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I had to look up the locations you mentioned. There might be more responses if you added that you were near Austin. That said, I've never birded in your area, just south and west Texas. Lesser Goldfinches are seedeaters and more likely to be around thistle and other seed producing plants in...

It is birders' heaven no doubt, Owen. That Tropical Parula we missed will not leave my thoughts so I think we'll return another day. Steve

Such an extensive and well written report, it took me all month to get through it. Thanks for all the writing and taking my mind to far off and exotic places. Steve

Late to the dance, as usual... We don't have comparable weather here in western North Carolina that Minnesota or Wisconsin can produce but we know that wintering Phoebes eat a variety of small fruits, including sumac and poison ivy. So, their diet is adaptable during adverse conditions. Steve

I agree. The temperatures were downright chilly at dawn and there were really no neotropical migrants. The vireos and warblers we did find likely wintered over in the area. Our timing was partially to find that Pipit before it flew north. Steve

Thanks everyone for the postive feedback and kind words. South Texas, especially the LRGV, has a never ending supply of species unlikely to be found elsewhere in the US. There are a half dozen there now that are worth chasing for our life lists, including that Tropical Parula we never found...

https://www.birdforum.net/threads/south-texas-march-2020.403895/ Steve

MARCH 13 Due to leave in the afternoon, our choice for morning birding was again Santa Ana NWR, a convenient 7 miles south of the Alamo Inn. A third visit was justified also by Tropical Parulas being reported there in the past. The parking lot gave us some expected species - raucous Great...

MARCH 12 Our initial day at Estero Llano Grande was as much birding fun as hoped for. Why not go back to more fun, we asked, since our remaining target birds were proving to be so elusive. This we did, spending the entire day there, covering the entire refuge, some areas more than once...

MARCH 11 Our planned travels today were west again to the Brownsville landfill, a destination most experienced birders would understand. Conveniently, a second stop at Resaca de la Palma for another attempt to find that Tropical Parula which was still being reported regularly. Two hours of...

MARCH 10 Determined to find that elusive Hook-billed Kite, we started the day once again atop the tower in Santa Ana with nearly identical results as our first attempt. Gave that spot 95 minutes then left to quickly explore the Willow Lake area of that same refuge. On our way, a...

MARCH 9 Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge was just minutes away from the Alamo Inn. A sprawling place of over 2000 acres, there were many trails to explore and we intended to see most of them on this trip. However, we headed directly to the 43 foot observation tower for our first try at...

MARCH 8 An hour’s drive in the morning took us to Resaca de la Palma State Park, a few miles north of Brownsville. Our search here was for the Tropical Parula reported here on nearly a daily basis and the same species we missed in that private yard on our first day. A Rose-throated Becard was...

Salineno again.

More from Salineno.

MARCH 7 Leaving early enough to avoid the numerous school zones on Rt. 83, we arrived at Salineno Preserve before 7, getting close looks at a perched Green Kingfisher as left the car. Thankfully missing the Chachalaca chorus, this morning again there were birds aplenty to keep our bins from...

MARCH 6 Rising early, to the hoot of a Great Horned Owl, we left in the predawn hour, arriving in Salineno nearly an hour later, school zones and a missed turn hindering our progress. Our traveled path ended in the chilly, gravel parking lot of the Salineno Preserve, with Mexico again easily...

This belated report is in the hopes that some miracle allows those planning to visit the LRGV (Lower Rio Grande Valley) this spring can find some value in our only western US birding trip of 2020. Our time frame was chosen before COVID was even identified. We stuck to the schedule despite...

Since spring travel to CR seems unlikely for obvious reasons, we are considering a mid-summer trip also, after a five year hiatus. I will add to the voices that say you are likely going to spend as much time on the road as birding if you stick to the proposed schedule. IMHO, break down the...

That’s beyond any color variation I’ve heard of, not to mention the larger size and gray color. Even female cardinals have some red. Keep the camera handy! Steve