field guides birding tours: texas's big bend & hill country · we have more information...

Field Guides Tour Report

TEXAS'S BIG BEND & HILL COUNTRY

Apr 23, 2011 to May 2, 2011

Chris Benesh & Megan Crewe

The Chisos Mountains make a welcoming sight for arriving birders. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)

Big Bend is always an amazing place to visit, filled with wonderful birds and stunning scenery, enough to make anygeologist's mouth water. One thing lacking from this year's trip was evidence of winter rains. Because of it, things werereally parched in Big Bend and elsewhere in west Texas. We noticed a lack of wildflowers. But sadly, more evident were thewildfires burning to the north of us in the Davis Mountains. Because of this, we needed to reshuffle things a bit, and bypassthose off-limit areas near Ft. Davis. Despite that, we had a great time and saw a bunch of wonderful birds.

Among the many highlights were the following that earned votes as trip favorites. Tied for first were two species of warblerclosely tied to Texas. The Colima Warbler was a very well-earned lifer for those who trekked up to Boot Spring. While notthe most colorful species, it has its charms and has its US breeding range restricted to the Chisos Mountains. The Golden-cheeked Warbler in the Hill Country was equally popular. Its breeding range is entirely in central Texas. Next in line inpopularity was a three-way tie. The stunning Varied Bunting seen at Sam Nail Ranch was real eye candy. Seldom to theyglow quite that much. The Gray Hawks seen so well along the river campgrounds earned high marks too. They are onesharp-looking Buteo. And the Green Jays seen on our diversion at Fort Clark Springs were well received. Hard to get toomuch more colorful than that. Next up were singing Canyon Wrens that showed nicely for us, a nice study of Harris's Hawk,sightings of Townsend's Warblers in the Chisos, and of course, the lovely Lucifer Hummingbird. Single vote-getters, eachfabulous in its own way, included Black-capped Vireo, Eastern Screech-Owl, Carolina Chickadee, Greater Roadrunner,Lazuli Bunting, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, and Common Black-Hawk. And, of course, the spectacle of the free-tailedbats emerging from their cave was indeed spectacular, if cut short by the weather.

More than anything else, it is the chemistry of a trip that contributes to its success. Thanks to all of you for making this sucha wonderful tour. Megan and I hope to see you all again on future trips!

--Chris

We have more information about this itinerary and future departures on our web page for Texas's Big Bend & Hill Country.

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This cheeky roadrunner spent a couple of dayshanging out by our group's rooms at the Chisos

Lodge. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)

KEYS FOR THIS LISTOne of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E= endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant

BIRDSAnatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

(Dendrocygna autumnalis) – Some good views of this species close to the RioGrande in Del Rio.

(Aix sponsa) – Two were seen in Del Rio. (Anas americana)

(Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos) (Anas platyrhynchos diazi)

(Anas clypeata) (Aythya americana)

(Bucephala albeola)

Odontophoridae (New World Quail) (Callipepla squamata)

Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies) (Meleagris gallopavo)

Podicipedidae (Grebes) (Podilymbus podiceps)

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags) (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

(Phalacrocorax auritus)

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns) (Ardea herodias)

(Ardea alba) (Egretta thula) (Bubulcus ibis)

(Butorides virescens) (Nyctanassa violacea)

Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills) (Plegadis chihi)

Cathartidae (New World Vultures) (Coragyps atratus)

(Cathartes aura)

Pandionidae (Osprey) (Pandion haliaetus)

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites) (Ictinia mississippiensis) – We had a wonderful encounter with five on our drive to Lost Maples and

another four the following day. (Circus cyaneus)

(Accipiter striatus) (Accipiter cooperii)

(Buteogallus anthracinus) – Though they were not evident in the early morning, our last

BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK

WOOD DUCKAMERICAN WIGEONMALLARD (NORTHERN)MALLARD (MEXICAN)NORTHERN SHOVELERREDHEADBUFFLEHEAD

SCALED QUAIL

WILD TURKEY

PIED-BILLED GREBE

NEOTROPIC CORMORANTDOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT

GREAT BLUE HERONGREAT EGRETSNOWY EGRETCATTLE EGRETGREEN HERONYELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON

WHITE-FACED IBIS

BLACK VULTURETURKEY VULTURE

OSPREY

MISSISSIPPI KITE

NORTHERN HARRIERSHARP-SHINNED HAWKCOOPER'S HAWKCOMMON BLACK-HAWK


A good-looking Varied Bunting at Sam Nail (Photo by guideChris Benesh)

check yielded great looks at two birds at the Rio Grande campground. (Parabuteo unicinctus) – A few seen at scattered spots in the Hill Country.

