FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] report from big bend

[lkmc9@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Ron Lusby, Donna Wolfe, and myself recently returned from a birding trip to 
west Texas May 22-28. The following are some of the trip highlights:

Birds seen on the drive from Midland to Big Bend NP included Harris's Hawk, 
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Chihuahuan Raven. Our first evening in the park 
we saw Peregrine Falcon, Say's Phoebe, Cactus Wren, Hepatic Tanager, Canyon 
Towhee, and Scott's Oriole. 

The next morning we hiked the Window Trail where we saw White-throated Swift, 
Mexican Jay, and Rufous-crowned Sparrow. A stop at Duguot Wells added Scaled 
Quail, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Pyrrhuloxia, and Black-throated Sparrow. At Rio 
Grande Village birding was good despite a temperature of 108 degrees. Greater 
Roadrunner, Inca Dove, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and 
Painted Bunting were all seen. Vermilion Flycatchers were abundant. A return 
trip to Dugout Wells at dusk added several Lesser Nighthawks and a 
semicooperative Elf Owl. 

Most of our third day was taken up with the difficult hike from the Basin to 
Boot Spring. Good looks at several Colima Warblers made the ten mile hike 
worthwhile. Other birds seen included Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Violet-green 
Swallow, Hutton's Vireo, Black-crested Titmouse, Western Tanager, and 
Black-chinned Sparrow.

The following day we visited Panther Junction, Castolon, Cottonwood Campground, 
and Santa Elena Canyon. Birds seen at the campground included nesting Gray 
Hawks, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Bronzed 
Cowbird, and Hooded Oriole. Great looks at a Common Poorwill along the road to 
the Basin after dark capped off the day. 

Our last morning in Big Bend was spent in Blue Creek Canyon conducting an 
unsuccessful search for Lucifer Hummingbird. We had to settle for Gray Vireo, 
Canyon Wren, Crissal Thrasher, and Varied Bunting. We then drove to Davis 
Mountains State Park, where we saw our first Zone-tailed Hawk. 

The morning of our last full day was spent looking for Montezuma Quail in the 
park and at McDonald Observatory. Unfortunately the quail are difficult to find 
this year and we missed them. We did find Acorn Woodpecker, Cassin's Kingbird, 
Rock Wren, and Western Bluebird. An afternoon visit to Lake Balmorhea boosted 
our waterbird list for the trip. Eared, Western, and Clark's Grebe, White-faced 
Ibis, Cinnamon Teal, nesting Black-necked Stilts, and Yellow-headed Blackbird 
were among birds seen there. 

We found a total of 122 species during our six days in Texas. Non-avian 
highlights included Javelina and many lizards (Soutwestern Earless Lizard, 
Trans Pecos Striped Whiptail, and Texas Horned Lizard.

Lee McNeely
Burlington, Ky


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