SPRING IN SOUTH TEXAS

MARCH 31–APRIL 9, 2019

Green Jay, Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen, Texas, April 5, 2019, Barry Zimmer

LEADERS: BARRY ZIMMER & JACOB DRUCKER LIST COMPILED BY: BARRY ZIMMER

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM

SPRING IN SOUTH TEXAS MARCH 31–APRIL 9, 2019

By Barry Zimmer

Once again, our Spring in South Texas tour had it all—virtually every South Texas specialty, wintering Whooping Cranes, plentiful migrants (both passerine and non- passerine), and rarities on several fronts. Our tour began with a brief outing to Tule Lake in north Corpus Christi prior to our first dinner. Almost immediately, we were met with a dozen or so Scissor-tailed Flycatchers lining a fence en route—what a welcoming party! Roseate Spoonbill, Crested Caracara, a very cooperative Long-billed Thrasher, and a group of close Cave Swallows rounded out the highlights. Strong north winds and unsettled weather throughout that day led us to believe that we might be in for big things ahead.

The following day was indeed eventful. Although we had no big fallout in terms of numbers of individuals, the variety was excellent. Scouring migrant traps, bays, estuaries, coastal dunes, and other habitats, we tallied an astounding 133 species for the day. A dozen species of warblers included a stunningly yellow male Prothonotary, a very rare Prairie that foraged literally at our feet, two Yellow-throateds at arm’s-length, four Hooded Warblers, and 15 Northern Parulas among others. Tired of fighting headwinds, these birds barely acknowledged our presence, allowing unsurpassed studies. A pair of Aplomado Falcons at a new nest site was a huge surprise. Shorebirds were plentiful with 26 species recorded that day (and 30 total for the trip), including the endangered Snowy and Piping plovers, Wilson’s Plover, American Oystercatcher, Long- billed Curlew, and a flock of 200 or so American Avocets. Brilliant pink Roseate Spoonbills side by side with subtly pink Franklin’s Gulls, Black-bellied and Fulvous whistling-ducks, numerous Reddish Egrets, three magnificent White-tailed Hawks—the good birds just kept coming. Several South Texas specialty birds made their first appearances as well, with Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Couch’s Kingbird, Great Kiskadee, and Black-crested Titmouse all seen. It was a day of dizzying activity and too many highlights to count. And this was only our first day!

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Prairie Warbler, The Willows, Mustang Island, Texas, April 1, 2019, Barry Zimmer

The ensuing two days along the Central Coast added much more to our growing list. Twenty-eight Whooping Cranes, including a pair that flew right past our boat and then landed quite close in the marsh, were certainly at the top of the list. Least Grebe, very responsive Clapper Rails, bare fields filled with “grasspipers” (American Golden-Plover, Upland Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper), two rare Lesser Black-backed Gulls, eight species of terns, Sedge Wren, Louisiana Waterthrush, and a late Nelson’s Sparrow from ten feet away were among the most memorable.

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Whooping Crane, Aransas NWR, Texas, April 2, 2019, Barry Zimmer

From there, we headed southward toward the famed King Ranch. En route, we stopped at the tiny town of Sarita, where we saw Buff-bellied Hummingbird, our first fabulous Green Jays, a somewhat out-of-range Clay-colored Thrush, and more Hooded Orioles than we could count. The next morning, our luck continued on the ranch itself, with all four main target species tallied by 10:30 AM. The Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl initially proved elusive but, ultimately, we had close, scope views for all. The shy Audubon’s Oriole was more cooperative than usual, Tropical Parulas allowed several superb views, and a feisty Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet serenaded us from an oak. Other notables included 50 or more Wild Turkeys, displaying male Vermilion Flycatchers, two late Sprague’s Pipits, Olive Sparrow, and brilliant Summer Tanagers.

