BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK & THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

APRIL 25–MAY 5, 2019

Golden-cheeked Warbler near Leakey, Texas, April 27, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

LEADERS: BARRY ZIMMER & KEVIN ZIMMER LIST COMPILED BY: BARRY ZIMMER

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK & THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

APRIL 25–MAY 5, 2019

By Barry Zimmer

At our first gathering on Day One of our trip, I told the group that this tour combined my two favorite parts of Texas—the Hill Country and the Trans-Pecos. By the end of the trip, I think everyone could see why these areas were my favorites. We scoured the state from San Antonio to El Paso and tallied an impressive 215 species of birds, enjoyed breath- taking scenery and wonderful wildflower displays, and saw a nice variety of butterflies, reptiles, and mammals, with almost all of it conducted under pleasant weather conditions.

Our trip began with a drive from San Antonio to Uvalde. En route, we saw Scissor-tailed Flycatchers by the dozen, as well as several Crested Caracaras. At a small roadside rest area, we added Couch’s Kingbird, Cave Swallow, and Bullock’s Oriole among others. A short while later, we had arrived at our primary birding spot for the morning, Cook’s Slough. There we enjoyed a wealth of birds, including several South Texas specialties at the very northern limit of their U.S. ranges. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, White-tailed Kite, Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed woodpeckers, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Bell’s Vireo, Green Jay, Long-billed Thrasher, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Olive Sparrow, and about a dozen dazzling Painted Buntings topped the list.

Our arrival at the tiny town of Concan for lunch was greeted by a displaying male Vermilion Flycatcher and a very responsive, likely hybrid Tropical x Northern Parula that nearly perched on one of our vans! While it appeared to mostly be of Tropical Parula origin, it did have thin, white, partial crescents under each eye.

After checking into our rooms and taking a midafternoon break, we still had the most exciting part of the day ahead of us—a visit to the nearby Frio Bat Cave. Almost immediately upon our arrival at the cave, the Brazilian Free-tailed Bats began to emerge by the thousands. Cave Swallows swirled overhead, and a gorgeous Canyon Wren serenaded us from a nearby rocky outcrop. We marveled at the bats pouring overhead, at times at an estimated rate of 2,500 per second. There are believed to be between 10 and 17 million individuals in this cave. A Red-tailed Hawk and a Swainson’s Hawk took turns diving into the river of bats. We watched, spellbound, as the flight continued until dark and beyond. Eventually we tore ourselves away and did some night birding. We quickly attracted a Common Poorwill that allowed scope views, and followed that up with an Eastern Screech-Owl. Thus ending Day One of our magnificent adventure!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019

Brazilian (Mexican) Free-tailed Bats, Frio Bat Cave, Texas, April 26, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

We still had a day-and-a-half left to bird the Hill Country, and we wasted no time. Near the town of Leakey the next morning, we found our first Golden-cheeked Warbler—a lovely male that foraged no more than ten feet in front of our spellbound group. For the day, we would tally nine Golden-cheeks. The better part of the day was spent at a private ranch, where we found the other big Hill Country specialty, the Black-capped Vireo. We saw three vireos that day, two of which were wonderfully cooperative. Other highlights included Zone-tailed Hawk, Yellow-throated and Hutton’s vireos, Black-crested Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Yellow-throated and Black-and-white warblers, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Summer Tanager, and Field Sparrow. Back at the grounds of our lodge, we strolled along the scenic Frio River and discovered a female Tropical Parula. No hybrid worries this time!

