BirdWalker
South Texas Day One on Wednesday, April 20, 2005, Led by Steve Shunk, Paradise Birding
Photos by Bill Walker
Trip Notes

Arrived at McAllen airport around 3:18pm. By 3:54pm, trip member Dolores had already gotten her first life bird of the trip (Great-tailed grackle) while on the way to the Best Western in Harlingen. We stopped there only briefly, then ran down to Laguna Atascosa NWR for picnic supper and birding. It was really wonderful to see so many of the highlight birds right away on the first day.

Mammals: mexican ground squirrel, collared peccary.

Trip Map
49 Species at Laguna Atascosa NWR, TX
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
White Ibis
Got this pretty sharp flight shot as a whole group flew past.
Roseate Spoonbill
Flew right overhead, but could not get the autofocus lens to cooperate. This was the best shot in the group.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
Pandionidae (Osprey)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
Greater Roadrunner
A great look, the bird was only 20 or 30 feet away. It raised and lowered its crest. The blue on its face was clearly visible while it foraged out in the open.
Strigidae (Owls)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
Common Nighthawk
Flew right overhead, a great look at its white wing markings.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
Laniidae (Shrikes)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
Clay-colored Thrush
not a good look
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
Sturnidae (Starlings)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
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