Nearly three full days in the Lower Rio Grande Valley were next on the agenda. A late afternoon search of residential McAllen yielded 104 Green Parakeets and a Red- crowned Parrot (we would see a flock of 26 the next morning), as they gathered before heading to roost. The next morning, we birded Estero Llano Grande State Park, where we saw a roosting Common Pauraque, a rare Swallow-tailed Kite, a stunning male Green Kingfisher, and our first Altamira Oriole among others. In the afternoon, we headed to Quinta Mazatlan in search of an accidental Crimson-collared Grosbeak that had overwintered at the site. Although we didn’t see the grosbeak, we enjoyed wonderful close studies of Plain Chachalaca, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Great

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Spring in South Texas, 2019 Kiskadee, Green Jay, Clay-colored Thrush, Long-billed Thrasher, and others as we waited. That evening, we ventured out on an owling expedition that was about as successful as possible with point-blank views of Common Pauraque (from ten feet on the road), Elf Owl, and Eastern Screech-Owl.

Green Kingfisher, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Texas, April 5, 2019, Barry Zimmer

The next day we birded various spots on South Padre Island in the morning. Migrant traps were alive with birds. Three species of vireos, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Orchard Oriole, and 13 species of warblers (including 7 Prothonotarys, Kentucky, Hooded, and a very rare “Mangrove” Yellow Warbler) kept us on our toes. Elsewhere on the island, we added 4 Least Bitterns (one just ten feet away) and several Soras. We went back to Quinta Mazatlan in the afternoon for another try at the grosbeak. Once again, we dipped on that rarity but did have an almost equally rare Rose-throated Becard and a roosting Chuck-will’s-widow as consolation prizes.

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Prothonotary Warbler, Sheepshead, SPI, Texas, April 6, 2019, Barry Zimmer

Our tour concluded with a day-and-a-half up valley around the vicinity of Falcon Dam. We had few remaining possibilities but managed to clean up almost everything with 10 Red-billed Pigeons, a couple of Ringed Kingfishers, and a half-dozen Morelet’s Seedeaters. A nice variety of desert birds, including Scaled Quail, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Pyrrhuloxia, and Black- throated and Cassin’s sparrows were the icing on the cake.

In all, we tallied a record-tying 245 species of birds on our fantastic journey through South Texas, seeing virtually every area specialty bird, enjoying a great variety of migrants, and adding some nice rarities to boot. This is an area that simply must be experienced in April.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Spring in South Texas, 2019 ITINERARY:

March 31 - arrival in Corpus Christi; brief afternoon visit to Tule Lake (32 species)

April 1 - Blucher Park, Rose Hill Cemetery, Oso Bay, Hans & Pat Suter Boardwalk, Flour Bluff pond along Caribbean Drive, Snoopy’s, Mustang Island----The Willows, Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, drive to Rockport (133 species; 139 total)

April 2 – Moore’s Pond, Cape Velero, boat trip to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge & the Intercoastal Canal, Cavasso Creek, FM 774 near Austwell, Goose Island State Park (118 species; 158 total)

April 3 – Port Bay Road, Cape Velero, Rockport Beach Park, Port Aransas (Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center, Paradise Pond, Mustang Island Jetty & beach, The Willows), Chapman Ranch, Sarita (127 species; 174 total)

April 4 - Norias Division of King Ranch, Highway 186 west of Raymondville, residential McAllen (76 species; 194 total)

April 5 – residential Weslaco, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Quinta Mazatlan, evening owling at Bentsen State Park (116 species; 211 total)

April 6 - Hwy 100 near Laguna Vista, South Padre Island (Sheepshead, South Padre Island Birding Center, SPI Convention Center), Quinta Mazatlan (117 species; 222 total)

April 7 – Santa Ana NWR, Salineno, Falcon State Park (108 species; 234 total)

April 8 - Santa Margarita Ranch & Bluff, San Ygnacio, Las Palmas (106 species; 245 total)

April 9 – Salineno, drive to Laredo (60 species; 245 total)

KEY:

C = coastal areas around Rockport, Port Aransas and Corpus Christi K = King Ranch, Sarita, Chapman Ranch V = all valley areas from South Padre Island to Laredo

bold-faced species indicate birds of rare, casual or accidental occurrence in the area

