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The fantastic Roseate Spoonbills were just beginning to build their nests at the rookery at High Island, but they had their full breeding plumage. (Photo by participant Karen Lewis)
Our week of birding in East Texas and on the Gulf Coast was filled with great birds throughout. The weather was conducive to dropping birds in, and we had new arrivals each day on the coast. Starting in the Piney Woods and Big Thicket, we opened with a wonderful view of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Brown-headed Nuthatches. Our first Scissor-tailed Flycatchers appeared at our pit stop before we started finding some of the southern breeding warblers. We saw Northern Parula, Prothonotary, Hooded, Pine, Prairie, Yellow-throated, and a great Swainson's Warbler in the Big Thicket. Our early departure the next morning to get further north soon had us looking for and finding a singing Bachman's Sparrow that sat still for several minutes. We then drove south as a migrant-inducing storm was looming. Rain began falling, as did the temperature with the north winds, just as we found a group of Buff-breasted Sandpipers. With excitement levels rising with the fallout potential, we got to High Island in mid-afternoon. Birding was okay, but the following day as the storm moved into the Gulf of Mexico it really picked up. We had a great diversity of warbler species including Canada, Golden-winged, many Blue-winged, Worm-eating, Ovenbird, Cerulean, several Black-throated Green and lots of Tennessee Warblers among a few others, but there was not the huge number of individuals that the weather seemed destined to produce. This was probably a better scenario for the birds as it showed they were not exhausted from flying for 16-20 hours.
Over the next few days as the north winds continued, we added more warbler species as well as good numbers of Orchard and Baltimore orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Summer and Scarlet tanagers. In addition to the passerine migrants at High Island, we had some great sightings of some local breeders and other migrants. At Anahuac NWR we had a nice Least Bittern sitting out for us as well as some nearby flooded fields that yielded more Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Upland Sandpiper, American Golden-Plovers, and an impressive group of 700 Whimbrels in one field. At Anahuac, and in the marshes and shorelines of the Bolivar Peninsula we had great looks at both King and Clapper rails, American Bitterns, Wilson's, Piping, and Snowy plovers, Crested Caracara, Peregrine Falcon, Dickcissels, and Seaside Sparrows. The cooler temperatures were certainly responsible for our few sightings of American Alligators. Some warmer afternoon temperatures by the end of the week were much appreciated. Our birding continued right to the end as we had marvelous looks at a Red-headed Woodpecker on the way back to Houston.
It was great birding with all of you in Texas and sharing the East Texas cultural experience of birding sites, local cuisine, and local people. Becky and the folks at the Gulfway took good care of us. I hope to see all of you again in the near future.
--John
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
Karen came face-to-face with her Kentucky Warbler, even though it's a skulker that likes to hide!
WOOD DUCK (Aix sponsa) [*]
GADWALL (Anas strepera) – There were a surprising number of these still around at Anahuac.
MOTTLED DUCK (Anas fulvigula) – This southeastern US species showed well on some of the freshwater ponds.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors)
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata)
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (AMERICAN) (Anas crecca carolinensis)
LESSER SCAUP (Aythya affinis) – There was a late pair hanging around from the winter on a pond on the Bolivar Peninsula.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
NORTHERN BOBWHITE (Colinus virginianus) – We heard one calling while we birded near Lake Sam Rayburn. [*]
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga) – After Barbara spotted one the day before, we had nice looks at one perched in a tree near I-10 on our way to the airport.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
AMERICAN BITTERN (Botaurus lentiginosus) – We ended up seeing about three of these great birds in a couple of places on the Bolivar Peninsula.
LEAST BITTERN (Ixobrychus exilis) – We had great looks at this small heron at Anahuac NWR where we watched it hunting from the tall reeds.
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – There were a fair number at the rookery at Smith Woods and we saw at least one nest with blue eggs.
The Snowy Egrets were feeling a little feisty this day. (Photo by participant Karen Lewis)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor)
REDDISH EGRET (Egretta rufescens) – We had a red and a white morph fly over us.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – Our first ones were across the pond at Smith Woods and we saw them again on our way to Houston on our last morning.
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nyctanassa violacea)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus)
WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi)
It's always tough to see well, but we nailed this Swainson's Warbler in the Big Thicket. (Photo by participant Karen Lewis)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus) – These were rarely seen in the High Island area before Hurricane Ike.
