Texas Trip Summary Hill Country, Rio Grande Valley, Central & Upper Coast and East Texas; some West Texas while traveling

Stuart Healy April 6 to 29, 2011; with clients April 9 to 26

I spent much of the month of April, 2011 in Texas working with three different clients. All trips were booked early enough in 2010 to allow for thorough planning and coordination. All clients were scheduled consecutively for a total of 18 days. Including travel and personal birding, I was in Texas for 24 days (April 6-29) driving a total of almost 6500 miles and recording exactly 300 species (297 in Texas). 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.

Most of the birding was done in the Hill Country, Rio Grande Valley and central coast with a few days spent on the upper coast and in East Texas. The entire state is very dry this year but we probably didn't miss any birds for that reason. Also, strong winds from the south persisted for much of the time and migration was a non-event until April 27.

Note: journal entries are very incomplete for most of the client days because there are simply not enough hours in a day on a trip such as this.

April 6, start of trip.  go to journal
Sierra Vista - Fort Stockton - Del Rio - Kerrville - Houston

April 9-14, 6 days, 223 species recorded with Andy Fayer and group from Pennsylvania.  go to journal
Houston - Kerrville - Laredo - McAllen - Brownsville - Harlingen - King Ranch - Ingleside - Port Aransas - Quintana - Houston
Highlights: Muscovy Duck, Aplomado Falcon, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Black-capped Vireo, Tropical Parula, Golden-cheeked Warbler, Swainson's Warbler and White-collared Seedeater

April 15-23, 9 days, 234 species recorded with Larry Heinz from Washington.  go to journal
Houston - Kerrville - Laredo - McAllen - Brownsville - South Padre Island - Ingleside - Port Aransas - Quintana - High Island - East Texas - Houston
Highlights: Muscovy Duck, Aplomado Falcon, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Black-capped Vireo, Golden-cheeked Warbler, Swainson's Warbler and White-collared Seedeater

March 24-26; 3 days, 130 species recorded with Jim Geisler from Louisiana.  go to journal
High Island and East Texas