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Spring in South Texas, 2019 underlined species indicate birds of very uncommon occurrence in the area or species which occur regularly but in such low densities as to be easily missed

BIRDS:

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis ) C,K,V---almost daily Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor ) C,V---surprisingly, seen on four different days, including a flock of 46 at Oso Bay and another 23 at Moore’s Pond; this uncommon species is often missed entirely Blue-winged Teal ( Anas discors ) C,V Northern Shoveler ( Anas clypeata ) C,V Gadwall (Anas strepera ) C,V American Wigeon ( Anas americana ) C Mallard (Anas platyrhynchus ) V---a few of the “Mexican Duck” subspecies diazi seen from the bluff & Salineno Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula ) C,V Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca ) C,V Redhead (Aythya americana ) C,V---one late male along Mustang Island & two more at South Padre Lesser Scaup ( Aythya affinis ) C---getting somewhat late, but we had several sizable groups this year Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola ) C----a few late birds (four total) at Oso Bay and from the boat trip Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator ) C---about a dozen on our boat trip; somewhat late as well Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus ) C---three females on our boat trip were a big surprise; possibly a tour first! Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis ) C Plain Chachalaca (Ortalis vetula ) V---many excellent views of these noisy critters Northern Bobwhite ( Colinus virginianus ) V---scope study of male at Estero Lllano Grande; uncommon Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata ) V---nice study at Santa Margarita Ranch; very uncommon in recent years Wild Turkey (Melagris gallopavo ) K---including displaying males Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus ) C---this species numbers fluctuate greatly from one year to the next; this was a down year, and we had only one, but great views at Moore’s Pond Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps ) C,V Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis ) C---about a dozen on our boat trip; late Rock Pigeon ( Columba livia ) urban areas throughout Red-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas flavirostris ) V---nice, prolonged scope views at Santa Margarita; about ten total Eurasian Collared-Dove ( Streptopelia decaocto ) seen daily Inca Dove ( Columbina inca ) C,V---several good views Common Ground-Dove ( Columbina passerina ) K,V---five total, with best studies at Estero Llano Grande

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Spring in South Texas, 2019 White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi ) V---this shy, terrestrial species was unusually difficult this year; some folks had good views of birds on the ground, while others only saw them in flight White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica ) C,K,V---seen every day except for the first afternoon Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura ) seen daily Yellow-billed Cuckoo ( Coccyzus americanus ) V---one flying past the bluff Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus ) K,V---three total; scarcer than usual Lesser Nighthawk ( Chordeiles acutipennis ) V---six total Common Pauraque ( Nyctidromus albicollis ) V---incredible scope study of roosting adult at Estero (great spotting by Jacob), plus three others seen on owling trip (one sitting on road just ten feet away!) and a final roosting bird at Quinta Mazatlan; tied for the second favorite bird of the tour!

Common Pauraque, Bentsen State Park, Texas, April 6, 2019, Barry Zimmer

Chuck-will’s-widow (Antrostomus carolinensis ) nice scope study of bird roosting on ground at Quinta Mazatlan; uncommon Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) C,K,V Ruby-throated Hummingbird ( Archilochus colubris ) C,V Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri ) C,V---best at San Ygnacio

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Spring in South Texas, 2019 Buff-bellied Hummingbird ( Amazilia yucatanensis ) K,V---seven total; superb views, especially at Quinta Mazatlan

Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Quinta Mazatlan, Texas, April 6, 2019, Barry Zimmer

Clapper Rail ( Rallus crepitans ) C,V---great views at Cape Velero Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) C---heard only at Port Bay Sora ( Porzana carolina ) C,V---excellent views; nine seen Common Gallinule ( Gallinula galeata ) C,V American Coot ( Fulica americana ) C,V Whooping Crane (Grus americana ) C---28 total, including close views of a pair both in the marsh and in flight; tied for second favorite bird of the tour! Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus ) C,V American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana ) C,V---breeding plumaged birds; 200 or so in one flock at Port Aransas American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus ) C,V---exceptional views from the boat; twelve total Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola ) C American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica ) C---about 200 seen in fields north of Rockport along FM 774

