As per an eBird report, flamingos were being seen in Corpus Christi, Texas due to displacement by a hurricane. Then an anonymous birder reported seeing a flamingo around October 15 at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, however, many of us never saw that report for some reason. On Sunday, October 22, two more eBird reports from local birders (Evan and Justin) indicated that a flamingo was seen late that evening.
Author: Justin Case
Working with South Texas Border Chapter (STBC) Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) members on our chapter project at the Vannie Cook Children’s Cancer Center in McAllen has been a rewarding experience for me over the many years since we first began the project. I’ve expressed in presentations how it brought chapter members together for a common goal – the renewal and beautification of the atriums for the children who receive cancer treatment. Since our volunteer hours usually occur when the center is closed, chapter members rarely have in-person interaction with the children or staff members we serve.
South Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalist Robert “Zeke” Schmidt was awarded first place in the Student Photography Contest (high school division) at the 30th annual Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival held November 8-12, 2023 in Harlingen.
While we do see some early migratory songbirds in July, it doesn’t quite feel like things are moving much until early August with the arrival of large numbers of Yellow Warblers. Their little chip notes fill the air of change. By mid-August a few more species started to show up at the SPI Birding Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary (SPIBNCAS).
I have some Bailey’s ball moss (Tillandsia baileyi) in my backyard that I enjoy tremendously. Some were given to me by friends while others I picked up at either festivals or events and meetings that were part of both the Texas Master Naturalist program and the Native Plant Project. I have had them for several years now and am always amazed when they are in bloom. Their delicate, tiny flowers in hues of blue and violet, are always a nice surprise and joy to behold.
For many years, I have sought out opportunities to experience, firsthand, the dance of the male Bronzed Cowbird. His dance involves vocalizations and a series of postures, ruffling of feathers, and an impressive hovering and helicoptering flight pattern above a female Bronzed Cowbird. The sole purpose of all this is to catch the eye (and favor) of a potential mate. He delivers quite an aerial spectacle to impress her with an unbelievable flight performance comprised of rapid-fire, fast moving wing beats that lift him up off the ground, a mere foot or so, directly above her.