Bentsen RGV SP & Santa Margarita Ranch

 

Spring is in the air!  Northern Cardinals are calling in their territories that we can see from above on the hawk tower at Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park.

Additional bright red birds are migrating through such as this Vermilion Flycatcher

This male Vermilion was at the RV Park

Along with this female Vermilion Flycatcher

The blossoming Coaralbean Tree is attracting birds and butterflies

Monarch Butterflies are migrating through

Bumblebee collects pollen 

Fiery Skipper feeds on Lantana blossom

Golden-fronted Woodpecker lands on snag six feet from the tower

Yellow-throated Warbler migrates through with mixed flock of song birds

Yellow-throated Warbler

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

This N. Mockingbird serenades us throughout the night

"Our" Great Horned Owl pants in the heat while Junior peaks over the edge.

Mom sleeps while the two owlets are growing fast 

Flock of Cedar Waxwings stop to rest on northward migration

Anhingas also are migrating in large flocks over the tower.

Broad-winged Hawks have started their big push to northern nesting grounds.

We counted almost 3,000 yesterday.

Swainson's Hawks are heading to the western regions

Black Vultures

Good ID marks on Black Vultures are their white "mittens".

White-tailed Kite 

Gray Hawks are nesting at the Park

Year-round resident - Crested Caracara

Ty took a rugged field trip to Santa Margarita Ranch about 60 miles west of Mission.

This view is of the Rio Grande from the bluffs looking into Mexico.

The temps that day were almost 100 degrees, no breeze, up hill and down.

Green Kingfisher low above the river.

The tour group was delighted to hear and see the Rose-throated Becard

He stuck around for many photographs

Hundreds of birders have traveled to S. Texas for this very rare visitor.

The large (16 1/2") Brown Jay hasn't been in the U.S. since 2012.

Three of the four Jays (2 adults & 2 Juveniles) come almost daily for fruit.

Guides and visitors bring fruit and suet to lure the birds in.

Our tour group spent 4 1/2 hours in the vicinity hoping for a look.

They came in 5 minutes before our departure time.

Many high fives were shared by all.

We have one more month of hawk watch before we start migrating north with the birds.

Love & Prayers,

Ty & Ida Baumann

Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park Texas

Sunrise over the Rio Grande from the Hawk Tower

We begin anotther Spring season counting migrant raptors.

The Land Snail population exploded this last winter bringing in the rare Hook-billed Kites.

This Hook-billed Kite gave everyone a great look flying right over the tower.

Birders are thrilled to add this bird to their life list.

This female Hook-billed Kite came the closest of all.

Black Vulture

Northern Harrier

Broad-winged Hawk

Resident Gray Hawks fly by daily

We have been watching a pair of Verdins build their large nest,

One is adding sticks on the left side.

Trees are flowering around the tower - Mesquite

Retama

Javelina 

Javelina family 

Plain Chachalcas sunning

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 

Rio Grande Tom Turkey struts for the females

Eastern Phoebe

Rose-throated Becard

This male Rose-throated Becard is bringing many birders to the park

Spotted Orb Weaver

12 inch Brown Snake

Shrimp Flowers

and Tulip Tree atttract butterflies 

Zebra Heliconian 

Great Horned Owls are nesting in our RV Park

Male perches high in the Palm Tree - watching over the nest.

Female peeks over the edge of the nest which is 35 feet up.

Female checks out who's watching.

Spring has arrrived as the Elf Owl has returned to it's favorite cavity at the entrance of the State Park.

Our first two weeks here have been very productive.  We have had a rollar coaster weather ride, with some days near 100 degrees changing quickly dropping 30 degrees,  It's been windy with hardly any rain.

Looking forward to migration bringing new species of birds every day.

Love & Prayers,

Ty & Ida Baumann