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Yellow-throated Warbler, Concan, Texas, April 26, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

Day Three was partially a travel day to get to Del Rio, but we managed a full morning of birding. As we left our lodge, an adorable Green Kingfisher flew in and perched on a wire over the Frio River right next to our vans! Minutes away, our second stop produced another Black-capped Vireo that sat out on bare branches and a rare (for the Hill Country) male Western Tanager. Nearby grasslands and pastures produced some great birds, including Cassin’s, Grasshopper, Clay-colored, and Lark sparrows and Dickcissel. At Park Chalk Bluff, we found Harris’s Hawk, Eastern Screech-Owl (in broad daylight being mobbed by many birds), Long-billed and Curve-billed thrashers, Black-throated Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Pyrrhuloxia, and amazingly, a male Tropical Parula that posed for lengthy scope views! We finished off the afternoon with a visit to Kickapoo Caverns State Park, where we added the recently split Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019

Black-capped Vireo near Concan, Texas, April 28, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

The next day we had a full morning to bird the Del Rio area. This day was added onto the tour just three years ago in order to search for a newly found population of Morelet’s Seedeaters (formerly White-collared Seedeater) at their very westernmost and northernmost location in the United States. Our first stop yielded no seedeaters but did produce a pair of Barred Owls that appeared out of the creek side forest and perched right over our heads. They hooted and hollered for a good five minutes and were ultimately voted the favorite bird of the tour! Additionally, a pair of Mississippi Kites at this same location was a big crowd pleaser. A female Green Kingfisher highlighted our second stop. At stop three along the Rio Grande, it was do-or-die for the seedeater. We quickly had a fly-by Ringed Kingfisher and two Couch’s Kingbirds but initially no seedeater. Then Kevin heard one distantly in the cane along the river. After some patience and a little luck, a wonderful male Morelet’s Seedeater landed on the utility wire right in front of us. What a morning! The afternoon was devoted to traveling to Big Bend National Park. En route, we tallied Pronghorn, Loggerhead Shrike, Rock Wren, and the Lilian’s race of Eastern Meadowlark. The ascent into The Basin, where our lodge was located, was non-stop spectacular scenery. We ventured out after dinner for some owling and were rewarded with point-blank studies of a Western Screech-Owl and very good views of Elf Owl. Each new day seemed more exciting than the last!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019

Morelet’s Seedeater, Del Rio, Texas, April 20, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

The following day, we began our exploration of the park in earnest. In the morning we walked the Window Trail. Several plum-colored Varied Buntings topped the list, but we also had Greater Roadrunner, Mexican Jay, yet another cooperative Black-capped Vireo, Black-chinned and Rufous-crowned sparrows, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, and a half-dozen Scott’s Orioles. At lunch, a confused pair of Hepatic Tanagers battled their images in the restaurant window as we ate. In the afternoon, we headed down to Cottonwood Campground and Santa Elena Canyon. It was our one truly hot time of the trip. We managed quick views of a Lucy’s Warbler (rare and localized in Texas) but little else at Cottonwood Campground. The scenic view of Santa Elena Canyon, with canyon walls rising 1,500 feet above the river, was alone worth the drive.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019

Varied Bunting, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 30, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

The next day was the all-day hike up to Boot Springs in search of the Colima Warbler, the iconic bird of Big Bend. Not only did our hike produce three Colimas (with epic views of the second), but it also scored the very rare vagrant (from Mexico) Slate- throated Redstart that had been around for ten days or so, Blue-throated Hummingbird, eye level views of White-throated Swifts, a rare Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Townsend’s Warbler, and Painted Redstart among others. A tiring day, but an extremely rewarding one!

Our final day in the park was spent at Rio Grande Village in the morning and Blue Creek in the afternoon. At Rio Grande Village, we found a pair of Common Black Hawks at their nest, Virginia Rail and Sora in the open, our only Inca Doves of the tour, a locally rare pair of Eastern Bluebirds, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Collared Peccary, and more Vermilion Flycatchers than you could shake a stick at. Along the Blue Creek Trail we located a male Lucifer Hummingbird and a squirrely Gray Vireo.

Leaving the park the following morning, we visited the Christmas Mountain Oasis north of Study Butte. There we had prolonged studies of three Lucifer Hummingbirds, Scaled Quail, Bullock’s and Scott’s Orioles, and a migrant Green-tailed Towhee. An Eastern Collared Lizard on the way out was a bonus. Driving northward towards Fort Davis, we spotted a Burrowing Owl along the highway. After checking into our hotel and having a short break, we headed out on our first cruise in search of Montezuma Quail. Right out of the gate, we tallied a pair of Zone-tailed Hawks circling directly over the highway. A

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019 short while later, eagle-eyed Tom spotted our target—a pair of Montezuma Quail near the McDonald Observatory. One van had them on the ground, while the other van had to settle for flushed views from five feet away!

