Birding in strange locations

We keep seeing new birds. We don’t know if they are slowly changing as winter begins to end in the Gulf or if we are just getting lucky. But to see the Tamaulipas Crow we had to venture to what I don’t exactly consider a lucky space. Living almost exclusively in Mexico, it only reaches the very southern tip of Texas in the winter. To see it here, we had to visit the Brownsville Landfill, and mention the code words “We’re here to see the crow” to the guard at the scales.

There were other birds here as well, but were not recommending it as a first-choice birding location. You have to dodge equipment at work, and the aroma leaves much to be desired. However, we did get a special bonus above and beyond the Tamaulipas Crow. Several Crested Caracara appeared to also enjoy whatever it is that draws the crows to this interesting location.

We’re pretty sure we saw a Grey Hawk. In our almost daily visits somewhere we spotted some American White Pelicans. We’ve spotted Blue Winged Teal, and at least one Least Grebe. At the SPI Birding Center yesterday we finally spotted a Snowy Egret. We had been looking for one each time we visited, and finally were rewarded.

We also found a new bird – new to us – that we probably saw before but thought they were a sea gull. The Black Skimmer has a distinctive bright orange ring around where its beak attaches to its head. When hunting for lunch, it dives down hovering over the water, dipping its bill in the water and skimming for fish. I can only imagine that is where its name originated. What fun they are to watch!

Who knows what we will see tomorrow!

Talk to you soon!