Trip participants: Steve Arlow and Lee Ebbs Trip Report author: Steve Arlow: birder.steve@btinternet.com

Website for further images: www.birdersplayground.co.uk Summary: I had, since my last trip to Texas in April 2008, wanted to make a return visit and travel to the drier areas in the south of the state which I had not previously been to. After some investigation around birding destinations, likely routes and potential birds that could be possible seen in a two week round robin trip of this rather large state a planned was hatched. There were a number of species in the south west that I had not previously encountered so with the return trip planned Big Bend National Park, Davis Mountains State Park and the Edwards Plateau were high on my list of most looked forward to destinations. These areas would pretty much take up the first half of the trip with the latter part of the trip being on the upper Texas coast where I had been previously. The trip itself will perhaps not be one remembered as a classic where everything fell into place due to a number of reasons, such as the distracting pain in my foot for much of the time, some poor weather that affected the birdlife, most notably in the Davis Mountains, and the constant pest that were the mega mossies on the coast. These downsides were tempered by some absolutely outstanding moments that will be always remembered. Perhaps the top of the pile of these outstanding moments will be the 10million Mexican Free-tailed Bats exiting their cave in front of a storm front that was bearing down on us and the Bobcat on the road at Anahuac when we thought any chance of this cat had all but gone. In addition to these other hugely enjoyable non avian moments will be of the 20+ species of wood-warbler within 100 metres of the Smith Oaks Wood Winnie Street entrance gate in just a couple of hours one morning; my little ‘damp patch’ within the same wood that was so much better for attracting birds than the Boy Scout Wood photo hide drips; the roadside pool along Retillion Road near Bolivar Flats that was THE wader/shorebird hotspot (which held my personal bird of the trip, summer plumaged Wilson’s Phalaropes); the displaying Nighthawks at the Oilfields that we thought couldn’t be beaten until the daylight birds at Anahuac the next day; the Brazos Bend State Park heron fest along with running (in my case limping fast) back to the car as it hammered down during a spectacular lightening-flashing storm; the Beach Photo-shoot (Lee will know what I mean on that one); the scenery of Big Bend; the Elf Owl at Cottonwood Campground at Big Bend, well Cottonwood Campground in general as it produced some of the best Big Bend birding; the Roadrunner doing what Roadrunners should do, the spectacle of the American Avocets at Bolivar and flocks of skimmers and terns at Rollover Pass. There are many more not mentioned here but the more I look at it perhaps it will be one of those trips that will be well remembered. Also a special mention to Lee for being very patient with me when at times the excruciating pain in my foot would make me pretty irritable, I know who would notice…So thank you Lee.

RESOURCES: Books and Apps:

Field Guides

• The North American Bird Guide – Sibley: The indispensable field guide. I have the first edition whilst Lee bought the second edition at Big Bend.

• Birds of North America - National Geographic: A reasonably good guide or alternative to Sibley and the

second best field guide to North American birds. Lee took a copy which was barely looked at due to having the Sibley

• Mammals of North America – Kays & Wilson: Reviewed on return for identification of several rabbits, hares

and rodents. This is a fine reference • Field Guide to Butterflies of North America – Kaufmann: Due to the number of some rather special

looking butties I bought this guide at Big Bend so I could try and work out some of the fritillaries and so on. The best Butterfly guide to North America I’ve so far come across.

• New World Warblers – Helm

A superb monograph to all of the warblers found in the New World. Used as a reference only, too big to take, the information and superb illustrations contained in this book aided in the identification of the American Wood Warblers.

• The Shorebird Guide; Houghton Mifflin: A stunning photographic identification guide that surpasses all that has gone before it in terms of information, quality and pleasure to look through. The photographs are stunning and with concise text detailing the relevant identification points. Thoroughly recommended for sorting out the waders/shorebirds.

• Waders of Europe, Asia and North America; Helm: At first glance this lightweight book seems a little under

whelming but on further investigation the illustrations are very accurate, clearly laid out and with brief but accurate identification text. Standing birds are grouped together in the first half of the book whilst flying birds are at the rear along with range maps, though these are obviously on a wider, worldwide stage rather on a North American standpoint. Another highly recommended wader/shorebird reference.

• Gulls of the Americas; Houghton Mifflin: Another quality photographic ID guide. Used as a reference only for those species likely to be encountered in Texas which were few and certainly not as difficult to identify as those found on the US west coast.

• Buntings and Sparrows, A guide to the Buntings and North American Sparrows; Pica Press: An

essential reference this monograph does a sterling job in sorting out the LBJ’s Other titles:

• Thrushes; Helm: For help in identifying the Catharus thrushes • Shorebirds; Helm: used now secondly to the Shorebird Guide • New World Blackbirds; Helm: For superb reference on grackles, cowbirds, meadowlarks and Orioles • Finches and Sparrows; Helm: to assist in getting to grips with the sparrows • Wrens, Dippers and Thrasher; Helm: Another monograph to help with Wren identification Apps

• The North American Bird Guide – Sibley A good App but lacks thumbnail pics to look at so you have to constantly scroll down a list and open each species individually though does have a useful comparison option that can be used for reviewing closely related species. Best App but still lacking in some areas, sound knowledge of bird families is recommended so it can used in the field. • iBird Plus Really only used for bird sounds as otherwise the illustrations are substandard and the photo’s lacking in quality. Site Guide

• A Birders Guide to the Texas Coast – Mel Cooksey and Ron Weeks The indispensable site guide for the coast, much still valid as it was when last used in 2007

Websites: High Island / Anahuac / Bolivar / Galveston

• Birding High Island - http://www.birdinghighisland.com/ This is a primary source of information for the High Island area

• Houston Audubon (HAS) High Island - http://www.houstonaudubon.org/default.aspx/MenuItemID/373/MenuGroup/High+Island.htm

• High Island Oilfields Road - http://www.pinkmoose.ic24.net/texas/oil.htm • Birds of the Upper Texas Coast – Birding Locations - http://www.texasbirding.net/location.htm • Texas Birding; Upper Texas Coast - http://www.texasbirding.net/ • Sea Rim State Park - http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/sea-rim • Galveston Biding – Birdforum - http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=2630045#post2630045 Attwater and Katy Prairie Attwater Prairie Chickens - http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/texas/attwater/index.html • Katy Prairie Loop - https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wildlife/wildlife-trails/coastal/upper/katy-prairie-loop • Katy Prairie Birding Sites - http://www.katyprairie.org/ and https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wildlife/wildlife-

trails/coastal/upper/katy-prairie-loop • Katy Prairie Loop:

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ABUuAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA201&lpg=PA201&dq=katyprairie.org/birding/&source=bl&ots=_h6jrEaXRq&sig=Ag9VnHXiSKWYI9bb4FbbZKXvx7Q&hl=en&sa=X&ei=_szgVKbRFMrxUqudg6AJ&ved=0CEcQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=katyprairie.org%2Fbirding%2F&f=false

Edwards Plateau

• Uvalde Fish Hatchery - http://www.fws.gov/Southwest/fisheries/uvalde/index.html • Frio Bat Flight - http://www.friobatflight.com/ • Cooks Slough, Uvalde - http://txhillcountrytrail.com/plan-your-adventure/historic-sites-and-cities/sites/cooks-

slough-sanctuary • Cook Slough Project - http://npsot.org/wp/uvalde/?page_id=110 • Chalk Bluff Park - http://www.chalkbluffpark.com/maps.html • Kerr WMA - http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=12&activity=wildlifeViewing Davis Mountains and Big Bend areas

• Davis Mountains State Park - http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/davis-mountains • Birding Big Bend - http://visitbigbend.com/birding/ • Big Bend National Park Service - http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/maps.htm General Birding

• The World Birding Centre - http://www.theworldbirdingcenter.com/ • Texas Ornithological Society (TOS) - http://www.texasbirds.org/ • Where do you want to go Birdwatching in Texas - http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/ustexas.html • Birding Trails of Corpus Christie - http://visitcorpuschristitx.org/Birding/Birding_Trails.cfm • The Birds of Corpus Christi, Texas - http://www.birdsofcorpuschristi.com/ • Discover the Wildlife of Texas, Great Texas Wildlife Trails - http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wildlife/wildlife-

trails/ • Birding Trails Texas, Gulf Coast -

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ABUuAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA201&lpg=PA201&dq=katyprairie.org/birding/&source=bl&ots=_h6jrEaXRq&sig=Ag9VnHXiSKWYI9bb4FbbZKXvx7Q&hl=en&sa=X&ei=_szgVKbRFMrxUqudg6AJ&ved=0CEcQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=katyprairie.org%2Fbirding%2F&f=false

Bird Sightings Information:

• Birders Dashboard - http://birdingwashington.info/dashboard/ This is the primary source used of sightings information used. You can select any state and then target species to see when they and where they were seen or select locations for all the sightings from there. Excellent resource.

• eBird - http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ Tour Itineraries: Some tour group itineraries were also reviewed as this also provided insight into potential species list and hotspots to visit: • Texas Big Bend Birding and Wildlife Tour: Naturalist Journeys -

http://www.naturalistjourneys.com/jcalendar/jc_bigbend15.htm • Texas Hill Country Birding and Nature Tour - http://www.naturalistjourneys.com/jcalendar/jc_hillcountry13.htm

Maps:

• Martin Dies, Jr. State Park - http://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4504_031c.pdf

Trip Reports:

• Various Trip Reports were reviewed and these are available from several websites such Surfbirds http://www.surfbirds.com/ and Cloudbirders http://www.cloudbirders.com//

Most useful and/or most comprehensive trip reports used:

• Southern Texas 26th April – 9

th May 2014 : Richard and Sarah Thomas

• Texas April 6-21 2007 : Robert Tuveson and Nilla Bengtsson • Texas Part 1 – Coastal 16-22 April and Part 2 – Hill Country 23 April – 2 may 2013 : Simon Mitchell • Texas April 1-16 2007 : Mans Grundsten and Tomas Stafstrom • Various reports by Birdseekers, Field Guides and Victor Emanuel Nature Tours – These plenty of reports out

there to gain a basic understanding of what can be seen and where

Tide Table Websites: One thing I came across when researching the tides for Bolivar was the extreme amount of variability in the forecasted tides between websites. Another thing that stood out was the amount of difference in High Tide times between Bolivar and Rollover Pass, often being several hours later at Rollover. I made some calculations based on the High and Low Tides given by all websites for Port Bolivar and Rollover Pass and determined a ‘time’ to be at each location, an average ‘middle ground’ time. This however didn’t work out to much in practice and was rarely looked at. From day one the tide were clearly not even close to any forecast on any of the websites that no information was trusted to be correct, we ended just birding at the sites when the mood took us. However for completeness I have detailed here the various tide table websites. • Tides4Fishing - http://www.tides4fishing.com/us/texas/port-bolivar • SaltwaterTides.com – http://www.saltwatertides.com/pickpred.html • Mobilegeographics.com – http://tides.mobilegeographics.com/locations/4868.html • USHarbours.com - http://tx.usharbors.com/monthly-tides/Texas-North/Port%20Bolivar/2015-04 • AmericanTides – http://www.americantides.com/tide-predictions/rollover-pass-texas Sunrise / Sunset times: I also searched out times of dawn and dusk and it became apparent that there was a difference between Big Bend and High Island by some 20-30minutes, dawn/dusk being later at Big Bend. So at High Island Dawn / Sunrise would be at around 6.45am and at Big Bend it was around 7.10am so we needed to be up and out earlier on the coast. I forgot about this on our first day at High Island and we stepped out the door at 7.30am and it was pretty bright, so note to be up and out at 6.30am instead. TRAVELLING Flight The international flight was with British Airways to Austin Bergstom International Airport and was booked through http://www.expedia.co.uk/. There were several reasons for flying British Airways to Austin. Firstly British Airways has a very generous luggage allowance, 23kgs for Checked Luggage and up to 20kg Carry On Luggage, pretty much as long as you can lift it into the overhead lockers, plus a laptop bag. The flight was also direct, no faffing around with connections and worrying about luggage going missing. Secondly we travelled to Austin rather than Houston, the normal point of entry to Texas, because of the cost. A return flight to Houston was coming out at a ridiculous £880, other airlines were no cheaper unless you had multiple connections and long journey time, whereas Austin was around £610. Our last day would require a fairly longish drive from the coast but the cost of the additional ‘gas/petrol’ versus the extra on the flight was negligible. Also Austin Airport was pretty quick, from landing to driving away on arrival was about an hour and half, it would have been an hour had the luggage carousel not broken down for 20 or so minutes. The flight would see us arrive at 4pm local time so the only birding on the first afternoon was from the car as we drove to our first night’s accommodation at Sealy. Red Tape - No Visa is required for entry into Texas / USA but you ‘must’ have your first night pre-booked in the US before travel, you run the risk of not being allowed on the flight if you do not. A VISA waiver program is in place for UK resident’s call an ESTA and this should be obtained before departure. Again failure to have an ESTA will likely result in non- admittance onto the flight. ESTA – https://www.esta-registration.co.uk/ (you may have to copy and paste this web address)

Car Rental – Alamo I looked at the various car rental options and the cheapest options found were Budget and Alamo Car Rentals whilst Alamo just shaded it in the cost front. www.alamo.co.uk/. I originally booked a mid-sized Ford Focus type car but subsequently upgraded looking after looking at the vehicles specs, we may have struggled for boot space with the amount of luggage. I booked a Ford Fusion, Full sized car but got a Kia Optima on arrival. With additional cost for roadside assistance should we need it the cost for marginally over two weeks was £437.96 ($661.45) when it finally hit my Credit Card Statement. This was roughly £29 per day but between the two of us it wasn’t that bad for a big spacious car. The car was okay, drove well but like most modern cars in America it had plenty of beeps telling you about either non fastened seat belts, hand brake, for this car a footbrake equivalent, was not released when trying to drive away etc but these sounds were not overly annoying or as excessive as some. The Cruise Control took a little time to work out but once done this was great, the petrol cap release took some time to locate, oddly it was placed towards the rear of the ‘door storage compartment’ in the drivers door, alongside the boot release!. It was not a particularly fuel efficient car but it did have a sizeable petrol/gas tank so we could, on long runs, get a lot of miles out of it. Perhaps the most annoying thing for me in this car was the windows. From a photography perspective it was troublesome. I often put my big arsed 500mm prime lens out the car window with a bean bag but the curvature of the door and high window sill meant that I often had my head jammed under the roof and if the bird was fairly close I wouldn’t even be able to look through the viewfinder. The wing mirrors were very large, overkill in size, so anything that was ahead of me meant that, along with the door curvature, I was never going to be able to rest the lens on it. I would have to angle the car pretty extremely and hope the bird would fly off as a result, the car often straddling the track/road etc. This annoyance aside the car was okay and nice and easy to drive. Driving – Driving in Texas is very easy though I found some of the road signs a little too small and often last minute (right on top of the turn-off) so some back tracking had to be made at the right junctions. Once you know the routes though there shouldn’t be a problem. Special Notes: 1. Turn Right on Red – You can turn right on a red light if no traffic is coming from the left and there are no pedestrians are crossing to the right. Flashing red lights also mean the same thing 2. Flashing Lights – Flashing Amber lights are a warning of a junction approaching and care should be taken but stopping is not needed unless sign-posted. Flashing red lights mean that left or right turns are permitted at junctions. 3. School Buses – If a school bus has its lights flashing and stop sign out then traffic must stop, in all directions and not from just behind the vehicle. 4. Road Map(s) – As with my last trip I used my trusty GeoCenter World Map 1:1200000. This is a decent roadmap that is laid out clearly and also includes City Maps. I also printed a number of GoogleMaps for specific junctions or routes, especially for around San Antonio to make sure we didn’t go wrong but by and large the GeoCenter Map was perfectly fine. 5. Junctions – All vehicles stop at Stop signs irrespective if traffic is coming the other way or not, it just seems Americans just do it. There will be no visible traffic for miles but they will come to a standstill. If multiple vehicles reach a junction at the nearly the same time generally the first there has the right of way. For estimating travelling and driving distances I used the WildTexas website which I will say was pretty accurate in its calculation of distances and driving times, though the actual directions took a little getting used to: http://www.wildtexas.com/travel-calculator.php

I have, as a guide, placed road distances and average driving times between sites here: Austin to Sealy : 110 miles / 1 hour 40 mins Sealy to Attwater : 13.4 miles / 22 mins Attwater to Uvalde : 230 miles / 3 hours 40 mins Uvalde to Lost Maples : 56.8 miles / 1 hour 1 min Lost Maples to Kerr WMA : 50.4 miles / 1 hour 7 mins Uvalde to Kerr WMA : 87.5 miles / 1 hour 4 0mins Neal’s Lodge to Lost Maples : 36.3 miles / 47 mins Neal’s Lodge to Balmorhea Lake : 332 miles / 4 hours 51 mins Balmorhea Lake to Davis Mountains State Park : 39.8 miles / 56 mins Davis Mountains State Park to Big Bend National Park Gate: 100 miles / 1 hour 45 mins Big Bend National Park to Neal’s Lodge : 307 miles / 5 hours Big Bend National Park to High Island : 680 miles / 9 hours 52 mins Big Bend to Galveston : 657 miles / 9 hours 38 mins Neal’s Lodge to High Island : 354 miles / 5 hours 17 mins Winnie to High Island: 18.1 miles / about 20 mins High Island to Bolivar : 27.7 miles / about 33 mins Winnie to Austin Airport : 216 miles / 3 hours 13 mins Petrol Costs – As to be expected petrol / gas was significantly cheaper in Texas than back home in the UK. We had a large car with a sizeable tank and we could, for most locations, fill up for around $40, that’s about £25. This full tank would then take us around, according to the in car mileage computer, 600miles if driving economically. At home to fill my Ford Focus it would be around £65 and get less mileage, it’s a much smaller tank. Overall we probable spent no more than £200 total for 3300miles.

WEATHER - The following Weather Websites were perhaps the most useful: National Weather Services (for the Upper Texas Coast) - http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Galveston&state=TX&site=HGX&textField1=29.3&textField2=-94.795&e=0 USAIRNET - http://www.usairnet.com/weather/maps/current/texas/wind-direction/ ACCOMMODATIONS:

Sealy – Super 8 Motel A typical chain motel with clean standard rooms. Booked online prior to departure from the UK. I’ve used this chain previously and it’s always been good though the cost for one night was steep $113 / £77 but it was conveniently placed for driving down to Attwater the next morning. http://www.super8.com/ Uvalde– Quality Inn Motel Another Chain motel. Again booked in the UK prior to departure. Had a ‘very’ similar room layout to that of Super 8 at Sealy. Seems to be a standard room layout across most of the motel chains. $90.39 / £61.73. Room booked through https://www.hotelplanner.com/ Plenty of food options nearby in Uvalde. Concan – Neal’s Lodges Google Earth Co-ordinates: 29°29'44.62"N, 99°42'50.54"W A little disappointed with Neal’s. The room was very basic, even scruffy, for the cost but has benefit of birding on your doorstep. The lodge is a little sprawling, doesn’t feel like it’s an actual lodge. Food options nearby limited to sandwiches from the nearby gas station as restaurant would be closed by the time we returned from the Bat Cave trip. $89.27 http://nealslodges.com/concan-cabins/ Davis Mountains State Park - Indian Lodge We stayed at Indian Lodge within Davis Mountains State Park at a cost of $107.35 / £72.54 for one night. The room though was on the better side but still lacked a fridge. There was Wi-Fi in the lodges main lounge, a nice visitor shop with coffee in the morning but the restaurant was shut, strange open/closed hours. This was booked on arrival however for nearby accommodation in Fort Davis visit http://www.fortdavis.com/hotels.html Big Bend National Park – Big Bend Resort & Adventures Google Earth Co-ordinates: 29°19'47.93"N, 103°32'02.08"W Found this motel outside the park to the west. Room was okay and had a nearby restaurant which was open till 9pm, a shop and a gas station etc. Not much cheaper than staying inside the park at Chisos Mountain Lodge and about 30miles away $108.43 / £72.59 for one night. If the mountain lodge is full this is the only other option other than camping.

