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Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)

FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor)

There were a few at Cattail Marsh near Beaumont.

WOOD DUCK (Aix sponsa)

A pair of these beautiful waterfowl were perched in a pine at Jones State Forest on our first morning.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Spatula discors)

NORTHERN SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata)

MOTTLED DUCK (Anas fulvigula)

This specialty of the southeast US was seen a few times near the Coast.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (Mergus serrator)

We saw a late winter holdover at Rollover Pass.

Podicipedidae (Grebes)

PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) [I]

WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica)

This is a rather uncommon species in the High Island area.

MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus americanus)

We saw a few in the Woods at High Island and Sabine and heard them vocalizing as well.

BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus erythropthalmus)

Bret had a single individual at Sabine Woods that disappeared before we got over to him.

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)

COMMON NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles minor)

One was flying around the parking lot of the motel in Winnie in the early morning.

Apodidae (Swifts)

CHIMNEY SWIFT (Chaetura pelagica)

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus colubris)

We saw these migrants most days in the woods along the Coast.

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

KING RAIL (Rallus elegans)

We had a great experience with an individual that walked along the edge of the road at Anahuac NWR giving us wonderful views.

CLAPPER RAIL (GULF COAST) (Rallus crepitans saturatus)

Not long after we saw the King Rail, we had a near identical experience with this similar species with a gray cheek at Anahuac. This species prefers saltwater marshes to the freshwater areas of King Rail.

SORA (Porzana carolina)

COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata)

These were quite numerous at Anahuac.

AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana)

PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinica)

We saw a single bird at the rookery at Smith Woods.

Gruidae (Cranes)

WHOOPING CRANE (Grus americana)

After a couple of attempts to see this bird earlier, we spotted two individuals along Hwy 73 where they are presumably nesting. These birds are from an introduced population in Louisiana that have expanded into Texas in the last couple of years. They are huge birds!

Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)

BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus)

We saw several during the week.

AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana)

We had a great show of more than a thousand individuals of these colorful shorebirds at Bolivar Flats.

Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus)

We ended up seeing about five individuals on the morning we spent along the Bolivar Peninsula.

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)

We saw a good number along the coast with some beginning to get some black on the belly.

AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica)

A fair number were in the grassy pastures just north of High Island.

SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius nivosus)

We spotted one of these on the beach at Bolivar Flats as we were driving to the sanctuary part of the coast. This is a rather uncommon species here.

WILSON'S PLOVER (Charadrius wilsonia)

We ended up seeing about six individuals at Boliver Flats.

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus)

These were in good numbers at Bolivar Flats.

PIPING PLOVER (Charadrius melodus)

A threatened species due to its need for the same beaches that humans enjoy; we saw a handful at Bolivar Flats.

KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

UPLAND SANDPIPER (Bartramia longicauda)

We saw about 15 in a field north of High Island. Another sought after species on the Upper Texas Coast.

WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus)

One field we checked on our first day near the coast had over 500 individuals. A great sight.

LONG-BILLED CURLEW (Numenius americanus)

We saw one individual. Most had headed north by now.

HUDSONIAN GODWIT (Limosa haemastica)

While birding the rice fields, Bret spotted a flying individual that we followed until it flew out of sight. The lack of flooded rice fields hurt our chances of seeing a group of these.

MARBLED GODWIT (Limosa fedoa)

A handful were feeding in the tidal areas of Bolivar Flats and the Bolivar Peninsula.

RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)

Some of these were in nice colorful breeding plumage.

RED KNOT (Calidris canutus)

We saw about five individuals, all in winter garb, at Bolivar Flats.

STILT SANDPIPER (Calidris himantopus)

On our last morning as we searched for wet rice fields we found a group of about four in breeding plumage.

SANDERLING (Calidris alba)

There were hundreds on the beaches.

DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)

At Bolivar Flats there were well over a hundred individuals with some showing nice black belly patches.

BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii)

A single individual was by itself on the beach at Bolivar Flats which seemed odd, the majority of these usually come through a bit later in the month.

LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER (Calidris subruficollis)

We had a great experience with a large group in a cattle pasture north of High Island. We saw 42 with the first visit and over 100 individuals at the same place the next day. This is always a highly sought after species here.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER (Calidris melanotos)

We saw several individuals on a few days.

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Calidris pusilla)

A handful were seen well at Bolivar Flats.

WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri)

These were a bit more common than Semipalmated at Bolivar Flats.

SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus griseus)

This species tended to be a bit less common than the following species in the rice fields.

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus scolopaceus)

We had a fair number that vocalized for us and others that showed good field marks in breeding plumage.

WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor)

A single individual, a nicely marked female, was found in a wet field on our last morning before we headed to the airport.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)

Some had nice spots.

SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria)

GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)

These were fairly common in some areas.

WILLET (EASTERN) (Tringa semipalmata semipalmata)

We encountered a couple of individuals of this subspecies that showed heavily-marked breasts.

WILLET (WESTERN) (Tringa semipalmata inornata)

By far, the majority of Willets we encountered were of this form.

LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)

This species outnumbered Greater Yellowlegs in the areas we visited.

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla)

RING-BILLED GULL (Larus delawarensis)

HERRING GULL (AMERICAN) (Larus argentatus smithsonianus)

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus)

A quite uncommon species on the Texas Coast that has become more numerous in recent years. We saw a summer adult and a winter plumage adult on the same morning.

LEAST TERN (Sternula antillarum)

The smallest North American tern. We saw our first at Rollover Pass before encountering hundreds at Bolivar Flats.

GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica)

We saw this marsh species on a few of the days.

CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia)

Only a couple were encountered along the coast.

BLACK TERN (Chlidonias niger)

This species has become more common on the Upper Texas Coast in recent years. We saw a handful of molting and fully black individuals along the beaches.

COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)

A fair number of these were still present, they would be heading north soon.

FORSTER'S TERN (Sterna forsteri)

This was the common small tern we saw over the marshes at Anahuac and along the coast.

ROYAL TERN (Thalasseus maximus)

These were quite common.

SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis)

A sharply marked tern, we had great looks at the mustard-tipped bill at a few locales.

BLACK SKIMMER (Rynchops niger)

At Rollover Pass and Bolivar Flats we had nice looks at this odd species.

Anhingidae (Anhingas)

ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)

At the rookery at Smith Woods, Bret spotted a flying bird that came into the pond and landed atop a dead tree providing a nice scope view.

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)

NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

These were all over, including big numbers at the nesting rookery at Smith Woods.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus)

Much less common than the preceding species, we saw a few individuals here and there.

Pelecanidae (Pelicans)

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

We saw a few individuals along the coast here and there.

BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis)

This species disappeared from Texas for several few years due to DDT poisoning decades ago but they have made a strong comeback and are quite common along the coast.

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

AMERICAN BITTERN (Botaurus lentiginosus)

We saw a couple of individuals in marshes, with our first good view at Anahuac.

LEAST BITTERN (Ixobrychus exilis)

We saw a couple of these great little guys in the marsh at Anahuac NWR.

GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)

GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

There were a big number nesting at the rookery and some had small chicks and some had blue eggs.

SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)

There were amazing colors on the bill, face and legs of these birds that were in full breeding condition at the rookery at Smith Woods.

LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)

We saw a fair number, mostly in fresh water situations.

TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor)

We saw these building nests at the rookery at High Island.

REDDISH EGRET (Egretta rufescens)

We had great views of this handsome egret at Bolivar.

CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)

GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens)

We saw a fair number at Anahuac.

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nyctanassa violacea)

I have never seen as many of these birds in one place as we did at Anahuac NWR. There were at least 100 individuals in all stages of dress.

Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)

WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus)

Our first ones were a group of 13 flying over at Cattail Marsh at the park near Beaumont. Then we saw many more in the marshes near the coast.

WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi)

These were in good numbers in some places.

ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)

We had fabulous looks at nesting birds at the rookery at High Island. The bright orange colors on the tail and exaggerated colors on the head and neck made this bird seem prehistoric.

Cathartidae (New World Vultures)

BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)

This bird really moved into the Bolivar Peninsula after Hurricane Ike in 2008.

TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)

Pandionidae (Osprey)

OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)

There were a few seen on the Bolivar Peninsula.

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus)

We saw one flying and hovering on the peninsula.

NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus hudsonius)

A fair number were seen in the more open areas we visited. These are lingerers from the winter.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus)

We saw one in the Piney Woods and another at Sabine Woods where it is not at all common as a migrant.

SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni)

We had nice views of about three individuals in the rice fields and pastures.

RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis)

Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)

BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon)

There was one hanging out at the small lake at Smith Woods and we saw another on the Bolivar Peninsula.

Picidae (Woodpeckers)

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus varius)

There were at least two late-remaining individuals that we saw at Sabine Woods.

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes carolinus)

We heard more than we saw but had a nice look at a couple here and there.

DOWNY WOODPECKER (Dryobates pubescens)

A few were seen in the Piney Woods and at Sabine Woods.

RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER (Dryobates borealis)

We ended up with great looks at a pair of these very uncommon woodpeckers at Jones State Forest on our first morning in the field. They didn't seem to be hanging around a nest but were working through the pines and chipping bark off the trunks.

PILEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus pileatus)

We finally caught up with this big guy on our last morning before we made the final dash to the airport.

NORTHERN FLICKER (YELLOW-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus auratus) [*]

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)

CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara cheriway)

We used to be lucky to see one of these strange birds but we encountered several this year in the rice fields and along the Bolivar Peninsula.

AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)

MERLIN (Falco columbarius)

It was odd to see this bird standing in the field at the town park at Crystal Beach on the Bolivar Peninsula.

PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)

Bret spotted one flying over the van when we stopped to make a call at High Island.

Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)

EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus virens)

A few were seen in the woods, with some of them giving their distinct vocalizations.

ACADIAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax virescens)

We had at least three individuals singing along a creek in the Big Thicket, which was perfect breeding habitat for this species. We ended up seeing another, as a migrant, at High Island.

GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus crinitus)

We heard this bird giving its loud call in the Piney Woods, at Sabine Woods, and at High Island. I'm not sure we ever laid eyes on one.

EASTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus tyrannus)

These appeared in pretty good numbers by the end of the week.

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus)

What a spectacular bird! We had wonderful views of a handful in the open country north of High Island and along the Bolivar Peninsula.

Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)

WHITE-EYED VIREO (Vireo griseus)

We saw or heard these every day with a few good looks at this skulker.

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons)

We had a nice view of a calling bird in the Big Thicket area.

BLUE-HEADED VIREO (Vireo solitarius)

WARBLING VIREO (Vireo gilvus) [*]

RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus)

There were a fair number encountered, including a couple that came into the water drip at High Island which gave us nice looks.

Laniidae (Shrikes)

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lanius ludovicianus)

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)

BLUE JAY (Cyanocitta cristata)

I think this species is the prettiest of the North American Jays.

AMERICAN CROW (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

FISH CROW (Corvus ossifragus)

This species has expanded in East Texas in recent years. We saw and heard them in the town of Silsbee and at the Cattail Marsh near Beaumont.

Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)

CAROLINA CHICKADEE (Poecile carolinensis)

This dainty little chickadee afforded nice looks in the Piney Woods.

TUFTED TITMOUSE (Baeolophus bicolor)

Alaudidae (Larks)

HORNED LARK (Eremophila alpestris)

One was seen in the upper beach vegetation at Bolivar Flats, which is the only site on our route where we have a chance of seeing this widespread species.