Lucifer Hummingbird, Christmas Mountains, Texas, May 3, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

On our last day, we birded the Laurence Wood Picnic Area and the Davis Mountains Nature Conservancy Preserve in the morning. Gray Flycatcher, Cassin’s Kingbird, Western Bluebird, and Grace’s Warbler were among the many birds we enjoyed that morning. In the afternoon we visited a variety of water impoundments and sewage treatment ponds en route to El Paso. Western, Clark’s, and Eared grebes, Gambel’s Quail, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Wilson’s Phalarope, Burrowing Owl, and Black Phoebe were all tallied.

On this tour that offers a unique combination of East meets West meets South Texas, we saw virtually all of our target birds and had spectacular views of most. We marveled at millions of bats pouring out of their cave at dusk, saw a very rare Mexican vagrant (Slate- throated Redstart), tallied some of the most sought after breeding birds of North America (Lucifer Hummingbird, Black-capped Vireo, Golden-cheeked and Colima warblers), and enjoyed wonderful Central and West Texas scenery and wildflowers. I can hardly wait for next year!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019 ITINERARY:

April 25 – arrival in San Antonio

April 26 – drive to Uvalde, Hwy 90 Medina County Rest Area, Cook’s Slough, Neal’s Lodge, Frio Bat Cave (89 species)

April 27 – Ranch Road 337, Brushy Creek Ranch, County Road 1050; night drive (67 species; 107 total)

April 28 – Ranch Road 2690, Texas Hwy 55, Park Chalk Bluff, Kickapoo Caverns State Park, drive to Del Rio (85 species; 123 total)

April 29 – birding in Del Rio along Magnolia & Barron streets, San Felipe Creek Walk, and Las Cienegas & Vega Verde roads, drive to Big Bend National Park with roadside birding on Hwy 90 and stop at Pecos River overlook; evening owling in BBNP (81 species; 144 total)

April 30 – The Window Trail in the morning; afternoon to Cottonwood Campground and Santa Elena Canyon, The Basin Road (52 species; 161 total)

May 1 – all day hike to Boot Springs via the Pinnacles Trail (39 species; 173 total)

May 2 –Rio Grande Village, Daniel’s Ranch, Panther Junction in morning; afternoon to Blue Creek; evening critter drive (57 species; 184 total)

May 3 – Christmas Mountain Oasis (Ohl Ranch), drive to Fort Davis with roadside birding, Davis Mountains State Park & Hwy 118 in late afternoon (65 species; 190 total)

May 4 – Highway 118, Laurence E. Wood Picnic Area, McDonald Observatory Road, McNary Reservoir, FM 192 drying ponds, Fort Hancock Sewage Ponds, Fort Hancock Reservoir, Tornillo Reservoir, Highway 20 (86 species; 215 total)

May 5 – departures for home (215 total species

KEY:

H = all Hill Country locations from San Antonio to Uvalde to Neal’s DR = Del Rio, Highway 90 to Sanderson B = Big Bend National Park, Christmas Mountains DM = Davis Mountains and surrounding grasslands E = all areas from McNary to El Paso Bold-faced species indicate birds of rare, casual or accidental occurrence Underlined species indicate birds of very uncommon occurrence, aseasonal birds, or species which occur regularly but in such low densities as to be easily missed

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019

BIRDS:

