Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Texas warblers

Orange-crowned Warbler, Estero Llano Grande SP, TX, Nov 12, 2011

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Bentsen RGV State Park, TX, Nov 13, 2011

Ovenbird, Bentsen RGV State Park, TX, Nov 13, 2011

Black and White Warbler, Estero Llano Grande SP, TX, Nov 14, 2011

Black and White Warbler, Estero Llano Grande SP, TX, Nov 14, 2011

I took a trip down to Texas on November 10 and stayed until November 15 visiting several areas in the lower Rio Grande valley.  The vast majority of the warblers seen were either Orange-crowned or Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers.  Besides these two species I had a handful of Common Yellowthroats in a few spots as well as a single Ovenbird using the water feature at the Nature Center at Bentsen RGV State Park and a Black and White Warbler at Estero Llano Grande SP.  Both of these last species were state birds for me in Texas.  I ended up with a total of five warbler species.  I missed out on the few Tropical Parula's around as well as a very rare Golden-crowned Warbler that showed up on November 20.  I will have to get them on the next trip.  Yet another successful trip with lots of great birds.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

November warbler

On a Hampshire Bird Club trip on the east side of the Quabbin we came across a Yellow-rumped Warbler near the fishing area late morning.  This is a very unusual sighting for this area of Quabbin this late in the season and was one of the best birds of the day.