Golden cheeked Warbler and Colima Warbler in Texas -April 8-10

Golden cheeked Warbler, Balcones Canyonlands NWR, TX, Apr 8, 2026

Golden cheeked Warbler, Balcones Canyonlands NWR, TX, Apr 8, 2026

Golden cheeked Warbler, Balcones Canyonlands NWR, TX, Apr 8, 2026

I just returned from a whirlwind week long trip to Texas then up through New Mexico to Arizona in search of a number of new warblers for my warbler big year in the US. I will cover each state with a separate post starting with Texas. The two targets in the Texas portion of the trip were Golden cheeked Warbler in central Texas and Colima Warbler in the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend NP. The targets in Arizona (and perhaps New Mexico) included Virginia’s Warbler, Lucy’s Warbler, Grace’s Warbler and Red faced Warbler. I also had the chance to turn up a couple of western species that would be just starting to move through on migration including Hermit Warbler and MacGillivray’s Warbler although neither would be critical to miss as I should be able to get them later in the year when we stop in Oregon on our way home from Alaska in July. 

I began the trip down to Texas with an early morning flight out of Hartford into Dallas. Thankfully the flight was on time and after getting through the airport and then a shuttle to the rental car center (no airport should have a shuttle for rental cars and I usually avoid any airports that have them but no choice this time) I was on the road by around 10AM. I then had a three and a half hour drive to my Airbnb in Liberty Hill to the northwest of Austin. Before checking into my lodging in the late afternoon I would try my luck in tracking down my first target species, Golden cheeked Warbler. Golden cheeked Warbler is an endangered species that only breeds in central Texas. I was last down in the area back in 2017 and I remember having good luck at the Warbler Vista area of Balcones Canyonland NWR so that is where I headed. Trying to track down birds on a sunny afternoon with temps around 80 usually doesn’t produce much as the birds get quieter. Nonetheless I managed to get a Golden cheeked Warbler fairly quickly and got a few photos and recordings. I heard a few others singing although trying to get more photos proved to be a fruitless endeavor for me. Golden cheeked Warbler is endangered for a variety of reasons with the biggest being loss of breeding territory to ‘development’. Balcones Canyonlands NWR was created mainly with this species in mind and the warblers seem to be doing well. The only other species of warbler in the area (and the most abundant) were Orange crowned Warbler. I also tried briefly at Doeskin Ranch (another area of the Balcones Canyonland NWR) for additional Golden cheeked Warblers without any luck. By this time it was getting to be late afternoon and I still needed to drive a bit to get to my lodging so I headed out. With the Golden cheeked Warbler down I would be able to head out early for the long drive to Big Bend NP without having to stick around in the morning to try to track down the warbler. The Golden cheeked Warbler became warbler #29 for the year for me in the US. 

On Thursday I made the long (nearly seven hour) drive to Big Bend NP…a place that truly is in the middle of nowhere. I broke up the trip a little by stopping at South Llano River SP where I hoped to get some more looks and photos of Golden cheeked Warblers (the park is one of the most western spots to get the species). After getting up early I arrived a little after 6:30AM and then spent the next two hours plus exploring the area. Unfortunately I had to deal with some drizzle and overcast conditions during my time there and struck out on finding any Golden cheeked Warblers. In fact I had just a couple warblers with just one each of Orange crowned Warbler and Nashville Warbler. I’m sure with more time to explore I could have turned up more stuff but with nearly a five hour drive still looming ahead of me I wanted to get on the road. In the middle of the afternoon I arrived at my lodging in Terlingua (to the northwest of Big Bend NP) and got settled and made preparations for the long hike the following day. 