(Buteo lineatus) (Buteo platypterus) – A lone bird seen.

(Buteo nitidus) – We had two at Rio Grande campground and another at Cottonwood campground. (Buteo swainsoni)

(Buteo albonotatus) – We werefortunate with this species this year, having three goodsightings beginning with the one Cindy spotted.

(Buteo jamaicensis) – Amazing to watchthem going after the free-tailed bats.

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras) (Caracara cheriway) – Quite a bit more

in evidence than some years. Birds were seen on five differentdays.

(Falco sparverius) (Falco peregrinus)

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots) (Fulica americana)

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings) (Charadrius vociferus)

Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets) (Himantopus mexicanus)

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies) (Actitis macularius)

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves) (Columba livia) [I]

(Streptopelia decaocto) [I] (Zenaida asiatica)

(Zenaida macroura) (Columbina inca)

(Columbina passerina)

Cuculidae (Cuckoos) (Coccyzus americanus) [*]

(Geococcyx californianus) – A frequent sight on this itinerary, who can forget the boldindividual who frequented the grounds of the Chisos Lodge.

Strigidae (Owls) (Megascops asio) – Fantastic look at one at our lodging in Utopia.

(Bubo virginianus)

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies) (Chordeiles acutipennis)

Apodidae (Swifts) (Chaetura pelagica)

(Aeronautes saxatalis)

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) (Lampornis clemenciae) – Nice looks at some coming to feeders next to the

HARRIS'S HAWKRED-SHOULDERED HAWKBROAD-WINGED HAWKGRAY HAWKSWAINSON'S HAWKZONE-TAILED HAWK

RED-TAILED HAWK

CRESTED CARACARA

AMERICAN KESTRELPEREGRINE FALCON

AMERICAN COOT

KILLDEER

BLACK-NECKED STILT

SPOTTED SANDPIPER

ROCK PIGEONEURASIAN COLLARED-DOVEWHITE-WINGED DOVEMOURNING DOVEINCA DOVECOMMON GROUND-DOVE

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOGREATER ROADRUNNER

EASTERN SCREECH-OWLGREAT HORNED OWL

LESSER NIGHTHAWK

CHIMNEY SWIFTWHITE-THROATED SWIFT

BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD


A Gray Hawk carrying a meal at Cottonwood Campground(Photo by guide Chris Benesh)

Chisos Lodge. (Calothorax lucifer) – It took a while to really nail this one down, but in the end the views

were fantastic. Of course, then one showed up outside the restaurant while we were having lunch. D'oh! (Archilochus colubris)

(Archilochus alexandri) (Selasphorus platycercus)

Picidae (Woodpeckers) (Melanerpes formicivorus)

(Melanerpes aurifrons) (Picoides scalaris)

(Colaptes auratus) [*]

Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers) (Contopus sordidulus)

(Contopus virens) (Empidonax virescens) – Good

views of this one at Lost Maples, being the largest of theEmpidonax.

(Empidonax minimus) (Empidonax wrightii)

(Empidonax oberholseri) (Empidonax occidentalis) –

Really nice views of this one on the Pinnacles Trail. (Sayornis nigricans)

(Sayornis phoebe) – Wonderfully closelooks at nestlings at our place in Utopia.

(Sayornis saya) (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – Really

amazing color! (Myiarchus cinerascens) (Myiarchus crinitus) (Myiarchus tyrannulus)

(Pitangus sulphuratus) (Tyrannus melancholicus) – One seen at Cottonwood Campground where this species has been

resident in recent years. (Tyrannus couchii) – Seen in Del Rio and Fork Clark Springs, as well as a pair at Cottonwood

Campground. (Tyrannus verticalis)

(Tyrannus forficatus) – One of the more memorable species in this part of the world.

Laniidae (Shrikes) (Lanius ludovicianus)

Vireonidae (Vireos) (Vireo griseus)

(Vireo bellii) (Vireo atricapilla) – Tricky to see well, I think most everybody got decent views by the end.