Big Bend National Park – Chisos Mountains Lodge An impressive lodge in impressive location with a very fine restaurant, best meal of the trip was here, a superb steak. Wi-Fi is available at the entrance to main building but not in the rooms. Cost pf the room was high though at $150.16 / £100 per night, we stayed only two nights out of the three that we had ear marked for here. The room had a nice view, had Cactus Wren from the balcony, but it was right next to a generator room so had a ‘hum’ all night, though when your knackered and need sleep it was not noticeable. Room had a fridge. http://chisosmountainslodge.com/lodging/?keyword=lodging Galveston – Motel 6 Ad-hoc accommodation found as we headed into Galveston after birding at Brazos Bend State Park. I have used Motel 6 in previous US trips and it’s a cheap (relative as this was expensive for the chain but that’s due to being in Galveston) but good basic motel chain. We had pizza delivered to the room here as didn’t fancy driving right into Galveston to find something to eat right as a storm was battering the town. $98.89 / £66. https://www.motel6.com/ Winnie – Days Inn Motel Originally I was going to put us in Motel 6 as I had stayed there last time I visited High Island but things have changed and it appears Motel 6 has moved some miles up the road. I thus put us in Days Inn, a little more expensive but easy enough to get to and from when out birding at High Island. The room always seemed especially hot and humid even with the air-con going but I realised that if the bathroom door is left open after showers etc it can’t cope, close the door and it instantly seems to work better, but not by much. There was coffee and cereal in the mornings in the lobby which Lee made use of, I generally didn’t as I was generally still getting my birding kit ready for the day and the car loaded, I probably should have made the most of it. Plenty of fast food options nearby and a couple of gas stations with extensive array of crap to eat. The cost for 6 nights as $664.44 / £439.94 / £73 per night (approx). Recommend doing a Google search of best options / prices https://www.yahoo.com/travel

EATING There are plenty of fast food options in Texas but they tend to become scarcer west of San Antonio. There are numerous fast food chains, such as McDonalds, Whataburger, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell but some of these were avoided as from experience I knew some were somewhat ‘crap’. The best ‘fast food’ we had was the burgers of Burger King and the delivered Domino’s Pizza at the motel in Galveston. I was looking forward to Whataburger but both ‘outlets’ we visited did not result in great burgers and will be one I will miss out in future US trips. Subway was always a winner as well. Best meal was at the restaurant at Chisos Mountain Lodge where the steak was done to perfection as well as mountainous salad bar. Majority of the Gas Stations have a shop so snacks for being on the go were easy enough to come by but most sandwiches purchased were just passed the hungry enough to eat test.

OTHER INFORMATION If you are going to be using the photo blind at Boy Scout Wood make sure you book a spot well in advance on the Houston Audubon Website. I booked when I was there for the remaining slot for a day and it was a waste of time as majority of birds visited the other side of blind. Photographers book them up quickly, especially if there is a potential fall expected. Also if you can take a small fold away stool it would be beneficial as the windows are low and can be more than a little uncomfortable for the hours you need to spend here. It may even be worth investigating the possibility of mealworms for the photo blind. Migrants will tend to arrive in the afternoon, generally from 3-4pm onwards, and will get downed into the woods if met with a weather front. We had an arrival of Orioles and Yellow Warblers late afternoon one day. That said some morning birding in Smith Oaks from Winnie Street entrance gate was superb. In places such as Anahuac, The Oilfields, Rollover Pass and Bolivar Flats the best photographic opportunities are by using the car as a mobile hide; you can often get very close to the birds this way. When birding is good I would recommend Smith Oaks Wood rather than Boy Scout Wood as it’s easier to bird and for most of the time seemed less people heavy, it has more open habitat whereas Boy Scout has become a thicket. Smith Oaks was my overall favourite locations from the trip. The road at Hooks Wood was also more productive than Boy Scout Wood and should also have time dedicated to it. For the Rookery at Smith Oaks be there for the afternoon as the light will be better. Allow time between sites, you will need about 35minutes to drive between High Island and Anahuac and allow up to 2hours for High Island and the George Bush International Airport if departing from Houston, 1½ hours if outside peak rush hour times. If leaving from Austin allow 5-6 hours.

BIRDING AREAS: I have given the locations a birding score out of 10. This score is based on my own perception and perhaps not mirrored by Lee. Scoring a low number would equal poor to average birding, conversely a mid-range to high number would mean great to excellent birding. As an example 8/10 = very good birding, 1/10 = crap birding.

• Boy Scout Wood (4/10) – Birders Guide to the Texas Coast : page 92 Google Earth co-ordinates for Woodlot Access Gate: 29°33'42.69"N, 94°23'25.33"W Google Earth co-ordinates for Parking Lot: 29°33'41.86"N, 94°23'28.43"W In 2008 I found Boy Scout Wood to be a fairly open and productive woodlot however this year it was like it was a completely different wood. Some things haven’t changed though, such as the ‘grandstand’ overlooking the drip near the information booth that attracted many American birders, and the photo blind. The blind itself has changed slightly, better openings for lenses etc, the general layout is the same. I visited the photo blind, I booked when I was there, and had what I thought would be the least productive window to the left as you go in, last time the best positions were straight ahead as one goes in. I was not wrong. I didn’t take a single photo whilst sat at my position for an hour and half whilst those at the other slots would often be heard rattling away at the multitude of birds coming to their drip. I decided that I wasn’t going to continue wasting my time so up sticks and went to Smith Oaks Wood instead which was far better. The wood itself is largely a thicket and not the open wood that I remember, albeit with its own areas of thicket back then. Where the open Cathedral used to be, nice open vista’s along the boardwalk, it is now overgrown and dark with very little openness to it. The most productive area was along the road. The flowering Bottlebrush bushes of the Tropical Birding house opposite the entrance gate and at the ‘Roost’ a little way along the road, especially those behind the house, were magnets and numerous warbler species were attracted to them. The main parking lot is open with nice trees with Mulberry’s attracting a number of fruit eating species. Just inside the gate there is a toilet block and an information board that visitors can add sightings to from other non-High Island locations, we got Hudsonian Godwit as a result of someone putting news here. We quickly came to the conclusion that Smith Oaks Wood was far superior to Boy Scout Woods and much of our woodland birding at High Island was done there or at Hooks Wood. Boy Scout Wood needs some thinning out to make it more attractive to birds and birders alike. • Smith Oaks Wood (9/10) - Birders Guide to the Texas Coast : page 93 Google Earth co-ordinates for Old Mexico Road point: 29°34'07.24"N, 94°23'20.77"W Google Earth co-ordinates for Winnie Street Access point: 29°34'16.43"N, 94°23'34.41"W This was my single most favourite birding location throughout the trip and the best of the High Island Woods by an absolute mile. There are two entrances to Smith Oaks. The most popular is off Clara Kahla Road, from Old Mexico Road, probably due to the larger parking area here, the porta-loo type toilets, these were pretty grim, and its proximity and quicker access to the Egret/Spoonbill Rookery. It appears that a new drip has been created just inside the wood boundary near the old buildings. The second and better of the access points is at the end of Winnie Street. There is really only space for 6-10 cars at most but it gave instance access to the best birding area just beyond the gate. The tree above the gate and the open trail that leads to the obvious cross roads was dubbed ‘Warbler Alley’ as we logged probably 20 species of warbler along this 100-150 metre long stretch of path in just a couple of hours one morning alone. The Mulberries at the crossroads were magnets for both Summer and Scarlet Tanagers. There are several drips with benches provided where American birders gather to misidentify Tennessee Warblers as vireos and Yellow Warblers as Prothonotary Warblers with frightening regularity. Some of these visiting birders had clearly being coming to High Island for many years as hats, shirts etc were adorned with the felt patches you purchase for annual memberships so it continued to baffle me why Tennessee Warbler should be confused with Red-eyed Vireo. This is something I have seen in Texas previously as well as at Point Pelee and at Magee Marsh in Ohio. It’s Baffling. ‘Warbler Alley’ with the Winnie Street Gate beyond

Anyway I digress. We only really spent time looking at the drips when a sit down was actually needed rather than to see what was actually coming in, the wood was so good that it wasn’t required. Beyond the crossroads, as if continuing straight on from the Winnie Street entrance, there is, after about another 100metres, an open area caused by a couple of sizeable fallen trees. These are long dead so you will know if you are in this area. This was the other really productive spot in Smith Oaks. A couple of puddles on the left close to thicket, but still in the open, held a long staying Northern Waterthrush, it was here ‘every time’ we passed by. I quickly realised that these puddles were migrant magnets, especially in the afternoon when there new arrivals dropping in. Many birds came down to bathe so each evening I placed myself under a Mosquito infested Mulberry, my back took a biting and ended up looking like I had a major rash, and just waited for the warbler lightshow to happen. Numerous warblers and others paid the puddles a visit, these were shrinking rapidly over the course of three days, but the immediate area also had a lot to offer and one need only stand in one place to see a lot going on. So ‘My Puddles’ and surrounding tree’s resulted in the following species: Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Black-and-white, Worm-eating, Canada, Tennessee, Hooded, Kentucky, Blue-winged, Prothonotary, Blackpoll, Golden-winged, Yellow, Black-throated Green and Cerulean Warblers, American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush, Ovenbird, Swainsons, Grey-cheeked and Wood Thrushes, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Scarlet and Summer Tanagers. Sometimes multiples of some of these species were seen. One late afternoon there was a clear arrival of migrants as the trees above us were full of Yellow Warblers and they were to the point of lining up to use my puddles. A warbler wave was seen several times here and along the trail to the Winnie Street entrance gate. The rest of the wood was also good, and whilst there were some thickets these were punctuated my nice large puddles and woodland pools, often having a waterthrush in residence. There are plenty of Mulberry’s, some having benches placed by them, that attract Orioles, tanagers, thrushes, grosbeaks, cuckoos etc. The Rookery is best in the late afternoon, especially on a sunny day when the light is in the best position for photography. There are several observation platforms overlooking the Rookery on the island, which is only about 25-30 metres away, so nice and close to the action. Many breeding Egrets and Roseate Spoonbills present. Although this was the best of the woods, and one day the car park was extremely full, it never felt crowded here and should I return to High Island again in the future this will be my number one site to visit. • Hooks Wood (7/10) - Birders Guide to the Texas Coast : page 94 Google Earth co-ordinates for parking and woodlot gate: 29°33'23.48"N, 94°23'36.47"W Situated near the end of 1

st Street, the last turning on the right when heading towards Bolivar Peninsula, this tiny

little wood has a boardwalk, a couple of drips and a few smaller trails. Birding along the road here can often be more productive than actually in the wood itself. This was the first wood we birded after arriving from Bolivar Peninsula. I looked down the road as we passed it and I noted a gathering of birders all looking up so I did an immediate U-turn and headed down there. These birders were watching a fine male Cerulean Warbler! The Road was very productive, more so than the wood itself, with many warbler species, thrushes, orioles, tanagers and both cuckoos during all our visits here. There are a couple of prominent Mulberries near the entrance gate, so close you may end up parking under them. These are a magnet for migrants. I would recommend walking up and down the entire length of the road as it was very good, the tree at the far end, overlooking the oilfields is known as the magic tree. Like at Boy Scout Wood birding in the wood was not as good as from the road but unlike Boy Scout we found birding in the wood to still be better than Boy Scout. There are open areas that attract various species and they are easy to see, the middle section has a large tree and some of the paths crisscross and go along the edges of the wood. There is a boardwalk with two drips with the furthest of the two producing the only Swainson’s Warbler of the trip. It is worth talking to other birders as we may not have known about this bird otherwise. I have only seen one other Swainsons Warbler previously and that other bird was in Hooks Wood in 2008! We often returned and birded the road at Hooks and often done a circuit of the wood whilst we were there.

• High Island - Birders Guide to the Texas Coast : page 90 There are other smaller woodlots are High Island, such as GAST Red Bay, Eubanks etc and some likely looking areas such as the roadside rest on the left as you head north out of High Island but these were not visited, primarily due to Smith Oaks being so good. In hindsight we should probably have investigated these as they probably had little coverage by other birders, or at least less coverage than the more popular woods. Anywhere in the hamlet of High Island is likely to have migrants, many gardens looked prime for warblers and other species so just walking the streets would probably be just as rewarding as the woods. Along the main road through High Island is a gas station, with its well-stocked shop, where you can, and will need to get, a beach permit, see Bolivar for why. There is also a small Motel here but prior to the trip I was just unable to find any contact details for it but in any event Winnie, only 25-30 minutes away is no chore. • Oilfields (6/10) – Not referenced in the Birders Guide to the Texas Coast but is mentioned on the High Island

Birding website : http://www.birdinghighisland.com/ Google Earth co-ordinates for north of High Island access point 1: 29°34'15.72"N, 94°23'56.90"W Google Earth co-ordinates for west of High Island access point 2: 29°33'32.09"N, 94°23'51.25"W There was only one truly accessible area to the Oilfields this year where numerous waders were encountered at sometimes close range: Google Earth co-ordinates for Gulf access point 2: 29°33'05.89"N, 94°23'19.63"W The last time I was here the Oilfields to the west of High Island, accessed from point 1 above and then taking the second left along that oilfield track, was the best wader watching I had on the entire coast. This year however due to so much rain in Texas the Oilfield road itself was under water and whilst, when the gate was actually open, we could drive along it we realised it would be both pointless, everywhere was saturated and we ran the risk of finding a very deep hole to get our hire car drowned in it. Only a high clearance 4x4 could get down here. One afternoon however I noted that the access to the oilfields to the south and beach side of High Island was relatively drivable and with an open gate some exploration was possible. This was fruitful to a degree with some excellent muddy edges presenting a multitude of water-birds but these were rapidly drying out with some completely gone in just a few days resulting in most waders moving to the deeper pools thus not being as close or had just moved on. Probably the highlight here though was the displaying Common Nighthawks that we came across on evening. Up to three birds were flying around constantly calling and giving their ‘boom’ display noise. Incredible and they showed so well and we thought it would not be beaten (see Anahuac). It should be reminded that the Oilfields are private and that birders are tolerated but if asked to leave you should comply. One guy, with some small children, did pull up to us in something resembling a Golf Cart and said it was private and had we seen the private sign, to which we replied no. The private sign itself was on the open gate, broken and pointing in a direction that would not have been seen until leaving which we had actually seen on our first visit but hey we’re birding so anything goes. This was at least our third or fourth visit to the site, workers present there previously had made no indication that we were in the way or were any trouble but we apologised to the guy with the children, said we unaware of it being private and would leave. I think he was just trying to be big and brave in front of the kids, either that or he had an assault rifle under his seat, it is Texas after all, and birders only have Binoculars and cameras. It does seem difficult to understand that birders would be a problem here at all, especially as most of the time there’s no one else around and that if damage was wanted to be done to the oil wells by anyone then an open gate with a sign on it won’t stop them. The following are the locations for the best pools in 2008 for waders, whether these are still the case now is unknown as high water levels prevented, as well as locked gates, access. Google Earth co-ordinates: 29°33'16.82"N, 94°24'13.99"W Google Earth co-ordinates: 29°33'41.81"N, 94°24'20.62"W

• Anahuac (7/10) - Birders Guide to the Texas Coast: page 81 Google Earth co-ordinates for Access Road turn off: 29°39'30.65"N, 94°32'48.99"W Google Earth co-ordinates for Anahuac Visitor Centre: 29°36'45.80"N, 94°32'01.93"W As with the Oilfields Anahuac had a lot of water and very little in the way of wader habitat, the marsh behind the Boat Ramp near the visitor centre seemed best for this, apparently there was a Texas rarity there in the form of a Ruff, which we didn’t bother looking for. We visited Anahuac numerous times whilst on the upper coast and at various times of the day though of course early morning and late afternoon to evenings were best. The highlight from Anahuac came in the heat of the mid afternoon when a Bobcat walked down the approach road in front of the car. Magic. It did take a fair amount of time rooting out the birds here, vast majority of the birding here was from the car, distances to great to contemplate walking. Areas that were visited on foot in 2008 were by passed by this time around, such as the Salt Cedars, the Willows, the marsh boardwalks, as most migrants could be seen at Smith Oaks Wood and the wetland stuff here could be seen from the car. This is the prime location in the area for getting species such herons, namely American Bittern, Yellow-crowned Night Heron and most specifically Least Bittern as well as Purple Gallinules (pictured), Sora, Clapper Rail and King Rail as well as the rarer and not seen Virginia, Yellow and Black Rails. Wildfowl were represented by a handful of species, Blue-winged Teal being widespread but Gadwall had a particularly large gather on one large lake, amongst even larger gathering of American Coot. Both the Whistling Ducks were easily seen here. White-faced Ibis were present but we didn’t look for Glossy Ibis, of which a couple had been around. The Visitor Centre is well stocked with books and there is a daily sightings board. The staff volunteering here will probably be able to point you towards the best or current best spots to get Least Bittern, indeed we came across a number, especially along ‘Cross Road’ and ‘Slough Road’. Alligators are present in numbers and we did see a few snakes, presumably Garter Snakes. Raptors here were represented by both Northern Harriers and Swainsons Hawks. The trees by the visitor centre, opposite where the vehicles pull in, you can’t miss them there’s only about 4 or 5 of them on the roadside, had 3-4, maybe 5 roosting Common Nighthawks and this seems to be a regular spot for them. The views were unparalleled and the flying around in broad daylight was superb and beat even those from the previous evening at the Oilfields. • Pear Orchard Road (4/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access Road turn off: 29°40'18.12"N, 94°29'18.36"W Back along FM1985, probably about half way between the Anahuac entrance gate and Route 124 (Winnie/High Island) is a small sign-posted road on right, as if travelling towards Anahuac. We drove down here and back and added our first Solitary Sandpiper of the trip. Plenty of usual waders in the flooded fields and nice views of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers on roadside wires, which were easier to photograph along here as there was no traffic.

• White’s Memorial Park (6/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for I10 off Ramp (from Winnie): 29°50'23.25"N, 94°38'17.60"W Google Earth co-ordinates for bridge under I10: 29°50'23.96"N, 94°38'53.17"W Google Earth co-ordinates for best Access Road to park: 29°49'54.87"N, 94°38'56.05"W Came here as this is a reliable woodpecker site in past trips and it didn’t disappoint this time either. There is a loop road around the park and we drove this several time but the park can be easily birded on foot, and is recommended. It is open parkland with fine trees. We came across two family parties of three Red-headed Woodpeckers and these have been listed below. The first family we came across were right next to the road and were on dead trees, these dead trees can just be made out on Google Earth to the left of the road. Google Earth co-ordinates for Red-headed Woodpecker tree: 29°50'11.78"N, 94°39'14.53"W The second family party were when we went off after Pileated Woodpeckers and came across these as well. There is a small pull off to park the car and we walked off in pursuit of the big arsed woodpeckers in the direction of the pine trees. Google Earth co-ordinates for Pileated & Red-headed Woodpeckers (parking spot): 29°49'58.25"N, 94°39'11.31"W We also had our only Pine Warblers of the trip at Whites, just around the main lake parking lot, as well as a mini raptor passage overhead that involved Broad-winged, Red-tailed and Sharp-shinned Hawks and at least five Swallow-tailed Kites. This park certainly warrants more time. BOLIVAR PENINSULA There are a number of well known birding stops along the peninsula that provide good opportunities for a number of good species and fine birding. These are detailed in order as you head ‘away’ from High Island.