Colima Warbler, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2026

Colima Warbler, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2026

Colima Warbler, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2026

Townsend's Warbler, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2026

Townsend's Warbler, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2026

Chisos Mountains, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2026

Friday morning was the day for the long hike up into the Chisos Mountains at Big Bend NP to look for the Colima Warbler. Colima Warbler breeds primarily in Mexico with its range just barely reaching into the US in the upper parts of the Chisos Mountains. The species just starts to arrive in the area in mid April with most arriving later in April. With none reported so far for the year in the area I was worried I would miss it. In order to see the species you have to hike up into the mountains and it is a steep hike. One can either take the most direct route up the Pinnacles Trail or the less steep but longer Laguna Meadow Trail. I decided on the most direct route so the hike would be steep. I arrived well before dawn and started the hike around 5:20AM and the hike was even steeper than I remember…although being a bit older probably didn’t help! I made it up to the pass through the mountains right around dawn and started the walk down the Boot Canyon Trail. After about 3/4 of a mile I heard a Colima Warbler singing and after a few issues with my phone I was able to get some recordings as I searched for the bird. After quite a bit of looking I caught sight of the bird as it worked through the trees feeding. I got a few marginal photos despite the bird not being very cooperative for shots. The bird was still singing when I left to continue my walk. Finding the warbler fairly quickly was fantastic as it took the pressure off a bit for the rest of the day. If I had missed seeing one I had plans to try again the following day but that prospect was not high on my list of fun things to do as it would necessitate another drive down to the park, another hike up and down, limited time available to look for the bird and then the long drive to my lodging in New Mexico. With my main target down I then decided to continue my hike down to Boot Spring and then a return trip down the Colima Trail to the Laguna Meadow Trail in the hopes of turning up more Colima Warblers. During the very long walk back down my right leg started hurting and it only got worse as I continued down. Unfortunately stopping to give it a rest only made moving again harder as it started stiffening up so I pressed on. Despite walking multiple miles more in appropriate habitat I never saw or heard another Colima Warbler. In fact the only other warbler I saw for the entire morning was a single Townsend’s Warbler. The day continued to heat up as I made progress toward the car and eventually arrived at the car a little after noon and not long after my water ran out. I then had a well deserved break and more water. I had thoughts about stopping at a few other spots but I was beat and the leg needed a rest so I headed back to my lodging. The Colima Warbler became warbler species #30 for the year and was the first Colima Warbler seen in the US for the year.

Warbler species total for the Texas portion of the trip came to just five species but two of those were big targets for me so it was quality over quantity.

End of year wrap up

Bahama Warbler, Pine lands east, Grand Bahama, Feb 9, 2017

Olive capped Warbler, Owl Hole Rd, Grand Bahama, Feb 9, 2017

Arrowhead Warbler, Ecclesdown Road, Jamaica, Mar 10, 2017

Golden cheeked Warbler, Balcones Canyonlands NWR, TX, Apr 8, 2017

Colima Warbler, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2017  

Time once again for a year end wrap up of the warblers seen this year.  I managed to find a total of 50 species overall with six new species including Olive capped Warbler, Bahama Warbler, Bahama Yellowthroat on Grand Bahama in February, Arrowhead Warbler in Jamaica in March and Golden cheeked Warbler and Colima Warbler in Texas in April.  I have now seen 69 total warbler species ever (sadly I cannot count Yellow breasted Chat any longer)

MacGillivray's Warbler, Honey Pot, Hadley, MA, Nov 13, 2017

As far as within Hampshire County I had my best year ever with a total of 33 species of warblers plus a variety of hybrids including both Brewster's and Lawrence's Warblers.  The highlight by far was a MacGillivray's Warbler that showed up in Hadley in November and stayed for a few days.  It is only the second county record and the best documented sighting by far.  The MacGillivary's Warbler brings my warbler total in Hampshire County up to 35 again (after the Yellow breasted Chat was demoted from a warbler to a non warbler).  Other unusual species included a Golden winged Warbler and a Hooded Warbler plus well above normal counts of Connecticut Warbler and Mourning Warblers as well as others (Detailed look at various warbler species in above normal numbers).

A full photo review of the warblers this year can be found here: Photo review

Below are few tables of warblers seen overall for the year, warblers per month and warblers seen in Hampshire County by month.

Warblers (running tally for year)

Jan       Feb      Mar      Apr      May      Jun     Jul      Aug     Sep      Oct      Nov     Dec
0          20        24         33        41          41      43       44        44        44        44        44


Warblers overall per month

Jan       Feb      Mar      Apr      May      Jun     Jul      Aug     Sep      Oct      Nov     Dec
0          20        15         25        30          23      24       24        26        17        4          7


Hampshire County warblers by month

Jan       Feb      Mar      Apr      May      Jun     Jul      Aug     Sep      Oct      Nov     Dec
0          0          0           17         30         23      18       24        26        17        4         2

Golden cheeked Warbler and Colima Warbler in Texas

Golden cheeked Warbler, Balcones Canyonlands NWR, TX, Apr 8, 2017

Colima Warbler, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2017

I headed down to Texas for a brief trip starting on Saturday the 8th and began in Austin to visit the Texas hill country before making the long ride down to Big Bend National Park. The main targets for the trip included Golden cheeked Warbler in the hill country and Colima Warbler at Big Bend NP. Both of these species have limited range in the US with Golden cheeked being an endangered species, mainly due to ongoing habitat destruction. Colima Warblers are not as rare overall but the only spot they nest in the US is within Big Bend NP.

