South Texas Day One on Wednesday, April 20, 2005, Led by Steve Shunk, Paradise Birding
photos by Bill Walker, click thumbnails to enlarge
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49 Species at Laguna Atascosa NWR, TX
Ducks, Geese, and Swans
Chachalacas
Bitterns and Herons
Ibises and Spoonbills
White Ibis
Got this pretty sharp flight shot as a whole group flew past.
Roseate Spoonbill
Flew right overhead, but could not get the autofocus lens to cooperate. This was the best shot in the group.
New World Vultures
Hawks, Kites, and Eagles
Caracaras and Falcons
Sandpipers and Phalaropes
Skuas, Gulls, and Terns
Pigeons and Doves
Cuckoos, Roadrunners and Anis
Greater Roadrunner
A great look, the bird was only 20 or 30 feet away. It raised and lowered its crest. The blue on its face was clearly visible while it foraged out in the open.
Typical Owls
Great Horned Owl
(h)
Goatsuckers
Common Nighthawk
Flew right overhead, a great look at its white wing markings.
Woodpeckers
Tyrant Flycatchers
Shrikes
Jays and Crows
Swallows
Chickadees and Titmice
Thrushes
Clay-colored Robin
not a good look
Mockingbirds and Thrashers
Starlings
Emberizids
Olive Sparrow
(h)
Cardinals and Saltators
Blackbirds
Old World Sparrows
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Trip Notes
Arrived at McAllen airport around 3:18pm. By 3:54pm, trip member Dolores had already gotten her first life bird of the trip (Great-tailed grackle) while on the way to the Best Western in Harlingen. We stopped there only briefly, then ran down to Laguna Atascosa NWR for picnic supper and birding. It was really wonderful to see so many of the highlight birds right away on the first day. Mammals: mexican ground squirrel, collared peccary.
Trip Map
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