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Highlights from Texas in Winter

Posted Feb 23, 2026 by Jake Mohlmann
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Jake Mohlmann

Leader

Learn more about the Texas: The Rio Grande Valley in Winter tour

We have just returned from a successful trip through the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. The weather couldn’t have been better, and the birds were right on time.  

Jake Mohlmann
On day one we caught up with what’s likely the only Kelp Gull in the US that has been spending time in Port Mansfield.
On day one we caught up with what’s likely the only Kelp Gull in the US that has been spending time in Port Mansfield.
Jake Mohlmann
On day two we successfully tracked down a Crimson-collared Grosbeak in Edinburg that was gorging in a potato tree.
On day two we successfully tracked down a Crimson-collared Grosbeak in Edinburg that was gorging in a potato tree.
Jake Mohlmann
Raptors were aplenty throughout our time in the valley. We had a lot of fun watching a pair of Aplomado Falcons hunting low over the coastal prairies of Laguna Atascosa.
Raptors were aplenty throughout our time in the valley. We had a lot of fun watching a pair of Aplomado Falcons hunting low over the coastal prairies of Laguna Atascosa.
Jake Mohlmann
One foggy morning we cruised around the streets of Alamo and saw where this Zone-tailed Hawk had spent the night.
One foggy morning we cruised around the streets of Alamo and saw where this Zone-tailed Hawk had spent the night.
Jake Mohlmann
The Santa Margarita Ranch was a highlight for all awarding us with multiple rare ABA species. The rarest of these were the querulous flock of Brown Jays in the trees overhead, and the Mottled Owl coming in just after sunset.
The Santa Margarita Ranch was a highlight for all awarding us with multiple rare ABA species. The rarest of these were the querulous flock of Brown Jays in the trees overhead, and the Mottled Owl coming in just after sunset.
Jake Mohlmann
Mottled Owl
Mottled Owl
Jake Mohlmann
In the Corpus Christi area, we searched for Whooping Cranes and found over 20. They were mostly broken into family groups feeding in the shallows for blue crabs.
In the Corpus Christi area, we searched for Whooping Cranes and found over 20. They were mostly broken into family groups feeding in the shallows for blue crabs.
Jake Mohlmann
A surprise American Flamingo showed up a couple of days before we were to arrive in the Port Aransas area. Luckily it was still there when we showed up, and gave quite a show as it fed up close.
A surprise American Flamingo showed up a couple of days before we were to arrive in the Port Aransas area. Luckily it was still there when we showed up, and gave quite a show as it fed up close.
Jake Mohlmann