Important Birds & Important Bird Areas: South Texas

Transcription

1 Important Birds & Important Bird Areas: South Texas Winter Rio Grande and Whooping Cranes With Wayne Petersen March 19 28, 2011 South Texas is inarguably the most exotic birding destination in North America. Here, in the verdant borderlands along the Rio Grande River, the ranges of many subtropical species just reach to the U.S./Mexican border, and many North American bird species that breed to the north may be found overwintering in the Rio Grande Valley. Unique habitats such as Tamaulipan Thorn Scrub and groves of Sabal Palms are home to some 40 South Texas avian specialties, including Plain Chachalaca, Hook-billed Kite, Red-crowned Parrot, Goldenfronted Woodpecker, Couch s Kingbird, Green Jay, and Altamira Oriole. Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are designated sites that provide essential habitat to one or more species of breeding, wintering, and/or migrating birds. South Texas has many such areas, including several famous National Wildlife Refuges and coastal seashore areas. And this trip helps support Mass Audubon s IBA program. On this tour we will visit a number of IBAs including Laguna Atascosa and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, the National Audubon Society s Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary, Bentsen Rio Grande and Falcon State Parks, and various wetland habitats on South Padre Island. Many of these areas are legendary among birders for their significant winter waterbird concentrations, unique Mexican borderland species, and the consistency with which they attract and sustain unique wildlife. If the winter season is relatively mild, we should encounter a diversity of life that will include everything from semi-tropical plants to a variety of butterflies and dragonflies, the latter of which the Valley hosts over 100 species!

2 South Texas ~March 19 28, 2011 DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY Saturday, March 19: Corpus Christi / Indian Point State Park / Rockport Plan to arrive in Corpus Christi, Texas, no later than 3PM. From Corpus it is less than an hour drive north to Rockport, a trip that includes crossing a dramatic ocean causeway. The birding en route is superb and there should be chances to observe Roseate Spoonbills, a host of herons and egrets, wintering shorebirds, and a variety of other species. After reaching our comfortable accommodations in Rockport, we ll enjoy a welcome dinner during which you will get acquainted with your guide, Wayne Petersen, and your other fellow traveling companions. We will dine at a great local restaurant! Accommodations in Rockport, Fulton Inn (D) Sunday, March 20: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge We ll start the morning with a boat tour along the edges of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge where we ll search for Whooping Cranes one of only two crane species inhabiting the New World. Aransas Refuge is best known for providing habitat for the core wintering population of these highly endangered and magnificent birds. Wayne will provide an overview of their status ahead of our visit. During March, we have a good chance of seeing these spectacular birds in family groups that winter together at Aransas after making a 2,500- mile southward migration from their nesting grounds in Canada s Wood Buffalo National Park in Saskatchewan. While on the boat we ll also look for several species of herons, egrets, and the incomparable Roseate Spoonbill. Captain Tommy will be our guide and will attempt to get us within close camera range of these iconic birds. With everyone alert and observing on deck, we might also find Long-billed Curlews, American Oystercatchers, Seaside Sparrows, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, both White-faced and White ibises, and a number of other waterfowl and shorebird species. Previous Mass Audubon trips have even recorded such rarities as Short-eared Owl and Greater Flamingo. Following a picnic lunch, we ll check the Aransas visitor s center and then drive the 16-mile Loop Road, which passes through a variety of habitats including open water, tidal mudflats, freshwater and saltwater marshes, coastal prairie, oak mottes, oak savannah, and grassy fields. In addition to providing a winter home to the Whooping Cranes, the area also supports Texas Coral Snakes, White-tailed Deer, Collared Peccaries, Ninebanded Armadillos, and Feral Hogs. With lots of luck we might see a Bobcat, or even the rare Ocelot. Dinner is at your leisure at any of several excellent restaurants nearby. Accommodations in Rockport, Fulton Inn (B, L) Monday, March 21: Rockport / Goose Island State Park / Kingsville We begin this morning s birding with a visit to Goose Island State Park. Here, we ll check the huge Live Oaks for wintering passerines and the edge of the bay for a variety of waterbirds. We then hope to meet with a refuge biologist from Aransas to learn more about research and current conservation challenges on the refuge. After lunch, we head south, stopping for a second look at Indian Point in Corpus Christi. This is a tidal flat with extensive oyster beds and a viewing platform where we re likely to see Reddish Egret, Roseate Spoonbill, and a host of other herons, egrets, terns, and wintering shorebirds. We will specifically learn about international efforts to track migrating shorebirds, along with looking for marked or banded birds which we will report is we see any. From Corpus, we ll drive south through extensive ranchlands, and if time allows, we ll visit the famous King Ranch museum. Accommodations will be Best Western in Kingsville (B, L)