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – We saw a handful which is rather unusual here.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) – Our first was in a clear cut area in the Piney Woods where I have never seen this bird. We saw another along the Bolivar Peninsula where it is to be expected.
NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus cyaneus) – We estimated at least six individuals on our day at Anahuac and the rice fields.
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) – Two adults were encountered along the coast.
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (Buteo lineatus)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus) – We saw about three soaring over the forests.
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
CLAPPER RAIL (Rallus longirostris) – We had a great encounter with one on the Bolivar Peninsula that ran right at us putting on a great show.
KING RAIL (Rallus elegans) – Good views of two individuals at Anahuac.
SORA (Porzana carolina) [*]
PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinicus) – This colorful marsh bird showed well.
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata)
AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus)
AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana) – There were big groups of these at Rollover Pass and at Bolivar Flats.
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
American Avocets (Photo by participant Karen Lewis)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica) – There were about ten individuals in a wet rice field near Anahuac.
SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius nivosus) – It took some searching but we found at least one at Bolivar Flats then another at Rollover Pass later in the day.
WILSON'S PLOVER (Charadrius wilsonia) – Good numbers of these were seen at Bolivar Flats where this species nests right on the beach.
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus)
PIPING PLOVER (Charadrius melodus) – This small shorebird was in especially good numbers this year at Bolivar Flats.
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca) – These were far outnumbered by Lesser Yellowlegs in the rice fields and ponds we birded.
WILLET (Tringa semipalmata)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
UPLAND SANDPIPER (Bartramia longicauda) – Our first was a pretty good view close to the road but in the rain near Nome, then we got another good view on the Bolivar Peninsula a couple of days later.
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) – We estimated at least 700 individuals in one rice field near Anahuac. A great sight.
LONG-BILLED CURLEW (Numenius americanus) – Two late-lingering birds were still on the Bolivar Peninsula.
MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa)
Brilliant Summer Tanagers were in evidence every day on the Texas coast, and we also saw 3 or 4 gorging themselves on emerging bees at a hive. (Photo by participant Karen Lewis)
STILT SANDPIPER (Calidris himantopus)
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – Many hundred were on the beaches of the Bolivar Peninsula and very few showed any reddish feathers that they will have soon.
DUNLIN (Calidris alpina) – A fair number were seen with several getting their black belly patches.
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER (Calidris subruficollis) – There were about fifteen we saw in the field as the rain was falling on the day we drove to High Island and we could not get a good view. But, we found two more the following morning on our way to Anahuac NWR.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER (Calidris melanotos)
WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri)
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus griseus)
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus scolopaceus)
WILSON'S SNIPE (Gallinago delicata) – We flushed a couple from the edges of rice fields on our last morning.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla) – This was the most common gull we encountered by a big margin.
RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis)
HERRING GULL (AMERICAN) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus)
LEAST TERN (Sternula antillarum) – We saw lots of these small terns on the beaches and sandbars of the Bolivar Peninsula.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – We finally got a pretty good view of two birds in the marsh on the Bolivar Peninsula.
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia)
BLACK TERN (Chlidonias niger) – This is a rather uncommon bird on the Coast and we saw a few at Rollover and then a couple more following a barge in the Intracoastal Waterway.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)
FORSTER'S TERN (Sterna forsteri)
ROYAL TERN (Thalasseus maximus)
SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis) – One of my favorites, we saw them ar Rollover and Bolivar Flats.
BLACK SKIMMER (Rynchops niger) – These were in big numbers when we made our second stop at Rollover Pass and the tide was different.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) [I]
WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica)
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)
INCA DOVE (Columbina inca) – A couple of pairs were around High Island.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus americanus)
Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)
Brown Pelicans (Photo by participant Karen Lewis)
Apodidae (Swifts)
CHIMNEY SWIFT (Chaetura pelagica)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus colubris) – We saw these just about everyday of the trip along the Coast.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon) – There were a few sightings along the Bolivar Peninsula.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) – We had to wait until our last day but we had great views of one at White Memorial Park on our last morning. This is one of the best looking woodpeckers anywhere.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes carolinus)
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus varius) – We saw a poorly plumaged bird on the Coast at Smith Woods. This was another late bird that was lingering.
