[texbirds] SHOREBIRDING (08/31/14): 5 Cameron Co. sites
- From: "Rex Stanford" <calidris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "TEXBIRDS" <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2014 15:04:16 -0500
We visited 5 sites in Cameron County yesterday (08/31/14) primarily in
search of shorebirds and looking especially for "grasspipers" (i.e.,
Baird's, Buff-breasted, and Upland Sandpipers). On the way to Cameron Co. we
by-passed the Progreso (Hidalgo Co.) sod field traversal road because that
area had had heavy recent rains and the traversal road, viewed from US-281,
looked treacherous. We visited the following Cameron Co. sites in the order
and at the times indicated:
SOD FIELD NORTH OF FM-3067 IN LA FERIA (late morning): This small field,
what remains of a much larger, earlier area of sod fields, was, despite its
small size, reasonably productive yesterday thanks to recent rain. We birded
only from the margin of FM-3067. The area nearest FM-3067 was relatively dry
and therefore, not surprisingly, yielded BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (12) and KILLDEER
(2). Further back, where there are some low areas that seemingly held some
water and certainly were damper, yielded an estimated 60-70 LONG-BILLED
DOWITCHERS, some largely in drab winter plumage, but several bearing lovely
color, and, additionally, BLACK-NECKED STILT (several), LESSER YELLOWLEGS
(numerous, but not easy to count or even estimate reliably in the tall grass
and among other species), and LONG-BILLED CURLEW (1). (Total shorebird
species = 6.) Back at the rear of the grassy field were LITTLE BLUE HERON
(1) and GREAT EGRET (several).
TIO CANO LAKE (such as it was) near noon: The viewable areas that might
under much wetter conditions have been useful to shorebirds were completely
dried up. We have never before seen this area in such a sad condition
relative to the needs of shorebirds and waders. The formerly extensive
marshy area east of the traversal road (named Hodges Rd. if we recall
correctly), an area that includes property in the Lower Rio Grande NWR, had
dried out and now hosted sundry vegetation in what previously had been a
wonderfully productive marsh (with a broad channel through its north end).
This is a very sad situation for the birds, including migratory shorebirds
and waders. Neither shorebird nor wader species were seen.
WEAVER ROAD (southmost sod field, full of rich, green grass; north of
Jimenez Road) ca. 12:45 - 1:20 PM: The entry to Weaver Road from FM-800 had
looked muddy and treacherous, especially in its entry area that lies low
relative to the aforementioned highway, so we detoured and entered Weaver
Road (unpaved dirt road with plenty of potentially sticky black clay, when
wet) from the north terminus of its paved area, which is a short distance
north of Jimenez Rd.) This section was flatter than the north end, and
although its black-clay substrate had been very deeply rutted, it was
reasonably dry. A large, wide, very dark thunderstorm area with occasional
bursts of air-to-ground lightning was approaching closely from the
northeast, but we were able to bird the grassy southmost field up to the
first pump station before the close approach of the dark thunderstorm and
loud claps of thunder convinced us to retreat back south. We had no desire
either to be ground-rods for lightning while out studying the birds through
our scope or to have to drive on this deeply rutted black-clay substrate if
a heavy rain should fall! Still, we managed to study the many migrants on
this field before our hasty retreat back to paved road. The following
species were found (roughly in the order in which we encountered or first
detected them): To our great delight, our first find was WILSON'S SNIPE (2),
which were standing very still behind a tuft of high grass, facing off a
stiff wind. We had not seen this species for perhaps well over a year, and
these were quite early and, for us, not really expected in this locale. They
were a nice surprise, but we hastened on north to see the many other birds
out on this field before the arrival of what looked like it a strong
thunderstorm. The other shorebirds were: KILLDEER (several); BLACK-NECKED
STILT (est. 40-50, roaming widely in center of field); GREATER YELLOWLEGS
(many, very actively moving about over a wide area; LESSER YELLOWLEGS (same
as for Greater Yellowlegs, but perhaps less obviously moving about); LEAST
SANDPIPER (numerous, but not counted or estimated; high grass made them
often disappear); BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (7); and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (est.
30-35). Non-shorebird species seen that may be of interest: CASPIAN TERN
(several); ROYAL TERN (1); BLACK TERN (1); and, last but ranking always,
with us, as a gratifying sight, FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (79). Total shorebird
species for his site = 8.
LAGUNA ATASCOSA NWR (LAGUNA ATASCOSA FROM OSPREY OVERLOOK AT END OF LAKESIDE
DRIVE); visited mid-afternoon: This, LANWR's namesake lake, yesterday was in
one of the driest phases we ever have seen there. It did, though, produce
several species of shorebirds: SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (1); GREATER YELLOWLEGS
(several); LESSER YELLOWLEGS (several); WILLET (several); LONG-BILLED CURLEW
(1); WESTERN SANDPIPER (10, at least); and LEAST SANDPIPER (1).
Non-shorebirds seen were: TRICOLORED HERON (4); REDDISH EGRET (1); and BLACK
TERN (several). Many gulls were present, but none that caught our attention
as unexpected species. Most of the shorebirds were relatively near the
observation site. Total shorebird species for this site = 7.
PORT ISABEL RESERVOIR; visited late afternoon: This site is in a very low,
shallow condition, somewhat conducive to shorebird visitation, but the
normally watery, marshy area opposite the berm when one enters the area had
essentially died up, and many of the other wet areas had shrunken in size.
We did not attempt to identify species out beyond the fence poles. Aside
from sheer distance, the angle of the sun-into our eyes-late in the day made
species identification that far away a foolish enterprise. The sheer number
of birds here was drastically down from our recent visits, and we suspect
that had something to do with the reduction in water in the reservoir. Here
are the shorebird species found: BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (2, at least); SNOWY
PLOVER (1); WILSON'S PLOVER (2); SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (several); GREATER
YELLOWLEGS (several); LESSER YELLOWLEGS (several); SANDERLING (8-10,
probably conservative; their activity thwarted careful counting); WESTERN
SANDPIPER (est. 30-40); and WILSON'S PHALAROPE (1). Aside from shorebirds,
BLACK SKIMMER was present in substantial numbers (but not counted).
Our total shorebird species for the day = 17. Of great concern was seeing
the drying up (or the already dried-up condition) of critical areas for the
birds.
Wishing everyone the best of birding,
Rex and Birgit Stanford
McAllen, TX
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