Golden cheeked Warbler, Balcones Canyonlands NWR, TX, Apr 8, 2017

Golden cheeked Warbler, Balcones Canyonlands NWR, TX, Apr 8, 2017

Nashville Warbler, South Llano River SP, Junction, TX, Apr 9, 2017

Yellow breasted Chat, South Llano River SP, Junction, TX, Apr 9, 2017

Yellow breasted Chat, South Llano River SP, Junction, TX, Apr 9, 2017

I arrived in Austin around midday and after a quick lunch headed over to St. Edwards Park northwest of the city to try to catch up with some Golden cheeked Warblers seen there recently but the park was quite busy without many quiet spots. Without too much luck at St Edwards Park I decided to make a run out to Balcones Canyonlands NWR to try my luck there. I arrived there late in the afternoon and despite the late hour and a near continuous wind I found first one and eventually four Golden cheeked Warbler including at least three males singing, all in the area of the appropriately named Warbler Vista. The Golden cheeked Warbler became my 69th warbler species (as well as my 1300th life bird). A very productive start to the trip to be sure.

I was up before dawn on Sunday and was greeted with clouds, a decent breeze and occasional drizzle as I drove back out to Balcones Canyonlands NWR again. I managed to find another singing Golden cheeked Warbler despite the less than ideal conditions. I was certainly happy I made it up the previous day when the weather was nicer. As the morning wore on and the weather did not seem to be improving in the area I was in, I decided to begin my long drive over to Big Bend (with frequent stops to stretch my legs). My best stop along the way was at South Llano River SP just south of Junction. It turned out to be a very active place with yet another Golden cheeked Warbler as well as five other species of warblers including Black and White, Orange crowned and Nashville Warblers, Northern Parula and Yellow breasted Chat. The chats were especially cooperative and vocal. It was tough to tear myself away from the area but I still had a lot of driving to make it to my lodging near Big Bend.

Colima Warbler, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2017

Colima Warbler, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2017

Colima Warbler, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2017

Painted Redstart, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2017

Yellow rumped Warbler 'Audubon's', Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2017

Townsend's Warbler, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2017

Townsend's Warbler, with limited yellow on chest,  Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2017

Townsend's Warbler, with limited yellow on chest,  Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2017

Looking toward Mexico from Boot Spring Trail, Big Bend NP, TX, Apr 10, 2017

I was up and out the door bright and early on Monday to make the long run down to the Chisos Basin in Big Bend NP. The ride should take around 90 minutes but I took about two hours with frequent stops to let jackrabbits, deer and coyotes move out of the road. I arrived in the basin before sunrise and started the hike up the Pinnacles trail to get to Boot Spring where my main target (Colima Warbler) can be found. The trail was steep but not too bad considering some of the horror stories I had heard regarding the difficulty. The scenery was truly spectacular with each new turn in the trail producing a new awe inspiring view. I made it up through the gap in the basin via the Pinnacles and then started down the Boot Spring trail where I ran across my first Colima Warbler which popped into view briefly but disappeared before I could get the camera on it. I continued down toward Boot Spring itself and continued to run across various mixed species flocks but I didn't have another Colima Warbler until I made it to Boot Spring where I had two more individuals which eventually showed but still not very well. I continued down the trail past the springs where I found another interesting warbler. The bird was in a mixed species and was singing an odd song. The mask of the bird was quite dark (more like a Townsend's Warbler) but the belly was almost all white except for a hint of yellow just below the black throat. A very interesting bird to be sure. Although it was still very comfortable in the shade of the upper mountains I knew I had a long walk back out through Laguna Meadow much of which would be put in the open sun. I started down and while still up in the oaks I had two more singing Colima Warblers (bringing my total for the morning to five). I also got my best views of the bird on my down as well as the best photos I was able to get. The Colima Warbler became warbler species #70. In addition to the Colima Warblers I ran across a number of other warblers in several mixed species flocks including Yellow rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Black throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler and Painted Redstart.

My last full day in Texas was the worst weather wise but was not totally lost as a large portion of the day was spent driving back to Austin. I had more and more clouds and eventually rain as I drove east. I made another stop at South Llano River SP but due to occasional rain I didn't stay as long as I had on the previous day there. I made it back to the Austin area by early afternoon where I tried my luck in finding a reported Yellow throated Warbler at Common Fords Park. A severe thunderstorm was rapidly approaching so I was unable to locate the bird but the small park was quite active and produced Orange crowned Warbler, Northern Parula and Yellow rumped Warbler (Myrtle).


Overall for the trip I ended up with finding both of my target warblers as well as ten other species of warbler bringing my trip total to a dozen (plus both subspecies of Yellow rumped Warbler, which looks to be split into distinct species soon).  So far this year I have seen 31 species of warbler.