• Rollover Pass (7/10) - Birders Guide to the Texas Coast page 98 Google Earth co-ordinates for the road turn off (east of Rollover): 29°30'31.89"N, 94°29'57.92"W Google Earth co-ordinates for the road turn off (west of Rollover): 29°30'29.25"N, 94°30'04.78"W First up is Rollover Pass. You know you are in the right place as the road crossed a channel that cuts across the peninsula. It also has a lot of fishermen present at nearly all times. In 2008 it was slightly different in that many terns and gulls would gather in the eastern parking area over high tide where some superb opportunities could be had for photography. This year however it is simply full of cars and fishermen so you need to drive to the bay end to stand a chance of getting to see any birds. Definitely avoid weekends if possible here, especially if it is likely to be sunny. At the far end of the ‘eastern / first parking area’ there is a sand bar, 29°30'40.98"N, 94°30'02.78"W exposed at low tide, which you can drive partially along, worth doing a little way if no other vehicles present. Excellent views were obtained of Semipalmated and Piping Plovers, Black Skimmers and many gulls and terns. A little further out many waders could be seen, large numbers of American Avocets and Marbled Godwits were at their peak here, as well as several heron species. At the end of the other parking area, after crossing the bridge, you can view the closest sandbar 29°30'36.84"N, 94°30'07.52"W where again large numbers of birds gather. Both parking areas are extremely potholed so take care.

• Yacht Basin Road (7/10) - Birders Guide to the Texas Coast page 99 Google Earth co-ordinates for the road turn off: 29°30'21.55"N, 94°30'26.29"W First main road on the right after Rollover Pass is Yacht Basin Road. A drive along here at high tide, at least in 2008, can result in many waders at close quarters and whilst we didn’t have this experience this time it was still worthwhile visiting. The ditches and saltmarsh held multiple showy Clapper Rails, numerous herons and waders and a couple of Common Nighthawks roosting on the exposed mud which looked out of place. A Crested Caracara had made one of the end telegraph poles its regular perch and it was seen most times we drove down here. I also got the car stuck in some mud on a small side-track, the puddle didn’t seem that deep, when attempting to get close to a showy Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. It seemed, for a while at least, we would be permanently stuck and would need to try and find someone to pull us out. Fortunately I’ve been in the position before, or should that be unfortunately, so I knew how to get us out, it just took a little while. All part of the fun.

• Bob Road (7/10) - Birders Guide to the Texas Coast page 99 Google Earth co-ordinates for the road turn off: 29°27'40.96"N, 94°37'44.86"W Further along the main road and again on the right is Bob Road, there is also Tuna Road before it, which we did drive along but it was relatively unproductive. As with most of these side roads they are bordered by wetland habitat with this one being good for Seaside Sparrow. Several were found close to the road at one point. Numerous herons, spoonbills and waders were seen but also good for Osprey and the best views yet of White-tailed Kite, which flew right overhead looking down at us to check us out. The road presented excellent photo opportunities of Least Sandpiper when the tide was up, several on the roadside, and I’m sure repeat visits would result in several other species. As the signs for Bob Road are very small, as all the signs are, look for the Beach Cart rental building on stilts on the right which is right on the turn-off.

• Bolivar Flats and Retillion Road (8/10) - Birders Guide to the Texas Coast page 100 Google Earth co-ordinates for Retillion Road turn off: 29°23'32.12"N, 94°43'51.57"W Google Earth co-ordinates for the flats: 29°22'20.81"N, 94°43'40.36"W One of the major birding area’s along the upper coast. Retillion Road off the main road is on the left at the end of the long S bend. Once the main road curves left it will curve back right again after a few hundred metres and it is on this bend that Retillion Road can be located. About 300-400metres along the road on the right are a number of superb pools that held the best wader viewing, morning is definitely the best time to be here with the sun behind you. This pool held stunning Stilt Sandpipers and Wilson’s Phalaropes as well as numerous other waders, wildfowl and patrolling raptors with Savannah Sparrows along the fence and Horned Larks along the road edges. At the end of Retillion Road where you come onto the beach turn right and drive on the sand until you can go no further as determined by a row of large posts. Waders can be present in some numbers anywhere along here. We had a few small pools where rain had gathered in the main track that held many peeps but these had all but dried up a few days later. Beyond the posts is the main wader area and our first visit we found incoming tide and many many thousands of waders. Hundreds of summer plumaged American Avocets, flocks of Western and Semipalmated Sandpipers, nesting Wilson’s Plovers. This is THE place for viewing waders en-mass. We visited Bolivar numerous times during the trip and at different state of tide and only rarely did we not see anything interesting. Perhaps more interesting was the photo shoot of a glamorous nature that oddly enough resulted in the car being stationary for long periods of time. The entire beach area is excellent birding but it can get busy with non-birders at weekends, campervans/RV’s, cars, BBQ’s but the area beyond the posts is for the birds so not a massive issue.

• Frenchtown Road (5/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for the turn off: 29°21'52.51"N, 94°46'32.16"W

It is unlikely this road will be as productive in the future. As you approach the ferry terminal the road is on the right immediately before the traffic lanes for the ferry. If you reach the ferry you’ve gone past it. There is, was, a bridge over the bay that connects with the road at the other end near Horseshoe Lake but it was under repair so there was no through traffic. We had excellent views here of roadside Short-billed Dowitchers one morning and would imagine further visits would have produced other wader species.

Just a little way back along the road towards the ferry terminal junction is a turn off on the right, left if coming from the main road. There is a parking area at the end 29°21'58.99"N, 94°46'45.60"W and we had several Dickcissels here as well a few other bits and pieces in the bay, including a summer plumaged Great Northern Diver / Common Loon. Whilst it was good to see several interesting birds and look across the bay the mosquito’s here were exceptionally badass and we were soon driven away by them, I think at one point my back had at least 12 on it which probably went some way to making it look like it had a rash later. We had so many bites that would plague us for days to come. Our second visit we didn’t get out of the car or put the windows down as we could see the little bastards head butting the windows trying to get in at us “dinners arrived lads”

• Horseshoe Lake (2/10) - Birders Guide to the Texas Coast page 102 Google Earth co-ordinates: 29°22'18.20"N, 94°46'03.75"W Opposite the entrance to Retillion Road is the road that will take you around Horseshoe Lake. This was largely not overly birdy but a few things were seen to keep interest, a Common Nighthawk sat on the roadside sign was bizarre. The loop was driven a couple of times only. GALVESTON

• Big Reef (6/10) - Birders Guide to the Texas Coast page 107 Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°20'04.05"N, 94°44'58.88"W At the end Seawall Boulevard we had planned on taking Boddecker Road down to the end to the beach with some stops along the road however we found that Boddecker was closed off so we had to walk some of the way, though the road being closed didn’t seem to stop some of the locals driving down it. There is a small channel that runs out from the tidal saltmarsh, which is where a number of herons, such as Reddish Egrets and Tricoloured Herons, were easily seen from the bridge. The beach a little further is a great spot for roosting terns, gulls and skimmers.

• East Beach (4/10) – Birders Guide to the Texas Coast page 107 Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°19'31.45"N, 94°44'21.95"W We back tracked someway back along Seawall Boulevard, to the flashing orange light, and turned left onto East Beach Street and headed towards the parking area which would be at opposite the end of Boddecker Road but found it being ‘resurfaced’ by a bulldozer as it seemed to be in a rather poor state so we couldn’t check out the waders, terns and gulls that were gathered in some numbers. Despite this there were a plenty of small waders on some of the small puddles nears the entrance with Semipalmated Plovers and Sandpipers, Western Sandpipers and Sanderlings. The trips only Snowy Plover was scoped from here.

• Corps Wood (4.5/10) – Birders Guide to the Texas Coast page 105 Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°19'45.48"N, 94°46'11.01"W Along Ferry Road / Route 87 towards the ferry terminal take a right immediately after the gas / petrol station on the right towards the coastguard’s station. The entrance to the small woodlot is located on the right and the pullout is fairly obvious. With this small migrant trap is a path that runs along its length culminating in a dead end at both ends, the one at the right overlooks a small stream. We had a few migrants here, including Parula and Black-and-white Warblers. Worth a quick look but probably better when there are migrants arriving rather than on a rather average morning when we were there.

• Lafitte’s Grove (4.5/10) – Birders Guide to the Texas Coast page 115 Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°12'57.91"N, 94°56'07.29"W A nice little gem this site. We left this till our last Friday as something different to go and do, we perhaps should have come here the day we were in Galveston a week earlier. It took a little while to locate the site, we drove past the turn off as it turns out Eckert Drive enters a rather up market looking estate. The parking lot is on the right. There is a boardwalk and some good paths round a couple of lakes with some confiding Blue-winged Teals and a Sora. The trails are well maintained and the ‘drip’ here is very likable and nicely set. We had a few good birds but it was the wrong time of day though we did manage a few Tennessee Warblers, Cerulean Warbler and a few other migrants. Probably could have done with a day here as it was likely to produce some fine birding without crowds. • Brazos Bend State Park (9/10) – Birders Guide to the Texas Coast: page 36 Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°22'17.02"N, 95°38'28.40"W Google Earth co-ordinates for 40 Acre Lake Parking Lot: 29°22'14.39"N, 95°37'38.53"W Google Earth co-ordinates for American Bittern Row: 29°22'26.03"N, 95°37'34.85"W One of my personal favourite locations, it has always good birding on each of the visits I have made here. It is extremely good for herons and Alligators, especially along the track that runs from the parking lot at 40 Acre Lake to the tower, where the lake would be on your right side as you walk out. The stretch of 100-200metres from the observation tower has remarkably on each visit, 2001, 2008 and now in 2015 had American Bittern right on the path. This time there were two on it and another in the ditch, get your American Bitterns here. We were not able to explore more than a couple of hours due to a significant storm coming along which stopped play and a planned return visit alas didn’t happen. Still we did get a good selection of species which started to make up for the paucity from the drier south of the State.

• Attwater Prairie Chicken Reserve (7/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°38'40.27"N, 96°15'23.11"W First day’s birding was here. We visited with the purpose of seeing Attwater Prairie Chickens which inhabit the restricted part of the refuge. On the second weekend of April each year the refuge allows visitors to this area as part of the Prairie Chicken festival. Mini buses ferry visitors to and from the lekking area and a few birds can be seen enroute, we had several upland Sandpipers amongst other things. It was foggy to start and the murk lingered most of the morning which hampered the scope views of the two displaying males viewable from the platform. At times the views were not too bad at times and the birds could sometimes be heard. An additional two birds were seen from the van on the outbound drive, we were on the first van. There are a couple of walking trails and an auto loop which we used for our main mornings birding but the foggy conditions meant bird activity was very low. • Lost Maples (7/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°48'21.14"N, 99°34'13.87"W Google Earth co-ordinates for East Trailhead: 29°48'59.89"N, 99°34'35.18"W This was one of my favourite birding locations despite the rain and fog on the top of the bluff. The trail from the East parking lot is the one to walk to look for the target bird here, Golden-cheeked Warbler. The walk along trail yielded multiple Yellow-throated Warblers which were stunning despite the weather whilst several Golden-cheeked Warblers were seen well, eventually. Lost Maples is also good for a number of other passerines and a good one for breeding Louisiana Waterthrush, we tracked down a singing bird along the stream. To look for the Black-caped Vireo, the other main target here, you have to get to the top of the bluff, which is reached by a steep and rocky track up the hill from the ‘toilet block’. With my bad foot it was a little tougher than expected. The top was foggy but we managed several vireos as well as other species of interest. The best Black-capped Vireo came back at the top of the trailhead in clearing conditions, stunning bird. We also helped with a visiting American birder get her lifer as well. Back at the parking lot are some feeders and standing by the hide, better outside than inside, resulted in a number new trip birds from woodpeckers, orioles, sparrows, House Finches to hummingbirds. The Visitor Centre is small but has a number of books and small gifts, I had fun getting some fluffy animals. Overall if it had been sunny the possibilities for Golden-cheeked Warblers would have been much better and more birds would have been likely but even so it was a nice ‘woodland’ walk.

• Kerr WMA (mention but not visited) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 30°03'41.57"N, 99°49'54.89"W This was our contingency site for getting Black-capped Vireo and Golden-cheeked Warblers if we failed to get them at Lost Maples. As we managed to get both at Lost Maples we didn’t visit but it is known that Black-capped Vireos here have a larger population here. It is probably best to visit the Visitor Centre to find out the current best locations in the area.

• Cooks Slough (5/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°11'06.17"N, 99°49'54.89"W We had a late afternoon/evening here on our first days birding. It was hot and humid at times and as our first day it took a little while to get acclimatised. The site is a mix of lakes, pools and scrub, which we walked a good proportion around the site picking up a few goodies, such as some fine views of Lark Sparrows. It should be noted that the ‘reserve’ gate closes at 5pm but you can park outside and walk in, which we did so we didn’t run the risk of getting locked in. Some interesting birding was also had along the approach road with Common Ground Doves, Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, Black-chinned Hummingbird and Clay-coloured Sparrows. Uvalde Fish Hatchery (mention but not visited) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°11'09.88"N, 99°47'13.48"W We planned on birding here in the afternoon but I didn’t realise that the site is closed at certain times and on certain days, we just happened to arrive about half hour after it had already closed and it wasn’t going to be open at all the following day so we went to Cooks Slough as alternative. Trip reports for here have advised on numerous waders and the odd Franklins Gull so it was a shame that we missed the boar here.

• Neal’s Lodge (5/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°29'44.62"N, 99°42'50.54"W We stayed here as trip reports had indicated some good birding options as well as being close to both the Bat Cave and Lost Maples. The weather was less than favourable which probably affected the birdlife as birding was pretty ordinary at best. One of the commoner species was Bewick’s Wren, it appeared every other bird seen was of this species. We birded the Cattle Guard trail, which was fairly reasonable with a few species of interest seen however we didn’t explore any of the other trails such a Pecan Grove or the Wildflower Trail which trip reports have indicated can be good for birding.

• Frio Bat Caves (3/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for gate / meeting point: 29°26'43.55"N, 99°39'53.88"W

Low score given only in respect of the birding here but we didn’t come here for the birds. This is the site of the Mexican Free-tailed Bat Cave and one of the wonders of the natural world and one of the biggest and best wildlife experiences I’ve had. From a wildlife perspective the Bat Flight it would score 10/10 on its own and this is a must visit if you are going to be in the area. Booking is needed to visit the cave at $12 each but it is SO worth it. http://www.friobatflight.com/

• Bluff Cliffs Park (mention but not visited) Another site planned on but not visited a little north of Uvalde. A good general birding location that’s probably worth a visit but we ran out of time. • Balmorhea Lake (3/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 30°59'08.63"N, 103°44'45.13"W A stop off site just north of the Davis Mountains, just off the I10. I had done some Google Earth searches to see which would be the access point is but these both turned out to be red herrings. Access is on the left a few hundred metres of going into the small town and is clearly sign-posted once you get there. Ignore all other left turns. There is also a fee for visiting, which is payable at the small office. The lake itself is rather bland but trip reports have often indicated that this is a good birding site in the dry countryside. It was extremely windy at the lake thus birding was rather difficult but we managed some Western Grebes, distant Ruddy Ducks, a Belted Kingfisher or two but generally it was hard work. There is a track that skirts the lake with the better option being along the dam but overall it was disappointing. • Davis Mountains State Park (4/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 30°35'58.14"N, 103°55'45.38"W This could have been really good but it was overly very disappointing with the majority of birding being at the feeders, of which there are two in the park. Birding around the rest park resulted in very little bird activity, even the viewpoint from the end of the Skyline Drive was extremely quiet and the Montezuma Trail behind the feeders were nearly completely devoid of birdlife. We missed a Montezuma Quail at the feeders by a couple of hours which was a little annoying but gave us hope we would bump into one but no success. So again it seems that the weather affected the birding as birding trip reports have indicated that this can be a productive birding site.

• Madera Canyon Trail (3/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 30°42'25.47"N, 104°06'14.41"W About 30-40 minutes drive from Davis Mountains State Park this trail was also very disappointing again probably due to the poor weather conditions, very overcast and misty. Birding was very slow with Chipping Sparrows being the commonest species. The trail looked very promising so if the weather was better then I can imagine it to be more productive than our less than productive visit. BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK (7/10)

Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 30°35'58.14"N, 103°55'45.38"W Google Earth co-ordinates for Panther Junction Visitor Centre: 29°19'40.43"N, 103°12'22.17"W Google Earth co-ordinates for Chisos Mountain Lodge: 29°16'13.66"N, 103°17'57.37"W Google Earth co-ordinates for Laguna Meadow Trailhead: 29°16'08.75"N, 103°18'13.08"W I have split the birding areas out into separate sections to cover them individually. One thing should be born in mind about Big Bend when thinking about ‘popping’ over to Cottonwood Campsite or nipping round to Rio Grande Village is that the place is huge. If you stay at Chisos Mountain Lodge for instance it’s probably around 40-50miles, or more, to get to Cottonwood Campground so allow plenty of time to get between places. We left Cottonwood Campground one evening and it took 40minutes to reach the accommodation at Study Butte and just in time before the restaurant closed at 9pm. Big Bend is hot and dry. When heading up the road towards the Mountain Lodge tree’s become evident and the scenery looks more vibrant but the temperature doesn’t seem to change much. As you go up the mix of species will change a little, and will change further if you go on the Colima Warbler hike up the Mountain. Petrol is available near Panther Junction whilst the visitor centre there has lots of books etc, the staff are pretty much dependant on visitors dropping in and telling them what they’ve seen so this news can be passed on but given the distances between sites dropping in on the way back from Cottonwood for instance is a jaunt. The short trail behind the visitor centre has several vocal and showy Cactus Wrens whilst perseverance here produced Curve-billed Thrasher, with another near the petrol station.

• Cottonwood Campground (7/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°19'19.10"N, 103°22'59.34"W I think we were both in agreement that this was our favourite birding location at Big Bend. It was generally very pleasant walking around under the tall trees here where we enjoyed views of bright male Audubon and Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers whilst the fence-line harboured Lucy’s Warblers and Inca Doves We had two Great Horned Owls here and an elusive Elf Owl, we got told off for spotlighting it, whilst at the far end a group of Collared Peccary were a bonus. It was just pleasant birding here in the two evenings we visited. • Sam Niall Ranch (2/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°16'45.50"N, 103°22'07.32"W We were here at the wrong time of day really, to hot with very little birding activity. It would almost certainly be better earlier or later in the day. There is a loop trail with a fairly shaded area with several trails so potential is always likely when water is available in an arid area such as this. Given a low score due to the lack of birds at 2pm, would likely to have had a higher score if we visited more than the once and at the right time of day.

