When birding Los Corralitos on Saturday, we were given very explicit directions
for access to this area. First, access is only granted when the gates are
open. This is usually not early in the mornings, so please be patient as this
is a private and working ranch. Next, the front pond near the highway is
designated as driving access only even inside the gates, so please bird that
pond from your car, do not walk there. Third, the parking area is the large
open area where there are several historic buildings with a dog pen in the
middle. Please park on the near side of the dog pen or by the far building by
the river access gate and away from the back pond. Fourth, do not drive past
the fence leading to the river, that is for walking only as many birds feed and
nest along that road. Last, please do not approach the back ponds with your
vehicles so you do not spook the ducks. They have put up nesting boxes hoping
these wild muscovy ducks will stay to breed here. This includes not driving
the road next to the back pond. I have received word that people have been
parking close to the back pond and driving the roads by the back ponds and down
to the river. I’m assuming they did this because they did not know they
shouldn’t, so I am posting this hoping the word will get out. We do not want to
offend this ranch owner and lose access to such a special location.
Thank you,
Janet Rathjen
Houston, TX
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 8, 2020, at 7:04 PM, Justin Bosler <justin.bosler@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Texbirds,
One of the many highlights from the 8th Annual Laredo Birding Festival came
today in the form of this apparent wild, adult male Muscovy Duck at Ranchos
Los Corralitos off US 83 just north of San Ygnacio (Zapata County). It was
found this morning on the large pond near the ranch houses and continued into
this evening. It's quite wary so please approach the pond quietly and attempt
to conceal yourself behind vegetation. This has been a reliable location for
this species in recent years but reports are few and far between.
Good birding!
Justin Bosler
Austin, Texas
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