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis ) H,DR---great views at Cook’s Slough Wood Duck (Aix sponsa ) H---nice male for some at Cook’s Slough; uncommon here Blue-winged Teal ( Anas discors ) H,E Northern Shoveler ( Anas clypeata ) H,E Gadwall (Anas strepera ) H,E Mallard (Anas platyrhynchus) E---the “Mexican Duck” subspecies diazi Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis ) DR---one in Del Rio; very uncommon to rare this late Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola ) DR---three very late females at Del Rio Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis ) E Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata ) DR,B---a down year for this species but we had a couple of awesome views near Study butte and in the Christmas Mountains Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii ) E---great views near Tornillo the last afternoon; somewhat unexpected on this hot afternoon;; very localized in Texas Montezuma Quail (Crytonyx montezuma) DM---a pair spotted by Tom below the McDonald Observatory; views on the ground for one van and flushed views for the other Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo ) H,DR,DM---including a displaying male Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) DR,E Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis ) E---distant breeding-plumaged bird at McNary Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis ) E----one only Clark’s Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii ) E---several at McNary & Fort Hancock Rock Pigeon (Columba livia ) H,DR,E Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata ) B---a few along the Window Trail; uncommon Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto ) H,DR,B,DM,E---common virtually throughout Inca Dove (Columbina inca ) B---pair right overhead at Rio Grande Village were our only ones; declining Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina ) H,B---heard only White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica ) H,DR,B,DM,E---seen daily Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura ) H,DR,B,DM,E Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus ) H,B,DM,E---we had many great views of this iconic species (17 total seen) Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) B----only one on night drive, but 13 seen in the daytime around the Christmas Mountains Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) H---Diane only Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) H---great views at the bat cave Chuck-will’s-widow (Antrostomus carolinensis ) H---one heard frustratingly close (30 feet away) and for a long time, but not seen Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) H,DR White-throated Swift (Aeeronautes saxatalis) B---great views by the Pinnacles Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae ) B---Boot Springs

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019 Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer ) B---one free range bird on the Blue Creek trail Trail, and three more at Carolyn’s; superb, lengthy views; can be tough at this season; always stunning Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri ) H,DR,B,DM Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus ) B---heard only American Coot (Fulica americana ) H,E Sora ( Porzana carolina ) B---good views for most at RGV Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola ) B---exceptional views at Rio Grande Village Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus ) E American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana ) E---including copulation! Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus ) H,DR,DM,E Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla ) E---one spotted by Pat Spotted Sandpiper (Actitus macularius ) H Solitary Sandpiper ( Tringa solitarius ) DR---two chasing each other at Del Rio Willet (Tringa semipalmata ) E---uncommon migrant Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor ) E---beautiful breeding plumaged birds Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) E---somewhat late Forster’s Tern ( Sterna forsteri ) E Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus ) H,DR,E Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus ) E American White Pelican ( Pelecanus erythrorhynchus ) E---about eight at Fort Hancock; somewhat late Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias ) H,DR,E Great Egret (Ardea alba ) H,DR,E Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis ) DR,B Green Heron (Butorides virescens ) H,DR Black-crowned Night-Heron ( Nycticorax nycticorax ) E---spotted by Sue White-faced Ibis ( Plegadis chihi ) E----por, idstant vies at Fort Hancock Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus ) H,DR,B---common in the Hill Country; additionally, one in Big Bend Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) H,DR,B,DM,E---seen daily in numbers White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus ) H--- one high overhead at Cook’s Slough; uncommon Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) H---two in Del Rio were an unexpected treat; excellent views Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus ) H---late migrant at Chalk Bluff Cooper’s Hawk ( Accipiter cooperii ) H,DM Common Black-Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus ) B---great views ever of nesting pair at Rio Grande Village Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus ) H,E----two total Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus ) H---five total (a high count for this trip) Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) H,DR,B,E Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonatus ) H,DM---one over Brushy creek Ranch and a pair along Limpia Creek that put on an amazing show right over our heads; voted the fourth favorite bird of the tour!~

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019 Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis ) H,DR,B,DM---many of the fuertes subspecies Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii) B---unsurpassed views in Big Bend

Western Screech-Owl, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 29, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) H---great scope views at Chalk Bluff in the daytime and another near the bat cave; mccalli subspecies Barred Owl (Strix varia ) DR---a surprise find was a pair in Del Rio that put on an unbelievable show; wonderful scope studies from as close as thirty feet away; the runaway winner of the favorite bird of the tour!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019