3 Tues., March 22: King Ranch, Kingsville Today we begin searching for some of the signature species of our South Texas trip. In Kingsville, we ll be joined by a bird guide from the historic King Ranch, where we will spend a good part of the day exploring a small portion of the ranch s 825,000 acres. The King Ranch has been designated as an Internationally Important Bird Area supporting over 365 species. Some of the colorful species we may expect to see here include Vermilion Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Green Jay, and Audubon s Oriole. Although they re somewhat difficult to see during winter, one of the primary target birds at the King Ranch will be the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, good numbers of which dwell in the ranch s scattered oak woodlands. The King Ranch is home to the largest known population of this owl in the United States. In more open areas, we ll also watch for raptors such as Crested Caracara, White-tailed Hawk, and Harris s Hawk. Grassy sites provide habitat for Sprague s Pipits and several species of sparrows. The ranch s many ponds should hold flocks of White-faced Ibises, Least Grebes, and various species of waterfowl. The King Ranch tour includes a picnic lunch in the field. After leaving Kingsville, we ll continue south, hopefully reaching the Lower Rio Grande Valley by lateafternoon. If time permits, we ll make our first pre-dinner foray to search residential areas for Red-crowned Parrots and Green Parakeets as they congregate to roost for the evening. These noisy birds may be elusive, but can usually be located by their raucous calls (much like in the tropics!), that are audible even over the local traffic. Dinner will be at a favorite local restaurant. Accommodations near Brownsville, TX (B,L, D) Wed. March 23 Refuge South Padre Island National Seashore and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife This morning we ll drive eastward to South Padre Island. Padre Island National Seashore was designated as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy in 1998 for providing an "important habitat for globally significant numbers of Redheads, Brown Pelicans, Reddish Egrets, Peregrine Falcons (7% of the North American population), Piping Plovers (10% of the world's population), and Least Terns. From the mudflats near the causeway we can search for large waders such as Reddish Egret, Tricolored Heron, and American Oystercatcher, as well as Brown and White pelicans, wintering American Avocets, Black Skimmers, and various gulls and terns. We also hope to find Piping Plovers one of the country s most threatened shorebirds. At the Convention Center, a boardwalk provides access to wetlands along the bay. This area is a productive location for seeing rails, including King, Clapper, and Virginia, that barely seem to notice the humans walking above them. The Center s butterfly garden also provides habitat for wintering songbirds. If time permits, we may check one or more of the protected woodlots on Padre Island for migrant passerines. The best time to see the multitude of the park's bird migrants is during early spring and early fall when sometimes the numbers can be astounding. After lunch at a local restaurant, we ll return to the mainland. Heading northward, we ll next visit Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge has been designated as both a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy and a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN). Lying on the western shore of the Laguna Madre, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge protects over 65,000 acres of coastal habitat. More than 410 species of birds have been recorded here, including Aplomado Falcon, an endangered