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Spring in South Texas, 2019 Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus ) C---good views of a pair along Oso Bay; very uncommon & declining Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia ) C---four the first day were our only ones; very good views Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus ) C Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus ) C---two total; also very uncommon and declining; excellent studies Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus ) C,V Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda ) C,K,V---a very good year for this often uncommon species with 58 total; superb studies Whimbrel ( Numenius phaeopus ) C---two total Long-billed Curlew ( Numenius americanus ) C,V---seven total Marbled Godwit ( Limosa fedoa ) C,V Ruddy Turnstone ( Arenaria interpres ) C,V Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus ) C,V---fairly numerous this year; seen on seven days Sanderling ( Calidris alba ) C Dunlin ( Calidris alpina ) C,V Baird’s Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii ) C,V---singles on FM 774 and Hwy 186; uncommon Least Sandpiper ( Calidris minutilla ) C,V Pectoral Sandpiper ( Calidris melanotos ) C,V---good numbers along FM 774 and west of Raymondville on Hwy 186 Semipalmated Sandpiper ( Calidris pusilla ) C---two total Western Sandpiper ( Calidris mauri ) C,V Long-billed Dowitcher ( Limnodromus scolopaceus ) C,V Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata ) C---two late birds at Port Aransas and Cape Velero Spotted Sandpiper (Actitus macularius ) C,V Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria ) C,K,V---ten total Lesser Yellowlegs ( Tringa flavipes ) C,V Willet ( Tringa semipalmata ) C,V Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca ) C,V Laughing Gull ( Leucophaeus atricilla ) C,V---by the thousands Franklin’s Gull ( Leucophaeus pipixcan ) C---26 total scattered over three days; very good views of pink-tinged birds Ring-billed Gull ( Larus delawarensis ) C Herring Gull ( Larus argentatus ) C,V Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) C---two adults from the boat trip; rare this late Least Tern ( Sternula antillarum ) C,V Gull-billed Tern ( Gelochelidon nilotica ) C,V Caspian Tern ( Hydroprogne caspia ) C,V Common Tern (Sterna hirundo ) C---five on Mustang Island; uncommon Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri ) C,V Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus ) C,V

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Spring in South Texas, 2019 Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis ) C,V Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger ) C---amazing views at nesting colony; 300+ in one day Common Loon (Gavia immer ) C---nice views of several (some nearly in breeding plumage) Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus ) C,V Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus ) C,V Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga ) C,V---six total; best at Estero Llano Grande American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ) C,V---some large migrating flocks over Santa Margarita (760 in one morning!) Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis ) C,V

Least Bittern, SPI Birding Center, Texas, April 6, 2019, Barry Zimmer

Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) V---unbelievably close bird on South Padre that allowed approach to within ten feet; four total at the SPI birding center; uncommon this early Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias ) C,V Great Egret (Ardea alba ) C,V Snowy Egret (Egretta thula ) C,V Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea ) C,K,V Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor ) C,V

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Spring in South Texas, 2019 Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens ) C,V---we had 29 total, including many white morphs Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis ) C,K,V Green Heron (Butorides virescens ) V Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax ) C,V Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea ) C,V---our first thanks to Dwght on Mustang Island; about a dozen at Estero; generally uncommon White Ibis (Eudocimus alba ) C,V---up to 150 in one day! White-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi ) C,V Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja ) C,V---always spectacular; superb looks at many with an estimated total of 114 birds seen

Roseate Spoonbill, Mustang Island, Texas, April 1, 2019, Barry Zimmer

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus ) C,K,V Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura ) seen daily in numbers Osprey (Pandion haliaetus ) C,V---36 total White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus ) K,V---five total Mississippi Kite ( Ictinia mississippiensis ) C---one high over Santa Ana Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus ) V---a migrant over Estero Llano Grande was a rare find!; nice spotting by Holly

