TEXAS
Large numbers of North American birdwatchers have, for many years, made an annual early spring pilgrimage down to Texas. Indeed, those who have the time and resources often spend the whole winter there. The reason is simple – there are birds everywhere you look. Take, for example, the spectacle of hundreds of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, which line roadside wires. Fortunately, being such a huge state, this influx of birdwatchers does not impact on the environment, nor on our enjoyment. There is no difficulty in finding peaceful seclusion where there is no noise, save for the calls of enthusiastic songbirds establishing their spring territories.
The timing of a visit to Texas is critical. Too early and the summer visitors haven't arrived yet. Too late and the Whooping Cranes and numerous other winter visitors have departed. Get it just right, as we consistently have, and you experience the best of both worlds, with the added bonus of abundant passage migrants. A visit at this time is further enhanced by a pleasant spring climate, ahead of the scorching hot summer.
Having arrived at Houston on the first afternoon we will drive straight to our first base, Rockport. A small fishing town on the Gulf Coast just south of Aransas, Rockport will be our base for two nights.
Our hotel is near a large bay where Great Northern Divers, Black-necked Grebes, Roseate Spoonbills, Brown Pelicans, Reddish Egrets, Buffleheads, Lesser Scaup, Caspian Terns, Royal Terns and Black Skimmers can all be seen.
A boat trip from Rockport will take us into Aransas Bay. This shallow lagoon bordering the Blackjack Peninsula is the winter home to the world's only remaining wild Whooping Cranes. Down to a population of just fifteen birds in 1941, they are rigorously protected now and in 2006/07 the entire world population of 237 wild birds wintered here. We can expect to see several family parties just prior to their migration to breeding grounds in Canada's NW Territories.
From Rockport we will head down to the Rio Grande Valley and the town of McAllen, our base for the next four nights.
On day four we will spend a full day at Santa Anna NWR, one of the top birding sites in the southern USA. On arrival at the visitors' centre we will find Great Kiskadees calling raucously from the tree tops. An Altamira Oriole will probably be the second colourful bird to greet us. Nearby, a short wait by some red-flowering shrimp plants should produce the smart Buff-bellied Hummingbird. Previous visits here have yielded hundreds of Broad-winged Hawks and smaller numbers of Swainson’s Hawks and Mississippi Kites. Walking along trails to the various lakes we should chance upon more birds including Pied-billed Grebe, Little Blue Heron, Sora Rail, White-faced Ibis, Black-bellied and Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Black-necked Stilt and Common Yellowthroat.
Our second full day in the area will be spent at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park. Species which can be seen here include Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Green Jay, Northern Cardinal, Bronzed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird and Altamira Oriole. At dusk the Common Pauraque, a long-tailed nightjar, can be watched giving its distinctive territorial call. On past visits Elf Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl and Great Horned Owl have all been seen. One year we even saw a Bobcat and a Striped Skunk!
Our third day here will be spent at various other excellent sites in the area. At Anzalduas State Park rare Mexican specialities turn up with some regularity. We have regularly seen Tropical Parula, Grey Hawk, Rose-throated Becard and Clay-coloured Thrush in the area.
On day seven we will visit Falcon Reservoir, a huge wetland created by the damming of the river. Chihuahuan Ravens, Harris's Hawks, Great-tailed Grackles, Black Vultures, Loggerhead Shrikes and Red-winged Blackbirds abound. The beautiful Scissor-tailed Flycatcher is very common.
In riparian woodland near the dam we will get a taste of 'Mexican' birding. Southern species such as Plain Chachalaca, White-tipped Dove, Couch's Kingbird, Green Jay, Long-billed and Curve-billed Thrasher and Pyrrhuloxia are all common, while we also have a good chance of finding Brown Jay, Red-billed Pigeon and Hook-billed Kite. Kingfishers provide one of the highlights, with Belted, Green and the huge Ringed all likely to be seen.
In the afternoon of day seven we will leave Falcon Dam, and drive to Neal’s Lodge, our base for the next three nights.
