Yesterday (Wednesday, 04/08/15) we, joined by Pat Heirs, visited the Cayo
del Grullo (southeast Kleberg Co.) area, making a wide-ranging trip of
birding sites in the area. What follows are mainly the highlights of that
trip, avian and other nature-related observations. Numerous avian species
were seen but are not noted here. In route from Weslaco to our birding
destination we made a quick stop at the Sarita rest area on Expressway 77,
and highlights there are reported first. Subsequent discussion focuses on
specific sites in southeast Kleberg County (i.e., sites near or on Cayo del
Grullo or Laguna Salada) listed in order of study on 04/08/15). (Visited
sites that yielded very little of interest are not discussed):
SARITA REST-STOP (US-77, Kenedy Co.): SUMMER TANAGER (1 male); HOODED
ORIOLE (2, male and female); and BREWERâS BLACKBIRD (6, at least).
SPECIFIC SITES OF SOUTHEAST KLEBERG COUNTY (note mentioned for listed sub-
sites is BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK seen at innumerable locales):
CR-2340 (birded from US-77 to CR1120/CR2510, but also includes very short
parallel road from US-77 that lies immediately north of CR-2340; and Laguna
Salada sandspit south of paved CR-1120 via a rough, unpaved road): BOBWHITE
QUAIL (2); WILD TURKEY (8); WILSONâS PLOVER (1); KILLDEER (1); GREATER
YELLOWLEGS (1, nice breeding plumage); WILLET (1). PLEASE NOTE: CR-2340,
which begins paved at the western origin mentioned above, soon becomes
unpaved and for some miles at its east end was on 04/08/15 extremely
pocked, sometimes with potentially damaging holes not readily visible; some
of the worst areas have been filled with a black substance, but many holes
remain that could damage the underside of low-slung vehicles (and possibly
others, as well, especially at high speeds).
MOUTH OF ARANA CREEK (IMMEDIATELY NORTHWEST OF KAUFER-HUBERT MEMORIAL PARK)
ON FM-628: WILSONâS PLOVER (1); KILLDEER (1); GREATER YELLOWLEGS (2, truly
spectacular individuals with crisp, neat, high-contrast black/white
markings on wings and flanks, reminiscent of the crispness of high-quality
black laser printing on bright white paperâstriking and beautiful, despite
the achromatic character; WILLET (2); TRICOLORED HERON (1, beautiful
high-contrast breeding plumage with a bill base so bright blue it seemed
virtually to glow in the sunlight); REDDISH EGRET (1, a âpiedâ form,
exhibiting white in the upper-wing coverts of what otherwise looked much
like a dark morph, albeit with rather worn, scruffy-looking plumage);
CASPIAN TERN (2), FORSTERâS TERN (est. several dozen, but not counted); and
LEAST TERN (3).
TWO FLOODED AREAS IN PLOWED FIELD IMMEDIATELY NORTH OF FM-628 AND OPPOSITE
ITS INTERSECTION WITH FM-1546: AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (9); BLACK-NECKED
STILT (several); SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (18-20); LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER
(55-60); GULL-BILLED TERN (2); and SNOW GOOSE (1, a nice surprise and
first-of-season for the undersigned; distant photos taken).
CR-1132S (accessible from CR-2250E, this is the road that leads to the
formerly open--now closed with locked gate--road to the bay-side drive to
Drum Point): This road, on 04/08/15, passed through some flooded fieldsâand
it often does, after substantial rainâand was very rewarding : AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER (18); BLACK-NECKED STILT (several); WILLET (1, appeared to be
western form); GREATER YELLOWLEGS (4); LESSER YELLOWLEGS (8); PECTORAL
SANDPIPER (4); FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (ca. 40); BLACK-BELLIED
WHISTLING-DUCK (ca. 50); BLUE-WINGED TEAL (ca. 25). Birding CR-1132S, even
if it no longer takes one to an entry point for a drive to Drum Pointâthe
latter formerly accessible and probably the best drive in the area for
shorebirds, waders, and White Pelicanâoften still can be, as on 04/08/15,
exceptionally rewarding.
CR-2250E, NORTH SIDE, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN CR-1132S AND CR-1120: UPLAND
SANDPIPER (1) and BOBWHITE QUAIL (1).
CR-2240 EASTWARD from FM-772: We recommend birding this road from west to
east late in the day. This strategy, when there is direct sunlight,
enhances the visibility of the birds and shows them in a beautiful light.
Yesterday there was a flooded area that was very productive: SNOW GOOSE (1,
a different individual than seen earlier some miles away); KILLDEER (1);
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (70, at least); BLACK-NECKED STILT (6); GREATER
YELLOWLEGS (widespread; estimated several dozen); LESSER YELLOWLEGS
(similar in number to Greater Yellowlegs); LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (rough
estimate, 75); SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (rough estimate, 40). We did not work
as hard at numerical estimate or counting at this late hour as earlier
because we were tired, the birds were widespread, and we were getting
hungry and thought it a good idea for us humans, like the birds, to find a
suitable place to eat. Thereafter, we would have a long drive home.
Final note: It would seem a disservice not to mention that much of this
beautiful rural area was covered yesterday with an abundance of wildflowers
of many varieties, a true feast for the eyes. At times the pastures and
hillsides glowed in floral beauty in the late-day sun. We had had a
wonderful day of birding and would head home refreshed in spirit from what
the wild birds and the wildflowers had provided.
Rex and Birgit Stanford
Weslaco, TX
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