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TRANSCRIPT
Field Guides Tour Report
TEXAS'S BIG BEND & HILL COUNTRY
Apr 23, 2011 to May 2, 2011
Chris Benesh & Megan Crewe
The Chisos Mountains make a welcoming sight for arriving birders. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Big Bend is always an amazing place to visit, filled with wonderful birds and stunning scenery, enough to make anygeologist's mouth water. One thing lacking from this year's trip was evidence of winter rains. Because of it, things werereally parched in Big Bend and elsewhere in west Texas. We noticed a lack of wildflowers. But sadly, more evident were thewildfires burning to the north of us in the Davis Mountains. Because of this, we needed to reshuffle things a bit, and bypassthose off-limit areas near Ft. Davis. Despite that, we had a great time and saw a bunch of wonderful birds.
Among the many highlights were the following that earned votes as trip favorites. Tied for first were two species of warblerclosely tied to Texas. The Colima Warbler was a very well-earned lifer for those who trekked up to Boot Spring. While notthe most colorful species, it has its charms and has its US breeding range restricted to the Chisos Mountains. The Golden-cheeked Warbler in the Hill Country was equally popular. Its breeding range is entirely in central Texas. Next in line inpopularity was a three-way tie. The stunning Varied Bunting seen at Sam Nail Ranch was real eye candy. Seldom to theyglow quite that much. The Gray Hawks seen so well along the river campgrounds earned high marks too. They are onesharp-looking Buteo. And the Green Jays seen on our diversion at Fort Clark Springs were well received. Hard to get toomuch more colorful than that. Next up were singing Canyon Wrens that showed nicely for us, a nice study of Harris's Hawk,sightings of Townsend's Warblers in the Chisos, and of course, the lovely Lucifer Hummingbird. Single vote-getters, eachfabulous in its own way, included Black-capped Vireo, Eastern Screech-Owl, Carolina Chickadee, Greater Roadrunner,Lazuli Bunting, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, and Common Black-Hawk. And, of course, the spectacle of the free-tailedbats emerging from their cave was indeed spectacular, if cut short by the weather.
More than anything else, it is the chemistry of a trip that contributes to its success. Thanks to all of you for making this sucha wonderful tour. Megan and I hope to see you all again on future trips!
--Chris
We have more information about this itinerary and future departures on our web page for Texas's Big Bend & Hill Country.
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This cheeky roadrunner spent a couple of dayshanging out by our group's rooms at the Chisos
Lodge. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
KEYS FOR THIS LISTOne of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E= endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDSAnatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
(Dendrocygna autumnalis) – Some good views of this species close to the RioGrande in Del Rio.
(Aix sponsa) – Two were seen in Del Rio. (Anas americana)
(Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos) (Anas platyrhynchos diazi)
(Anas clypeata) (Aythya americana)
(Bucephala albeola)
Odontophoridae (New World Quail) (Callipepla squamata)
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies) (Meleagris gallopavo)
Podicipedidae (Grebes) (Podilymbus podiceps)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags) (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
(Phalacrocorax auritus)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns) (Ardea herodias)
(Ardea alba) (Egretta thula) (Bubulcus ibis)
(Butorides virescens) (Nyctanassa violacea)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills) (Plegadis chihi)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures) (Coragyps atratus)
(Cathartes aura)
Pandionidae (Osprey) (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) (Ictinia mississippiensis) – We had a wonderful encounter with five on our drive to Lost Maples and
another four the following day. (Circus cyaneus)
(Accipiter striatus) (Accipiter cooperii)
(Buteogallus anthracinus) – Though they were not evident in the early morning, our last
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK
WOOD DUCKAMERICAN WIGEONMALLARD (NORTHERN)MALLARD (MEXICAN)NORTHERN SHOVELERREDHEADBUFFLEHEAD
SCALED QUAIL
WILD TURKEY
PIED-BILLED GREBE
NEOTROPIC CORMORANTDOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT
GREAT BLUE HERONGREAT EGRETSNOWY EGRETCATTLE EGRETGREEN HERONYELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON
WHITE-FACED IBIS
BLACK VULTURETURKEY VULTURE
OSPREY
MISSISSIPPI KITE
NORTHERN HARRIERSHARP-SHINNED HAWKCOOPER'S HAWKCOMMON BLACK-HAWK
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A good-looking Varied Bunting at Sam Nail (Photo by guideChris Benesh)
check yielded great looks at two birds at the Rio Grande campground. (Parabuteo unicinctus) – A few seen at scattered spots in the Hill Country.