(Vireo vicinior) – A fast-moving bird on territory in Blue Creek Canyon. (Vireo flavifrons)

(Vireo plumbeus) (Vireo huttoni)

LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDBLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDBROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD

ACORN WOODPECKERGOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKERLADDER-BACKED WOODPECKERNORTHERN FLICKER

WESTERN WOOD-PEWEEEASTERN WOOD-PEWEEACADIAN FLYCATCHER

LEAST FLYCATCHERGRAY FLYCATCHERDUSKY FLYCATCHERCORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER

BLACK PHOEBEEASTERN PHOEBE

SAY'S PHOEBEVERMILION FLYCATCHER

ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERGREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHERBROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHERGREAT KISKADEETROPICAL KINGBIRD

COUCH'S KINGBIRD

WESTERN KINGBIRDSCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE

WHITE-EYED VIREOBELL'S VIREOBLACK-CAPPED VIREOGRAY VIREOYELLOW-THROATED VIREOPLUMBEOUS VIREOHUTTON'S VIREO


(Vireo philadelphicus) – One seen at Utopia on the River was quite a surprise, seemingly earlyfor this species as well as west of it normal route of passage in the state.

(Vireo olivaceus)

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies) (Cyanocorax yncas) – Our diversion to Fort Clark Springs yielded this handsome species.

(Aphelocoma californica) (Aphelocoma ultramarina)

(Corvus cryptoleucus) (Corvus corax)

Hirundinidae (Swallows) (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)

(Progne subis) (Tachycineta thalassina)

(Riparia riparia) (Hirundo rustica) (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) (Petrochelidon fulva)

Paridae (Chickadees and Tits) (Poecile carolinensis)

(Baeolophus atricristatus)

Remizidae (Penduline-Tits) (Auriparus flaviceps)

Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits) (Psaltriparus minimus)

Sittidae (Nuthatches) (Sitta carolinensis)

Troglodytidae (Wrens) (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)

(Salpinctes obsoletus) (Catherpes mexicanus)

(Thryothorus ludovicianus) (Thryomanes bewickii)

(Troglodytes aedon)

Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers) (Polioptila caerulea)

(Polioptila melanura)

Regulidae (Kinglets) (Regulus calendula)

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies) (Sialia sialis)

(Catharus guttatus)

Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers) (Mimus polyglottos)

(Toxostoma rufum) – One coming into the spring at the Sam Nail Ranch was a bit of surprise. Thisspecies is a scarce migrant this far west.

PHILADELPHIA VIREO

RED-EYED VIREO

GREEN JAYWESTERN SCRUB-JAYMEXICAN JAYCHIHUAHUAN RAVENCOMMON RAVEN

NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWPURPLE MARTINVIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWBANK SWALLOWBARN SWALLOWCLIFF SWALLOWCAVE SWALLOW

CAROLINA CHICKADEEBLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE

VERDIN

BUSHTIT

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH

CACTUS WRENROCK WRENCANYON WRENCAROLINA WRENBEWICK'S WRENHOUSE WREN

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERBLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET

EASTERN BLUEBIRDHERMIT THRUSH

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDBROWN THRASHER


(Toxostoma longirostre) (Toxostoma curvirostre)

(Toxostoma crissale) – Most of us had good (albeit quick) looks at one pointed out to us atCottonwood Campground.

Sturnidae (Starlings) (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]

Ptilogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers) (Phainopepla nitens)

Parulidae (New World Warblers) (Oreothlypis peregrina)

(Oreothlypis celata) (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)

(Oreothlypis crissalis) – Seeing this species is always tricky in drought years, so it was great thatthe main hiking group was able to track down a couple around Boot Spring.

(Parula americana) (Dendroica petechia)

(Dendroica pensylvanica) (Dendroica coronata auduboni)

(Dendroica nigrescens) (Dendroica chrysoparia) – A lovely breeding endemic well seen at Lost Maples.

(Dendroica virens) (Dendroica townsendi)

(Dendroica fusca) – Another surprise was this handsome bird at Kerr WMA. (Dendroica dominica)

(Dendroica castanea) – A wonderful male was at Utopia. (Dendroica cerulea) – Wow! A wonderful male at Utopia was probably the biggest surprise of

the several unexpected warblers there. (Mniotilta varia)

(Setophaga ruticilla) (Parkesia noveboracensis) (Parkesia motacilla) (Oporornis tolmiei)

(Geothlypis trichas) (Wilsonia pusilla) (Myioborus pictus) – A lone bird up at Boot Spring.

(Icteria virens) – These were chatting up a storm in Del Rio and elsewhere.

Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies) (Arremonops rufivirgatus)

(Pipilo chlorurus) (Pipilo maculatus)

(Aimophila ruficeps) (Melozone fusca)

(Spizella passerina) (Spizella pallida) – An overwealming number of these seen. Wow!