Barred Owl, Del Rio, Texas, April 29, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi ) B---nice studies in Big Bend; can be very tough on this trip Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia ) B,E---a shy one north of Study Butte & a very cooperative individual near Fort Hancock the last afternoon Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata ) DR---single bird flying past us in Del Rio; very uncommon this far north Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana ) H---a fortuitous sighting of a male that landed on the wire next to our vans below Neal’s and another quick view of a female in Del Rio; uncommon & easily missed Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus ) B,DM Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons ) H,DR,B Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris ) H,DR,B,DM Northern Flicker ( Colaptes auratus ) DM----the red-shafted variety; uncommon Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) H---twelve total American Kestrel (Falco sparverius ) B,B,DM Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus ) DR,B Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi ) B---two migrants in Rio Grande Village Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus ) DM Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens ) H---Brushy Creek Ranch, Park Chalk Bluff

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019 Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii ) DM---great views of this localized species Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri ) B---a few migrants in the park Cordilleran Flycatcher (Empidonax occidentalis ) B----Boot Springs Black Phoebe (Sayornis nicgricans) E---one at Fort Hancock was our only one of the trip Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) H---common around our rooms at Neal’s Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya ) B,D---nesting at Basin restaurant & by our rooms Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus ) H,DR,B,DM---always spectacular; many superb views of this gem Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens ) H,DR,B,DM---almost daily Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus ) H,DR,B ---increasing in Big Bend Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer ) B---a rare find at Boot Springs Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus ) H,DR---we had five of these beautiful tropical flycatchers at the very northern edge of their range; easily missed on this trip Couch’s Kingbird (Tyrannus couchii ) H,DR—four total Cassin’s Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans ) B,DM Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis ) H,DR,B,DM,E Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus ) H,DR---up to 41 in one day Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus ) DR,B---only four the entire trip Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla ) H,B---we saw five of these beauties with multiple great looks; often very sklulky and difficult to see; the best vireo! White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus ) H Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii ) H,DR,B Gray Vireo (Vireo vicinior) B---a generally uncooperative bird in Blue creek, that was seen well by some, but poorly by others; seen on about half the trips Hutton’s Vireo (Vireo huttoni) H,B,DM Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons ) H---three total Blue-headed Vireo ( Vireo solitarius ) H---two seen Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus ) DM Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus ) H Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus ) H Green Jay (Cyanocorax inca ) H---a pair at Cook’s Slough and a solo bird at Del Rio; more often missed than seen on this tour Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii ) H,DM---recently split from the old Western Scrub-Jay complex Mexican Jay (Aphelocoma wollweberi ) B Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus ) DR, desert north of Study Butte, east of Van Horn Common Raven (Corvus corax ) H,B,DM Purple Martin (Progne subis ) H,DR Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina ) DM---only one seen Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis ) H,DR Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia ) DR Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonta) H,E Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva ) H,DR,DM---common at the bat cave

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019 Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica ) H,DR,B,DM Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis ) H---six total Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus ) H,DR,B,DM---seen or heard daily Verdin (Auriparus falviceps ) H,DR,B Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus ) B,DM---including one black-eared bird in Big Bend White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis ) B,DM Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus ) DR---one at the Pecos River overlook was our only one of the trip Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus ) H,B,DM---particularly nice views at the bat cave House Wren ( Troglodytes aedon ) H,B Carolina Wren (Thryotherus ludovicianus ) H Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii ) H,DR,B,DM Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus ) B,DM Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea ) H,DR,B Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura ) B---four total Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula ) H---late migrant Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis ) H,DR,B---noteworthy was what appeared to be a territorial pair in Rio grande Village; there is only one previous Big bend nesting record and that being from 1972! Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana ) D---stunning Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus ) B Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre ) H,B Long-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma longirostre) H,DR---excellent views Crissal Thrasher (Toxostoma crissale ) B---always tough Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottus ) H,DR,B,DM,E European Starling (Sturnis vulgaris ) H,DR,DM Cedar Waxwing ( Bombycilla cedrorum ) H,DR---several flocks of late migrants Phainopepla ( Phainopepla nitens ) DM---female crossed the road in front of my van just south of Alpine; it was the only one of the tour; only seen by a few House Sparrow (Passer domesticus ) H,DR,B,DM,E American Pipit (Anthus rubescens ) DM---late migrant at stock tank south of Kent House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus ) H,DR,B,DM Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus ) B,DM Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltri a) H,DR,B American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis ) DR----small flock along Magnolia Street was very unexpected Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus ) H,DR---superb views of this South Texas specialty at Cook’s Slough

