Gulf coast & lower RGV over Christmas (1 Viewer)

[dbradnum]

Hi all,

I'm heading out to Texas for the first time over Christmas, flying into Houston and then touring for 10 days. The plan is basically to bird our way south down the coast to the Rio Grande valley taking in as many species are possible, and then head back up the coast trying to fill in any gaps. I think we'll probably spend the majority of time down south, though, since there's more new birds for us there.

Obviously April and May are the most popular times to visit, and I'd certainly like to return then another year. However, I'd be very grateful for any tips or advice that people can offer about winter birding.

In particular:

-do we need to book up accommodation after the first night, in any particular areas? We're likely to use regular motel chains like best western, holiday inn etc, but would be good to know where we might run short on those
-any recommendations for great places to stay aside from motels, eg those run by birders or with good birding on site? Somewhere nice for Christmas would be good...
-what are the very best unmissable sites, the top five, say?
-are there any significant changes to any of the well known sites, for instance closures or access restrictions? We've got the latest ABA books for the valley and the coast, so hopefully these are pretty much up to date?
-given the likelihood of southern vagrants in the RGV, what are the best sources of current information online, for us to check before we leave, and while we're out there (rare bird alerts etc) ? The holiday's not really about twitching, but it's always good to see something unusual!

Hope someone can help out with these... If I think of any more questions I'll post back here.

Thanks,

 

[Steve Gross]

-do we need to book up accommodation after the first night, in any particular areas? We're likely to use regular motel chains like best western, holiday inn etc, but would be good to know where we might run short on those
-any recommendations for great places to stay aside from motels, eg those run by birders or with good birding on site? Somewhere nice for Christmas would be good...

I highly recommend the Alamo Inn, run by Keith Hackland, a birder. You'll get great information on what's about and the rooms are VERY reasonable. http://www.alamoinnsuites.com/

-what are the very best unmissable sites, the top five, say? This will depend on what's closed and what's open.

-are there any significant changes to any of the well known sites, for instance closures or access restrictions? We've got the latest ABA books for the valley and the coast, so hopefully these are pretty much up to date?

Check the Lower RGV RBA for the latest on site closures. Several of the best birding sites in the Valley are currently closed due to flooding. Here's the link for the RBA:

http://listserv.nethelps.com/main/wa.exe?A2=ind1010&L=texbirds&D=1&T=0&O=D&F=P&P=36386

-given the likelihood of southern vagrants in the RGV, what are the best sources of current information online, for us to check before we leave, and while we're out there (rare bird alerts etc) ? TEXBIRDS listserve is your best bet. The easiest way to view the posts is via www.birdingonthe.net Click on Regional/Specialty then Texas for the latest posts. Lurking on the site for a few weeks prior to your trip should set you up nicely.

Feel free to email me at sgross77 AT comcast DOT net for any additional help you might need. I'm happy to help.

 

[Microtus]

I second all of Steve's recommendations.

I just got back home from six days in the lower Rio Grande Valley, where I stayed once more at the Alamo Inn. I would make advance reservations if you are thinking about staying there; they can be cancelled 3 or more days in advance without penalty if I recall correctly. Recently I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Weslaco, and that was a perfectly fine place. An acquaintance stayed at The Inn at Chachalaca Bend in Los Fresnos (near Brownsville; http://www.chachalaca.com/) and loved it, but it is pricey.

Anzalduas County Park is closed, possibly to March or later. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge and Bentsen Rio-Grande State Park are currently closed, though the former's office and feeders are open. Resaca de la Palma is now up and running (http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/brownsville/); when the bird-finding guide went to press it was not yet operating. The birdfinding guides, especially the Rio Grande Valley one from 2008, are fairly up to date.

If you are thinking of visiting many state parks on your trip, you may want to consider buying a pass to the state parks system. It's $60, is good for one year, and you and up to 5 other people can get into each park with it (as long as it's not a commercial group). Individual admission is 4 or 5 dollars for each park. It is not valid in National Wildlife Refuges, most World Birding Centers, or other sanctuaries.

Feel free to pm me if you want more information.