• Rio Grande Village (6/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for Common Black Hawk nesting area: 29°11'02.88"N, 102°57'54.68"W One of the more productive areas in Big Bend. We however only had one morning for exploring here and we firstly started at the nature trail at the fair side of the campground but soon left there as the species we would likely encounter here could be seen elsewhere. We headed to the other side and walked the open parkland type habitat towards the stand of trees where we had learnt had nesting Black Hawk, which were seen. There are signs advising of these birds there. The place was alive with Vermillion Flycatchers and Golden-fronted Woodpeckers whilst the trips only Wilson’s Warblers were here. We probably should have explored more along the road beyond the Hawk trees as there may have been Black-throated Grey Warbler in the area. There is a shop where you can get refreshments.

• Dug Out Wells (4/10) Google Earth co-ordinates for Access point: 29°16'00.17"N, 103°08'06.31"W A short detour off the main road on the way back from Rio Grande Village, on the right side of the road, is Dug Out Wells. This small oasis is worth a visit, probably earlier in the day than when we were there or at night to look for Elf Owl. It was good for butterflies and we did have a number of birds here, the shaded areas were pretty productive.

• Katy Prairie (1/10) - Birders Guide to the Texas Coast: page 29 This was a stop off location on the way back to the airport on our last day. From the guide book and reading some reports this seemed like a good location to visit however the directions really just didn’t make sense once we reached the town of Katy and we wasted a hell of lot of time faffing around trying to find the right area. When we did it was hugely disappointing and we had run out of time anyway. I would not put this on the radar for a birding trip should I return again to Texas in the future.

Day to day itinerary: Day 1: Friday 10

th April

Austin Bergstrom International Airport drive to Sealy • Day’s highlights: 1. Arriving after long flight and drive Day 2: Saturday 11

th April

Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge / Interstate 10 / Cooks Slough A Foggy start before brightening up by late morning. Trails walked and auto route taken at the refuge. Rain was encountered at San Antonio, which resulted in an accident that slowed down traffic for a short time. It was humid when we reached Uvalde Fish Farm only to find it closed. Times posted on the gate. I didn’t realise this beforehand. Very humid at Cooks Slough though cooled nicely in the evening along the approach road. � Day’s highlights: 1. The Greater Prairie Chickens leking 2. The two flyby American Bitterns at Attwater 3. The stunning Buckeye Butterfly 4. The first Scissor-tailed Flycatchers to be seen well 5. The Henslows Sparrow with the White-crowed Sparrow flock at Attwater 6. The flight of White Pelicans over the I10 7. The large colonies of Cliff Swallows under the bridges over the Interstate (I10) 8. The stunning Lark Sparrows of Cook Slough 9. The Black-chinned Hummingbird coming back to favourite perch along Cook Slough Road

Day 3: Sunday 12

th April

Lost Maples / Neal’s Lodge grounds / Rio Frio Bat Cave Wet start with rain on the drive up to Lost Maples, unfortunately I hit a Rabbit that decided on a suicide run across the road. Rain at Lost Maples with fog on the top of the escarpment hindered the search for Black-capped Vireo. Hike up to the top hot and sticky but worth effort. The afternoon was hotter, more humid with approaching storm. Major evening / overnight storm. � Day’s highlights 1. The singing Yellow-throated Warbler immediately on getting out of the car first thing at Lost Maples 2. The singing Louisiana Waterthrush along the stream that was eventually tracked down and seen well 3. The Golden-cheeked Warblers at Lost Maples 4. The last Black-capped Vireo as it showed so well and not in fog 5. The Black-chinned Hummingbird feeders at the Lost Maples General Store 6. The Cave Swallows at the Bat Cave 7. The stunning and very pallid looking Merlin at the Bat Cave 8. The Canyon and Rock Wrens around the Bat Cave entrance 9. The awesome flight of millions of Mexican Free-tailed Bats 10. The impressive storm Day 4: Monday 13

th April

Neal’s Lodge Grounds / Route 83 North / Interstate 10 / Balmorhea Lake / Davis Mountains State Park Dull start to the day for morning birding walk around Neal’s Lodge brightened up as day wore on. Bird activity was generally low with mist lingering over the mountains. Left Neal’s at 9:00am and arrived at Balmorhea Lake at 2:30pm. I10 west of San Antonio generally had little traffic. Very windy at Balmorhea Lake which made viewing difficult, lots of buffeting and spray being kicked up off the lake. Feeders at Davis Mountains State Park were very active with handful of species. Rain crept back in during the evening with another more distant storm. No food available at Indian Lodge Restaurant on Mondays! � Day’s highlights 1. The better views of the impressive Ash-throated Flycatchers at Neal’s Lodge 2. The only American Kestrel of the trip along the road 3. The roadside Blue Bonnetts 4. The exceptionally close Western Grebe despite the wind 5. The Acorn Woodpecker at the Davis Mountains State Park feeders 6. The Davis Mountains State Park feeder activity 7. The views of the Coopers Hawks near the Davis Mountains feeders 8. The view over the valley at Davis Mountains

Day 5: Tuesday 14

th April

Madera Canyon Trail / Davis Mountains State Park / Big Bend National Park – Sam Niall Ranch / Cottonwood Campground Overcast start at Davis Mountain’s with mist becoming thinker as headed towards McDonald Observatory. Madera Canyon Trail wasn’t clearly sign-posted as we went past this on outward drive and only came across it in the rest stop on the way back. The trail was very quiet bird wise with lingering gloom affecting birdlife. Very quiet back at Davis Mountain’s feeders but the sun did come out when we walked along the Montezuma Trail. Drive to Big Bend was in sunny conditions. Pit stop in the town of Alpine (a dump) to get gas and supply’s. Stopped at Panther Junction Visitor Centre for information but counter staff didn’t have much bird information. Went to Study Butte, outside of the park, for overnight motel stay. Evening birding at Cottonwood Campground in lovely conditions with exception of increasing numbers of mosquitos. � Day’s highlights 1. The Northern Flicker drumming on the top of a metal roof near the McDonald Observatory 2. The Wild Turkey along the road near the rest stop 3. The stunning male Western Bluebird along the Madera Canyon Trail 4. The male Cassin’s Finches at the Davis Mountains State Park feeders 5. The contest between best looking Yellow-rumped Warbler; Audubon’s or Myrtle, at Cottonwood Campsite 6. The fence line Lucy’s Warblers 7. The flycatching and display flights of Vermillion Flycatchers 8. The cracking Black-throated Sparrows along the road as leave Cottonwood Campground 9. The views of Big Bend Mountain Range Day 6: Wednesday 15

th April

Big Bend National Park – Rio Grande Village / Dugout Wells / Panther Junction / Chisos Mountain Lodge / Cottonwood Campground Spent a fair amount of time at Rio Grande Village where the Common Black Hawks were nesting, heard them several times before seeing them. Several other species present to keep interest going. The morning was pleasant but it soon turned hot and humid. A walk around later at Dug Out Wells was hot and most notable for the butterflies present. The Panther Junction Visitor Centre is well stocked with books and other stuff to buy but bird news was limited. Cactus Wren out back were real performers. In afternoon checked into Chisos Mountain lodge with short walk along trail at the back which was slow going birding wise due to mid-afternoon period. Evening was spent back at Cottonwood Campground, again in great conditions for birding, whilst birders onsite already had Great Horned Owls nailed down. Elf Owl in evening took some effort but was well worth it in the end. The night sky was amazing and we stopped at a lookout point on the way back to the Lodge for amazing views of the Milky Way. A distant storm lit up the horizon. � Day’s highlights 1. The Common Black Hawks of Rio Grande Village 2. The Wilsons Warblers 3. The nesting Vermillion Flycatcher 4. Roadrunner doing what a Roadrunner should across the Rio Grande Parking lot 5. The Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed Woodpecker fight, extremely violent 6. The butterflies of Dug Out Wells 7. The singing Cactus Wrens of Panther Junction Visitor Centre 8. The elusive but very cool Curve-billed Thrasher at Panther Junction 9. The second of the Great Horned Owls at Cottonwood Campground 10. The Elf Owl, it took ages to track down but was worth the prolonged effort 11. The Collared Peccary group 12. The Amazing Night Sky over Big Bend, looking up at Milky Way and seeing Saturn

Day 7: Thursday 16

th April

Big Bend National Park – Boot Canyon hike / Chisos Mountain Lodge Set out two hours pre-dawn on the Laguna Meadow trail. Pleasant temperature despite two hours till it got light, Heard Whip-poor-will before getting one on the deck, seen well in light of my headlamp. Long walk up but some good birds near the top but then went quiet with increasingly fewer birds being seen. White-throated Swifts over Boot Canyon were good but Boot Springs was dead for birdlife and the rest of the hike was in increasingly hot conditions. Wrong turn saw us head half way up the Emory Peak trail thus adding a few miles to the round trip hike which probably ended up at around 12miles.

Didn’t go out further birding on return to the lodge but excellent evening meal at the restaurant. � Day’s highlights 1. The Mexican Whip-poor-will on the hike up Laguna Meadows Trail in the dark 2. The singing Black-headed Grosbeak 3. The amazing sound that Broad-tailed Hummingbirds made, probably better than how they looked 4. The gangs of Mexican Jays 5. Finally getting White-throated Swifts 6. Finally getting back to the lodge after a 12mile hike 7. Superb Steak at the Chisos Mountain Lodge restaurant Day 8: Friday 17

th April -

Interstate 10 / Brazos Bend State Park Up and out early hours, 2:40am, for long drive to the coast. Mostly bird free travelling and didn’t reach Brazos Bend until a tired eyed 2:00pm. Brazos Bend was extremely birdy but also very humid. Alligators and two American Bitterns on path along 40Acres Lake were flushed by park staff in their buggy despite seeing I was photographing them! Several warblers present and lots of herons and bullfrogs sounding off. Significant storm got us very wet whilst dashing for the car, flash lighting with bolts clearly coming to ground not far away. Overnighted in Galveston where storm meant we ordered in a Pizza, which was very good. � Day’s highlights 1. The warblers at Brazos Bend, first rush of these 2. The American Bitterns on the path at Brazos 3. The volume of Herons of Brazos 4. Walking around the Alligators on the path at Brazos Bend 5. The fishing Alligators 6. The noisy Bullfrogs 7. The storm that made us run for cover at Brazos Bend 8. The even worse storm at Galveston resulting in a Pizza Delivery : great fun Day 9: Saturday 18

th April

Galveston – Big Reef / East Beach / Corps Wood / Galveston to Bolivar ferry / Bolivar Peninsula / High Island – Hooks Wood / Boy Scout Wood / Anahuac Went to Big Reef but found the road closed at the end. Walked along it to view fishing herons and feeding waders and terns but lot got flushed by twat fishermen who walked through the lot. Still very overcast but lots of terns, gulls and pelicans flying out of the bay. Visited East Beach which was also closed whilst bulldozer was levelling the parking lot out. Corps Wood was quiet and humid but a few interesting sightings. Ferry only had Laughing Gulls following but a few Bottle-nosed Dolphins seen distantly. Bolivar Flats heaving with waders so few hours spent here in improving weather conditions but tide meant we scuttled back to the car. Very popular on the beach with visitors including arsehole of the trip, complete w***ker drove straight through the roosting flock of plovers we were staking out, it was clear we were there but drove right and then done a U-turn and then left without staying. At High Island stopped at Hooks Wood first where very humid and lots of mossies and racked up a few new warblers. Then visited Boy Scout Wood and birded mostly along the road. Quick round Robin of Anahuac produced a few new birds and more mossies. Ended up with day tally of 16 species of warbler. � Day’s highlights 1. The tern fly out of Galveston Bay : many hundreds of Royal Terns 2. The superb views of the out in the open Sora at Big Reef 3. The fishing Reddish Egret at Big Reef 4. The Black-and-white Warbler at Corp Woods; really enjoyed that bird 5. The Laughing Gulls behind the Ferry 6. The waders of Bolivar Flats, shear volume and spectacle out done all subsequent visit for overall numbers 7. The views of the Piping and Wilsons Plovers at Bolivar Flats 8. The Cerulean Warbler at Hooks Wood 9. Both the Cuckoos along the road at Hooks Wood 10. The brilliantly bright Blackburnian Warbler at Boy Scout Woods 11. The Nighthawk over the fields near Anahuac

Day 10: Sunday 19

th April

Oilfields / Bolivar Peninsula – Yacht Basin Road / Bolivar Flats / Horseshoe Road loop / Barbados Road / Yacht Basin Road / Oilfields / Boy Scout Wood / Farm Road 1985 / South Pear Orchard Road / Anahuac / Smith Oaks Wood Sunny and really hot. Drove down Bolivar Peninsula and found Rollover Pass to be mobbed by fishermen though at the end of the parking area good views of the waterbirds. Waders in Retillion Road pool again top draw. Almost got car stuck in mud along Yacht Basin Road but managed to wriggle free eventually. Boy Scout Wood extremely humid and found to be very thicket like. Went to Smith Oaks in the evening to do the Rookery, which was excellent in the great light and a few warblers noted around the wood and at the drips. Had a very substandard Wattaburger and poor service in Winnie that evening � Day’s highlights 1. Wilson’s Phalaropes at Retillion Road – Steve’s bird of the trip 2. Stilt Sandpipers at Retillion Road 3. Common Nighthawk along Yacht Basin Road 4. Greater Yellowlegs at the Oilfields 5. The two Wood Thrushes at Boy Scout Woods 6. The Smith Oaks ‘Rookery’ 7. The fine Scissor-tailed Flycatchers along South Pear Orchard Road 8. The various snakes at Anahuac including the one we chased off the road 9. Cerulean Warblers at Smith Oaks Wood 10. The Scarlet Tanagers at Smith Oaks Wood Day 11: Monday 20

th April

Bolivar Peninsula road and Bolivar Flats / Rollover Pass / Smith Oaks Wood / Hooks Wood / Anahuac / Smith Oaks Wood / Boy Scout Road / Oilfields First stop was Retillion Road as it was jammed packed with waders. The beach at Bolivar was now largely free of people but there was a ‘photo shoot’ going on, waders on beach though quieter than previous visits. Got hot again during day so done some run around’s of Anahuac and then an afternoon tip off by American birder at the Roost Bottlebrush bushes meant an amazing time with the warblers in Smith Oaks Wood. Oilfields at dusk were nice temperature and with stunning Nighthawks displaying. � Day’s highlights 1. The Wilson’s Phalaropes again at Retillion Road 2. The photo shoot on the beach 3. The afternoon and evening warbler fest at Smith Oaks Wood 4. The Bobcat walking along the Anahuac approach road mid afternoon 5. The Purple Gallinules 6. The King Rail seen briefly cross the loop track 7. The evening Mississippi Kite that flew over High Island 8. The displaying Common Nighthawks over the Oilfields Day 12: Tuesday 21

st April

Taylors Bayou / White’s Memorial Park / Anahuac / Highway 128 / Hooks Wood / Boy Scout Wood / Oilfields Taylors Bayou had lots of water in the area with flooded properties. Vehicles very noisy, gas guzzling stupid size 4x4 pieces of crap constantly drowning out the singing birds, wasted effort here. Hugely enjoyable Whites Memorial Park in a nice though rising, temperature had a raptor passage and woodpeckers. Day again got hot and humid with tip off about Hudsonian Godwits along the road to Winnie. An excellent flooded rice field full of waders. Evening at Oilfields but local jobs worth wanting us to leave. • Day’s highlights 1. Black-throated Green Warbler at Taylors Bayou 2. The Red-headed and Pileated Woodpeckers at Whites Memorial Park 3. The raptor passage over Whites Memorial Park included the Swallow-tailed Kites 4. The Pine Warbler at Whites Memorial Park 5. Cliff Swallow colony under the Interstate 6. The adult Bald Eagle in field along the road to Anahuac 7. The daytime flying and roosting Anahuac Nighthawks 8. The Hudsonian Godwits 9. The flooded fields full of waders, including the Hudsonian Godwits 10. The showy Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Hooks Wood Road 11. The Stilt Sandpipers at the Oilfields

Day 13: Wednesday 22

nd April

Highway 128 / Bolivar Flats / Travis Davis Seashore Park / Frenchtown Road / Bob Road / Tuna Road / Boy Scout Wood / Smith Oaks Wood Went directly to Bolivar Flats but fewer waders present than have been here recently, Frenchtown Road nearby was better despite the Mosquito infestation. The overall highlight was the warbler fest in Smith Oaks Wood in the afternoon, especially around ‘my puddle’. Had a pretty good Burger King in the evening during another Big storm with Major rain in the evening in Winnie. � Day’s highlights 1. Fishing Reddish Egret at Bolivar Flats 2. The showy Short-billed Dowitchers and Dickcissels at Frenchtown Road 3. The Seaside Sparrows along Bob Road 4. Bob Road in general as excellent birding site 5. The White-tailed Kite that flew right over our heads 6. The afternoon spent with the warblers at Smith Oaks Wood Day 14: Thursday 23

rd April

Smith Oaks Wood / Boy Scout Wood / Rollover Pass / Yacht Basin Road / Bolivar Flats / Frenchtown Road / Bob Road / Smith Oaks Wood Early mist but burnt away quickly. Went into Smith Oaks via the Winnie Street entrance and the open track right by the gate was heaving with warblers. Spent next few hours here racking up the species and again got very hot very quickly. Boy Scout Wood photo hide was terrible so gave up after 1.5hours without a single photograph taken and went back to my ‘puddle’ later on in Smith Oaks Wood. Mosquito’s in Smith Oaks almost unbearable at one point, very humid again and felt really knackered at days end. � Day’s highlights 1. The morning warbler fest in Smith Oaks, around 22 species by 9.30am 2. The 400+ Black Skimmer flock at Rollover Pass 3. The nice tight flock of 40+ Western Sandpipers at Bolivar Flats 4. My puddle in Smith Oaks Wood producing many great birds and photos Day 15: Friday 24

th April

Anahuac / Rollover Pass / Bolivar Flats / Frenchtown Road / Bolivar to Galveston Ferry / Galveston – Lafitte’s Cove / Bolivar Flats Morning drive around the tracks at Anahuac in misty conditions, overcast and muggy conditions persisted throughout the day. Grass cut along roadside allowed good views of rails and crakes. Wader sites at end of Bolivar quiet and ferry was a long sticky wait in the car. Took a time to find Lafitte’s Cove in Galveston but nice site with nicely laid our drip. Long wait for ferry back. Steve feeling rough, probably combination of heat, humidity, dehydration and lots of mossie bites. Fairly early retire back to motel base in Winnie � Day’s highlights 1. Sora close to track side 2. Several Least Bitterns that showed well 3. Showy Northern Bobwhite 4. Muskrat at Lafitte’s Cove 5. White-rumped Sandpiper at Bolivar Day 16: Saturday 25

th April

Katy Prairie / Interstate 10 / Austin Bergstrom International Airport Big storm with lots of rain and lightening during drive towards Houston but cleared up and became hot mid-morning. We struggled to locate Katy Prairie which ended up not being worth the aggravation in the first place. The Airport car drop off was quick and Customs was easy and quickly done thus concluding the trip. � Day’s highlights 1. Wood Storks at an otherwise unproductive birding stop on way to airport 2. Gun shop located next to a Prayer Room

Accounts for the 265 Species seen – This is the highest species tally to date for any trip to the US / North America beating previous highest count of 193 species from California in November 2009. Obviously it’s not all about numbers otherwise the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the Piney Woods would have been included.

* indicates that acceptable photos, or better, were obtained of the species

Species in blue indicate this was a lifer for the report author

1 Great Northern Diver

A summer plumaged bird was off Frenchtown Road, Bolivar on 22nd April

2 Pied-billed Grebe*

Two at Cook's Slough on the 11th April were the first ones encountered. Surprisingly only four were at Brazos Bend State Park on 11th April where I expected this species to be a little more common. Two were at Anahuac on 19th April and were seen, of varying numbers, several times subsequently. Never seen in double figures

3 Western Grebe*

Five including, one very close to shore, at Balmorhea Lake on 13th April

4 American White Pelican*

Mostly a coastal bird however a flock of flock of 70+ flying over Interstate (I10) between Sealy and San Antonio on 11th April. On the coast several were seen at Roll-over Pass, Bolivar on 19th and 23rd April, two at Bolivar Flats on the 20th April and a flock of 15 over Frenchtown Road heading towards Bolivar

5 Brown Pelican*

First encountered at Big Reef, Galveston on 18th April with 'many' present. There on in commonly encountered along the length of Bolivar Peninsula with concentrations at sites such as Roll-over Pass, with 100+ on 23rd April.

6 Double-crested Cormorant*

Following the first at Big Reef, Galveston on 18th April, several were subsequently seen but species remained largely under-recorded due to the common nature of Neotropical Cormorant. Further birds were however identified (i.e. looked at) at Bolivar Flats and Anahuac on 20th April

7 Neotropical Cormorant*

Most cormorants were largely not paid attention too unless they were very close, such as those photographed at Horseshoe Lake Loop, Bolivar 19th April or in the Rookery at Smith Oaks Wood, High Island. Otherwise cormorants were not uncommonly seen along the coastal waterways

8 Anhinga

The first was seen from the car as it flew over the Interstate (I10) somewhere east of San Antonio on 11th April. After that at least five were at Brazos Bend State Park on 17th April and singles at Taylors Bayou and over White's Memorial Park on 21st April. All were seen in flight only.

9 American Bittern*

I thought this would be a tough one to get if we lucked out at Brazos Bend but we lucked in at several locations, sometimes with some superb views. The first seen were at Attwater where two done a flyby for the Prairie Chicken watchers on the 11th April. We then had to wait until the 17th when four were seen at Brazos Bend State Park along the very same stretch of path as I had seen them in 2001 and 2008, between the first car park and the observation platform. A couple of these birds were out on the path, until flushed by park staff despite me trying to get close for photos, and one right beside the path fishing, to close to get anything other than the head in frame. After this singles were at Anahuac on 18th and 19th April and at Bob Road along Bolivar Peninsula on 22nd April but four at Anahuac on 24th April early hours in the flooded fields by the boat ramp near the visitor centre were right out in the open.

10 Least Bittern*

Only seen at Anahuac. The first was a brief sighting as it flew behind the car on the auto loop on the 18th whilst the following day four were seen here. A male on the 21st was followed by three males on the morning of the 24th. Early mornings and late evenings are best with the best track being the 'Cross Road', especially after the grass was cut.

11 Great Blue Heron*

The first was at Cooks Slough on the 11st April was followed by one at the nature trail at Rio Grande Village, Big Bend on the 15th. All others were at Rollover Pass, Bolivar Peninsula on 19th April, with four, two on the 20th, one on the 23rd and three on the 24th April

12 Great Egret*

Several were at Brazos Bend State Park 17th April were the first whilst birds were seen at various wetlands around High Island, Bolivar Peninsula and Anahuac. No detailed counts were made as the species was notably common on the upper coast. The species was present in all their breeding plumage finery in the Smith Oaks Rookery.

13 Snowy Egret*

As with Great Egret the first were seen at Brazos Bend on 17th April followed by common and widespread encounters along the upper coast. Hard to miss.

egrets

Many unidentified egrets were noted during the trip, especially on the upper coast where early morning flocks would pass over the highway. Default species would be Great, Snowy or Cattle Egrets

14 Reddish Egret*

Only seen in the coastal areas between Galveston and Bolivar with most being singletons of seven sightings and one encounter of 2+ at the Oilfields on 19th April. An either partially leucistic bird, white wing patches, or partial white morph was seen at Bolivar Flats on a couple of days whilst a pure White Morph was a Rollover Pass on 24th April.

15 Tricoloured Heron*

Proved too common than anticipated along the upper coast. The first, four, at Brazos Bend State Park on 17th April were followed by near multiple daily sightings from all the wetland areas, mostly in two's and three's, with occasional four's, but an impressive 30 flew over the centre of High Island in the evening of the 20th April as we left Smith Oaks.

16 Little Blue Heron*

Surprisingly not as common as in my previous Texas trip. The first flew over the parking lot at Attwater on 11th April in the half light of early morning. We had to wait to the 17th before we saw numbers at Brazos Bend State Park where many were encountered, mostly as fly overs. Here a white morph showed well on the bridge and sluice area by Pilant Lake. Elsewhere few were actually seen, only smallish numbers whilst further white morphs were seen at South Pear Orchard Road near Anahuac and at Tuna Road, Bolivar Peninsula

17 Cattle Egret*

Widespread and often seen in largish flocks. Common enough to be seen whilst driving from the airport to Sealy on our first evening. Largish numbers were along the entrance road to Brazos Bend and was abundant around High Island wetlands

18 Black-crowned Night Heron*

An adult at Cook's Slough on 11th was the first but this was followed by only two further sightings, both of three birds, at Brazos Bend State Park on 17th April and at Anahuac in the evening of the 18th along the Shoveler Pond auto loop.

19 Yellow-crowned Night Heron*

Still a firm favourite this cracking looking heron was again seen very well at Brazos Bend State Park along the 40 Acres Lake Trail where six were noted in the late afternoon of the 17th April. After this smaller numbers encountered, apart from six at Taylors Bayou on the 21st April, with one at Big Reef, Galveston 18th April, 1 sat in the Dunes at Bolivar Flats looking completely out of place on 23rd April and three on the flooded field by the Boat Ramp on the 24th April.

20 Green Heron*

Following the first brief bird in the evening at Cook's Slough on 11th April we had to wait over week before we saw any more. Brazos Bend State Park again was a heron have and gave us multiple close encounters along the 40 Acres Lake trail on 17th April, at one point one sat next to a Yellow-crowned Night Heron. Two were at Corps Woods, Galveston on 18th April and then daily sightings of multiple birds from multiple wetlands from Galveston to Anahuac and High Island. A fine small heron that was hard not to miss.

21 White-faced Ibis

Brazos Bend State Park gave us our first encounter with probably more than the paltry seven I logged in my notebook on the 17th April. Widely seen around the wetlands surrounding High Island and Anahuac through our time on the upper coast with 40+ were at the latter site on the 18th April.

22 White Ibis*

As with White-faced Ibis probably under recorded in my notepad due to its overall abundance on the upper coast. Many were at Brazos Bend State Park on 17th April and was seen in most 'fresh/brackish' water habitats near High Island and occasionally in sizeable flocks, such as 20+ over Farm Road 1985 (FM1985) on 18th April and 50+ over Taylors Bayou on 21st April

23 Roseate Spoonbill*

One of Lee's want to see birds it lived up to my recollection from my previous visit in being a stunning bird. Three flybys at Brazos Bend State Park on 17th April wetted that appetite for those seen at the Rookery of Smith Oaks Wood, High Island where we could see and hear them at close range. Elsewhere birds were encountered along Bob's Road, Bolivar Peninsula, Anahuac and Farm Road 1993 (FM1993).

24 Wood Stork

The Six seen flying over Katy Prairie on our last day, 25th April were the highlight of an otherwise unproductive and frustrating location.

25 Black-bellied Whistling Duck*

Following the first two over Interstate ten on 11th April 20+ were at Cooks Slough later the same afternoon. No further birds were seen until Brazos Bend State Park on 17th April where there several birds present. From there on this large duck was seen at various wetland along the Upper Coast with Anahuac having the most sightings

26 Fulvous Whistling Duck

Only encountered at Anahuac in small numbers from the 18th April through to the 24th with eight on the 18th and 11 on the 24th being the highest numbers

27 Wood Duck

Scarce species, only seen twice, both time involved fly overs; two drakes at Cooks Slough on 11th April and two at Taylors Bayou on 21st April.

28 Mallard

Following the first, four at Balmorhea Lake on 13th April, very small numbers were noted in the wetlands of the upper coast

29 Mottled Duck*

Two, suspected Mexican Mallards, were at Balmorhea Lake on 13th April. There were no further sightings until Big Reef, Galveston on 18th April where one was in the landward side of the marsh. After this 1-3 were seen at the various points along the Bolivar Peninsula and a very showy bird along Retillion Road on 20th April.

30 Gadwall

There were four at Cooks Slough in the late afternoon of 11th April but no further birds were seen until Anahuac on 19th April were several hundred at least were present in one very large flooded area. After this numerous Gadwalls were seen around Anahuac during our visits there

31 Northern Shoveler

Uncommon. 13 were at Bolivar Flats on 18th April with a couple with Blue-winged Teals in roadside pools along Retillion Road same day.

32 Blue-winged Teal*

Common on the upper coast. The first were at East Beach, Galveston on 18th April but soon several largish flocks were encountered further along the coast; 30-40 at Bolivar Flats and Retillion Road on 18th, 19th & 20th April and a minimum of 40+ along South Pear Orchard Road on the 19th April. Elsewhere lower double figure counts were not uncommon at the Oilfields and Anahuac.

33 Red-breasted Merganser

A Redhead was off Big Reef, Galveston on 18th April whilst five flew past Bolivar Flats on the 20th April

34 Ruddy Duck

The only birds encountered were the rather distant 15+ at Balmorhea Lake on 13th April

35 Turkey Vulture*

Pretty common and widespread throughout the drive with exceptions being the drive from San Antonio and Balmorhea Lake were only a few were noted over the Interstate

36 Black Vulture

A little less common than Turkey Vulture it was non the less common enough to be most omitted from my notepad daily

37 Northern Harrier*

Only found along the upper coastal waterways and wetland areas. Three were Attwater on the 11st April whilst Anahuac usually had between 2-3 present per visit including both ringtails and immature males, no adult males were seen. One seemed to be semi resident around the Marshes on the landward side of Bolivar Flats being seen on a couple of occasions from the dunes or flushing the waders from Retillion Road wader pool

38 White-tailed Hawk

I brought the car to an abrupt halt along the I10 on 11th April when what was almost certainly a White-tailed Hawk was seen disappearing over the tops of trees on the other side of the highway. It was most likely this species but doesn't figure in the overall species tally as not 100% fully identified.

39 White-tailed Kite*

The first two were seen over Corp Wood on 18th April with all other birds seen along Bolivar Peninsula on two subsequent days with a stunner right overhead along Bob Road. One was perched on wires at Anahuac on 22nd April

40 Mississippi Kite

The one and only was seen migrating over High Island just as we left Smith Oaks on 20th April

41 Swallow-tailed Kite*

This species was not really expected on this trip but five migrating low over Whites Memorial Park on 21st April were absolute stunners

42 Sharp-shinned Hawk*

Singles were seen at Cooks Slough on 11th April, Frio Bat Cave 12th April and at Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend on 14th April whilst male and female were seen over Whites Memorial Park on 21st April at a time of brief raptor passage

43 Coopers Hawk

A pair were close to the Davis Mountains State Park bird feeder on 13th April, calling loudly whilst another was seen very briefly at Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park on 15th April.

44 Common Black Hawk*

A very fine pair were in the trees at Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park on 15th April.

45 Grey Hawk

The only one of the trip was a brief flyby at Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park in the evening of 14th April

46 Broad-winged Hawk*

Only a handful were seen during the trip with one over the I10 east of San Antonio on 11th April, two over Lost Maples on 12th April and two over White's Memorial Park on the 21st April

47 Swainsons Hawk*

Singles were seen at Davis Mountains State Park on 14th April, Bolivar 19th April, at Anahuac and along Route 128 on the 21st April whilst two were along the Anahuac approach road on the 20th and 24th April

48 Red-tailed Hawk*

I probably noted this less often in my note pad as I'm sure we had more than that recorded here with several over the I10 on 11th April, a very pale immature over Bob on 23rd April, on three at White's Memorial Park on 21st April, 1 at Anahuac on 24th April and nine over Katy Prairie on 25th April

49 Bald Eagle*

We came across an adult sat in a field between Whites Memorial Park and Anahuac on 21st April was a bit of a surprise as didn’t expect to get any this trip.

50 Osprey*

Most sightings were of singles with the first at Lost Maples on the 11th April when one flew along the ridge and one was at Balmorhea Lake briefly on 13th April. Three were along the road into Galveston on 17th April and two, including a very tatty one, at Anahuac on 20th April. After this singles were at Anahuac, Yacht Basin Road and Bob Road over the next few days, the bird along Bob Road was the most confiding individual.

51 Crested Caracara*

The first was seen on the 11th April when two were over the I10 between Sealy and San Antonio. No further birds were seen until one was over East Beach, Galveston on 18th April that was followed by singles along the Bolivar Peninsula up to 24th April. A post at the end of Yacht Basin Road was a regular perch for a lingering bird. The final birds of the trip were three at Katy Prairie on 25th April.

52 Merlin*

A stunningly frosty male was at the Frio Bat Cave in the evening of 12th April. Singles were then seen along Bolivar Peninsula at various points on 22nd and 23rd April.

53 American Kestrel*

The one and only was a male along Highway 83 on 13th April.

54 Peregrine

Singles were at White's Memorial Park and on a Pylon along Route 128 on 21st and 23rd April respectively.

55 Northern Bobwhite*

Nine at Attwater in the morning of the 11th April were typically brief whilst a couple at Anahuac on the 24th was a little more co-operative with a stunning male along the roadside.

56 Scaled Quail

Unfortunately the only sightings of this quail related to 4+ that flew across road on our way from leaving from Cottonwood Campground on the 14th April and a couple more over the road next day as we headed toward Rio Grande Village

57 Prairie Chicken

Two were seen from the minivan on the drive out to the viewing platform at Attwater on 11th April whilst two displaying males were seen shortly after.

58 Wild Turkey

A rather large and vocal male was along the road by the Madera Canyon Trail in the Davis Mountains on 14th April was rather impressive.

59 Moorhen

Not often recorded in my notepad due to being common in wetlands and being very common at home in the UK

60 American Coot*

Following the five at Cook's Slough on 11th April we saw varying numbers at wetlands, being common at sites such as Brazos Bend State Park and Anahuac, where one field was covered in some thousands on the 19th April. Not a species that will be easily missed

61 Purple Gallinule*

Apart from the first three at Brazos Bend State Park on 17th April and one in the reed bed below the Smith Oaks Wood Rookery on the 19th all others were at Anahuac with several seen per visit.

62 Clapper Rail*

The Oilfields had three on the 19th April and four were along Yacht Basin Road later the same morning with multiple birds being seen well. Several individuals were seen in the ditches of Retillion Road, Anahuac and Frenchtown Road with two at Anahuac on 24th April.

63 King Rail

At Anahuac one walked across the track along the auto loop on 20th April which was rather unexpected but welcomed

64 Sora*

A remarkably showy bird was at Big Reef, Galveston on 18th April whilst three were at the Oilfields on the 19th April with two at Anahuac in the early morning 24th April, that showed very well along the recently cut verge and two at Lafitte’s Grove at Galveston in the afternoon of the same day.

65 Grey Plover*

Fairly common with some stunning adult summers seen though most were either winter plumaged birds or immatures. Several sites along Bolivar Peninsula, such as Bolivar Flats, Barbados Road and at Travis Davis Seashore Park usually had 1-3 between 18th and 23rd April.

66 Piping Plover*

Only seen at two localities, Bolivar Flats and Rollover Pass, from 18th April to 24th April with multiple birds seen on each visit, sometimes at very close range. A smart, whitish and rather dumpy plover.

67 Semipalmated Plover*

Most of the beaches on the upper coast held varying numbers of SemiP Plovers with first 5+ being at Each Beach, Galveston. Bolivar Flats started with 30+ on the 18th April with smaller numbers thereafter. Barbados Road along Bolivar Peninsula had 20+ on the puddles in the field here on 19th April. Away from the Bolivar sites a flooded field along Farm Road 1990 had 20+ on 19th April.

68 Snowy Plover

The only one of the trip was only looked at extremely briefly at East Beach, Galveston on 18th April. I expected to see more of this species during the latter half of the trip but this remained the only one.

69 Wilsons Plover*

One was at Big Reef, Galveston on 18th April, on the landwards marsh side of the road. 20+ were at Bolivar Flats later the same afternoon where they showed very well until a right arsehole drove his oversized 4x4 right through the roosting flock. Wilson's Plovers were seen in small numbers on subsequent visits, including numerous birds in the roped off area beyond the posts. Elsewhere very few were seen with singles along Yacht Basin Road on 19th April and along Bob Road 22nd April.

70 Killdeer*

Common and widespread and largely under recorded in my note pad but was recorded across most locations. Some were clearly holding territory, undertaking the 'broken wing' distracting tactic and in some instances a few chicks were seen, balls of fluff with overly long legs.

71 American Oystercatcher*

Rollover Pass had four on the 19th April, a peak of eight on the 20th April and two on the 23rd whilst the only others seen were three at Bolivar Flats on 22nd April.

72 American Avocet*

One of the highlights of the trip was seeing the flocks of summer plumages Avocets at both Bolivar Flats and Rollover Pass where some hundreds were seen, 500+ at Bolivar Flats on 18th April with many hundreds persisting thereafter with thousands on the 22nd April. Rollover Pass had 300+ on the 18th April with this number roughly lingering throughout. Hugely impressive.

73 Black-necked Stilt*

Commonly seen once into the coastal wetlands with no specific counts made anywhere but the species would be hard to miss at places such as Anahuac, Oilfields, Retillion Road etc.

74 Greater Yellowlegs*

One was seen in flight from the platform for looking at the Attwater Prairie Chickens on 11th April. We then had to wait until the 19th April before we saw any more when a cracking bird was at the Oilfields. Two were in a flooded field along FM Road 1986 later the same day. Singles were then seen at Retillion Road on 20th April, at Anahuac on 21st April and what was presumably the same bird at the Oilfields on the 21st April

75 Lesser Yellowlegs*

Common once we reached the upper coast and was abundant that the species was recorded from pretty much every wetland we visited with 50+ along Retillion Road on 19th April, 15 at the Oilfields and 30+ in the flooded fields along FM Road 1992 and 70+ along South Pear Orchard Road the same day. Most subsequent counts, where made or estimated were in the low double figures, bar the 40+ at Tuna Road along Bolivar Peninsula on 22nd April with many other places have between 2-5 birds, such as random roadside stops by ditches etc.

76 Solitary Sandpiper

Uncommon with only two very brief birds seen in flight only, along South Pear Orchard Road on the 19th April and over Whites Memorial Park on the 21st April.

77 Spotted Sandpiper*

Singles only along the upper coast with only eight seen in total. The Oilfields and Frenchtown Road had birds recorded on more than one visit. The bird at Big Reef, Galveston on 18th April was a belter and by far and away the 'spottiest' of all those seen.

78 Willet*

Soon after seeing the first at Big Reef, Galveston this species rapidly got left out of the note book each day due to its overall abundance along the coastal waterways, i.e. 30+ along Tuna Road on 22nd April. It was also an extremely confiding species with some extremely close encounters along Retillion Road where several would feed in the ditches right alongside the car.

79 Upland Sandpiper

Only seen from the confines of the minivan at Attwater on 11th when returning from seeing the Prairie Chickens with at least nine seen but most were as they were flushed by the van.

80 Hudsonian Whimbrel*

Common on the upper coast with the largest concentrations actually coming from the flooded rice fields inland around Anahuac, i.e. 50+ on the 19th April along FM Road 1985 and 100+ south of White's Memorial Park on the 21st April. The coast still had plenty of birds though to point the camera at.

81 Hudsonian Godwit

After a tip off at Boy Scout Wood on the 21st April we immediately shot off along Route 128 to a flooded field just south of Winnie where 11 of the 12 reported were seen. This was a great flooded field with lots and lots of waders. We looked here the following day on our drive to High Island but there had clearly been a departure of waders as a fraction of what was present yesterday were here, the Hudwits had left over night.

82 Marbled Godwit*

The Bolivar Flats and Rollover Pass sites were the only place we saw this fine godwit. Rollover Pass had reasonable numbers with 10+ on the 20th April and 15+ on the 24th. Bolivar Flats however tended to only have 1-2 each visit though at least these were lot closer than those at Rollover.

83 Turnstone*

Mostly recorded on the 18th and 19th April from Galveston, Bolivar Flats and the Oilfields with 'several' noted. After this only a few seen with a top count of four along Bob Road on 23rd April.

84 Dunlin*

Not overly abundant but seen in small numbers, anything between singles up to ten across the coastal sites along Bolivar Peninsula. Those at Bolivar Flats were especially photographable in small puddles with many of those seen being in summer plumage. Noted between 18th and 24th April.

85 Knot*

Only seen at Bolivar flats on two dates with 1+ on the 18th and three on 22nd April.

86 Sanderling*

Common on the coast, especially sites such as Bolivar Flats and East Beach Galveston where some numbers were seen each visit.

87 Pectoral Sandpiper*

Retillion Road pools had one on the 20th April to 24th April when it was joined by a second bird. Only seen at the flooded rice fields along Route 128 south of Winnie on 21st April where 50+ was rather impressive. A clear out of waders overnight resulted in just nine still being present the following morning.

88 Baird's Sandpiper

The only one of the trip was on the superb flooded rice fields along Route 128 south of Winnie on 21st April though it was a little distant.

89 White-rumped Sandpiper*

As with Baird's Sandpiper only one was seen, on our last full day of 24th April. It was a very smart and approachable bird feeding in puddles with other peeps at the end of Retillion Road just as you drive onto the beach by the toilet hut.

90 Western Sandpiper*

Fairly common at Bolivar Flats where this was pretty much the only place we saw this species between 18th and 23rd April. Some small flocks, 25+ on the 18th, presented some fun as they fed in the puddles at the top of the beach made by the storm of the day before. The only other place Western Sands were seen was at Galveston at East Beach

91 Semipalmated Sandpiper*

Favourite on sand beaches of Bolivar Flats and East Beach Galveston from 18th - 24th April with several days producing double figure counts, i.e. 30+ Bolivar on 18th April. Elsewhere 10+ were on pools along Barbados Drive and 30+ in flooded fields inland at FM Road 1988. Several other inland flooded rice fields had birds but numbers really reached double figures.

92 Stilt Sandpiper*

A species of wader that I was wanted to see and photograph if possible was the Stilt Sandpiper. I only managed distant views back in 2009 so the haul here was much better. Following a flyby single at East Beach, Galveston on 18th April Retillion Road at Bolivar was the prime sits with the near roadside pools being amongst the best localities for watching multiple birds in breeding plumage. Following three here on 18th 2-3 were seen on next couple of visits however in excess of 20 were present early morning on 20th April before returning to ones and two's again till trip end. Elsewhere small numbers were usually see, such as eight at Rollover Pass on the 20th and 20+ fly overs at Whites Memorial Park on 21st April and 15+ at the Oilfields in the late afternoon of the same day

93 Least Sandpiper*

Common and widespread along the coast with sites such as Bolivar Flats and Retillion Road holding the lion’s share of the numbers. Several counts of 20's and 30's were made from these nearby sites. Other coastal locations numbers were much smaller but did include some point blank views, such as some of those right next to the car that refused to budge at Bob Road on 22nd and 23rd April. Inland flooded rice fields also had large numbers, such as the 70+ along FM Road 1987 so anywhere 'damp' would have at least some birds. Would be hard to not see this on the coast at this time of year.

94 Short-billed Dowitcher

Another wader I was keen on repeating my photographic successes from 2009. Initially it looked doubtful due to the main area of Oilfields being totally flooded but some fine spots yielded some good views of down to several metres, or in some instances feet (such as along Frenchtown Road. It was not uncommon to have counts that averaged between 15-20 birds from Bolivar Flats, Yacht Basin Road, Bob Road, peak of 60+ on 22nd April, Anahuac and Travis Seashore Park.

95 Wilsons Snipe

The one and only was in the flooded fields behind the Boat Ramp parking lot at Anahuac on 24th April

96 Wilsons Phalarope*

Bird of the trip for me (Steve). The Retillion Road wader pool was a huge success with five stunners there on the 19th, increasing to eight next day and then down to just one on the 22nd April. These birds were full summer plumage stonkers. Elsewhere two flew past the car at Rollover Pass on 20th April and did not linger whilst a single was distant in the flooded rice field along Route 128 south of Winnie

97 American Herring Gull*

Generally under recorded in my notebook but Bolivar Flats and Rollover Pass were the main locations where this species was seen whilst the first were at Big Reef, Galveston on the 18th April where several adults and immatures were present. Several following the ferry on both trips but Bolivar had the most of varying ages with on average 3-5 being present along the tide line.

98 Laughing Gull*

Common on the coast and cannot be missed. Sometimes large flocks would be seen, such as the 500+ on East Beach, Galveston on 18th and the many hundreds that were at either ferry terminal, resulting in large numbers following the ferry. Feeding the birds from the back of the ferry is permitted and can result in good flight shots.

99 Ring-billed Gull*

Scarce with no adults seen. Following two first-years at Balmorhea Lake on 13th April. First and second summers then seen most visits at Bolivar Flats from 19th through to 22nd April when three were present. Singles were seen up and down the Peninsula through the time on the upper coast.

100 Caspian Tern*

Only three were seen, with the second two possibly even relating to the same individual. The first was out on the marsh behind Big Reef, Galveston on 18th April. The next flew over Rollover Pass on 23rd April which may have been the bird on the beach at Bolivar Flats later that day.

101 Royal Tern*

Common on the coast. Some hundreds could be seen at Big Reef and East Beach, Galveston on 18th April and similar numbers then at Bolivar Flats on each visit. There was a large colony on the sandbars at Rollover Pass each visit whilst the Oilfields and adjacent beach had some hundreds on 19th April. It was often easy enough to see many birds fly along the beach along the Bolivar Peninsula. Not a species that I think would be missed.

102 Sandwich Tern*

Many were seen flying out of Galveston Bay past Big Reef on 18th April and around 300+ were around Rollover Pass on 24th April otherwise lower numbers were seen at Bolivar and Rollover Pass on other visits.

103 Gull-billed Tern

Only seen on two days involving three sightings. 10+ were seen flying past Big Reef, Galveston with other terns leaving Galveston Bay on 18th April. At Anahuac on 24th April four were present whilst two were at Bolivar Flats briefly in puddles later the same day.

104 Forsters Tern*

Common on the coast with some sizeable gatherings at Big Reef, Galveston and Bolivar Flats there after whilst Rollover Pass on the 24th April had 100+ which indicates its overall abundance

105 Least Tern*

Only seen at Bolivar Flats where it was seen to be common though varying in numbers seen per visit due to different states of the tide. At least 100+ were present roosting along the beach on the 18th April with at least 40 or more on the 23rd April with lower double figures at other times.

106 Black Tern*

Small numbers were present in the tern flocks at Bolivar Flats and Rollover Pass with between 1-3 being the average numbers however 10+ were at Rollover Pass on 18th April, 15+ past Bob Road, Bolivar Peninsula on the 22nd, 15+ at Rollover Pass on 23rd April with 20+ there following day. Isolated singletons were noted at various stop offs elsewhere.

Terns

Large numbers of mixed terns were seen exiting Galveston Bay, seen at the end of Esplanade Road, Galveston on 18th April and large mixed tern roosts were at Bolivar Flats on several days, several groups of mixed Royal, Forsters and Black Terns numbering 100+ birds or more.

107 Black Skimmer*

Six were found roosting on the beach at Big Reef, Galveston on 18th April early morning were quickly following by several hundred on nearby East Beach an hour or so later. Elsewhere only seen at Rollover Pass where large flocks were be seen on the sandbars at the end of either parking area. As an indication of the numbers 100+ 19th April, 400+ on the 23rd April and 200+ on the 24th April with other probably three figures here at other times. Stunning gatherings.

108 White-winged Dove*

Following the first seen at Lost Maples, five on 12th April and several around Neal’s Lodge same day, the species was common, and fairly aggressive to other doves present, and at the feeders of Davis Mountains State Park on the 13th April this species soon become largely omitted from the daily notebook. It was seen up as far as High Island Woods.

109 Mourning Dove*

Common throughout the trip and second most abundant dove seen.

110 Collared Dove

Common and widespread was perhaps the commonest of the doves present, probably a little more common than Mourning Dove.

111 Common Ground Dove

Scarce and seen on only two occasions which was a little unexpected, thought it would be seen more commonly. At Cooks Slough on 11th April two came down onto the track briefly in the evening and two were at Neal’s Lodge on the 12th April.

112 Inca Dove*

Following the first at Big Bend National Park on 14th April at Cottonwood Campground this diminutive species was seen on multiple occasions and was not totally uncommon in Big Bend, the last logged in my note book being at Boy Scout Wood on 19th April with four seen.

113 Black-billed Cuckoo*

Only one was seen, on the 18th April along the road at Hooks Wood, High Island, where it showed well for only a few minutes before disappearing.

114 Yellow-billed Cuckoo*

Commoner than expected though some sightings may relate to the same individual bird roaming the woods. The first was at Hook Wood, along the road by the reserve gate on the 18th April and may have been the same bird that was here on the 21st April as it was only a few metres from the same spot. At Boy scout Wood one was along the road on 18th April where is showed well in bushes opposite the reserve entrance and may have been the same as here and nearby the next day. In Smith Oaks Wood what may have been the same wandering bird was seen on 19th and 22nd April but there were certainly two birds there on the this latter date.

115 Roadrunner*

Only seen at Big Bend National Park. The first ran across the road in front of the car as we arrived in the afternoon of the 14th April with the next been in the half light on the 15th when it was sat in the top of low roadside bushes at dawn. Two were at Rio Grande Village on 15th April, the first of these towards the campground and the next, possibly the same, found standing on a trailer in the main parking lot by the shop. This bird then went onto to do what roadrunners do and ran across the parking lot providing stunning photo opportunities.

116 Elf Owl

None were seen in daylight hours at Big Bend National Park but one was eventually tracked down on the 18th April at Cottonwood Campground after a lot of effort and after it moved from the Big Trees to the small ones. We were told off for using spotlights here as they are against the rules in National Parks but that was thankfully after we had seen the bird, which looking at it didn’t seem bothered by the light. We were told the species can be found widely in Big Bend so perhaps trying Dug Out Wells may result in seeing the bird easier and not being told off for spotlighting.

117 Great Horned Owl*

Two magnificent roosting owls were pointed out by local birders at Cottonwood Campground in Big Bend National Park on 15th April, one was far more obscured than the second. An additional bird was seen along FM Road 1985 on 18th April when we stopped to looking at Common Nighthawk. This Great Horned Owl was distant but perfect against the night sky on a prominent post by a small ranch with isolated stand of largish trees.

118 Common Nighthawk*

One of the highlights of the trip. The first was along FM road 1985 near Anahuac on 18th April when Lee saw one at dusk from the car and we u-turned to watch it hawking over flooded fields. Two were then seen on 19th April roosting on mudflats along Yacht Basin Road, Bolivar Peninsula next day and another was seen distantly hawking over the back of Horseshoe Lake later the same day in broad daylight. All of these sightings however paled next to the three we came across at dusk on the 20th April at the Oilfields. These birds were constantly flying around us displaying, calling loudly and 'booming' and perching on wires. Stunning. This we thought could not be topped but next day we came across four together at Anahuac, in trees next the road near the visitor centre where they could be seen roosting metres away or flying around during the day again calling and booming, absolutely stunning. The sound of these birds was entrenched in our minds by now and we could readily pick out birds during the day calling, such as the two over Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd April and Yacht Basin Road. The birds were still present at the Oilfields in the evening of 21st April and at Anahuac during the day of 24th April along with an additional 5th bird seen from the auto loop. Right up there as top birding experiences of the trip.

119 Mexican Whip-poor-will

Following one calling unseen close to the Laguna Meadow Trail in Big Bend National Park in the dark of the very early hours on the 16th April one was seen well in the light of my limited headlamp on the path in front of us. This was one of the very top birds of the trip.

120 Chimney Swift

Not overly common most sightings were of single figures, i.e. one at Attwater on 11th April, one over Boy Scout Wood on 21st April and three over Smith Oaks Wood on the 22nd April. Highest count was ten at Big Bend National Park at the top of the Laguna Meadow Trail at dawn on the 16th April.

121 White-throated Swift*

Only seen at Boot Canyon, Big Bend National Park, on 16th April where at least eight were often seen well.

122 Black-chinned Hummingbird*

A male was along the road to/from Cooks Slough on 11th April that kept going to the same perch. A female was at Lost Maples on 12th April whilst the feeders at the Lost Maples General store held a minimum of 6+ same day. Singles were also seen at Neal’s Lodge and along the Madera Canyon Trail on 12th and 14th April respectively whilst I found a female on a nest at the Cottonwood Campground in Big Bend National Park later in the afternoon of the 14th.

123 Ruby-throated Hummingbird*

Only seen on the Upper Coast with majority being females. Three females were at Corp Woods, Galveston on 18th April and three, including a smashing male, were at Hooks Wood, High Island later the same day. One was a Boy Scout Wood on 19th April and two were seen in Smith Oaks Wood on 22 and 23rd April. The final sightings were from Anahuac and a Lafitte’s Cove in Galveston, both on 24th April, with two at both locations.

124 Broad-tailed Hummingbird*

Two, or more, were seen towards the top of the Laguna Meadow Trail in Big Bend National Park at dawn on 16th April, with another 1+ heard further along the Colima Trail near Boot Canyon. The sound these hummers made in flight was perhaps even more impressive than the physical birds themselves, which was pretty good anyway.

Hummer sp.

A couple of unidentified hummingbirds were seen at Cooks Slough on 11th April were probably Black-chinned but given the slight cross over in range Ruby-throated could not be eliminated on the brief views.

125 Acorn Woodpecker*

The first of these smashing woodpeckers was at the feeding station at Davis Mountains State Park on 13th April and was probably the same one seen here and around the nearby RV lots later the same day and the following morning. One was along the trail behind the Chisos Mountain Lodge, Big Bend National Park on 15th April whilst three were at Boot Canyon on the 16th April.

126 Red-headed Woodpecker*

The target woodpecker and my old faithful site of Whites Memorial Park north of Anahuac didn't fail me and resulted in my best ever views of this my favourite of the North American Woodpeckers in the morning of the 21st April. Initially pair were seen at a couple of dead trees but was joined by a third bird where they should remarkably well. During a further circuit of the park looking for Pileated Woodpeckers a second 'clan' of three were found.

127 Golden-fronted Woodpecker*

Two were at Cooks Slough on 11th April and then Big Bend National Park had the rest of the sightings on 14th and 15th April with three at Cottonwood Campground on 14th with still at least two there next day and three at the Rio Grande Village on the 15th.

128 Red-bellied Woodpecker

Actually few seen and seen rather poorly with two at Attwater on 11th April and three at Taylors Bayou on 21st April seen as fly overs.

129 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

A regular bird was seen in Smith Oaks Wood on both the 19th and 20th April, in or around the same large trees near some Mulberry.

130 Ladder-backed Woodpecker*

One was at the feeders at Lost Maples on 12th April and one was at the feeders of Davis Mountains State Park on the 13th but one, of possibly two birds present, had an almighty fight with a Golden-fronted Woodpecker at the Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park on 15th April.

131 Northern Flicker

Was surprised that only one was seen, drumming on a metal roof of a building near the McDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains early in the morning of the 14th April. I had expected to see more of this woodpecker so didn’t spend anytime photographing it.

132 Pileated Woodpecker

Three of this awesome woodpecker were seen in Whites Memorial Park on 21st April

133 Belted Kingfisher*

Actually fairly abundant in the right habitat. The first was a male at Balmorhea Lake on 13th April and then near daily on the upper coast between 18th and 22nd April though it must be said that not all sightings made it into the notepad as many were on roadside wires whilst driving. Most were of singletons but two were at Anahuac on 21st April. This superb species was extremely difficult to get close to for photography and I had to content myself with rather distant shots of a perched bird along Bob Road which had an oversized fish.

134 Eastern Wood Pewee*

Only five birds on three days with three on 18th April alone from Corp Woods, Galveston and Hooks and Boy Scout Woods at High Island. Presumably the same bird was still at Hooks Wood on 20th April whilst Smith Oaks Wood had one on 22nd April.

135 Acadian Flycatcher

Singles only at Hooks Wood on 21st April and at Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd April.

136 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

One possible/probable was at Smith Oaks Wood on 20th April.

Trails Flycatcher*

Several empidonax flycatchers were seen during the trip which could not be assigned to a species though strong suspicions were made on some of them. All of these were singletons at Brazos Bend State Park on 17th April, in Corp Woods, Galveston on 18th April with one at Hooks Wood, High Island the same day and one in Smith Oaks Wood on the 19th April

137 Alder Flycatcher

Several empidonax flycatchers were seen well enough to attribute them to being either Alder or Willow Flycatchers, Traills Flycatcher but were probably Alder based on a number of features. There were three, all from High Island with singles in Boy Scout Wood on 18th April and in Smith Oaks Wood on 20th and 22nd April.

138 Eastern Phoebe

Only seen at Lost Maples on 12th April where 6 favoured the East Trail by the lakes.

139 Black Phoebe

Only one seen, along the river at Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park in the evening of the 15th April.

140 Says Phoebe*

One was at the feeding station in Davis Mountains State Park on 13th April with three along the main road towards the McDonald Observatory the following morning. The only other to be seen was in the parking lot at Chisos Mountain Lodge in Big Bend National Park on 15th April.

141 Vermillion Flycatcher*

Pretty common in the dry south, especially around Big Bend National Park. Two different males were seen at Neal’s Lodge, on 12th and 13th April and a male was at the Rio Frio Bat Cave approach track on the 12th. Numbers were high in Big Bend with Cottonwood Campground and the Rio Grande Village being the hotspots with probably 15+ being at Cottonwood each visit on 14th and 15th April and probably 20+ at Rio Grande on 15th April. These are rather conservative estimates.

142 Great Crested Flycatcher

Only three seen on the upper coast, at Corp Woods, Galveston on 18th April, in Boy Scout Wood, High Island on 19th April and in Smith Oaks Wood on 23rd April.

143 Ash-throated Flycatcher*

Similar to the larger Great Crested Flycatcher I think I actually preferred this species. Two were on the plateau of Lost Maples in misty conditions on 12th April but better views were had at Neal’s Lodge, Concan later the same day. Two were at Neal’s on the 13th and one was along the Madera Canyon Trail on the 14th April. There after all sightings came from Big Bend National Park where most were of singles, at Cottonwood Campground on 14th April, at Dug Out Wells on the 15th April whilst the Laguna Meadow Trail had 4 on the 16th April..

144 Eastern Kingbird*

Apart from one along the Madera Canyon Trail on 14th April all others were from the upper coast where it was fairly abundant and commonly encountered. Just driving along the back roads would often result in kingbirds being seen on roadside wires and it was not unusual to see anything between three and eight along any stretch of road. Anahuac was a great place for the, with eight on the 20th April.

145 Western Kingbird*

Only seen in Big Bend National Park where only three singletons were noted. These being in the Cottonwood Campground on 14th and 15th April and at the Rio Grande Village on the 15th April.

146 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher*

This was far more abundant a species than on my last visit but it was none the less a stunning bird and one that was often stopped at to get great views. It was common and widespread and was amongst the first ten bird species seen after leaving the airport on arrival. Eventually roadside counts were stopped being taken as on occasion a couple of miles stretch of road would had at least a dozen or more along it. The first properly looked at birds were along the auto route at Attwater on a grey day on 11th April and then some stunning views around the High Island/Bolivar/Anahuac areas. Those along South Pear Orchard Road presented me with my best photographic opportunities gen that they were on roadside wires and there was no traffic to worry above.

147 Loggerhead Shrike*

One was along the auto route at Attwater on the 11th April in pretty grey overcast conditions. We didn’t have any further birds until we were at Big Reef, Galveston on 18th April where one was on telegraph wires. Nearby East Beach also had a single bird shortly afterwards. Afterwards mostly singles were seen at various upper Texas Coast locations between 18th and 20th April but two were at Anahuac on 20th April and two were along Yacht Basin Road on 23rd April.

148 Red-eyed Vireo*

One was seen by Lee at Lost Maples on the 12th April which was the first. At High Island Hooks Wood logged one on 18th April and three on 21st April whilst Smith Oaks had the remaining birds with 2 on 20th April, a clear arrival as seven were present on 22nd April but rapidly fell away to just one the next day.

149 Philadelphia Vireo*

We only managed to log one throughout the trip, on 23rd April at Smith Oaks Wood, as there seemed to be an overall lack of this species passing through which was mirrored by Warbling Vireo. Of course if you were an American birdwatcher you would see nothing but Phily Vireo's and no Tennessee Warblers.

150 Bell’s Vireo*

Only seen in the south. This non-descript vireo was found singing, three males, at Neal’s Lodge, Concan on 11th and 12th April, three were at Sam Niall Ranch, Big Bend National Park on the 14th April and then two at Dug Out Wells on the 15th April.

151 Hutton’s Vireo

A slight saving grace after failing to see Colima Warbler, and other targets, up in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park was this species with two seen up at Boot Canyon and the Pinnacles Trail.

152 White-eyed Vireo*

Seen widely but only as singletons. There were seven bird days totalling nine birds. Following the first at Lost Maples and then at Neal’s Lodge, Concan on 12th April all others were at the Upper Texas Coast Woods. Smith Oaks recorded the most, four bird days but it is unknown how many of these were relating to the same bird,

153 Yellow-throated Vireo

A couple were at Lost Maples on 12th April but the rest came from the High Island Woods between 18th and 23rd April. Hooks Wood had one on 18th April, Boy Scout Wood had one on 19th April and Smith Oaks Wood had three on 22nd April but just one the next day.

154 Plumbeous Vireo

We came across a single singing bird in the Madera Canyon Trail on 14th April pull-out when we were actually looking for the trail head. This was the one and only of the trip.

155 Blue-headed Vireo

Another vireo we only encountered one of on one day. One was near the Black Hawk nest site at Rio Grande Village on Big Bend National Park on 15th April. This was a surprise as it was expected to be seen on the upper coast later in the trip.

156 Black-capped Vireo

This was the second of two target species for Lost Maples on 12th April, the other being the Golden-cheeked Warbler. We climbed the steep and rocky path to the top of the plateau, the heavy camera and tripod was probably not a good idea here, and was met with rolling fog. This meant that pretty much the first three birds seen were in murky conditions but the fourth and last at the top of the trail as we looked to head back down was a belter and showed really well for us and an American birder that we helped get onto it. Getting this here meant we didn’t need to go to Kerr WMA later. Stunning bird and in the Top 10 of the trip.

157 Blue Jay

It took a little while but we worked out the 'squeaking rusty wheel barrow' sound coming from within the woods came from Blue Jays. Singles were at both Hooks and Smith Oaks Woods on 20th April whilst the 21st saw three at White's Memorial Park and two in Hooks Wood. The last and highest count of the trip came from Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd April when we had five.

158 Western Scrub Jay

Only four were seen in the south west. The first was on the plateau at Lost Maples on 12th April, singles at Madera Canyon Trail and in Davis Mountains State Park on the 14th April with the last along the Window Trails in Big Bend National Park on the 15th April.

159 Mexican Jay*

Only seen at Big Bend National Park on 16th April at the top of the Laguna Meadow Trail when we hiked up for the Colima Warblers. At least 25+ were seen during the hike which included a 'gang' of roving birds and a couple of very confiding birds that came to investigate us whilst we had our sandwiches during the decent along the Pinnacles Trail.

160 American Crow

Under recorded in my note pad, only two records, but was seen more frequently than that, mostly from the car as we sped along the interstates and highways.

161 Chichuahan Raven

Certainly the three ravens that we saw from the car along Interstate 10 between Sealy and San Antonio on the 11th April proved to be this species though were never saw any when not in the car.

162 Common Raven

One at Lost Maples on 12th April was the first seen and one was seen cronking away at Boot Canyon, Big Bend National Park on 16th April. The last were two on the 17th April along Interstate 10.

16 Horned Lark

Several of what I suspect was this species were flushed by the car on a couple occasions as we drove down Retillion Road, Bolivar were confirmed on 24th April when we got on the deck views of two.

164 Eastern Meadowlark*

Common and widespread on the coast and some inland grasslands meadowlarks were vastly under-recorded in my notepad. This great looking species can be fairly easily seen at Attwater, Anahuac and along Retillion Road, Bolivar for instance.

165 Purple Martin*

Purple Martins were common at Attwater on the 12th April due to the presence of 'Martin Houses' next to the barns. Several more of these houses for this species were seen throughout Texas but many seemed to have been taken over by European Starlings. By and large an under recorded species in my notepad but some good views of birds over the woods of High Island were to be had on 18th and 19th April.

166 Bank Swallow / Sand Martin

At Cooks Slough 10+ were over one of the larger lakes on 11th April whilst Balmorhea Lake had 100+ on 13th April. 100+ were at Brazos Bend State Park on the 17th April

167 Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Several were seen from the car between the airport and Sealy on the day we arrived of 10th April. Strangely no more were seen until Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park on the 14th April. Following day the singleton had increased to five. There were then no others until three over Smith Oaks Wood lake on 19th April and then two at Anahuac, with Tree Swallow on the track, on 24th April.

168 Tree Swallow*

This engaging species became increasingly more abundant and widespread towards the middle and end of the trip with clear arrivals coming in across the gulf. The first was just one at Yacht Basin Road on 19th April but was swiftly followed by a note in my notepad saying 'numerous' along the Bolivar Peninsula Road the same and following day. On the 21st April 50+ were along Highway 562 whilst Anahuac at 25-30 on visits between 21st and 24th April. Yacht Basin road had 'hundreds' on the 23rd April. Apart from these it became commonly seen along most roads travelled.

169 Violet-Green Swallow

Only one was seen all to briefly at Boot Canyon in Bid Bend National Park on 16th April

170 Cave Swallow*

300+ were around the Rio Frio Bat Cave, Concan on 12th April, at dusk waiting to enter the cave.

171 Cliff Swallows

Large colonies were seen under large bridges over Interstate 10 on 11th April as we headed west, some colonies were in excess of some hundreds, many of these seen on the return drive on the 17th April. We stopped to look at one 'bridge' colony along the I10 at the Whites Memorial Park turn off on 21st April. Away from the colonies surprisingly only a few were seen, such as at Anahuac and Rollover Pass.

172 Swallow

Common and largely not noted down following the initial birds being seen, 'many' seen between the airport and Sealy on our first evening of the 10th April. It was a common species at Attwater on 11th and then seen regularly in many locations, averaging 10-20 at some locations though 70-100 were with the Tree Swallows at Yacht Basin Road on the 23rd April.

173 Black-crested Titmouse

Very engaging and fairly often seen ion the drier south west. The species was then recorded daily following the first, at Cooks Slough approach road on 11th April, until 16th April. On average 1-3 were seen at various localities that included Neal’s Lodge, the Davis Mountains State Park and along the Windows and Boot Canyon Trails in Big Bend National Park, the latter trail peaking with four birds. The last was at Whites Memorial Park on the Upper Coast on 21st April.

174 Carolina Chickadee

Oddly on seen on one day, the 12th April, when 5+ were at Lost Maples with those being around the East Trail parking lot.

175 Verdin*

What may have been the same male was at Neal's Lodge on 12th and 13th April. Big Bend National Park had singles at Cottonwood Campground and Rio Grande Village on the 14th and 15th April respectively.

176 Carolina Wren*

Oddly only two logged. The first being outside the Lost Maples General Store on 12th April and the other at Smith oaks Wood on 20th April, which was presumably the same bird a couple of days later given it was in roughly the same area.

177 Bewick's Wren*

Common and widespread to the point I stopped logging it in my notepad half way into the trip. As an example 5+ were at Neal’s Lodge on 13th April but there was probably as many as 12+.

178 Sedge Wren

Only seen at Anahuac on 24th April where we had two but we did hear several others.

179 Marsh Wren

Only seen at Anahuac where, following several heard, with at least 1+ seen on 21st April

180 Cactus Wren*

Several were heard but not seen at the Rio Frio Bat Cave on 12trh April and at Davis Mountains State Park on 14th April. Big Bend National Park was the hot spot though for the species. A couple of distant birds were seen and heard singing there on 15th April when we stopped to take scenic photos. Thereafter several were seen at various localities, such as Chisos Mountains Lodge where it was noted from out room balcony, and at Dugout Wells but the path behind the Panther Junction Visitor Centre were especially confiding.

181 Canyon Wren

The first was at the Rio Frio Bat Cave at dusk on 12th April and one was along the Madera Canyon Trail on 14th April. Several were then heard along the Laguna Meadow Trail in Bid Bend National Park on 16th April.

182 Rock Wren*

One was seen well at the Rio Frio Bat Cave on 12th April

183 Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Two were at Lost Maples on 12th April which were followed by a single at Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd and 23rd April.

184 Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

This charismatic species were ticked at Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park in the evening of 14th April whilst well over 5+ were along the upper reaches of the Laguna Meadow Trail on 16th April

185 Blue-grey Gnatcatcher

A concentration of 11 at Lost Maples on 12th April was also oddly the only ones seen throughout the trip.

186 Western Bluebird*

Whilst the walk along the Madera Canyon Trail on 14th April was largely a quiet one a female and a stunning male made up somewhat for the lack of overall species.

187 Wood Thrush*

The first was a heard only, singing near the Lost Maples General Store on 12th April. We had to wait until we were at the High Island Woods before we saw any of this magnificent thrush, which actually followed another singing bird on 18th April in Boy Scout Woods. The following day back at this wood gave us two together whilst Smith Oaks Wood had singles on 20th and 23rd April but 3 on 22nd April. Along the Road at Hooks Wood were a further 2 on the 21st April.

188 Veery

The one and only of the trip was in the Mulberry by the entrance to Hooks Wood on 21st April.

189 Swainsons Thrush*

The default thrush species seen. One was at Lost Maples on 12th April but all others came from the Upper Coast from 18th April onwards. The first here were four along the road at Hooks Wood, on the 18th April, with three in Boy Scout Wood on 19th April Whilst Smith Oaks Wood held pretty good numbers throughout with three on the 19th increasing to eight on the 20th with six and five there on 22nd and 23rd April respectively. Elsewhere another was at hooks Wood on 21st April and at Lafitte’s Cove, Galveston on 24th April.

190 Grey-cheeked Thrush

Way outnumbered by both Swainson's and Wood Thrush with only two being identified in Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd April.

Catharus sp

An unidentified small thrush was on the path long the upper reaches of the Laguna Meadow Trail in the half lights of dawn on 16th April. The views were poor and Hermit Thrush could not be eliminated.

191 Grey Catbird*

Common and widespread with larger numbers present in the upper coast woods where they would often be rather tame. Was largely left out of my daily notepad due to its abundance.

192 Northern Mockingbird*

Common and widespread and even more visible than Catbird due to it being seen in greater variety of habitats. Would be very hard pressed to not see double figures daily.

193 Brown Thrasher*

Our first came at Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park on 15th April were two were near the entrance the nature trail boardwalk and another two near the Black Hawk trees. After these the three woods visited at High Island all logged birds with Hooks Wood having one on 18th April, Boy Scout Wood having two on 19th April and Smith Oaks Wood having one on the 19th April with two the next day. The final bird of the trip was a Lafitte’s Cove, Galveston on 254th April.

194 Curve-billed Thrasher

Two were seen at the Panther Junction Visitor Centre, Big Bend National Park on 15th April. One was behind the centre and the other was next to the gas station.

195 Starling

Common and widespread, seen most places and in some numbers

So to the Warblers. This particular group of American land birds has a distinct fascination for many birders from both sides of the Atlantic and was a key focus for us during our trip here. The only regularly recurring species in Texas that we didn't get were Colima Warbler, despite a 12mile hike up the Chisos Mountains for them, and Prairie Warbler as we didn't go to the Piney Woods north of the coast. This left us with a total of 33 species of warbler seen during our trip.

196 Northern Parula*

Our first sparklers came from the parking lot at Brazos Bend State Park, 17th April, where I located a female, which was rapidly superseded by Lee finding a stunning males. A further male was found shortly after walking off along the trail. A male lit up Corp Wood, Galveston on 18th April and a male was at Whites Memorial Park on 21st April. Two females were present in Bottlebrush bushes behind the 'Roost' along the road at Boy Scout Wood on 22nd April whilst two spankingly good males were at Smith Oaks Wood in the trees by the Winnie Road entrance gate.

197 Nashville Warbler*

This subtle but endearing species was first seen at Attwater on the 11th April and then at Lost Maples on 12th April. No more were seen until we reached the upper coast where one lingered around the Bottlebrush bushes behind 'The Roost' along the Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd and 23rd April. Two were at Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd April being the only others seen.

198 Lucy's Warbler*

Only seen at Big Bend National Park where a pair were found at a nest in Cottonwood Campground on 13th and 14th April.

199 Orange-crowned Warbler

As this is an early migrant it wasn’t too surprising that were only logged two birds throughout the trip, these being at the top of Lost Maples on 12th April and at 'The Roost' along the road at Boy Scout Wood, High Island on 22nd April.

200 Tennessee Warbler*

The common default warbler seen on the upper coast. One was at Attwater on 11th April and three were at Lost Maples on the 12th April but numbers rapidly went up when we reach Brazos Bend State Park on 17th April where we had at least eight by the parking lot. All of the woodlots held birds with usually 2-5 being seen within the woods themselves during most visits however the Bottlebrush Bushes at 'The Roost' and nearby Tropical Birding house along the Boy Scout Wood road held a minimum of 20 very active birds on 22nd April. At least ten were still present during a very brief stop there on 23rd April. The last to be seen were 6+ that visited the fine drop at Lafitte’s Cove, Galveston on 24th April.

201 Blue-winged Warbler*

What a beauty. A male was at Hooks Wood briefly by the gate on 18th April and another male also briefly but at point blank range in Smith Oaks Wood on the 20th April. Birds were then seen daily until 23rd April with presumably the same male at Hooks Wood again on the 21st, a male and female in Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd April and then a male there on the 23rd April.

202 Golden-winged Warbler*

Choosing a favourite warbler can be a tough decision when you got gems like this dancing around in front of you. Males and females were in Smith Oaks Wood on 19th and 23rd April where on occasion they showed very well several times around the wood. This is one of those warblers that most birders are desperate to see and it’s understandable.

203 Yellow Warbler*

We started off with two along the road at Hooks Wood on 21st April but the next day saw an arrival of birds at Smith Oaks Wood, where we had 15+ lighting up the trees above my 'photo' puddle as well as several birds coming down to bather, I would hazard a guess in saying that the woods that day had far more than our small number. Smith Oaks Wood then had all subsequent birds with 5+ in the morning of the 23rd April.

204 Chestnut-sided Warbler*

Five stunning males were in Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd April with 6+ there the next day whilst Lafitte’s Cove had a lone male on 24th April being the only other bird seen.

205 Magnolia Warbler

Males were seen in Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd and 23rd April only with three and two sparklers respectively.

206 Cerulean Warbler*

This is one of those must see warblers and this trip we were blessed with multiple viewings, some very good and included a singing bird. The first was an elusive male at Hooks Wood on 18th April, in trees along the road. Smith Oaks weighed in with no less than three males on 20th and 23rd April with some super views, especially near the Winnie Road entrance gate. The final bird was the trips only female at Lafitte’s Cove on 24th April.

207 Blackburnian Warbler*

This is the number one warbler everyone wants to see and it's not hard to understand why. Our first was an absolute belting firecracker that just glowed in the trees above the drip by the Boy Scout Wood Information hut on the 18th April, a real stunner. This was followed by a female at Smith Oaks Wood on the 20th April and a bonkers bright male at Hooks Wood in the tree directly opposite the entrance gate. A male was seen bathing in my photo puddle in Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd April and then four were around the wood, though most notably by the Winnie Road entrance gate, on the 23rd April. I guess the first bird being such a dazzler would put it in contention as bird of the trip.

208 Black-throated Green Warbler*

An immature male at Lost Maples on 12th April proved it wasn't just Golden-cheeked Warblers that were there. Apart from a male at Taylors Bayou on 21st April all others were at Smith Oaks Wood with a male there on 20th April three males and two females on 22nd April, a male on 23rd April on several occasions.

209 Golden-cheeked Warbler*

The main target for Lost Maples was this localised breeding species. A total of four males were seen here on 12th April though the weather hampered us here in getting the best of views but still a sparkler non the less

210 Pine Warbler

Another warbler species were only saw in one locations, at Whites Memorial Park on 21st April where we got two nice males.

211 Bay-breasted Warbler*

Seen at Smith Oaks Wood on two consecutive days only. A male was seen on 22nd April and a male the following morning may have been the same though two in the afternoon included a bird down to bathe at by photo puddle.

212 Blackpoll Warbler

We only managed to score this species at Smith Oaks Wood, not surprising really as we preferred this wood over Boy Scout Wood. Two males were seen early morning on 23rd April but were seen later in the afternoon as the warbler flock was mobile.

213 Yellow-rumped Warbler

Cottonwood Campground, Big Bend National Park was 'the' place for this species with multiple males of both Audubon’s and Myrtle Warbles present on the 14th April, with the former being the more stunning of the two, with 10+ being probably an under estimate. Several were seen the following evening here but there appeared to have been a clear-out overnight. Elsewhere one was at Rio Grande Village and three Audubon’s Warblers at Dug Out Wells, both Big Bend National Park, on the 15th April. Only one was seen on the upper coast at Corps Wood, Galveston on 18th April.

214 Yellow-throated Warbler*

On my last Texas visit this amazing warbler shaded out Blackburnian Warblers as warbler of the trip but I think this time round Blackburnian has taken the gold medal. This may be in part due to the weather at Lost Maples on the 12th April where we had the six singing males, rain does tend to temper ones enthusiasm. Even so these birds were amazing.

215 Worm-eating Warbler*

A generally skulking species were had success on three days with probably around 5-6 birds. The first was very brief at Hooks Wood on 18th April with another there on 21st April. Smith Oaks Wood was the only other placed we encountered this warbler with three there on 22nd April and single on 23rd April by one of the drips, which was probably the bird that came to my 'photo' puddle later the same afternoon.

216 Prothonotary Warbler*

This light bulb of a warbler was first seen, very well, in the Bottlebrush bushes opposite the entrance to Boy Scout Wood on 18th April whilst two males at Taylors Bayou on 21st April were just drowned out by the stupidly oversized noise polluting American pick-up trucks. A stunning male was in Smith Oaks Wood on both 22nd and 23rd April, visiting my photo puddle during this time.

217 Black-and-white Warbler*

Seen relatively frequently on the upper coast following the first 1+ at the Brazos Bend State Park parking lot on 17th April. A nice male showed well at Corps Woods, Galveston on 18th April whilst the rest of the day resulted in three at Hooks Wood and 1 at Boy Scout Wood. Smith Oaks Wood had males on 20th - 23rd April with multiples per visit, i.e. three on 22nd April and two on 23rd. The last was a male at Lafitte’s Cove on 24th April.

218 American Redstart

An adult male was along the road at Hooks Wood on 18th April and one was in Boy Scout Wood the same afternoon. What were probably first-year males, too bright to be females, were in Smith Oaks Wood 20th-23rd April with three there on 22nd April.

219 Swainsons Warbler

A tip off at Hooks Wood led us to see the only one of this warbler at the second drip on 21st April where it was extremely skulking.

220 Louisiana Waterthrush*

We ended up tracking down a singing male along the stream at Lost Maples on 12th April where it showed well in the gloomy and wet/rainy conditions.

221 Northern Waterthrush*

Following the first at Hooks Wood on 18th April one was on a large puddle in Smith Oaks Wood on the 19th. One was then pretty much resident at my 'photo' puddle until our last visit on 23rd April. It was nearly always on view whilst it had to see off a second bird on 20th. Two at Hooks Wood on 21st April were the only other birds seen.

222 Ovenbird

This skulking species were only seen on four days on the upper coast with one creeping around Hooks Wood on 18th and 21st April and at Smith Oaks Wood on 19th and 22nd April with the latter bird briefly at my photo puddle where I got some video as it walked away.

223 Kentucky Warbler

I like Kentucky Warbler due to them being full of character and having a somewhat bluethroat/rubythroat manner to them in running around the undergrowth with cocked tails. A very brief male was along the road at Hooks Wood on 18th April whilst singles were at Boy Scout Wood on 18th April and a Smith Oaks Wood daily from 19th-23rd April. Cracker.

224 Common Yellowthroat

Despite a few being seen it was quite difficult to often get good views but we did given some perseverance. A female was at the nature trail boardwalk at Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park on 15th April and two nice males were a Brazos Bend State Park on 17th April. On the upper coast two were at Hooks Wood on 18th April and one was at Boy Scout wood on 19th April whilst Smith Oaks Wood had male and female on 22nd and a single on the 23rd April. Elsewhere we oddly only saw this warbler at Anahuac on 24th April where we recorded only one.

225 Wilsons Warbler

Oddly not seen on the upper coast and only at Big Bend National Park where four were along the roadside near the Black Hawk Trees at Rio Grande Village on 15th April.

226 Canada Warbler

What may have been the same lone bird was seen well at Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd and 23rd April.

227 Hooded Warbler*

Another personal favourite warbler is this one. A male was seen all too briefly along the road at Hooks Wood on 18th April. This was followed by elusive males and females at Boy Scout Wood on 19th April. At Smith Oaks Wood a male and female lingered around one of the larger woodland puddles whilst a male made several visits to my own 'photo' puddle there on 20th and 23rd April with a female there on the latter date.

228 Yellow-breasted Chat

Scarce and difficult to come by with two at Smith Oaks Wood on 19th April and one there on 23rd April being especially elusive.

229 Hepatic Tanager

A male was found towards the loop end of Laguna Meadow Trail, Big Bend National Park on 16th April

230 Summer Tanager*

Seen widely and was not uncommon. The first was a singing bird at Lost Maples on 12th April with an additional two there later the same morning. A male was at Neal’s Lodge in the afternoon of the 12th. Davis Mountains State Park had a male at the feeders on the 13th and 14th April. At Big Bend National Park both Rio Grande Village and Cottonwood Campground were both held this species with males at both sites 14th-15th April with Cottonwood having three on the latter date. A female was present at Brazos Bend State Park whilst the upper coast had birds daily 18th-24th April. Singles were at Corps Wood on the 18th, Hooks Wood on 21st and Lafitte’s Cove on 24th April. Hooks Wood held three on 18th April whilst Smith Oaks Wood held the remainder of those seen with two on 19th April, three on 20th April, four on 22nd and five on 23rd April.

231 Scarlet Tanager*

Six at Smith Oaks Wood in the late afternoon of 19th April started daily sightings until 23rd April with all of these coming from here bar the six that were at Hooks Wood in Mulberries along the road. At Smith Oaks two were present on 20th, a single on 21st, seven on 22nd and three on 23rd April. Nearly all sightings were in association with Mulberries.

232 Northern Cardinal*

Common and widespread, pretty much everywhere.

233 Black-headed Grosbeak

A singing male was found towards the top of the Laguna Meadow Trail, Big Bend National Park at around first light on 16th April.

234 Rose-breasted Grosbeak*

Two males were at Hooks Wood Mulberries on 18th April with 5+ in the Mulberries in the Boy Scout Wood parking lot same day. Smith Oaks Wood held singles 19th-21st April with four there on 22nd April. Six were again at Hooks Wood and a female was at Boy Scout Wood on 21st April. Nearly all were associated with Mulberry Tree's.

235 Blue Grosbeak*

A male was at the feeders at Neal’s on 12th April whilst Corps Wood, Galveston had the next bird on the 18th April. A female was Boy Scout Wood in the afternoon of the 18th April and one was in Smith Oaks Wood the next day. A female, possible the same bird, was along the road at Boy Scout Wood on 21st April and a male an two females were at Frenchtown Road, Bolivar on 22nd April being the last seen.

236 Indigo Bunting*

Following was probably this species at Brazos Bend State Park on the 17th April this proved to be a common enough species to see on the upper coast. 15+ were in Corps Wood, Galveston on 18th April, 12+ were in a weedy garden along the Boy Scout Wood road with six still there on the 20th and an increase to 15+ there and nearby Bottlebrush Bushes at 'The Roost' on the 21st, down to 5+ on the 22nd April. Smith Oaks Wood had one on 19th April but four on the 20th but one again on the 23rd April. Elsewhere one was at Taylors Bayou on 21st April.

237 Painted Bunting*

The first was a male in Hooks Wood on 18th April and then 5+ in a weedy garden along the road near the entrance to Boy Scout Wood on 18th April. Three were in Smith Oaks Wood on the 20th and two were along the road at Boy Scout Wood again on 21st April. The final bird was a female next to the path at Laffite’s Cove on 24th April.

238 Dickcissel*

Got bitten alive my mosquitos at Frenchtown Road, Bolivar for the ten we had along here on 22nd April, one seen briefly on a brief drive through on 24th April. The only others seen were at Anahuac early morning on 24th April where three were noted.

239 Spotted Towhee*

Only seen at Big Bend National Park where two were along the Windows Trail below the Chisos Mountain Lodge cabins on 15th April and one was at Cottonwood Campground that evening. A total of seven, some singing, were along the Colima Warbler hike, most along the Laguna Meadow Trail and Colima Trail on the 16th April.

240 Canyon Towhee*

Must be the dullest bird of the trip. One was at Neal’s Lodge on 12th April with two along the same path the next morning. One was then at Davis Mountains State Park on 13th April and three were along the Madera Canyon Trail on 14th April.

241 Rufous-crowned Sparrow

Three were at Lost Maples on 12th April with a single at Neal’s Lodge the same afternoon. Two were at the Madera Canyon Trail on 14th April and four in Davis Mountains State Park later the same morning. One was singing along the Windows Trails below the Chisos Mountains Lodge in Big Bend National Park on 15th April whilst the Laguna Meadow Trail in Big Bend had four on 16th April.

242 Black-throated Sparrow

What may have been the same flock of birds were seen on the roadside in Big Bend National Park about 10 minutes north of Cottonwood Campground with 5+ in the evening of 14th April and 8+ early afternoon of the 15th April.

243 Field Sparrow

Only two seen, at Lost Maples on 12th April and at Neal’s Lodge on 13th April.

244 Brewers Sparrow

One was seen briefly at Dug Out Wells, Big Bend National Park on 15th April

245 Clay-coloured Sparrow

Only seen near Cook Slough, Uvalde on 11th April where two were along the roadside with Chipping Sparrows.

246 Chipping Sparrow*

Pretty common in the south west and went largely under recorded in my notepad. Five were at Lost Maples on 12th April and it was common at the Davis Mountains State Park feeders whilst the Madera Canyon Trail on the 14th April had a fair number, well into double figures, in the long grass.

247 Henslows Sparrow

One was associating the White-crowned Sparrows along the Attwater Auto route on 11th April.

248 Seaside Sparrow

Sought this species out at Bob Road, Bolivar, and located four birds on 22nd April.

249 Savannah Sparrow*

Common and widespread I under recorded this species in my field notepad, especially on the coast where it was common in grassland and wetlands, i.e. 30+ Anahuac on 20th April.

250 Lark Sparrow*

The first two were real belters that showed really well at Cook Slough, Uvalde on 11th April whilst 1+ were at the feeding station at the Lost Maples General Store on 12th April and the last were three at Neal’s Lodge on the 13th April.

251 White-crowned Sparrow

Attwater had a flock of 10+ on the trackside along the auto route on 11th April whilst singles were subsequently seen at Cooks Slough 11th April and Dug Out Wells in Big Bend National Park on 15th April.

252 White-throated Sparrow

One was at a drip at Boy Scout Wood on 19th April and five were in a Mulberry in Smith Oaks Wood on 20th April.

253 House Sparrow

Common and widespread

254 Brown-headed Cowbird*

Three were at Attwater on 11th April and several were around Neal’s Lodge on 13th April on the 13th. Anahuac held many each visit during our time on the upper coast whilst some of the coastal wetland also had some birds though another species I largely neglected from my notepad.

255 Red-winged Blackbird*

Common and widespread, especially on grassland and wetlands on the upper coast

256 Common Grackle

The first were at Brazos Bend State Park on 17th April however some were seen amongst the grackles on the upper coast but specific numbers and locations were not noted down given the overall abundance of grackles species here.

257 Boat-tailed Grackles*

Several were identified on the upper coast when we took the time to look at them, such as a Big Reef, Galveston on 18th April and at Yacht Basin Road but given the overall volume of grackles most were not looked at too hard.

258 Great-tailed Grackle*

Same as the Boat-tailed Grackle above on the upper coast but as this species that occurs inland it was seen widely and commonly.

Grackles

Lots and lots of grackles were seen across the state but especially so on the upper coast where both Boat-tailed and Great-tailed Grackles occur. The vast majority were left as non-attributable to either species, i.e. we never gave them a second look.

259 Baltimore Oriole*

A female at the parking lot at Brazos Bend State Park on the 17th April was the first and was followed by near daily sightings. Seven were at Corps Wood, Galveston on 18th April with five at Boy Scout Wood later the same day. Two at Anahuac on 19th April proved to be the first of many seen there in the reeds which looked totally out of place. 10+ were at Smith Oaks Wood, in Mulberries, on 19th April with four next day and three still on 23rd April. 4+ were in the Bottlebrush Bushes of 'The Roost' near the Boy Scout Wood entrance gate on the 22nd April.

260 Orchard Oriole*

A single male was at Corps Wood, Galveston on 18th April with the Baltimore Orioles whilst three were a Boy Scout Wood later same afternoon. Anahuac had numerous birds in the reeds there which seem out of place but multiples were recorded on 20th and 24th April. The Bottlebrush Bushes at 'The Roost' at Boy Scout Wood was a magnet for the species with 5-6 seen on the occasions we wandered round there. Elsewhere one was in Boy Scout Wood on 21st April and at Taylors Bayou earlier that morning and six were in Smith Oaks Wood on 22nd April.

261 Scott’s Oriole*

One was briefly around the Lost Maples feeders on 12th April and two males were at Neal’s Lodge on 13th April. One was then at the feeders at Davis Mountains State Park on 14th April whilst the remaining birds were all in Big Bend National Park at Panther Junction Visitor Centre and along the Windows Trail on 15th April.

262 Cassin's Finch*

Recorded at Davis Mountains State Park as an out of range occurrence with a female at the feeders on 13th April and male and female present at both the feeding stations on the 14th April. These birds had been present prior to our arrival.

263 House Finch*

I didn't notice it at the time but we only saw this species in the south west of the state with non on the upper coast at all. Six were near the East Trail parking lot on 12th April and several were at the Lost Maples General Store and two at Neal’s Lodge the same day with three at Neal’s the following morning. Several were visiting the feeding station at Davis Mountains State Park where some nice photos were taken on 12th and 13th April whilst Big Bend National Park had three at Cottonwood Campground and a singing male at the Panther Junction Visitor Centre on 15th April

264 Pine Siskin*

Only seen at the Davis Mountains State Park feeders where a conservative estimate of 15+ were there on 13th April with equally conservative estimate of 20+ there the next day.

265 Lesser Goldfinch*

The first seen were along Highway 83, heading north from Neal’s Lodge, where two were seen mobbing the only American Kestrel of the trip on 13th April. This was followed by 5-10 at the Davis Mountains State Park feeders in the afternoon, though they were all gone next morning. The remaining birds were all in Big Bend National Park with two at Cottonwood Campground on 14th April, one at Dug Out Wells on 15th and another three back at Cottonwood Campground in the afternoon of 15th April.

Non Avian Butterflies Numerous butterflies were encountered however Big Bend and the southern areas had the profusion of species. Most had to be left unidentified, many whites and yellows, even though I bought the butterfly book whilst I was out there but as most species are unfamiliar I was unable to really be prepared. That said a few species were identified through the use of photographs and some were just so big, bold or blatantly obvious. Two-tailed Swallowtail some impressive individuals were noted from numerous locations but most notably

Big Bend and High Island Black Swallowtail some impressive individuals were noted in Big Bend Dainty Sulphur Many Sulphurs, lots of bright Clouded yellow types were seen but this one was

amongst those identified from photos. Big Bend. Vesta Crescent This was the only fritillary that I was able to photograph, thus identify, out of the

many seen in Big Bend. Variable Patch A couple were seen with the first being at Cook’s Slough Question Mark Several of this impressive ‘Comma’ like butterfly were seen, notably in the drier south Common Buckeye A stunner seen our first morning at Attwater Prairie Chicken Reserve whilst walking

one of the trails. My favourite butterfly of the trip Red Admirals Fairly abundant throughout the trip American Painted Lady Several were seen Monarch Only a handful were noted, through this would be more common Mammals Nine-banded Armadillo No live animals were seen but numerous roadside casualties were seen Opossum As with the Armadillo only roadside casualties were seen Rodents Many mice were seen at Big Bend at night on the roads when driving to and from the

Campsites but none were attributed to species Desert Cottontail Several were around Big Bend Campgrounds and roads, commonly seen along

roadsides around Davis Mountains and Edwards Plateau. Swamp Rabbit One was found busy munching on a leaf at Smith Oaks Wood, Big Rabbit Black-tailed Jack Rabbit Seen at Big Bend, most commonly around the Cottonwood Campsite, and along the

roads. Huge black tipped ears are a give-away feature. Muskrat The one and only was at Lafitte’s Grove near Galveston on our last full birding day Fox Squirrel Several squirrels were seen with several at Lost Maples being attributed to this

species Bobcat Thought we’d lost what I thought was our only chance at Big Bend but one was seen

walking down the approach road to Anahuac at around 2pm. It looked at us and turned and carried walking before eventually crossing the road and disappearing into the marsh

Bats Several other bats were seen but not attributed to species

Mexican Free-tailed Bat Rio Frio Bat Cave near Concan. Simply wow. This was highly anticipated as this

colony is, if I recall, the second largest gather of mammals in one location anywhere in the world. We were getting close to missing them flying out of the bat cave at dusk as an impending storm was bearing down on us and the thought was that the bats would not emerge. We were walking back to the car when one was seen flying overhead. We all turned and suddenly the cave went from zero bats to hundreds in a second to thousands 10 seconds later. Millions of bats streamed out whilst the light faded and the sky flashed and by the time we left around a little over half of the caves bats had exited, around 6-7 million. Because of the approaching storm many turned around and went straight back into the cave.

Huge looping swarms of bats……

The sight of so many, the sounds of their wings and audible clicks and the smell, that wasn’t rain we were getting hit with.

This is a MUST visit sight and can only be done by booking with guides here: http://www.friobatflight.com/

Coyote Mostly we saw roadside casualties though a couple on the early night drive out of

Big Bend were seen along the road. Kit Fox One of what was probably this species ran across the road as we left Big Bend in the

early hours. It was fairly small and bushy tail and actually thought it was a cat of some species but this is the closest I can get to identifying it.

Racoon Again my nemesis where I tend to fail to see ‘live’ Racoons. Striped Skunk Lee had one foraging in a bin after dark at Indian Lodge in Davis State Mountains Collared Peccary A fairly sizable group of around 12 or so at the far end of Cottonwood Campground

in Big Bend. Also known at Javalina’s. White-tailed Deer Several seen during the trip with the first at Attwater on our first morning and with

some rather approachable, people habituated animals below Chisos Mountain Lodge in Big Bend.

Bottle-nosed Dolphin A handful were seen from the Bolivar to Galveston Ferry Reptiles and Amphibians Alligators Several large animals were seen at Brazos Bend State Park on 17

th April with a

number of them hauled out onto the path. It was also interesting to see a number also fishing near the sluice where they gathered at the bottom of the rushing water mouths open waiting for fish to come to them. A number were also seen at Anahuac during our visits there including a mother and at least 6-8 youngsters in the grass.

Anole Lizard Several were seen including a bright green individual at Hooks Wood. Snakes Whilst not over run with snakes we did have a day where we saw multiples at

Anahuac. Presumably these were Garter Snakes rather than something more venomous, we persuaded one off the track so it didn’t get run over.

Red-eared Terrapins Fairly common on the coast in the wetlands around Anahuac, Bob Road, South Pear

Orchard Road and Lafitte’s Cove. Bull Frog Mostly heard cronking it out at Brazos Bend State Park but not actually seen despite

a few large slashes near the path ‘Sheep’ Frog Local name for hypopachus variolosus due to its remarkable quality of sounding just

like a bleating sheep. Best place we heard these were in the pools at Lafitte’s Cove, Galveston on 24

th April.

Selection of images from the trip: more and higher resolution images are to be found on my website: www.birdersplayground.co.uk

Neal’s Lodge Map