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Swallow-tailed Kite, Estero Llano Grande SP, Texas, April 5, 2019, Barry Zimmer

Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus ) C,V---more numerous than usual Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus ) C,K,V---eight total Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii ) C,V---seven total Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus ) K,V---many excellent views; 23 total White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus ) C,V---normally this species is uncommon and often difficult to find; this year we had an impressive 10 birds with several excellent studies Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus ) V---six total; best at Santa Margarita ; uncommon Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus ) C---one at Cape Velero for some Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus ) K,V---nice migration this year with thousands seen; an estimated 4200 over the King Ranch and another 2000+ at Santa Ana Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) K,V---daily from Day 4 on with up to 300 in one day Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis ) C,K,V---including one that appeared to be the Krider’s subspecies near Santa Margarita Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio ) V---scope study of bird on day roost at Quinta Mazatlan and amazing nighttime views at Bentsen; subspecies mccalli Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus ) V---heard on owling trip, and then three seen at dawn en route to Santa Margarita along Hwy 83

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Spring in South Texas, 2019 Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum ) K---it was a struggle this year, but, after some effort, we had scope views for all at close range thanks to John’s spotting; tied for the favorite bird of the tour! Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi ) V---great views on owling trip; very uncommon & easily missed Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata ) V---three total; close, scope views from the bluff; very uncommon & declining Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon ) C,V Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana ) V----only one this year (Estero Llano Grande), but we had epic views of a male; uncommon & easily missed Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons ) C,K,V---seen all but two days Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius ) K---one at the bathroom stop; late Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris ) C,K,V Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway ) every day but one with 70 total! American Kestrel (Falco sparverius ) C,K,V---eleven total Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis ) C---pair at a new location on Mustang Island allowed nice scope studies; very uncommon; now a countable ABA species Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus ) C,K---four total Green Parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus ) V---104 birds seen over two days; wonderful, prolonged views in residential McAllen Red-crowned Parrot (Amazona viridigenalis ) V---27 total with superb views in Weslaco Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet (Camptostoma imberbe ) K,V---two on the King Ranch and another heard at Santa Ana; very uncommon Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans ) V---singles at Bentsen & San Ygnacio Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya ) V---unexpected was one at Falcon State Park Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus ) K,V---three on the King Ranch including a displaying male (WOW!), plus three others elsewhere Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens ) V Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus ) C---four total Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus ) K,V Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus ) C,K,V---many superb views of this tropical flycatcher

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Green Parakeet, McAllen, Texas, April 4, 2019, Barry Zimmer

Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus ) V---uncommon, but increasing; five total Couch’s Kingbird (Tyrannus couchii ) C,K,V---up to 20 in one day! Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis ) V---several in the Salineno/ San Ygnacio areas Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus ) C---two at the Willows on Mustang Island Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus ) C,K,V---seen everyday with a high count of 80 in one day; one of our first birds of the tour; always spectacular!; tied for third favorite bird of the tour! Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus alglaiae ) V---a female at Quinta Mazatlan was a real bonus and a first on this tour in many, many years! Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus ) C,K,V---seen every day but one White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus ) C,K,V---seen or heard every day of the trip Yellow-throated Vireo ( Vireo flavifrons ) V---two at Sheepshead Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius ) C,V---five total Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus ) C---one at Paradise Pond Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus ) C---four total

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Rose-throated Becard, Quinta Mazatlan, Texas, April 6, 2019, Barry Zimmer

Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas ) K,V---always spectacular; repeated, excellent views this year; tied for favorite bird of the tour; Peter’s 400 th species! Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus ) V Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris ) C,K---singles on Mustang Island & Chapman Ranch; not seen by all Purple Martin (Progne subis ) C,K,V Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor ) C,K,V Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis ) C,K,V Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia ) V Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota ) C,K,V Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva ) C,V---best at Tule Lake the first afternoon Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica ) daily Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus ) C,K,V---almost daily Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps ) V House Wren (Troglodytes aedon ) C,V---scattered migrants Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis ) C---Cape Velero; always hard to see Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris ) C,V---nice views at Tule Lake Carolina Wren (Thryotherus ludovicianus ) C,V---exceptional scope studies at Goose Island Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii ) V