Hirundinidae (Swallows)

NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)

A handful were flying around over a few bodies of water we visited.

PURPLE MARTIN (Progne subis)

These were seen daily in the towns we visited where there were martin condos set up.

TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor)

An impressive number (100's) were seen perched in the reedy vegetation at Anahuac NWR.

BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)

Quite common and we saw them building nests at Anahuac.

CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

Some of the larger bridges we passed had impressive numbers of nests being built.

Regulidae (Kinglets)

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus calendula) [*]

One was heard on our first morning at Jones State Forest where this was a lingering winter species.

Sittidae (Nuthatches)

BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH (Sitta pusilla)

We had great views of this tiny species and specialty of the pine woods of the southeast US. The Pygmy Nuthatch of the west is its closest relative.

Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (Polioptila caerulea)

Troglodytidae (Wrens)

HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) [*]

We heard one singing away at Sabine Woods.

SEDGE WREN (Cistothorus platensis)

We had nice looks of this skulker at Anahuac NWR.

MARSH WREN (Cistothorus palustris)

We also saw this one well at Anahuac NWR.

CAROLINA WREN (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

Seen or heard numerous times each day of the trip.

Sturnidae (Starlings)

EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]

Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)

GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis)

These were quite common in the woods at High Island.

BROWN THRASHER (Toxostoma rufum)

We saw a couple of these great looking thrashers.

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos)

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

EASTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia sialis)

A male was seen near a nest box at Jones State Forest on our first morning in the field.

VEERY (Catharus fuscescens)

On our last day we finally found one of these subtle beauties.

GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (Catharus minimus)

Another species that showed up at the end of the week in High Island.

SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus)

We saw a fair number of these during the week.

HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus)

This species normally is well north of the Texas Coast by mid-April but Bret and others found an individual at Smith Woods at High Island.

WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina)

Patricia spotted our first but we ended up seeing several more, including more than 10 one day, during the week.

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)

HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

PINE SISKIN (Spinus pinus)

A few birds that were lingering from the winter were heard and seen in the pines at Jones State Forest.

Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)

CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina)

A couple of late individuals were at Jones State Forest on our first morning.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (Zonotrichia albicollis)

Another late-lingering species. We saw it at Smith Oaks.

SEASIDE SPARROW (Ammospiza maritima)

We had great views of a few individuals on a calm morning in the coastal prairie at Anahuac NWR.

SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis)

These were quite common along the roadsides at Anahuac.

SWAMP SPARROW (Melospiza georgiana)

A brief one at Anahuac NWR got away soon after it was spotted.

EASTERN TOWHEE (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

A female showed up at the water drip at Boy Scout Woods which was a surprise as they are usually well gone by April. We later heard one singing.

Icteriidae (Yellow-breasted Chat)

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens) [*]

One was singing in the Big Thicket but we could not lure it out of hiding.

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)

EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna)

ORCHARD ORIOLE (Icterus spurius)

These showed up in good numbers by the end of the week.

BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula)

We saw a fair number by the end of the week including brightly colored males.

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)

BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus)

We spotted a male individual at Anahuac NWR where it is an uncommon species.

BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater)

COMMON GRACKLE (Quiscalus quiscula)

BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus major)

Ths interesting species was only seen near its native habitat of coastal prairie marshes.

GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)

Tis species is widespread near human habitation.

Parulidae (New World Warblers)

OVENBIRD (Seiurus aurocapilla)

We saw a couple of these working the ground on our final day at High Island.

WORM-EATING WARBLER (Helmitheros vermivorum)

We saw a good number of these interesting warblers, including a singing bird on the breeding grounds in the Big Thicket. We also had nice views of a couple at the water drips at High Island.

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis)

We saw a few at both Smith Oaks and Sabine Woods.

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora chrysoptera)

We did well with this gorgeous species a few times.

BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora cyanoptera)

A fair number were encountered on a couple of our days.

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)

PROTHONOTARY WARBLER (Protonotaria citrea)

This bottomland forest denizen lit up the woods with its bright yellow plumage along the Trinity River. Then we saw several more as migrants near the coast.

SWAINSON'S WARBLER (Limnothlypis swainsonii)

We had great views of a singing individual in the Big Thicket area. We then saw two others as migrants near the coast where the majority have already passed through and they are notoriously difficult to see.

TENNESSEE WARBLER (Leiothlypis peregrina)

Our first individual came to the water drip at Boy Scout Woods then we saw a handful later in the week with "good" weather conditions.

KENTUCKY WARBLER (Geothlypis formosa)

Ths is another species we saw very well on the breeding grounds before encountering more at the migration traps.

COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)

A familiar species to most; we saw a few along the course of our travels.

HOODED WARBLER (Setophaga citrina)

After seeing our first in the Piney Woods and Big Thcket where they were singing up a storm, we had a fair number as migrants on the coast.

AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla)

Surprisingly, we only found one individual during the week.

CERULEAN WARBLER (Setophaga cerulea)

At least three individuals were singing in the same general area at Sabine Woods where we had very nice views. This is always a much sought-after species on the Texas Coast.

NORTHERN PARULA (Setophaga americana)

We encountered this species several times during the week.

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca)

This was one of the first birds we saw when we arrived at Sabine Woods. We ended up seeing a couple more there and the next day.

YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)

There were a couple of these well-known warblers seen but they slipped away before we could get on them.

PINE WARBLER (Setophaga pinus)

A very common voice of the tall pines inland from the coast; we had nice views on our first morning in the field.

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (MYRTLE) (Setophaga coronata coronata)

A species that is typically gone from the southern US by mid-April; there were still a few hanging around at High Island and Sabine Woods this year.

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Setophaga coronata auduboni)

We saw a male at Sabine Woods that had been hanging around for a few days. This is a quite uncommon form here.

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (Setophaga dominica)

Two individuals gave us good views in the Big Thicket area before we saw a couple more as migrants at High Island.

PRAIRIE WARBLER (Setophaga discolor)

We had great views of a singing bird in a regenerating pine plantation in the Big Thicket area, where we also heard a few more in the area.

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Setophaga virens)

Surprisingly, this species didn't show up until our last day at High Island.

Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)

SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)

We saw a lot of these during the week.

SCARLET TANAGER (Piranga olivacea)

Always a dazzler! There were good views at Sabine Woods and at High Island.

NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis)

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus)

This species decided to show up later in the week.

BLUE GROSBEAK (Passerina caerulea)

There were eight individuals seen at once as they fed with Indigo Buntings in the yard next door to Boy Scout Woods.

INDIGO BUNTING (Passerina cyanea)

A good number were seen during the week.

PAINTED BUNTING (Passerina ciris)

A male popped up for us at Sabine Woods.

DICKCISSEL (Spiza americana) [*]

We heard one singing on our first days in the rice fields and we never had another.

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MAMMALS

VIRGINIA OPOSSUM (Didelphis virginianus)

We saw a couple of these interesting critters along roadsides.

EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus floridanus)

One was seen in the Big Thicket area.

SWAMP RABBIT (Sylvilagus aquaticus)

This was the fairly common large rabbit that was in the woods at High Island.

EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL (Sciurus carolinensis)

FOX SQUIRREL (Sciurus niger)

On our final morning, we spotted one of these in a yard in the piney woods near Lake Charlotte.

MUSKRAT (Ondatra zibethica)

We saw one at Anahuac in the pond where Nutrias used to be common.

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (Tursiops truncatus)

We had pretty fair views of a few at the mouth of Galveston Bay.

WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus)

We encountered one in the Piney Woods of East Texas.

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Totals for the tour: 198 bird taxa and 8 mammal taxa