4 South Texas ~March 19 28, 2011 species that the Peregrine Fund began reintroducing to south Texas in At the visitor s center and nearby paths, we ll check out the feeders for close-up views of Green Jay, Long-billed Thrasher, and perhaps a herd of Collared Peccaries (Javelinas). The 15-mile Bayside Drive loop provides outstanding views of coastal prairie, brush land, tidal flats and the margin of the Laguna Madre. Along the route, we ll look for wintering waterfowl, Sandhill Cranes, raptors (including Aplomado Falcon and White-tailed Hawk), shorebirds, gulls, and terns. With diligence we could encounter Sprague s Pipits or Sedge Wrens, and with real luck, a Bobcat, Nine-banded Armadillo, or even a Texas Tortoise. There are a number of restaurants near our hotel, though some folks may prefer to linger longer at our birding sites during these fine spring evenings, since dinner is at your leisure. Accommodations near Brownsville, TX (B,L) Thurs., March 24: Sabal Palm Audubon Sanctuary / Frontera Audubon Sanctuary / Valley Nature Center Before we leave the Brownsville area, we will visit the nearby Sabal Palm Grove Audubon Sanctuary. Created in 1971 this 557-acre sanctuary protects one of the country s last remaining stands of Sabal Palms. It is also one of the most reliable places in the U.S. to see Buff-bellied Hummingbirds. Other South Texas specialties likely to be at the sanctuary s feeders include Plain Chachalaca, White-tipped Dove, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Great Kiskadee, Green Jay, Olive Sparrow, and Altamira Oriole. By walking the sanctuary s short trails we will learn more about this important and highly threatened remnant Sabal Palm forest. Among the palm fronds and adjacent mesquite scrub, we ll also search for wintering songbirds such as Whiteeyed Vireo, and Black-and-white and Black-throated Green warblers. From a blind at a pond s edge, we may see species such as Mottled Duck, Least Grebe, and Green and Ringed kingfishers, and possibly a lingering shorebird or two. At the sanctuary s visitor s center, there will be an opportunity to learn more about Audubon s environmental education and conservation efforts on both sides of the border. From local experts we will find out how this and other borderland sanctuaries are being impacted by construction of the Border Wall. In the afternoon our group will visit two small but productive thickets in Weslaco the Frontera Audubon Sanctuary and the Valley Nature Center. Noisy and bold, Golden-fronted Woodpeckers are common here, as are Buff-bellied Hummingbirds, and these birds are often joined by a number of other wintering species. In recent years Frontera has hosted such rarities as Elegant Trogon, White-throated Robin, and Crimson-collared Grosbeak. If the Valley has not experienced cold weather, gardens at both of these sites may produce a variety of butterflies. Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, (B,L) Fri., March 25: Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park / Optional Night Birding This morning we visit Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, one of the Valley s several World Birding Center sites. Bentsen protects an array of habitats that support most of the Valley s special birds. By walking short trails we will visit the river s edge, ponds, marshes, thorn forest, and mesquite. A recently constructed hawk watching platform provides an expansive view of the surrounding area. We hope to see many of the South Texas specialties here including White-tipped Dove, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, Great Kiskadee, Green Jay, and Altamira Oriole. We could even find a Clay-colored Robin or something more unusual. If there is interest, we may visit the gardens at the North American Butterfly Association s (NABA) International Butterfly Park, only a few minutes from Bentsen. During its short existence, this site has already

5 produced a huge number of butterfly species including several first U.S. records. We will either have a picnic lunch or eat at a local café. After lunch we will visit Anzalduas County Park, whose Spanish moss-clad live oak trees sometimes host resident Tropical Parulas along with a variety of wintering warblers. In fields near the entrance road, if we have not yet seen it we can search again for Sprague s Pipit, a very local wintering species. Anzalduas also often hosts both Ringed and Green kingfishers. After a break at a local restaurant for an early dinner, we will return to Bentsen State Park to search for night birds. We hope to see Common Pauraque, Eastern Screech Owl, possibly an Elf Owl, and perhaps a Virginia Opossum. Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, (B,L,D) If we search for night birds, there is decent cafeteria nearby with pies and lots of other southern choices. The cafeteria works well for an early and not too long dinner for this evening. Sat. March 26: West along the Rio Grande / Chapeño / Falcon State Park Today we venture into higher and more arid lands to the west, our route generally following the Rio Grande. We ll pass through Rio Grande City and Roma once the most inland port for steamship traffic on the Rio Grande. We re likely to find a number of desert birds here which could include White-winged and Inca doves, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Verdin, Cactus and Bewick s wrens, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Black-throated Sparrow, and Pyrrhuloxia. In the morning, we ll station ourselves along the Rio Grande hoping for a fly-by Muscovy Duck, Red-billed Pigeon, or perhaps a Hook-billed Kite. Here, we ll also scan the sky for Gray and Red-shouldered hawks, and noisy Ringed Kingfishers. Hopefully, we will be able to catch the song and sight of beautiful Altamira and Audubon s orioles, too. Continuing a short distance, we ll visit the 573-acre Falcon State Park adjacent to Falcon Dam, another Globally Important Bird Area, and one of the best local places to see desert scrub species such as Greater Roadrunner, Curve-billed Thrasher, and possibly Scaled Quail and Northern Bobwhite. Occasionally, flocks of Lark Buntings are present along the roadsides near the park entrance. We ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant on our return to Alamo. Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, (B,L) Sun. March 27: Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge There is wisdom in saving the best for last! Accordingly, on our last full day we will take a short drive south to Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, which protects 2,000 acres in the very heart of the Rio Grande Valley Wildlife Corridor. With well over 300 species of birds recorded here, many birders regard this reserve as the Jewel in the Crown of the National Refuge System. Extensive trails allow exploration of pond, wetland, open field, thorn forest, and Tamaulipan scrub habitats. Here we should hear the raucous calls of Couch s Kingbirds and Great Kiskadees, as well as the repeated whistles of tiny Northern Beardless Tyrannulets. Those who wish may ascend the newly constructed hawk watching tower where we may, if we re lucky, get eye-level views of a Gray Hawk or Hook-billed Kite. During winter, Santa Ana is home to all three North American kingfishers, although their day-to-day presence depends on water levels at the various local impoundments. While at the refuge, we ll travel the seven-mile Wildlife Drive via tram, getting off in key locations to walk and explore. The flora is a dense tangle of brush that harbors subtropical bird species more typically found in northeastern Mexico. At red-flowering Shrimp Plants we ll check for Buff-bellied and other hummingbird species. Tropical Parula might be calling from the moss-draped limbs of large Texas Ebony

