2007 Tour Narrative
This was possibly the coolest weather we’ve experienced on a tour in west Texas. Surprisingly it remained that way on in to the Big Bend area, which can be scorching hot by April. Our first outing from Kerrville was at Kerr Wildlife Management Area where we all had excellent looks at a singing male Black-capped Vireo, a specialty bird at this location and perhaps the easiest spot to find it in the U.S. It was here, we also spotted the bright nominate race of Bell’s Vireo along with a lone migrant male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, in amongst the numerous Black-chins. I addition we had an adult Zone-tailed Hawk fly over, a nice surprise, and found several Field Sparrows not to far away. On our trip in to Lost Maples State Park, the Golden-cheeked Warbler proved frustratingly elusive, but we did have nice views of a Louisiana Waterthrush.
The next day we woke to drizzle and decided to return to Lost Maples State Park after first checking Garner State Park. We did find the Golden-cheeked at both locations and eventually we all had at least a quick view of this striking species. The feeders at Neal’s Lodge gave us nice studies of Long-billed Thrasher, Spotted Towhee (arcticus subspecies, the breeding race of the Great Plains), Clay-colored Sparrow, and several stunning male Painted Buntings. On our tour of the grounds we also saw Couch’s Kingbird and Brown-crested Flycatcher.
Our second evening in Concan was certainly memorable with a massive exodus of Brazilian Free-tailed Bats that numbered at least a couple of million. Not wanting to miss out on the show a Red-tailed Hawk sat near-by watching the bats fly out in to the dusk. Our thanks go to Greg Lesley for providing an expert commentary while we were there.
The drive to Big Bend was a bit long with only a stop in Uvalde for shopping and a brief check of the fish hatchery where we found a nice variety of water birds, including Baird’s Sandpipers and a flock of Wilson’s Phalaropes. As we approached Big Bend we had a large flock of Lark Buntings and a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.
Big Bend always offers spectacular birding and we had interesting birds on all three and a half days. On our hike up Blue Creek Canyon we spotted Gray Vireos, Varied Buntings and for those who continued on a male Lucifer Hummingbird. On our hike in the Chisos we eventually did see the Colima Warbler; many were heard singing but most remained elusive . Other species seen included both Blue-throated and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, a female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (late and rare for so far west), Cordilleran Flycatcher, Townsend’s Solitaire, Painted Redstart and a Black-chinned Sparrow. At the Rio Grande Village we had decent views of the Common Black-Hawk as well as a pair of Gray Hawks in display and a distant Zone-tailed Hawk over Mexico. The Yellow-throated Warbler that we also saw was an eastern vagrant and the Brown Thrasher was also unusual for the area. Later in the evening we had fine views of the dainty Elf Owl at the K-Bar.
On our final morning in Big Bend we visited the Sam Nail Ranch and Cottonwood Campground. At Cottonwood Campground we had nearly side-by-side comparisons of Couch’s and Tropical Kingbirds, both species being scarce here, particularly Couch’s. Also noteworthy was a female of the bright nominate race of Hooded Oriole Then it was on to the Davis Mountains and the Nature Conservancy.
We had a lovely day in the Nature Conservancy area on the north side of Mt. Livermore, despite the clouds, wind and cool temperatures. It was here we were treated to excellent views of a pair of Buff-breasted Flycatchers, the only area in Texas where this species has been found; one to three pairs have been here for nearly a decade. Other notable species included Zone-tailed Hawk (three all at once!), Gray Flycatcher, Western Bluebird, Yellow-throated (here for its third summer) and Grace’s Warblers, and Hepatic and Western Tanagers. A female Mountain Bluebird was seen which was unusually late for this time of year. My highlight of the day was a very cooperative Mountain Patchnose Snake!
On our final day out we viewed a nice assortment of water birds at Balmorhea Lake, which included several passing flocks of Franklin’s Gulls and a good sized flock of Marbled Godwits. Our seeing an adult Laughing Gull was most unusual since they don’t usually travel this far inland. Our mid-day trip to Balmorhea State Park for lunch was unfortunately cut short by an ominous storm that moved in rapidly from the southwest. We never saw a tornado, but upon leaving the park, we heard a rumor one had touch down. With our lunch plans cancelled we were ever so grateful to Kelly, our escort, for providing the group with his special burritos. Originally we were to have them for the picnic, but instead they were consumed as we drove out of the park, heading in the opposite direction of the storm. Our last group dinner was at the Wall Street Bar and Café where we celebrated our great escape and the conclusion of the tour.
Jon L. Dunn
Updated: June 2007