We made it. It took eight days in excellent weather to drive to our rental condo on S. Padre Island. See it here; http://www.vrbo.com/431876 . This is our first extended trip since we sold the trailer last year. We have been through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and finally Texas. Everything is as advertised and we couldn't be happier. We woke this morning to a cloudy and windy day but we couldn't wait to get out and see the local fauna. (And I don't mean the spring breakers of which there are hundreds. We timed it just right. DUHH!) The first birding stop was http://southpadreislandbirding.com This is a nature centre with boardwalks that had us occupied for hours. The following shots were all taken today and we have 30 days to go here.
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| Birding Centre at S. Padre. They really cater to birders. |
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| Rear of the Birding Center. |
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| Resident Gator. |
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| Black-bellied Whistling Ducks |
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| Clapper Rail. Not a great shot but a lifer. |
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| Great Egret |
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| Great Egret. |
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| Tri-colored Heron |
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| Little Blue Heron |
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| Long-billed Curlew |
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| Mottled Duck |
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| Reddish Egret |
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| Roseate Spoonbill |
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| Tri-colored Heron |
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| Tri-colored Heron |
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| Tri-colored Heron |
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| White-Ibis |
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| Great -tailed Grackle |
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| Aplomado Falcon. We have been seeing reports of this bird for quite a while on ebird while still at home. We drove to the location it was last seen 2 days ago. As I got out of the car I saw a shadow cross the road. When I looked it had landed on a fence post. It doesn't get any easier than that. This bird was seen 12 miles out of Port Isabel Tx. I can see we are going to have a great time here. We have a few lifers already and haven't scratched the surface yet. End of this blog. Scroll down for previous blog and I should have another ready by the end of the week. |
Hi Len: You're in a great birding area at a great time of year. I am writing this after reading your other blog posts from Texas as well. As usual, your pictures are outstanding. Like a few other B.C. birders, I have spent a winter/spring in Texas, and it's almost like being a kid in a candy store, especially if it's your first trip at this time of year. Make sure you check out the small garden and water feature over by the convention center as Spring migration heats up . You never know what will be lurking in there. Now that you have your Aplomado Falcon, you'll have to decide whether to count it!!! This comment is somewhat tongue in cheek, as I don't know any birder, including last year's new ABA Big Year record holder, who has not counted their Port Isabel falcon. Your image of the Clapper Rail will also be valuable in the future, as the ABA will most likely split this and the King Rail birds in the future. I, for one, will be interested in knowing where the South Texas Clappers fit in to the new complex. Sure looks like what they are calling an Eastern. Have fun. Thor
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