
Northern  Mockingbird                   Mimus polyglottos
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher                  Polioptila caerulea
Black-crested  Titmouse                 Baeolophus atricristatus
Loggerhead  Shrike                      Lanius ludovicianus
European  Starling                      Sturnus vulgaris
House  Sparrow                          Passer domesticus
White-eyed  Vireo                       Vireo griseus
Lesser  Goldfinch                       Carduelis psaltria
American  Goldfinch                     Carduelis tristis
Orange-crowned  Warbler                 Vermivora celata
Yellow-rumped  Warbler                  Dendroica coronata
  "Audubon's" Warbler
Common  Yellowthroat                    Geothlypis trichas
Lark  Sparrow                           Chondestes grammacus
Savannah  Sparrow                       Passerculus sandwichensis
Lincoln's  Sparrow                      Melospiza lincolnii
Northern  Cardinal                      Cardinalis cardinalis
Red-winged  Blackbird                   Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern  Meadowlark                     Sturnella magna
Western  Meadowlark                     Sturnella neglecta
Great-tailed  Grackle                   Quiscalus mexicanus
Brown-headed  Cowbird                   Molothrus ater

68 SPECIES


Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 

**************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, 
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Subject: Laguna Atascosa
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2008 20:37:57 EST
Hi, all!
 
Sorry for the late post, but ran out of time yesterday...  Birded  Laguna 
Atascosa on Christmas Eve; highlights include a very cooperative  Grasshopper 
Sparrow on General Brant Road, a pair of young White-tailed Hawks,  several 
White-tailed Kites throughout the area, and knockout looks at Roseate 
Spoonbill, 

White Ibis, and Reddish Egret along the Bayside Drive!  Tried  very hard to 
turn a young Peregrine into an Aplomado Falcon, but couldn't do it  (although 
four were seen by the ranger-led birding tour)! Didn't realize it until I got 

home and did the list, but I missed breaking 100 by two  species!!  Pics are 
posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_wed_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_wed) 
 
Bird list:
 
Location:     Laguna Atascosa NWR (LTC 024)
Observation  date:     12/24/08
Number of species:      98

Greater White-fronted Goose     3
Snow Goose   4
Gadwall     16
American Wigeon   126
Mottled Duck     3
Blue-winged Teal   13
Northern Shoveler     23
Northern  Pintail     990
Green-winged Teal      10
Redhead     203
Greater/Lesser Scaup      18
Red-breasted Merganser     20
Ruddy Duck   10
Plain Chachalaca     3
Least Grebe   4
Pied-billed Grebe     9
American White  Pelican     309
Brown Pelican      1
Double-crested Cormorant     21
Great Blue Heron   11
Great Egret     8
Snowy Egret   1
Little Blue Heron     2
Tricolored  Heron     3
Reddish Egret     2
White  Ibis     6
White-faced Ibis     8
Roseate  Spoonbill     1
Black Vulture     1
Turkey  Vulture     8
Osprey     7
White-tailed  Kite     6
Northern Harrier     4
Cooper's  Hawk     1
White-tailed Hawk      3
Red-tailed Hawk     2
Crested Caracara      7
American Kestrel     9
Peregrine Falcon   1
Sora     4
Common Moorhen      2
American Coot     1040
Sandhill Crane      11
Black-bellied Plover     11
Killdeer      23
Greater Yellowlegs     10
Willet      5
Lesser Yellowlegs     10
Long-billed Curlew   27
Ruddy Turnstone     1
Western  Sandpiper     10
Least Sandpiper      13
Dunlin     10
Stilt Sandpiper      1
Wilson's Snipe     1
Ring-billed Gull      6
Herring Gull (American)     3
Gull-billed Tern   8
Caspian Tern     2
Forster's Tern   1
Royal Tern     4
Eurasian  Collared-Dove     1
Mourning Dove      291
Inca Dove     1
Common Ground-Dove      2
Greater Roadrunner     2
Belted Kingfisher   3
Golden-fronted Woodpecker      2
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     1
Eastern Phoebe   11
Great Kiskadee     7
White-eyed Vireo   9
Green Jay     12
Tree Swallow   20
Cactus Wren     1
House Wren   17
Sedge Wren     12
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet     2
American Robin     1
Northern  Mockingbird     30
Long-billed Thrasher      20
Curve-billed Thrasher     2
European Starling   3
American Pipit     3
Sprague's Pipit   1
Orange-crowned Warbler     25
Common  Yellowthroat     10
Olive Sparrow      7
Savannah Sparrow     10
Grasshopper Sparrow   1
Lincoln's Sparrow     7
Northern  Cardinal     5
Red-winged Blackbird      700
Eastern Meadowlark     21
Western Meadowlark   2
Great-tailed Grackle     166
Brown-headed  Cowbird     11
House Sparrow     6

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Bentsen SP
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2008 20:32:08 EST
Hi, all!
 