(Buteo lineatus) (Buteo platypterus) – A lone bird seen.
(Buteo nitidus) – We had two at Rio Grande campground and another at Cottonwood campground. (Buteo swainsoni)
(Buteo albonotatus) – We werefortunate with this species this year, having three goodsightings beginning with the one Cindy spotted.
(Buteo jamaicensis) – Amazing to watchthem going after the free-tailed bats.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras) (Caracara cheriway) – Quite a bit more
in evidence than some years. Birds were seen on five differentdays.
(Falco sparverius) (Falco peregrinus)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots) (Fulica americana)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings) (Charadrius vociferus)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets) (Himantopus mexicanus)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies) (Actitis macularius)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) (Columba livia) [I]
(Streptopelia decaocto) [I] (Zenaida asiatica)
(Zenaida macroura) (Columbina inca)
(Columbina passerina)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos) (Coccyzus americanus) [*]
(Geococcyx californianus) – A frequent sight on this itinerary, who can forget the boldindividual who frequented the grounds of the Chisos Lodge.
Strigidae (Owls) (Megascops asio) – Fantastic look at one at our lodging in Utopia.
(Bubo virginianus)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies) (Chordeiles acutipennis)
Apodidae (Swifts) (Chaetura pelagica)
(Aeronautes saxatalis)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) (Lampornis clemenciae) – Nice looks at some coming to feeders next to the
HARRIS'S HAWKRED-SHOULDERED HAWKBROAD-WINGED HAWKGRAY HAWKSWAINSON'S HAWKZONE-TAILED HAWK
RED-TAILED HAWK
CRESTED CARACARA
AMERICAN KESTRELPEREGRINE FALCON
AMERICAN COOT
KILLDEER
BLACK-NECKED STILT
SPOTTED SANDPIPER
ROCK PIGEONEURASIAN COLLARED-DOVEWHITE-WINGED DOVEMOURNING DOVEINCA DOVECOMMON GROUND-DOVE
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOGREATER ROADRUNNER
EASTERN SCREECH-OWLGREAT HORNED OWL
LESSER NIGHTHAWK
CHIMNEY SWIFTWHITE-THROATED SWIFT
BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
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A Gray Hawk carrying a meal at Cottonwood Campground(Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Chisos Lodge. (Calothorax lucifer) – It took a while to really nail this one down, but in the end the views
were fantastic. Of course, then one showed up outside the restaurant while we were having lunch. D'oh! (Archilochus colubris)
(Archilochus alexandri) (Selasphorus platycercus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers) (Melanerpes formicivorus)
(Melanerpes aurifrons) (Picoides scalaris)
(Colaptes auratus) [*]
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers) (Contopus sordidulus)
(Contopus virens) (Empidonax virescens) – Good
views of this one at Lost Maples, being the largest of theEmpidonax.
(Empidonax minimus) (Empidonax wrightii)
(Empidonax oberholseri) (Empidonax occidentalis) –
Really nice views of this one on the Pinnacles Trail. (Sayornis nigricans)
(Sayornis phoebe) – Wonderfully closelooks at nestlings at our place in Utopia.
(Sayornis saya) (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – Really
amazing color! (Myiarchus cinerascens) (Myiarchus crinitus) (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
(Pitangus sulphuratus) (Tyrannus melancholicus) – One seen at Cottonwood Campground where this species has been
resident in recent years. (Tyrannus couchii) – Seen in Del Rio and Fork Clark Springs, as well as a pair at Cottonwood
Campground. (Tyrannus verticalis)
(Tyrannus forficatus) – One of the more memorable species in this part of the world.
Laniidae (Shrikes) (Lanius ludovicianus)
Vireonidae (Vireos) (Vireo griseus)
(Vireo bellii) (Vireo atricapilla) – Tricky to see well, I think most everybody got decent views by the end.
