Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge 1/6

Laguna Atascosa is 20 miles from Port Isabel but 35 minutes away.  The speed limit in the park is 25 mph and large speed bumps every 1/4 of a mile. This is to protect wildlife such as  ocelots which inhabit the scrubs. The photo blinds are roomy with birds coming to the seeds and water. We didn't stay long since Gunnar was getting a cold, low energy.

Green Jay

 Orange-crowned Warbler

 Long-billed Thrasher

Laguna Vista Walking Trail 1/6

Laguna Vista is a small open sky park 20 minutes from Port Isabel.  Laguna Vista is off of 100 and on the way to Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge. There is 3 blinds with water features that bring in birds. The Olive Sparrow was the highlight.

Olive Sparrow a SRGV Specialty

Long-billed Thrasher

Osprey surveying the park.

Mangrove Warblers and Mimosas 1-4

The Nemesis Bird of the last few years on the Island is the Mangrove Warbler.  We saw our first glance on a boat that was guided by Scarlet, the Dolphin Whisperer 6 years ago.  Last April we got our first photos after we followed the strong song similar to a Yellow Warbler. 

Today was the day!  The Birding Center was selling Mimosas as a fundraiser. So after the boardwalk, we bought our tickets for the pink drink.  At about the same time birders were in a frenzy when the pair of Mangrove Warblers showed up to see what was being served. We 

SPI Boardwalk Birding Continues 1-4

Green Herons, Roseate Spoonbills, Brown Pelicans, American Wigeons,Northern Pintails

Green Heron

Roseate Spoonbills

Brown Pelican

American Wigeons

 Northern Pintails

Pied-billed Grebe

South Padre Birding Center 1/4

It's good to be back in warm sunny South Padre and birding. The air was cool and the sun felt wonderful as we walked the boardwalk looking for waders. They did not disappoint.

Snowy Egret 

Common Egret Common Man

 Tricolored Heron

Golden-crowned Night Heron

White Ibis Juvenile

SPI Convention Center Hot Spot 11/10

The Birding Center and the Convention Center also provide water, rest and food for the migratory birds both in the fall and in the spring. Now we have experienced both here. Mike and Nancy were wonderful hosts on Port Isabel.  Thanks again.  We left the Island at 80 humid degrees and landed in Minneapolis at 18 degrees with high winds. OH MY!!!

    Black-throated Green Warbler

Tropical Kingbird

 Osprey flying over

Tricolored Heron at the Birding Center

SPI Our Last Days Here in November

South Padre Island has been very good for migrating Warblers and other songbirds.  We've enjoyed our time birding here in fall migration. We even checked out the Birding Festival in Harlingen and had the please to meet many birders and guides in our trip. These are from Sheepshead Street Land Fund Lots, a perfect place for migrators to rest and feed.

Rufus Hummingbird (1st this year)

                        










                       Summer Tanagers

Summer Tanager
first year male

 Nashville Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

Wood Pewee

Ruby-crowned Kinglet