LA Birding

Birding in Texas is always a pleasure

It's been awhile since a birding entry here. But this week I paid a visit to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in south Texas. Up to 3 Crimson-collared Grosbeaks and a Green-breasted Mango were the target birds. A cheap flight from LA to Houston arrived at midnight Friday and Cin-Ty met me at Houston airport and we drove down together arriving at 7am Saturday at Frontera Audubon in Weslaco (Antshrike's territory). Birding in Texas is always so well orgainsed. Thanks to friendly local birders, Texbirds always has regular updates on continuing rarities and Frontera opened its gates bang on schedule with a friendly Selena King pointing us in the right direction of the potato tree that the grosbeaks prefer.

We followed a couple from Ohio who were back for their 2nd try for these birds. On the way, a male Summer Tanager and a Blue-headed Vireo were nice distractions for this west coast birder. Within minutes this couple had found a "green" Crimson-collared Grosbeak feeding quietly at the back of a tree. Occasionally Plain Chachalachas would disturb it but over the course of the next hour, a female and juvenile CC Grosbeak performed well but not well enough to digiscope.

Next stop was McAllen where a Green-breasted Mango had been reported sporadically in the backyard at 500 Rose Ellen Blvd. We arrived at 8:30 and dutifully paid our $10 per head "donation". I hope everybody who sees this bird pays up. Immediately upon arrival, the mango was seen sitting in a bare tree next to the feeders. What a stunner! Occasionally fanning its tail to show off its purple/russet tail feathers and chasing the dimuntive (in comparison) Buff-bellied Hummingbirds off the feeder. Other nice birds here included an Eastern Phoebe.

Below is a photo. I posted another one in the N. American Stop Press gallery.

Anyway, thanks again to Texas birders who are always so friendly and organised. Hopefully I can come back soon.

Posted by Andyb at November 21, 2004 10:31 PM