Texas Trip Summary mostly Rio Grande Valley & Central Coast some South Texas and Hill Country

Stuart Healy, January 24 - February 2, 2010

I didn't have any target species on this trip and my objectives were to enjoy a variety of species and to learn more about Texas birds. To that end, I visited a few locations that I had only visited once before or not at all. By traveling many miles through new territory and visiting a few new places, I was also able to add to my knowledge of the distribution of Texas birds. There's nothing like getting out there and doing it as opposed to just "book learning". Unfortunately, it's a lot more expensive and time consuming.

Starting January 24 and ending February 2, I was on the road for 10 days and traveled a total of 2900+ miles (2300+ miles in Texas). My outbound route took me directly to Fort Stockton in West Texas then I worked by way southeast to Del Rio in the upper Rio Grande Valley. From there I traveled down the valley as far as McAllen then over to South Padre Island and Boca Chica on the lower coast. Next, I traveled northwest to the northern section of South Texas then east to the central coast. The return journey from the coast took me west across upper South Texas then north through the Hill County and on to Fort Stockton and home.

The weather wasn't very kind to me and, apart from the first couple of days, it was either very windy (mostly in the valley), cloudy or raining; all three on some days. I terminated the trip several days early because of rain on the coast.

I recorded a total of 175 species (173 in Texas) including a few rarities, the most notable of which was a first for the U.S. Amazon Kingfisher in Laredo (a very unexpected life bird). I just happened to arrive in Laredo the day after the bird was discovered and tallied a four kingfisher day. Timing is indeed everything! Also of note were Northern Jacana at Choke Canyon State Park south of San Antonio and Northern Wheatear on a farm near Beeville in South Texas. Throw in a few "regular rarities" such as Hook-billed Kite, Tropical Parula and White-collared Seedeater; regulars such as Clay-colored Thrush and many others in the valley and Whooping Crane on the coast; and you end up with a very interesting set of birds and an enjoyable trip despite the weather. I also enjoyed an "audio first" -- Tropical and Couch's Kingbirds vocalizing at the same location. I added 5 new species photographed of varying quality (Northern Jacana, American Oystercatcher, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Amazon Kingfisher and Tropical Parula) bringing my species photographed in the U.S. total to 524. I'll be visiting Starbucks with $5 to collect my prize.

By using the links above, you can find day to day details of the trip (in my journal); see the the overall trip list; and view the bird photos that I took from the links in the photo list. Comments and questions are welcome.