Did an abbreviated survey this morning in order to get to Christmas Dinner  
on time :-); highlights include a calling Gray Hawk, two Ringed Kingfishers 
(one of them on the wire over the entrance canal), a calling Sora at Kingfisher 

Overlook, and a single Indigo Bunting.  Lincoln's Sparrows sounded off like  
popcorn the minute you pished! :-)  Ran into the couple who birds there  
pre-dawn; they had had Great Horned and Eastern Screech Owls, but Mary G had 
had a 

Ferruginous Pygmy earlier.  Someone had also seen a Clay-colored Thrush  
during the course of the morning. Lep highlights were my life (finally) Mexican 

Silverspot (great Christmas present from God :-)) and a Ruddy  Hairstreak.  
Pics are posted here:
 
_http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_thu_ 
(http://www.pbase.com/miriameaglemon/new_pics_thu) 
 
Bird List:
 
Location:     Bentsen-Rio Grande Val. SP WBC (Mission)(LTC  069)
Observation date:     12/25/08
Number of  species:     56

Gadwall     5
Mottled  Duck     8
Blue-winged Teal     20
Northern  Shoveler     5
Northern Pintail      5
Green-winged Teal     78
Ring-necked Duck   4
Plain Chachalaca     4
Pied-billed  Grebe     4
Neotropic Cormorant     5
Cattle  Egret     2
White-faced Ibis      1
Red-shouldered Hawk     1
Gray Hawk      1
American Kestrel     1
Sora      1
American Coot     100
Killdeer      1
Black-necked Stilt     13
Spotted Sandpiper   1
Greater Yellowlegs     3
Lesser  Yellowlegs     10
Least Sandpiper      10
Long-billed Dowitcher     40
Mourning Dove   3
Inca Dove     1
Common Ground-Dove   2
White-tipped Dove     9
Ringed  Kingfisher     2
Belted Kingfisher      1
Golden-fronted Woodpecker     8
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker     7
Eastern Phoebe     3
Great  Kiskadee     12
White-eyed Vireo     1
Green  Jay     14
Horned Lark     1
Cave  Swallow     1
Black-crested Titmouse      1
House Wren     11
Marsh Wren      1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher   5
Northern Mockingbird     4
Long-billed  Thrasher     5
American Pipit      1
Orange-crowned Warbler     15
Yellow-rumped Warbler  (Myrtle)     10
Common Yellowthroat      6
Olive Sparrow     7
Lincoln's Sparrow      14
Northern Cardinal     8
Indigo Bunting   1
Red-winged Blackbird     103
Great-tailed  Grackle     2
Altamira Oriole     7

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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Subject: Sacahuistale & Masked Duck
From: Mary Beth Stowe <MiriamEagl AT AOL.COM>
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:31:58 EST
Hi, all!
 
First of all, the four female Masked Ducks were beautiful and very  
cooperative, swimming out in the middle of the second pond as previously 
reported. 

But I can see where one might have to be patient, as Rex said:  after a few 
minutes they all made their way into the vegetation closest to the  road, and 
hence made themselves invisible (at least for awhile).
 
But first I went out to Sacahuistale Flats, only getting out of the car  once 
or twice to track a raptor, as it was cold, windy, and wet!! :-P  It  was 
surprisingly birdy, however: highlights included a small flock of Sandhill  
Cranes, several Caracaras, a lonely Snow Goose hidden in the fog, and at the 
canal 

I scared four Cave Swallows out of hiding under the bridge!  A Swamp  Sparrow 
peeping from the reeds was an added treat, as was the Spotted Sandpiper  that 
wheeled in just before I left.  At one stop I could just barely make  out 
some water through the bushes from where I was sitting, and through that little 

peephole were about 20 Green-winged Teal!
 
Canned the nature trail at Port Mansfield, and any birding I did at Fred  
Stone was totally from the car, but again, it was surprisingly birdy! Two large 

flocks of White Pelicans greeted me right off (interestingly, no Browns  this 
time), and the Great Blue Heron Brigade was still standing sentry out in  the 
dry marsh!  Several shorebirds fed, but there was a huge raft of about  500 
birds out in the laguna, mostly Redheads, but also with several Pintail and  a 
few Scaups and gulls.  Another surprise was a single Sandhill Crane  coming in 
for a landing!
 
Two bird lists follow:
 
Location:     Sacahuistale Flats (LTC 013)
Observation  date:     12/22/08
Notes:     Cold, windy,  drizzly conditions
Number of species:     33

Snow  Goose     1
Green-winged Teal      20
Northern Bobwhite     2
Great Blue Heron   1
Turkey Vulture     6
Harris's Hawk   1
Crested Caracara     3
American  Kestrel     3
Sandhill Crane      5
Killdeer     3
Spotted Sandpiper      1
Mourning Dove     3
Golden-fronted Woodpecker   1
Ladder-backed Woodpecker     1
Eastern  Phoebe     1
Great Kiskadee     6
Loggerhead  Shrike     1
Horned Lark     1
Cave  Swallow     4
House Wren     2
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet     1
American Robin     1
Northern  Mockingbird     11
Long-billed Thrasher      1
European Starling     8
Orange-crowned Warbler   6
Common Yellowthroat     3
Olive  Sparrow     1
Savannah Sparrow     5
Swamp  Sparrow     1
Red-winged Blackbird      23
Eastern Meadowlark     2
Great-tailed Grackle   3

Location:     Port Mansfield
Observation date:   12/22/08
Notes:     Cold, rainy, &  windy
Number of species:     25

Mottled Duck   3
Northern Shoveler     1
Northern  Pintail     60
Redhead     450
Lesser  Scaup     5
Pied-billed Grebe     1
American  White Pelican     140
Great Blue Heron      11
Snowy Egret     1
Sandhill Crane      1
Black-bellied Plover     3
Killdeer      1
American Avocet     5
Greater Yellowlegs   10
Willet     1
Long-billed Curlew   1
Ruddy Turnstone     1
Laughing Gull   9
Ring-billed Gull     3
Ladder-backed  Woodpecker     1
Eastern Phoebe      1
Northern Mockingbird     3
European Starling   4
Northern Cardinal     1
Great-tailed  Grackle     10

Mary Beth  Stowe
McAllen, TX
_www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) 


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