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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hamhed" data-source="post: 3159401" data-attributes="member: 70825">Wednesday 24thOur new friend, Keith, had mentioned the bird walk and Huck Hutchens, the leader of that walk, as not to be missed.  Arriving at the same time as Keith and well before the walk began at 8, we joined a crowd of about 15 birders, a testament to Huck’s popularity.  Before we took our first steps however from the large, protected viewing area at the park office, a decent list was generated by the gathering birders.  Numerous species of ducks and other waterbirds made the bulk of the immediate list; there would be 31 by the end of the trip, including the only Canvasback for our time in the LRGV.  A few highlights for the morning walk included Cinnamon Teal, both Black and Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, our first White-tailed Kite of the trip, one distant Peregrine Falcon, Black-necked Stilt, two roosting Common Pauraques, a Screech Owl (we were told it was a “McCall’s” race) in a nest box, a few Tree swallows and some hefty Bronzed Cowbirds at the seed feeder.  In the Tropical Zone, a sort of extension of the morning walk, a Summer Tanager and an Altamira Oriole were found feeding on a fruiting tree.  No real rarities but a total of 79 species with a good cross section of what Estero has to offer in December.  The weather was pleasant, in the mid 60’s, though breezy, a condition in south Texas that seemed to be permanent.  That breeze was even a bigger factor when we walked on top of flood control levee on the far side of the Park.  Groove-billed Anis had been reportedly been seen on the grassy slopes of the levee.  We found out later a long, exposed walk to an area near a trailer park was necessary but it was not a target bird for us so we did not give it too much effort.  The water in the lee of the levee’s held a number of White Pelicans and a few sheltering ducks and wading birds.  Scoping good looks at individuals was difficult in the buffeting wind.We spent the entire day there, covering almost the whole of the park twice in our search for Virginia Rail and the Tyrannulet.  We finished the day in the Tropical Zone, site of an old trailer park, wandering about somewhat lost but never far from getting back on track.  Just about to leave when Huck heard the Tyrannulet call, alerted us via the office and with Keith we rushed back to Huck’s location.  The day ended with 45 minutes of fruitless searching and three tired birders heading for the parking lot.It seems “Estero Llano Grande” can be translated as “estuary of a large treeless plain”.  Hmmm - I’m not sure that is a good description for the park but whatever they chose to call it, the birding is non-stop there.</blockquote>

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