Tweeters,

Some good birds have recently shown up in the lower Rio Grand Valley.
This convinced my Montana brother, who has a hefty NA list, to meet me
in Brownsville Saturday. The targets were

GREATER FLAMINGO
YELLOW-GREEN VIREO
BLACK-HEADED NIGHTINGALE THRUSH
GRAY-CROWNED YELLOWTHROAT

We checked out the infamous Brownsville dump last Christmas and were
told that the Tamaulipas (Mexican) Crow was no longer being seen there.
A pair nested this year on a large tower at the Brownsville airport and
they were still hanging around, plus a single at a local golf course.

The Flamingo was fairly close to HWY. 48. It was big and pink. We're
hoping this ends up being considered a wild bird.

At Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary a singing Gray-crowned Yellowthroat
finally got up high enough to be seen.

The Black-headed Nightingale Thrush proved to be a very cooperative and
charming performer. He made his scheduled bath appearance within a
minute of the expected time.
Entering the stage from the rear, he hopped back and forth on a large
eye level branch, cocking his head at the audience and eventually taking
his bath as the strobe lights flashed.
I believe that if this bird gets accepted it will be an A.B.A. NA first.

Bagging Clay-colored Robin at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, but
missing the Yellow-green Vireo, we headed up river to the El Rio RV park
in Chapeno. With sunset approaching we were thrilled to discover that
the birder's blind building was available for the evenings shelter. It
is bargain priced, has a flush toilet, will sleep eight plus, and
includes a free mouse in every room. Brown Jay and Red-billed Pigeon
presented themselves without much of a struggle, but Muscovy (Daffy)
Duck didn't give up easily.

Wanting a clean sweep, we continued the pursuit of Yellow-green Vireo at
Sabal Palm, which is close to the airport. It was our third visit and
we were running out of time. It came down to one last sweep through the
area where the birds had been heard and seen. With only 100 feet to the
boardwalk and, "We give up, lets get to the airport", Mike caught the
movement of a yellowish green Red-eyed Vireo looking bird beating a grub
against a tree branch.

My, my, what birding drama.

If anyone wants to make this long trip I would be glad to give them more
info.

Good birding,

Larry Schwitters
Issaquah