Ethan Kistler reports from South Texas
After a several year hiatus, the recent Rio Grande Valley in Spring Texas tour ended in great success. We had a whole host of South Texas specialties from the more common Green Jay, Plain Chachalaca, and Altamira Oriole to the more uncommon Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Morelet’s Seedeater, and Red-billed Pigeon. We visited King Ranch where we had excellent views of Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, the bird-rich Rio Grande Valley as far west as Zapata, and of course the coastal areas including South Padre Island for spring migrants. I’m really looking forward to spring 2023! (Photos by tour participant Keeley Kirkendall).
Common Pauraque near its usual roosting spot at Estero Llano Grande State Park
Green Jays are frequent at the valley's bird feeding stations
Indigo Bunting was one of many migrants seen on the tour
This Red-billed Pigeon flew right over our heads and landed in an nearby tree
Although more widespread, this Painted Bunting was a target for many
Buff-bellied Hummingbirds can be found frequenting feeders