Today (Saturday, 03/26/16) we visted three Cameron Co. sites for which I
will list only the highlights in this report (sites listed in temporal
order):
WEAVER ROAD SOD FILED (between Jimenez Rd. and FM-800; ca. 11:00 AM - 1:00
PM): The "grasspipers" reported here were found in three of the fields,
namely the southmost two and the north-most field at the west end of the
dogleg segment. The numbers given are, when many of a species were
encountered, rough estimates, not actual counts. The species (followed by
numbers or estimates in parentheses): AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (at least
200); PECTORAL SANDPIPERS (at least 100, some males sporting very handsome
heavy-density black pectoral bibs); BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (5); LEAST SANDPIPER
(50-60); BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER (1, possibly 2, as one of this species was
found in each of two widely separated fields, but their being the same
individual cannot be ruled out)--this(these) are early migrants, which
usually are first seen in early April; and KILLDEER (several, widely
dispersed). The finds of grasspipers were especially gratifying because we
had visited this area three times earlier in the season, to no avail, at
times when the fields were green, but dry. Today, there was extensive
irrigation water in all three fields where we found the much-desired
species, and the sky was at least thinly overcast, allowing moderate light,
but minimal heat convection, which made telescopic study of even the most
distant birds relatively easy. We also encountered two raptors, a Peregrine
Falcon and a very-close-range male NORTHERN HARRIER (aka Gray Ghost). We
devoted intensive study to the shorebirds to ensure accurate species
identification, even of those that were distant (and, sometimes, small),
which is why we devoted approximately two hours to studying the birds on
these fields.
BOCA CHICA BLVD (TX-4, south side) WITHIN A VERY FEW MILES WEST OF BOCA
CHICA BEACH PLUS BOCA CHICA BEACH AT END OF TX-4: We found: REDDISH EGRET
(32, including 5 white morphs); WESTERN SANDPIPER (est. 180, but likely
conservative), foraging birds often engaging in vigorous, persistent,
territorial spats between members of this species; DUNLIN (3);
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (2); SANDERLING (5); and GREATER YELLOWLEGS (2).
Time: late afternoon.
TX-48 BOATLAUNCH AREA: Shorebirds found were: BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (2);
BLACK-NECKED STILT (1); RUDDY TURNSTONE (12); WILLET (5); AMERICAN
OYSTERCATCHER (1); and SANDERLING (2). Also present were BLACK SKIMMER
(ca.150+); and last, but not least beautiful, ROSEATE SPOONBILL (1 in
lovely breediing colors). Time: very late afternoon.
Wishing everyone the best of spring-migration birding,
Rex Stanford (Weslaco).
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