I decided to take my day off from Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to explore some areas around Corpus Christi and had some real surprises on this late January day. Pollywog Ponds was really fantastic. Some surprising birds were found with great views around the wetlands and near the beginning of the trail near the parking area. Here are some of the highlights: A large flock of songbirds, doves and woodpeckers were near the parking area of Pollywog Ponds in great view. This included: Warbling Vireo - one bird well identified mixed with goldfinches, warblers, vireos and woodpeckers. Seems quite early to have one of these but it was an easy ID and in good view. Blue-headed Vireo - near the Warbling Vireo and what I expected to find instead of with the other vireo. Downy Woodpecker - a female mixed with many other birds, particularly other woodpeckers. Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Golden-fronted Woodpeckers and several Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were near it. Lesser and American Goldfinch - both singing and quite visible in the trees near the parking lot area. Lots of Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Several Couch's Kingbirds calling from the tops of the trees. Solitary Sandpiper - this bird was vocal and active on a mudflat along the river in the back of the ponds. It remained in good view for at least 10 minutes. As always at Pollywog Ponds, there were also good numbers of waterfowl and grebes, with several Hooded Mergansers, a Ruddy Duck and many Ring-necked Ducks. Most of the dabblers expected from this region were there as well. Only missed Mallard, Northern Pintail and Cinnamon Teal. Lots of Pied-billed and Least Grebes. I also stopped at Indian Point Park and Hazel Bazemore Park with smaller numbers but still good birds, particularly shorebirds although mostly common stuff. Avocets were in both parks. Many Black Skimmers along the shoreline at Indian Point. Certainly a fun day to be out! David True Park Ranger Aransas NWR Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner