February 10

Wednesday, we birded Edinburg Scenic Wetlands chasing the elusive Tropical Parula. After getting detailed instructions from Javie, the naturalist... "Follow this path to the 'snake habitat' sign, make a left to the Potato Tree. The dark green foliage behind is a Cano Tree, the warbler likes to visit this area"
We followed instructions and located Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Wilson's and Orange-Crowned, and Yellow-rumped Warbler, but NO TRPA. The wind was howling on the other side of the visitor center, so we had no luck with the other favorite location. After making a third loop around the grounds tagging Lesser Goldfinch, Grey Catbird, Carolina Wren, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, and either Black-chinned or Ruby-throated female we wandered back toward the potato tree. Met a nice couple from Ontario who were searching for the target bird. We chatted for several minutes, giving them directions and hints about birding locations, when a flash of movement caught my eye and I raised my binoculars to focus on this...

Sadly, I didn't take this photo, my dinky little Canyon Powershot and my eyes aren't quick enough, but the 4 of us did get satisfying looks at our quest. 

Just as quickly as he appeared, he was gone again. We stopped off to thank Javie and to report the sighting.

Next stop was Schlotzsky's for a small original combo with cracked pepper chips for me, Alvin likes jalapeno, before spending the rest of the cold windy afternoon at the Museum of South Texas History.   The museum traces more than 500 years of history starting with prehistoric a mammoth skeleton and the earliest human inhabitants. 

We especially enjoyed the exhibits covering the cotton industry and the river boat trade. The museum includes the old Hidalgo County jail constructed in 1910, currently closed for renovation and restoration. 

Thursday the weather took a real nosedive that kept us mostly housebound and shivering for 48 hours. Finally figured out the circuits so we could plug in 2 electric heaters just to keep the inside temp up to 68. Opening the closet was like walking into a freezer. 

Began warming up on Saturday just in time for our tours and the sunshine finally returned briefly on Sunday.

Saturday and Sunday tours were around our fresh water lake, Laguna Atascosa, for which the refuge is named. At 3500 acres and the largest body of fresh water in South Texas except for Falcon Reservoir, it is the only reliable source of fresh water on the refuge. Pelican Lake on the Bayside Loop is totally dependent on rainwater. Laguna Atascosa does receive some water from Cayo Atascosa, a 5 mile long canal running under Hwy 106.

We tallied 54 species on Saturday and 55 species on Sunday. Saturday was cold, very foggy and visibility was limited. Sunday was warm enough for mosquitoes to be a problem, but visibility was much better. Saturday's highlights were Aplomado Falcon in 2 different locations. We also nabbed 5 Common Yellowthroat and 3 Cactus Wren. I'm amazed at the number of Yellowthroat we find in this thick thornscrub habitat. I'm used to seeing them in cattail marshes. Sunday's tour had Snow Goose and Sandhill Crane and 3 species of Grebe, Eared, Pied-billed, and Least.
The surface of the lake was covered with ducks, but some were so far out identification was impossible. Yellow-rumped Warbler were common and abundant with a total of 38.

Buena Vista Ranch abutes the Refuge, had a good herd of American Bison and the small herd of Burros. They were working cattle Sunday morning as we passed by. 

On the afternoon bird walk at 2 PM, I refound the common Pauraque. A female Hooded Oriole took a bath at the wetlands adjacent to the alligator trough. Sadly, no photos this time. 

Little Blue Heron and White Ibis took to the tree along the Cayo Atascosa. 

A pair of Couch's Kingbird occupied the trees near the picnic area when we arrived at the Visitor Center to prepare for the Sunday tour. 

Monday's tour was to the Bahia Grande Unit of the Refuge. Weather was decent, starting at 65 degrees with sunshine. We only managed a total of 30 species, but what a wonderful day we had. 

A herd of Nilgai flushed a Short-eared Owl from the cord grass which flew directly at the van affording great looks for everyone. We missed several species usually seen on this tour and numbers were surprisingly low. Thinking we had dipped completely on the Aplomados, we had exited Tower Gate and were preparing to enter Hwy 100 when one of the visitors spotted 3 raptors approaching. 2 Aplomado Falcons engaged 2 White-tailed Hawk in a territorial dispute while we watched gape jawed. The flight of the Falcons is amazing and their tenacity is unrivaled. After soundly whomping the larger White-tails, they disappeared as quickly as they materialized. A pair of Chihuahuan Raven watched the entire encounter from a safe distance. 

An Texbird report of the Amazon Kingfisher has us planning an excursion tomorrow morning.