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Spring in South Texas, 2019 Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus ) V---wonderful study at Las Palmas of territorial pair in amazing display Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea ) C,V Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura ) V---uncommon & local; great views at the secret spot Ruby-crowned Kinglet ( Regulus calendula ) C,K,V----scattered, late migrants Eastern Bluebird ( Sialia sialis ) C---one at Flour Bluff Hermit Thrush ( Catharus guttatus ) C---one at Blucher Park for Holly & I Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) V---one at Sheepshead was a nice bonus! Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayi ) K,V---ten total with some great views!; exceptional was one in Sarita; increasing Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis ) C,V---seven total Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre ) V Long-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma longirsostre ) C,K,V---superb views, including one the first afternoon at Tule Lake Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottus ) seen daily in numbers European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris ) daily Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum ) C,V---seen on seven days this year; more numerous than usual House Sparrow ( Passer domesticus ) seen daily American Pipit (Anthus rubescens ) C---a few at Leonabelle Turnbull; late Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii ) K---excellent views of a couple in the pasture at Norias; getting late for this very uncommon & localized species House Finch ( Haemorhous mexicanus ) V---Falcon SP, San Ygnacio, Las Palmas Lesser Goldfinch ( Spinus psaltria ) V American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis ) C,V---late; a pair in Mexico from the bluff was noteworthy Olive Sparrow ( Arremonops rufivirgatus ) K,V---great views Cassin’s Sparrow ( Peucaea cassinii ) V---almost in our laps at Santa Margarita Chipping Sparrow ( Spizella passerina ) C---two at Goose Island Clay-colored Sparrow ( Spizella pallida ) V---one at Falcon State Park Lark Sparrow ( Chondestes grammacus ) C,K,V Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys ) V---one male coming in to breeding plumage at Falcon State Park; very uncommon Black-throated Sparrow ( Amphispiza bilineata ) V---the most handsome sparrow? Savannah Sparrow ( Passerculus sandwichensis ) C,K,V Nelson’s Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni ) C---ridiculously close views of one at Port Bay, plus three others there and at Cape Velero; late & rare for this trip

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Nelson’s Sparrow, Port Bay Road, Texas, April 3, 2019, Barry Zimmer

Grasshopper Sparrow ( Ammodramus savannarum ) K---poor views of one in flight at the Norias pasture Lincoln’s Sparrow ( Melospiza lincolnii ) C,V Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana ) V---one by some people at San Ygnacio; late for this species Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens ) V---close views at San Ygnacio the last full day Eastern Meadowlark ( Sturnella magna) C,K,V Orchard Oriole ( Icterus spurius ) C,V---nine total Hooded Oriole ( Icterus cucullatus ) K,V---superb views; ten in one day Bullock’s Oriole ( Icterus bullockii ) V---five total; brilliant Altamira Oriole ( Icterus gularis ) V---fluorescent orange beauties; ten total Audubon’s Oriole (Icterus graduacauda ) K,V---excellent views of this uncommon & local species on the King Ranch & at Santa Margarita Red-winged Blackbird ( Agelaius phoeniceus ) daily Bronzed Cowbird ( Molothrus aeneus ) C,K,V Brown-headed Cowbird ( Molothrus ater ) C,V Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) K---lone, late male at the Norias gate at dawn Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major ) C---scope views of a few at the southern limit of the species range; a US endemic