Our base in the Edward’s Plateau is Neal's Lodge in the village of Concan. Situated in a beautiful spot on the Frio River, birds are abundant about the lodge's 300-acre grounds. We shall be greeted by some of the most pleasant scenery in Texas – wooded limestone hills, the crystal clear waters of the river and clear blue skies (hopefully!). We shall spend a full day exploring the numerous trails around the grounds, in search of Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, White-winged and Inca Doves, Greater Roadrunner, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Scrub Jay, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Vermilion Flycatcher, Black-crested Titmouse, Cedar Waxwing, Nashville and Yellow-throated Warblers, Canyon Towhee, Rufous-crowned and Black-throated Sparrows and Lesser Goldfinch.
Our second full day here will be spent at Lost Maples County Park, just a short drive north. Not only is this a very scenic spot, it is also home to the two most sought-after birds of the area, the Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo. The former is fairly easy to find once the distinctive song is learnt. The latter is rather elusive, but should not present too much difficulty as we have plenty of time in this area.
Before we leave we will pay a visit to the Concan Bat Cave, a short drive from Neal's Lodge. At dusk a swirling mass of bats – 13 million Brazilian Free-taileds to be precise – can be watched emerging from the entrance, where they are targetted by hawks and falcons. A Ring-tail Cat often hangs around the entrance of the cave.
HIGH ISLAND
On day ten we will drive to Winnie, our final destination. Here we will spend our last four nights, searching for migrants on High Island as well as visiting nearby Anahuac, Bolivar Flats and Big Thicket National Preserve.
High Island is separated from the mainland by an extensive area of marshland and the Intercoastal Waterway, and is connected by an impressive causeway and bridge. Here, a visit to Boy Scout Woods can be a fascinating experience. Given the right conditions the woods will be alive with brightly coloured warblers, tanagers, orioles and flycatchers.
At Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, extensive coastal marshes hold good numbers of herons, ducks, rails and waders. No less than seven American Bitterns performed here on one visit. In addition we can hope for Least Bittern, American Purple Gallinule, Tricoloured Heron, Hudsonian Godwit, White Ibis, Eastern Kingbird, Boat-tailed Grackle and Alligators….
Bolivar Flats will provide perhaps our most spectacular birdwatching of the holiday. A carefully timed visit should reveal myriad waders retreating on an incoming tide; thousands of American Avocets, with good numbers of Willet, Marbled Godwit, Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin and Western Sandpiper. Four ringed plovers can be seen – Semi-palmated, Wilson's, Snowy and the rare Piping Plover.
Heading inland to the Big Thicket National Preserve, pine forests and cypress swamps hold various exciting birds. Pine Warblers, Eastern Bluebirds, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cedar Waxwing, Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Swainson's and Hooded Warblers and Bachman's Sparrow may all be seen.
Breakfast will be taken at about 7.00am most mornings, slightly later following a pre-breakfast walk or if the previous day has been tiring. Basic fitness is all that is required. Full days will be spent in the field and short/medium length walks will be undertaken regularly. There will be a little gentle uphill walking in the Edwards Plateau, done at a leisurely pace.
Full-board accommodation is provided, with two nights at the Best Western, Rockport, four nights at the Drury Inn, McAllen, three nights at Neal's Lodge, Concan, and four nights at the Winnie Inn near High Island. All rooms are very spacious and have en suite bathrooms. Packed lunches will be taken every day.
PRICE INCLUDES …..
All birdwatching excursions with expert leader, full-board accommodation, soft drinks at meal times, local transport by mini-bus, reserve entrance fees, flight to Houston, and flight and airport taxes.
Cost of travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry, etc.
Return flight from London Gatwick to Houston, using the scheduled services of British Airways. Outbound flight departs mid-morning, return flight arrives back late morning. Shuttle flights are available on this tour for £70 return (due at time of booking), from Manchester and other regional airports.
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14 nights including one overnight flight:
Principal leader:
Maximum group size:
Cost with discount (if you book before 10th February 2008):
Full Cost:
Single supplement:
Deposit:
Insurance premium:
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29th March to 12th April 2008
Phil Palmer
9 clients with one leader
£2295 per person sharing
£2445 per person sharing
£330
£300
£73 due at time of booking (£110 for age 65 to 69) (£146 for age 70 and over)
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