DOWNY WOODPECKER (Picoides pubescens)
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER (Picoides borealis) – Great looks on our first morning of this area specialty. We saw a pair near a nest hole at Jones State Forest where they have been holding on for many years.
NORTHERN FLICKER (YELLOW-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus auratus) – There were a couple of these near our Bachman's Sparrow site near Lake Sam Rayburn.
PILEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus pileatus) – Our only sighting was one flying over the highway as we drove to Silsbee.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
This Prothonotary Warbler lit up the bottomland forest of the Trinity River in east Texas. (Photo by participant Karen Lewis)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – We found one perched on one of the dredge islands in Galveston Bay. These wreck havoc on migrating shorebirds this time of year.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus virens) – We saw several migrants during the week at High Island.
ACADIAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax virescens) – We had a brief appearance of one at Sabine Woods.
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus crinitus)
EASTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus tyrannus)
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus) – Karen spotted our first ones at the gas stop in the Piney Woods where they were chasing each other about over the treetops. We then saw then several more times near the Coast.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lanius ludovicianus) – A pair was at our motel in Silsbee that we saw well before leaving, then we saw a few mre in the open country later in the trip.
Vireonidae (Vireos)
WHITE-EYED VIREO (Vireo griseus) – We had good views at birds on the breeding grounds and also as migrants,
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons) – Nice looks at one along the road in the Big Thicket. We even got to tell a local what we were looking at and learned he had lived there his whole life and had never seen or heard of a Yellow-throated Vireo.
BLUE-HEADED VIREO (Vireo solitarius) – We saw a couple of these migrants on our first full day at High Island.
WARBLING VIREO (Vireo gilvus)
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
BLUE JAY (Cyanocitta cristata)
AMERICAN CROW (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
FISH CROW (Corvus ossifragus) – We heard and saw a few near the Beaumont Sewage Treatment Plant.
Alaudidae (Larks)
HORNED LARK (Eremophila alpestris) – Nice looks at a couple of individuals on the vegetated beach at Bolivar Flats.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
PURPLE MARTIN (Progne subis) – We saw these several times but our first were at a martin condo in the Piney Woods.
TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor)
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – These were the first birds we heard twittering each early morning at our motel at High Island.
CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
CAROLINA CHICKADEE (Poecile carolinensis)
Purple Gallinule (Photo by participant Karen Lewis)
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH (Sitta pusilla) – Nice looks at another southeast US specialty. We even had a cooperative bird in the scope for a spell on our first day.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) [*]
SEDGE WREN (Cistothorus platensis) – After hearing a few we finally got a good view near Sabine Pass.
MARSH WREN (Cistothorus palustris) [*]
CAROLINA WREN (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (Polioptila caerulea)
Regulidae (Kinglets)
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus calendula) – There were a good number of these late migrants still hanging around at High Island and Sabine Woods.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
EASTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia sialis) – These have become more common over the last ten years in the Big Thicket and Piney Woods.
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (Catharus minimus) – We had good looks at Sabine Woods.
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus) – There were a fair number in the various migration traps we birded.
WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina) – A great bird of the eastern US, we had several nice looks and heard a few in song.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis) – Lots of these were seen in the woods we visited along the coast.
BROWN THRASHER (Toxostoma rufum) – We finally had good views when we got to the more open Sabine Woods.
Always a favorite, this Blackburnian Warbler was one of a handful we saw after the storm at High Island. (Photo by participant Karen Lewis)
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
CEDAR WAXWING (Bombycilla cedrorum)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
OVENBIRD (Seiurus aurocapilla) – It took awhile for us all to see this skulker at Hook's Woods at High Island, then we got another one at Sabine Woods.
WORM-EATING WARBLER (Helmitheros vermivorum) – A couple of individuals were seen on our first full day after the big front went through.
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia motacilla) – We had great views, and in comparison with Northern Waterthrushes, at the pond at Boy Scout Woods.
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis) – There were at least three birds at Prothonotary Pond at Boy Scout Woods.
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora cyanoptera) – We had several sightings including about ten individuals on our big migration day.
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora chrysoptera) – Great looks at a male, one of the most sought-after species on the Coast, that we saw at Hooks Woods.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia) – Several were seen on a few days.
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (Protonotaria citrea) – We had great looks at this southern bog denizen in the Big Thicket then we found a migrant on our last full day at High Island.