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019

Olive Sparrow, Cook’s Slough, Texas, April 26, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus ) B----migrant at the Christmas Mountain Oasis; uncommon Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus ) H,B,DM Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps ) H,B,DM Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca ) B,DM Cassin’s Sparrow ( Peucaea cassinii ) H---very close views in the Hill Country Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina ) H,DR,B,DM---almost daily Clay-colored Sparrow ( Spizella pallida ) H,DR,B---five total Brewer’s Sparrow (Spizella breweri ) B---two in the Christmas Mountains; late for this species Field Sparrow ( Spizella pusilla ) H---at the western edge of their range Black-chinned Sparrow (Spizella atrogularis ) B,DM---great looks along the Window Trail; localized

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Black-chinned Sparrow, Big Bend National Park, Texas, April 30, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus ) H,DR,B,DM---striking! Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata ) H,B---certainly one of the most handsome sparrows Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys ) H,B---seen best in Study Butte; late for this species Savannah Sparrow ( Passerculus sandwichensis ) H---only one Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodrammus savannarum ) H---excellent studies near Concan; uncommon Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii ) H---only one; somewhat late White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) B---about a half dozen in the Christmas Mountains White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) B---very unusual were two down the Window Trail; rare here & late Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis ) B---rare this late; seen by Bruce Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens ) H,DR,B---many nice studies Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus ) H---north of Uvalde and at Chalk Bluff; very uncommon this far east Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna ) near Marathon,DM---subspecies lilianae (a possible future split) Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius ) H,DR---nine total Hooded Oriole ( Icterus cucullatus ) H,DR---seven total; uncommon & declining Bullock’s Oriole ( Icterus bullockii ) H,B---five total; great views at the Medina County Rest area

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019 Scott’s Oriole (Icterus parisorum ) B,DM---several great looks at this beauty Red-winged Blackbird ( Agelaius phoeniceus ) H,DR,E Bronzed Cowbird ( Molothrus aeneus ) H,DR Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater ) H,DR,B,DM Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus ) H,B---late lingering birds Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscala ) H----only at the Medina County Rest area; uncommon this far west Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus ) H,DR,B,DM,E----our first bird of the tour and our last bird of the tour Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) H---five total Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) H,B----four total Colima Warbler B---great views of this Chisos specialty; three total birds on our hike with the first being about 3.25 miles up the Pinnacles Trail; voted the fifth favorite bird of the tour! Lucy’s Warbler B---relatively poor views of a male at Cottonwood Campground; very uncommon here Nashville Warbler (Oreothlypis ruficapilla ) H Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas ) DR,B---nice views along the river in Del Rio Tropical Parula (Setophaga pitiayumi ) H---female at Neal’s Lodge and a male at Chalk Bluff; rare & unexpected in the Hill country; we also had stunning views of a presumed hybrid male at Neal’s

hybrid Tropical x Northern Parula, Concan, Texas, April 26, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019 Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia ) H----one at Cook’s Slough Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata ) H,DR,B,DM---mostly Myrtles in the Hill Country and Audubon’s elsewhere Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica ) H---great studies of this beauty; six total Townsend’s Warbler (Setophaga townsendii ) B---a few along the Pinnacles Trail Golden-cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia ) H---almost in our laps!; we saw nine total with several exceptional views; voted the second favorite bird of the tour

