[texbirds] elsewhere than SPI in Cameron Co. (Monday, 04/07/14): shorebirds + "grasspipers"

  • From: "Rex Stanford" <calidris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "TEXBIRDS" <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2014 11:35:22 -0500

Late yesterday (Monday, 04/07/14) afternoon we visited the Port Isabel
Reservoir (northwest of Laguna Vista) and found the following shorebird
species: BLACK-NECKED STILT (9), AMERICAN AVOCET (5, nice breeding plumage),
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (1), LESSER YELLOWLEGS (4), WILLET (7, at least),
WHIMBREL (1), SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (1), LEAST SANDPIPER (4), and DUNLIN
(3). These birds were to the south of the bend in the berm that one
encounters upon entering the area, a bit beyond the outflow pipe from the
waste-water treatment facility. Additionally, many GULL-BILLED TERN (8-10)
were in that same area, as well as numerous NORTHERN SHOVELERS, and ROSEATE
SPOONBILL (1, in flight), and OSPREY (1).

In the very late yesterday afternoon we visited the Weaver Road sod fields
(between FM-800 and Jimenez Road) and found the following birds on one or
another of the sod fields (in order of number of individuals of a species):
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (estimate, 40-50), PECTORAL SANDPIPER (est. 20-25),
and UPLAND SANDPIPER (at least 16 seen on field and in flight, the latter
allowing best count; but, also 5 of this species at north end of fields that
might have been separate, possibly bringing count to 21). The Upland
Sandpipers, for the most part, were in fields farther north but adjacent to
the more birdy fields along Weaver Road.

CAUTIONARY NOTES: These field birds tend to be distant and often need to be
viewed via a scope. Please remember that these fields are private property.
Entry to them, whether on foot or via side roads into the fields, could
place one at risk of harming migrating species that need to feed and rest 
and
might compromise the relationship between the property owners (and
farm workers) and birders generally (not to mention with one personally). 
When
Weaver Road, a narrow, two-lane dirt road, is being actively used, keeping 
one's vehicle at a suitable
position so not as to interfere with or make difficult the passage of other
vehicles and/or farm equipment is important. If there has been any
significant rain, Weaver Road can be extremely sticky, slick, and truly
treacherous.

Earlier yesterday we visited SPI (Convention Center, CC) and Sheepshead and 
had some nice birds. Don Jones' posting of yesterday ("Lark Bunting on South 
Padre Island") covered that area well.
Rex and Birgit Stanford
McAllen, TX


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  • » [texbirds] elsewhere than SPI in Cameron Co. (Monday, 04/07/14): shorebirds + "grasspipers" - Rex Stanford