(Vireo vicinior) – A fast-moving bird on territory in Blue Creek Canyon. (Vireo flavifrons)
(Vireo plumbeus) (Vireo huttoni)
LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDBLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDBROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD
ACORN WOODPECKERGOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKERLADDER-BACKED WOODPECKERNORTHERN FLICKER
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEEEASTERN WOOD-PEWEEACADIAN FLYCATCHER
LEAST FLYCATCHERGRAY FLYCATCHERDUSKY FLYCATCHERCORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER
BLACK PHOEBEEASTERN PHOEBE
SAY'S PHOEBEVERMILION FLYCATCHER
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERGREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHERBROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHERGREAT KISKADEETROPICAL KINGBIRD
COUCH'S KINGBIRD
WESTERN KINGBIRDSCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE
WHITE-EYED VIREOBELL'S VIREOBLACK-CAPPED VIREOGRAY VIREOYELLOW-THROATED VIREOPLUMBEOUS VIREOHUTTON'S VIREO
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(Vireo philadelphicus) – One seen at Utopia on the River was quite a surprise, seemingly earlyfor this species as well as west of it normal route of passage in the state.
(Vireo olivaceus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies) (Cyanocorax yncas) – Our diversion to Fort Clark Springs yielded this handsome species.
(Aphelocoma californica) (Aphelocoma ultramarina)
(Corvus cryptoleucus) (Corvus corax)
Hirundinidae (Swallows) (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
(Progne subis) (Tachycineta thalassina)
(Riparia riparia) (Hirundo rustica) (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) (Petrochelidon fulva)
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits) (Poecile carolinensis)
(Baeolophus atricristatus)
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits) (Auriparus flaviceps)
Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits) (Psaltriparus minimus)
Sittidae (Nuthatches) (Sitta carolinensis)
Troglodytidae (Wrens) (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
(Salpinctes obsoletus) (Catherpes mexicanus)
(Thryothorus ludovicianus) (Thryomanes bewickii)
(Troglodytes aedon)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers) (Polioptila caerulea)
(Polioptila melanura)
Regulidae (Kinglets) (Regulus calendula)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies) (Sialia sialis)
(Catharus guttatus)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers) (Mimus polyglottos)
(Toxostoma rufum) – One coming into the spring at the Sam Nail Ranch was a bit of surprise. Thisspecies is a scarce migrant this far west.
PHILADELPHIA VIREO
RED-EYED VIREO
GREEN JAYWESTERN SCRUB-JAYMEXICAN JAYCHIHUAHUAN RAVENCOMMON RAVEN
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWPURPLE MARTINVIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWBANK SWALLOWBARN SWALLOWCLIFF SWALLOWCAVE SWALLOW
CAROLINA CHICKADEEBLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE
VERDIN
BUSHTIT
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH
CACTUS WRENROCK WRENCANYON WRENCAROLINA WRENBEWICK'S WRENHOUSE WREN
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERBLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET
EASTERN BLUEBIRDHERMIT THRUSH
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDBROWN THRASHER
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(Toxostoma longirostre) (Toxostoma curvirostre)
(Toxostoma crissale) – Most of us had good (albeit quick) looks at one pointed out to us atCottonwood Campground.
Sturnidae (Starlings) (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
Ptilogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers) (Phainopepla nitens)
Parulidae (New World Warblers) (Oreothlypis peregrina)
(Oreothlypis celata) (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)
(Oreothlypis crissalis) – Seeing this species is always tricky in drought years, so it was great thatthe main hiking group was able to track down a couple around Boot Spring.
(Parula americana) (Dendroica petechia)
(Dendroica pensylvanica) (Dendroica coronata auduboni)
(Dendroica nigrescens) (Dendroica chrysoparia) – A lovely breeding endemic well seen at Lost Maples.
(Dendroica virens) (Dendroica townsendi)
(Dendroica fusca) – Another surprise was this handsome bird at Kerr WMA. (Dendroica dominica)
(Dendroica castanea) – A wonderful male was at Utopia. (Dendroica cerulea) – Wow! A wonderful male at Utopia was probably the biggest surprise of
the several unexpected warblers there. (Mniotilta varia)
(Setophaga ruticilla) (Parkesia noveboracensis) (Parkesia motacilla) (Oporornis tolmiei)
(Geothlypis trichas) (Wilsonia pusilla) (Myioborus pictus) – A lone bird up at Boot Spring.
(Icteria virens) – These were chatting up a storm in Del Rio and elsewhere.
Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies) (Arremonops rufivirgatus)
(Pipilo chlorurus) (Pipilo maculatus)
(Aimophila ruficeps) (Melozone fusca)
(Spizella passerina) (Spizella pallida) – An overwealming number of these seen. Wow!