(Spizella breweri) (Pooecetes gramineus)

(Chondestes grammacus) (Amphispiza bilineata)

LONG-BILLED THRASHERCURVE-BILLED THRASHERCRISSAL THRASHER

EUROPEAN STARLING

PHAINOPEPLA

TENNESSEE WARBLERORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERNASHVILLE WARBLERCOLIMA WARBLER

NORTHERN PARULAYELLOW WARBLERCHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERYELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S)BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERGOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLERBLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERTOWNSEND'S WARBLERBLACKBURNIAN WARBLERYELLOW-THROATED WARBLERBAY-BREASTED WARBLERCERULEAN WARBLER

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERAMERICAN REDSTARTNORTHERN WATERTHRUSHLOUISIANA WATERTHRUSHMACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLERCOMMON YELLOWTHROATWILSON'S WARBLERPAINTED REDSTARTYELLOW-BREASTED CHAT

OLIVE SPARROWGREEN-TAILED TOWHEESPOTTED TOWHEERUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWCANYON TOWHEECHIPPING SPARROWCLAY-COLORED SPARROWBREWER'S SPARROWVESPER SPARROWLARK SPARROWBLACK-THROATED SPARROW


(Calamospiza melanocorys) (Ammodramus savannarum)

(Melospiza lincolnii) (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies) (Piranga flava) (Piranga rubra) (Piranga ludoviciana)

(Cardinalis cardinalis) (Cardinalis sinuatus)

(Pheucticus ludovicianus) (Pheucticus melanocephalus)

(Passerina caerulea) (Passerina amoena) (Passerina cyanea) (Passerina versicolor)

(Passerina ciris) – What a sight and sound to see and hear these so well beginning with sightingsnorth of Bracketville.

(Spiza americana) [*]

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies) (Agelaius phoeniceus)

(Sturnella magna) (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)

(Euphagus cyanocephalus) (Quiscalus quiscula)

(Quiscalus mexicanus) (Molothrus aeneus)

(Molothrus ater) (Icterus spurius)

(Icterus cucullatus) (Icterus bullockii) (Icterus graduacauda) – Sadly, these were mostly heard. But it was really odd to have what seemed

to be several pairs of these at Lost Maples. (Icterus parisorum)

Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies) (Carpodacus mexicanus)

(Spinus pinus) (Spinus psaltria)

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows) (Passer domesticus) [I]

MAMMALS (Tadarida brasiliensis) – Even though the show was cut short by the weather, it was

amazing to see nonetheless. (Sylvilagus floridanus)

(Sylvilagus audubonii) (Lepus californicus)

(Spermophilus mexicanus)

LARK BUNTINGGRASSHOPPER SPARROWLINCOLN'S SPARROWWHITE-CROWNED SPARROW

HEPATIC TANAGERSUMMER TANAGERWESTERN TANAGERNORTHERN CARDINALPYRRHULOXIAROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKBLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKBLUE GROSBEAKLAZULI BUNTINGINDIGO BUNTINGVARIED BUNTINGPAINTED BUNTING

DICKCISSEL

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDEASTERN MEADOWLARKYELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDBREWER'S BLACKBIRDCOMMON GRACKLEGREAT-TAILED GRACKLEBRONZED COWBIRDBROWN-HEADED COWBIRDORCHARD ORIOLEHOODED ORIOLEBULLOCK'S ORIOLEAUDUBON'S ORIOLE

SCOTT'S ORIOLE

HOUSE FINCHPINE SISKINLESSER GOLDFINCH

HOUSE SPARROW

BRAZILIAN FREE-TAILED BAT

EASTERN COTTONTAILDESERT COTTONTAILBLACK-TAILED JACKRABBITMEXICAN GROUND SQUIRREL


(Spermophilus variegatus) (Sciurus niger)

(Canis latrans) – Nice look at one chowing down on a small rodent. (Procyon lotor)

(Mephitis mephitis) (Tayassu tajacu)

(Axis axis) [I] (Odocoileus hemionus)

(Odocoileus virginianus)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Totals for the tour: 198 bird taxa and 14 mammal taxa

ROCK SQUIRRELFOX SQUIRRELCOYOTENORTHERN RACCOONSTRIPED SKUNKCOLLARED PECCARYSPOTTED DEERMULE DEERWHITE-TAILED DEER


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