6 South Texas ~March 19 28, 2011 trees. Least Grebes could be quietly floating on the small ponds of the refuge, and we ll keep our eyes open for Soras and wintering shorebird species. We plan to meet with refuge staff to learn more about the significance of this spectacular Texas Important Bird Area. Several mammals more at home in Mexico extend their range just over the border at Santa Ana, including the Ocelot and Jaguarundi both of which are extremely rare in the United States. The area also hosts a diverse array of amphibian, butterfly and other insect species. We will enjoy a farewell dinner with Wayne and Betty as we reflect on the future for birds in what is arguably one America s most exotic birding hotspots. Hopefully this journey has brought many of the region s conservation challenges to light, along with giving you an opportunity to experience its unique species and myriad delights! Accommodations at the Alamo Inn, (B,L,D) Mon., March 28: Departures from Harlingen, TX Depending on our flight times, we may get a bit of local birding in before our departure, but for most of us it will be time to begin our own migration home. Adios, buen viajes! We wish you safe travels home. Travel Planning You are responsible for planning your arrival to and departure from Corpus Christi, departing McAllen (Harlingen). Please arrive by 3 PM.on March 18 th. Plan on departures after 9:00 AM to allow time for early breakfast and travel to the airport. ABOUT OUR NATURALIST GUIDES Wayne Petersen is Mass Audubon s Director of the Massachusetts Important Bird Areas (IBA) program. He has led trips and tours, lectured, and conducted birding workshops across North America for over thirty-five years. His tour-leading experiences have taken him from the Arctic to South America, as well as Iceland, Svalbard, Africa, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica. Wayne was a founding member of the Massachusetts Avian Records Committee, is a New England Regional Editor for North American Birds, and serves on the advisory committee for the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. His writing projects include authoring the National Audubon Society s Pocket Guide to Songbirds and Familiar Backyard Birds (East), coauthoring Birds of Massachusetts and Birds of New England, co-editing the Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas, and contributing to The Audubon Society Master Guide to Birding, The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior, and Arctic Wings. In 2005, Wayne was the recipient of the American Birding Association s Ludlow Griscom Award for outstanding contributions in regional ornithology. He is especially interested in seabirds and shorebirds, and he derives great satisfaction from sharing his knowledge of the natural world with his fellow colleagues and traveling