Golden-cheeked Warbler near Leakey, Texas, April 26, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla ) B---oddly only one seen Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus ) B---one in same tree as the Slate-throated at Boot Springs; not present every year Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus ) B---incredible looks at this Mexican vagrant at Boot Springs; a tour first; it was even a lifer for Kevin in the ABA area!!! Hepatic Tanager ( Piranga flava ) B,DM---one pair kept fighting their own reflections in the Basin Lodge restaurant window Summer Tanager ( Piranga rubra ) H,DR,B,D---thirty four total Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) H,B,DM---eight total; a particularly stunning individual along the Window Trail; quite rare was a male near Concan Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis ) H,DR,B,DM Pyrrhuloxia ( Cardinalis sinuatus ) H,B,DM

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019 Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus ) B,DM----seemed scarcer than usual with only five seen Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea ) H,DR,B,DM---several superb views Indigo Bunting ( Passerina cyanea ) H---two at Brushy Creek Ranch Varied Bunting ( Passerina versicolor ) B---eight total; wonderful, close views of this plum-colored beauty; my favorite bunting! Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris ) H,DR,B---great views of this striking species; 16 total

Painted Bunting, Frio Bat Cave, Texas, April 26, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

Dickcissel ( Spiza americana ) H---about seven total; some great views

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019

Dickcissel near Concan, Texas, April 28, 2019 ©Barry Zimmer

Morelet’s Seedeater (Sporophila torqueola ) DR---we tallied this species for the third year in a row after adding a day in Del Rio three years ago; great views of a singing male near the river; a very small population in this area makes this species very easy to miss entirely; part of a recent split of White-collared Seedeater

Total species - 215

FAVORITE BIRDS OF THE TOUR:

1. Barred Owl 2. Golden-cheeked Warbler 3. Black-capped Vireo 4. Zone-tailed Hawk 5. Colima Warbler

MAMMALS:

Nine-banded Armadillo---one in the Neal’s Café parking lot before dawn Texas Antelope Squirrel Eastern Fox Squirrel Spotted Ground Squirrel

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019 Rock Squirrel Kangaroo rat species---either Merriam’s or Ord’s White-throated Woodrat Desert Cottontail Brazilian (Mexican) Free-tailed Bat---amazing sight of 10,000,000+ exiting a cave at dusk; arguably the highlight of the tour and certainly one of the great natural history spectacles of the world! Bat species----various unidentified bats on night drives/ walks Coyote---one close to road in Big Bend American Black Bear----by some coming down the Pinnacles Trail Collared Peccary---nice views Feral Hog White-tailed Deer Mule Deer Pronghorn---east of Marathon Spotted Deer---introduced in Hill Country Blackbuck---introduced Indian antelope

Total species - 18+ (counting exotics)

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS:

Red-spotted Toad Texas Toad Blanchard’s Cricket Frog---heard only at Neal’s Bullfrog---heard only Rio Grande Leopard Frog---at Carolyn’s Cooter---at Brushy Creek Ranch Red-eared Slider Yellow Mud Turtle----by me at Carolyn’s Spiny Soft-shelled Turtle----leader only Eastern Collared Lizard---for one van on the way out of the Christmas Mountains Southwestern Fence Lizard Texas Spiny Lizard Crevice Spiny Lizard Twin-spot Spiny Lizard Little striped Whiptail Marbled Whiptail Rusty-rumped (Plateau Spotted) Whiptail Carolina Anole Gopher Snake---one seen near the Elf Owls was believed to be this species Diamond-backed Water Snake Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake---one on our owling trip along the road

Total species - 21

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019

BUTTERFLIES :

Pipevine Swallowtail Black Swallowtail Two-tailed Swallowtail Clouded Sulphur Sleepy Orange Mexican Yellow Dainty Sulphur Southern Dogface Checkered White Cabbage White Gray Hairstreak Reakirt’s Blue Monarch Queen Red Admiral Arizona Sister Bordered Patch American Snout Variegated Fritillary Gulf Fritillary Empress Leilia Texan Crescent Common Checkered Skipper Northern Cloudywing

Total species – 24+ (plus many others left unidentified)

SIGNIFICANT OTHERS:

Tarantula Desert Millipede Leaf-footed Bug The spilled milk incident Pre-ordering from the Blue Mountain Bistro The friendly waitress at the Chisos Mountain Restaurant

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 23 Big Bend National Park & the Texas Hill Country, 2019