SWAINSON'S WARBLER (Limnothlypis swainsonii) – Great views of a singing individual in the Big Thicket. Seeing one of these southeastern specialties was a real highlight. A typical skulker, we saw it in the open. Yip! Yip! Yip!
TENNESSEE WARBLER (Oreothlypis peregrina) – We saw several on the big migration days.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Oreothlypis celata) – Nice looks at a single individual at Hook's Woods. This is not all that common on the Coast.
KENTUCKY WARBLER (Geothlypis formosa) – We had good views of another southern species at Boy Scout Woods.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas) – We saw a few but the surprise was seeing one forty feet up in a live oak at Hook's Woods.
HOODED WARBLER (Setophaga citrina) – We had our first on the breeding grounds in the Big Thicket, then we saw them every day on the Coast.
CERULEAN WARBLER (Setophaga cerulea) – We saw a couple of males but they were high in the trees and needed quickness to get on them.
NORTHERN PARULA (Setophaga americana) – Our first one along the Trinity River put on a good show for us. A few more were seen as migrants.
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca) – Great looks at a few of these brilliantly colored warblers in both Hook's and Smith Woods at High Island.
Canada Warbler (Photo by participant Karen Lewis)
BLACKPOLL WARBLER (Setophaga striata) – A few showed up on our last full day at High Island. This is traditionally one of the later warblers to arrive.
PINE WARBLER (Setophaga pinus) – Many were heard singing and we saw a few in the Piney Woods of East Texas.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (Setophaga coronata) – These were all the "Myrtle" form. These are usually gone by early April, but like a few other birds some late lingerers were still around.
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Setophaga dominica) – Nice looks in the Big Thicket area of one singing away in a bald cypress on the breeding grounds. Somewhat surprisingly, we saw two on our last day at High Island where nearly all have passed by the time of our tour.
PRAIRIE WARBLER (Setophaga discolor) – These were singing away in the pine plantations of the Big Thicket area. A real beauty when seen as well as we had it.
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Setophaga virens) – We had a couple of days where these were down right common in the migration traps at High Island.
CANADA WARBLER (Cardellina canadensis) – Great looks at a gorgeous male at Hook's Woods on the day after the storm went through. This is another of the harder to find warblers on the Coast.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
BACHMAN'S SPARROW (Peucaea aestivalis) – We got great scope views of one singing in the Piney Woods north of where we stayed. It was worth getting up early to see this southeast specialty.
CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina) – A handful were near our breakfast site and at the feeder near Lake Sam Rayburn.
SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis)
SEASIDE SPARROW (Ammodramus maritimus) – We had nice looks on a few days in the coastal marshes.
SWAMP SPARROW (Melospiza georgiana) – A couple of these late migrants were seen along the edge of the marshes at Anahuac.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (Zonotrichia albicollis)
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (Zonotrichia leucophrys) – It was bit of a surprise to see this bird at Anahuac. They should all have been gone a few weeks ago.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra) – Good numbers throughout the week. We watched three or four at the hive at Sabine Woods that were grabbing wasps as they emerged from their nest.
SCARLET TANAGER (Piranga olivacea) – These appeared on our last full day on the Coast and we saw at least fifteen individuals which added great color to the woods.
Long-billed Curlew (Photo by participant Karen Lewis)
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
INDIGO BUNTING (Passerina cyanea)
PAINTED BUNTING (Passerina ciris) – After our first greenish females we saw brilliant males at High Island.
DICKCISSEL (Spiza americana) – We enjoyed nice looks at a few in the rice fields on our last morning on the way back to Houston.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna)
COMMON GRACKLE (Quiscalus quiscula)
BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus major) – Good views in the coastal prairie.
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater)
ORCHARD ORIOLE (Icterus spurius) – Lots of these were seen during our stay on the Coast.
BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula)
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
A King Rail hoofs it across the road at Anahuac. (Photo by participant Karen Lewis)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
MAMMALS
EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus floridanus)
SWAMP RABBIT (Sylvilagus aquaticus) – This southeast US species was seen several times in the High Island area and at Sabine Woods.
EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL (Sciurus carolinensis)
FOX SQUIRREL (Sciurus niger)
MUSKRAT (Ondatra zibethica)
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (Tursiops truncatus) – We had pretty fair looks at a few in the mouth of Galveston Bay.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 195 bird taxa and 6 mammal taxa