Today's South Texas birding effort started with temperatures in the low 40s with clouds, wind and hint of drizzle. Even so, I think I'll take that over the 101 degree heat that South Texas typically has to offer.
I had massive Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park completely to myself with the exception of a few park employees, the birds and some rogue javelinas.
The javelinas really like the orange peels the birds knock to the ground. Unfortunately, some of the javelinas are chasing the folks who fill the feeders, prompting some of the feeders to be shut down for now. None of them - the javelinas or the park employees - challenged me to a race on the bicycle I rented which is good because they all probably would have won. It was a crummy bike but, it saved me from having to walk about 4 miles this morning.
In all, I observed 70 species today with 36 new for 2025. The first lifer of 2025 was this Common Pauraque. Similar to a Whippoorwill, it sleeps by day and hunts by night. Had the park ranger not been kind enough to point it out, I would never have found it.
The ranger also pointed out a McCall's Eastern Screech Owl. See if you can spot the owl the way I had to looking through 30 yards of tangled undergrowth.
Another super find was the Audubon's Oriole. This is the first time I have seen one. I have only ever heard one previously.
And, while not a lifer, this is my best photo opportunity with a Gray Hawk. Normally, I just get a fleeting glimpse as they soar quickly above the trees. This one is sporting fashionable bird bands.
Today's effort moves the January YTD total to 158 which exceeds last January's previous best of 152.
Oh, and the owl? It's perched in the fork of the tree.
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