(Spizella breweri) (Pooecetes gramineus)
(Chondestes grammacus) (Amphispiza bilineata)
LONG-BILLED THRASHERCURVE-BILLED THRASHERCRISSAL THRASHER
EUROPEAN STARLING
PHAINOPEPLA
TENNESSEE WARBLERORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERNASHVILLE WARBLERCOLIMA WARBLER
NORTHERN PARULAYELLOW WARBLERCHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERYELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S)BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERGOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLERBLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERTOWNSEND'S WARBLERBLACKBURNIAN WARBLERYELLOW-THROATED WARBLERBAY-BREASTED WARBLERCERULEAN WARBLER
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERAMERICAN REDSTARTNORTHERN WATERTHRUSHLOUISIANA WATERTHRUSHMACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLERCOMMON YELLOWTHROATWILSON'S WARBLERPAINTED REDSTARTYELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
OLIVE SPARROWGREEN-TAILED TOWHEESPOTTED TOWHEERUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWCANYON TOWHEECHIPPING SPARROWCLAY-COLORED SPARROWBREWER'S SPARROWVESPER SPARROWLARK SPARROWBLACK-THROATED SPARROW
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(Calamospiza melanocorys) (Ammodramus savannarum)
(Melospiza lincolnii) (Zonotrichia leucophrys)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies) (Piranga flava) (Piranga rubra) (Piranga ludoviciana)
(Cardinalis cardinalis) (Cardinalis sinuatus)
(Pheucticus ludovicianus) (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
(Passerina caerulea) (Passerina amoena) (Passerina cyanea) (Passerina versicolor)
(Passerina ciris) – What a sight and sound to see and hear these so well beginning with sightingsnorth of Bracketville.
(Spiza americana) [*]
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies) (Agelaius phoeniceus)
(Sturnella magna) (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
(Euphagus cyanocephalus) (Quiscalus quiscula)
(Quiscalus mexicanus) (Molothrus aeneus)
(Molothrus ater) (Icterus spurius)
(Icterus cucullatus) (Icterus bullockii) (Icterus graduacauda) – Sadly, these were mostly heard. But it was really odd to have what seemed
to be several pairs of these at Lost Maples. (Icterus parisorum)
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies) (Carpodacus mexicanus)
(Spinus pinus) (Spinus psaltria)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows) (Passer domesticus) [I]
MAMMALS (Tadarida brasiliensis) – Even though the show was cut short by the weather, it was
amazing to see nonetheless. (Sylvilagus floridanus)
(Sylvilagus audubonii) (Lepus californicus)
(Spermophilus mexicanus)
LARK BUNTINGGRASSHOPPER SPARROWLINCOLN'S SPARROWWHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
HEPATIC TANAGERSUMMER TANAGERWESTERN TANAGERNORTHERN CARDINALPYRRHULOXIAROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKBLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKBLUE GROSBEAKLAZULI BUNTINGINDIGO BUNTINGVARIED BUNTINGPAINTED BUNTING
DICKCISSEL
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDEASTERN MEADOWLARKYELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDBREWER'S BLACKBIRDCOMMON GRACKLEGREAT-TAILED GRACKLEBRONZED COWBIRDBROWN-HEADED COWBIRDORCHARD ORIOLEHOODED ORIOLEBULLOCK'S ORIOLEAUDUBON'S ORIOLE
SCOTT'S ORIOLE
HOUSE FINCHPINE SISKINLESSER GOLDFINCH
HOUSE SPARROW
BRAZILIAN FREE-TAILED BAT
EASTERN COTTONTAILDESERT COTTONTAILBLACK-TAILED JACKRABBITMEXICAN GROUND SQUIRREL
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(Spermophilus variegatus) (Sciurus niger)
(Canis latrans) – Nice look at one chowing down on a small rodent. (Procyon lotor)
(Mephitis mephitis) (Tayassu tajacu)
(Axis axis) [I] (Odocoileus hemionus)
(Odocoileus virginianus)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 198 bird taxa and 14 mammal taxa
ROCK SQUIRRELFOX SQUIRRELCOYOTENORTHERN RACCOONSTRIPED SKUNKCOLLARED PECCARYSPOTTED DEERMULE DEERWHITE-TAILED DEER
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