7 TERMS & CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL Tour Price is based on double occupancy: $2880 from Corpus Christi, TX., departing from Harlingen, TX. Single supplement is subject to availability and is an additional cost of $400 WHAT S INCLUDED: Services of 1 or 2 qualified Massachusetts Audubon Society naturalists andlocal professional guide services All scheduled land transport. All park and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary. All accommodations Most meals as specified in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), transportation during the journey All Tips. NOT INCLUDED: Round-trip airfare from your home to Texas Items of a personal nature (alcoholic drinks, laundry, phone calls, etc.) Meals not noted on the itinerary Airport departure taxes, passport fees, gratuities for luggage handling, or other fees not listed in program. GROUP SIZE: A minimum of 7 participants is required. The group size will be limited to approximately 14 people. APPLICATIONS, RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS: Early applications are strongly encouraged. Trip rosters usually must be finalized 4 months before departure! All applications must be accompanied by a completed reservation form and $500 deposit. Deposits can be by check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). We reserve the right to decline your application. In the case of questionable health, we reserve the right to require a physician s certification to affirm you are capable of the activities. Final payment is due 95 days before the departure date. Final payment must be by check. RATES: All tour prices are based on double occupancy. If you would like us to find you a roommate, we will do our best, but cannot guarantee a share (except on certain cruises). If we cannot find a share, you will need to pay the single supplement. All forms and fares are accurate at the time of publication October 2010 but are subject to change at any time prior to departure. Rarely, a price increase may be called for if the group falls below the minimum of 7. The maximum number of participants is approximately 14 FLIGHTS: You the traveler are responsible for booking and paying for your own flights to and from Texas. Once your deposit and reservation form have been sent to us, we will send you suggested flight information. Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable, therefore you should not book your flight arrangements until you have checked with us to be sure the tour has the minimum number of participants for the trip to go. CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: If you need to change your booking, you must inform us immediate. All cancellations must be done in writing and are effective upon receipt in the Massachusetts Audubon Travel Office. Cancellations received up to 121 days prior to departure will be refunded deposits less a $300 per person fee. For cancellations between 120 and 90 days prior to departure, all deposits will not be refunded. There are no refunds for cancellations 90 days or less from departure. We strongly urge all travelers to purchase trip cancellation insurance. You will be sent information from the Massachusetts Audubon Society upon receipt of your deposit. Photo credits: Images as marked, Tony Beck - to see more of his images, go to: www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/; all other unmarked images by Peg Abbott.

8 South Texas ~March 19 28, 2011 Your Responsibility: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, group travel trips by their nature involve a certain amount of risk. Trip participants should understand that the domestic and international trips sponsored/operated by Massachusetts Audubon Society (Mass Audubon Tours) - hereafter collectively M.A.S. - involve known and unknown risks. M.A.S. assumes no responsibility for injuries, death, financial losses or damage to clients property caused by or occurring during participation in any of the travel trips sponsored/operated by M.A.S. Trip participants must assume responsibility for having sufficient skill and fitness to participate in the trips and activities offered or sponsored by M.A.S. Trip participants must also certify that they have no medical, mental or physical conditions which could interfere with their abilities to participate in the activities and/or trips they are participating in and they must assume and bear the cost of all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. It is the responsibility of trip participants to have in place adequate insurance to cover any injury, damage or emergency transportation costs related to their travel and/or participation in trip activities and/or to bear the costs of such injury, damage or emergency transportation costs. Because of the risks associated with the travel trips sponsored by M.A.S. we urge all trip participants to supplement their own insurance with travel or vacation or emergency response types of insurance. M.A.S. requires that all trip participants acknowledge and assume these risks by reading and signing an M.A.S. Release and Waiver and Assumption of Risk contract prior to departure. CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL: Travelers will be provided with an itinerary and trip preparation information. It is expected that travelers will read this information prior to trip departure. Travelers will be responsible for completing an application reservation form, a personal information form, and a release of liability form. Travelers will be expected to abide by the terms set for in the invoice. During the tour, travelers are asked to respect and follow the directions of their guide and leader.

9 Reservation Form ~ South Texas ~March 19 28, 2011 Mr./Mrs./Ms. Passenger Name (1) as shown as passport Mr./Mrs./Ms. Passenger Name (2) as shown as passport Address City State Zip Phone: Day Evening address Please check: I/We are non-smoker(s) group spaces or I/we are smoker(s) but fully understand that smoking is limited to outdoors and non The two of us above are sharing a room and would like a room with ONE or TWO beds I request single accommodations where available and will pay the single supplement. I would like to be assigned a roommate. If one is not available, I will pay the single supplement. I certify that I have not recently been treated for, nor am I aware of any physical or other conditions that would create a hazard to me of other members of this tour. Deposit: Please find my enclosed check or please charge my credit card for the deposit: ($500 per person) VISA MC Card # Exp. Checks should be made payable to Massachusetts Audubon Society Signature Return form to: Mass Audubon TOURS 208 South Great Rd. Lincoln, MA FAX: or travel@massaudubon.org