Bird Alert - October 28, 2007

This report covers Sabine Woods (SW), the Willows at Sea Rim State Park (SR) including the mulberries further west along Highway 87, and the "road" to the former Pilot Station at Texas Point (PSR) on Saturday (October 27) and Sunday (October 28) and includes contributions by Gerald Duhon, John Haynes, Steve Mayes as well as the author.

This was weekend of contrasts with Saturday dominated by the last push of neotropical migrants and Sunday by arriving and transiting winter resident species, although there was still almost as many migrant species, but mostly in smaller numbers.

The only species not expected in the area was a Lesser Nighthawk roosting on a branch Sunday at the eastern end of the boardwalk at SR.

On Saturday, there were  Gray Catbirds everywhere (as had been the case for the preceding three day at least).  On Sunday, there were very high numbers of Hermit Thrushes at SW and SR, and a wide variety of sparrow species, at PSR in particular but also at SR.

Altogether 14 species of warbler were reported Saturday and 16 on Sunday.  On Saturday, only a few White-crowned Sparrows and a few Lincoln's Sparrows stood out from the resident species, while on Sunday, 14 species of sparrow were reported.

Details

(full details will be in the December Brown Pelican)

Loon species - one flyover at PSR Sunday

Gtr. White-fronted Goose  -  one flock over SW Saturday; two flocks over PSR on Sunday.

Snow Goose - two in one White-front flock at PSR Sunday and one in the other, and a flock of 18 all Snows over SW Sunday.

Gadwall - a flock of 18 over PSR Sun

White-tailed Hawk - on e adult or near adult high over the entrance to McFaddin NWR Sunday

Northern Harrier - several, including a couple of males seen in various places both days.

Crested Caracara - one over SW late on Saturday

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers - 2+ each at SW and SR Sunday

Eastern Wood-Pewee - several at SW Saturday, none Sunday

Eastern Phoebe - one of two at SW Saturday, everywhere on Sunday.

Empidonax - one or two at SR Sunday, one probably a Least Flycatcher; none seen Sunday.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - a few still on wires both days.

Blue-headed Vireo - one or two Saturday, more everywhere Sunday

Warbling Vireo - on at SW Sunday (very late migrant)

Tree Swallow - numerous along Highway 87 Saturday, fewer Sunday

Northern Rough-winged Swallow - steady stream along Highway 87 Sunday.

Brown Creeper - one at SW Saturday and Sunday (and reported Friday also)

Marsh Wren - three along PSR Sunday

Golden-crowned Kinglet - one seen SR Sunday, one heard SW Sunday

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - large numbers everywhere Sunday

Hermit Thrush - probably about 100 on SW Sunday and another hundred at SR and nearby.

Gray Catbird - Large numbers at SW and SR especially Saturday; fewer Sunday, but still many.

Orange-crowned Warbler - one at SR Saturday, common everywhere Sunday

Nashville Warbler - seen SW and SR each days – one or two each.

Northern Parula (male) - one seen SR each days

Yellow-Warbler (female) - one seen PSR each days

Magnolia Warbler - multiple birds SW, SR Saturday, one at SR Sunday

Yellow-rumped Warbler - a few at SR only Saturday, 5-10 in each place Sunday

Black-throated Green Warbler - at least one at SW and several at SR Saturday; one at SW Sunday

Pine Warbler - one at SW Sunday

Prairie Warbler - one at Willows along 87 near H&B Ranch Sunday

Palm Warbler - one at PSR each day.

Black-and-white Warbler - one or two around each day

American Redstart - one male at SR, two females at SW Saturday; one female SW Sunday

Ovenbird - one at SW Saturday (very late migrant)

Northern Waterthrush - one at SW each day, heard much more than seen

Hooded Warbler - two or more males and one female SW Saturday, one at SR Saturday ; one female SW Sunday

Common Yellowthroat - small numbers everywhere each day.

Summer Tanager - three or more at SW Saturday, one at SW Sunday

Scarlet Tanager - one at SR Saturday, one male at SW Sunday late in the day (late migrants)

Chipping Sparrow - 10+ at PSR and SR Sunday

Field Sparrow - two or more at PSR Sunday, one at SR Sunday

Vesper Sparrow - two or three PSR Sunday, two or more SR Sunday, two at Willows along 87

Lark Sparrow - one Sunday in vicinity of PSR

Savannah Sparrow - relatively small numbers at PSR and SR Sunday

Grasshopper Sparrow - at least two, probably three at PSR Sunday

Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow - small numbers PSR Sunday

Seaside Sparrow - many at PSR Sunday (and probably Saturday also!)

Song Sparrow - a few at PSR and SR Sunday

Lincoln's Sparrow - common everywhere, greater numbers on Sunday

White-throated Sparrow - one each (only) at PSR, SW and SR Sunday

White-crowned Sparrow - a few everywhere Saturday; record high numbers everywhere Sunday

Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco - one at SW and  three or more at SR Sunday

Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 10 or more at SR Saturday, a few at SW and SR Sunday - all females and young males

Blue Grosbeak - one at SW Sunday

Painted Bunting - one female at SR Sunday

"Northern" Oriole - one female at willows along Highway 87 Sunday.

John A. Whittle