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Spring in South Texas, 2019 Great-tailed Grackle ( Quiscalus mexicanus ) everywhere; first species of the tour Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla ) C,K,V---singles at Paradise Pond, Sarita, & SPI Convention Center---a good showing for this uncommon species Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia ) V---an impressive eleven total; tied for third favorite bird of the tour! Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea ) C,V---this uncommon species is missed more often than seen on this tour, but this year, we had an amazing 15 individuals, with some views as close as five feet away!; tied for second favorite bird of the tour! Tennessee Warbler ( Oreothlypis peregrina ) V---one on South Padre Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata ) C,V---nine total Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla ) C,V---four total Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa ) V---nice study of one at Sheepshead; uncommon Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas ) V---twelve total Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina ) C,V---six total; great views; uncommon Northern Parula (Setophaga americana ) C,V---an impressive thirty one total; tied for our most common warbler of the trip Tropical Parula (Setophaga pitayumi ) K—four on the King Ranch; excellent studies Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) V---one “Northern” male at the SPI Convention Center and one immature male of the “Mangrove” subspecies at the SPI Birding Center (a tour first for this subspecies which is rare in the US) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata ) C---31 total, mostly Myrtles, but one hybrid at Blucher Yellow-throated Warbler ( Setophaga dominica ) C,V---six total; great studies Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens ) C,K,V---three total Prairie Warbler (Setophaga discolor ) C---incredible showing of one at the Willows that was literally landing at our feet and flying between our legs; a rare migrant on this part of the coast and seldom seen on this tour; my personal favorite bird of the trip! Wilson’s Warbler ( Cardellina pusilla ) V---two at the SPI convention center Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra ) C,K,V----eight total; superb views Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis ) almost daily Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus ) V---great looks of several Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea ) V---one at San Ygnacio; just arriving Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea ) V---five total White-collared Seedeater (Sporophila torqueola ) V---a surprising three or four at Salineno one afternoon, then a pair (including copulation) at the San Ygnacio Seedeater Preserve; always difficult total species - 245 (tying an all-time tour record) (265 in combination with the Hill Country extension)

FAVORITE BIRDS OF THE TOUR:

1. Green Jay & Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl 2. Common Pauraque, Whooping Crane & Prothonotary Warbler 3. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher & Black-and-white Warbler

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Spring in South Texas, 2019

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Barry Zimmer

MAMMALS:

Virginia Opossum ( Didelphus virginiana ) Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger ) Hispid Cotton Rat ( Sigmodon hispidus ) Eastern Cottontail ( Sylvilagus floridanus ) Black-tailed Jackrabbit ( Lepus californicus )---by some at Santa Margarita Ranch at dawn Bat species Coyote ( Canis latrans )---one mangy one on the King ranch; many heard at Bentsen on owling trip Northern Raccoon ( Procyon lotor )---Bentsen State Park Feral Hog (Sus scrofa ) White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus ) Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus )---introduced Atlantic Bottle-nosed Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus )---great views on the boat trip total species - 12 (counting exotics)

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Spring in South Texas, 2019 REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS:

Texas Spotted Whiptail Rose-bellied Lizard Texas Spiny Lizard Carolina (Green) Anole Brown Anole American Alligator---a couple of huge ones Texas Tortoise ---Santa Margarita Ranch; rarely seen Red-eared Slider Spiny Soft-shelled Turtle Eastern (Graham’s) Patch-nosed Snake Couch’s Spadefoot Toad total species - 11

BUTTERFLIES:

Pipevine Swallowtail Giant Swallowtail Black Swallowtail Great Southern White Checkered White Orange-barred Sulphur Cloudless Sulphur Southern Dogface Dainty Sulphur Lyside Sulphur Reakirt’s Blue Gulf Fritillary Variegated Fritillary Crescent species Red Admiral Buckeye American Snout Empress Leilia Tawny Emperor Monarch Queen Common Checkered Skipper total species - 22

SIGNIFICANT OTHERS: the original Whataburger

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Spring in South Texas, 2019 Selena death site Shrimp metamorphosis The Boiling Pot meal the Freddy Fender water tower Dr. Pepper milkshakes lightning bugs dung beetles getting caught in the rain at the Santa Ana hawk tower! neon orange palm tree in Las Palmas dinner at Pizza Hut & the crying waiter?

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 23 Spring in South Texas, 2019