Subject: [Tweeters] 1st USA Amazon Kingfisher in Laredo, TX
Date: Jan 31 14:15:00 2010
From: FRANK BROWN - franklauriebrown at msn.com





> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:02:39 -0600
> From: rcdelg at SBCGLOBAL.NET
> Subject: [texbirds] Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau
> To: texbirds at LISTS.TEXBIRDS.ORG
>
> January 28, 2010-- Laredo welcomes a rare and special visitor that birders have identified as a female Amazon Kingfisher. She comes with an entourage of passionate admirers and paparazzi and these too are welcome visitors this week in what has been said to be the only U.S. sighting of this type of bird. According to Wikipedia, it is a resident breeding bird in the lowlands of the American tropics from southern Mexico south through Central America to northern Argentina.
>
> The fact that she is this far north is truly something that visitors have reported to be something worth seeing. According to reports from various sources in the field, Laredo has people in from: Canada, Montana, California, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. Additionally, visitors have been reported to be in Laredo from all throughout Texas including the Lower Rio Grande Valley area.
>
> "The City of Laredo is mobilizing to make the birding experience in Laredo the best that it can be; some of our creek and river vega areas are littered and we are taking active, yet sensitive steps in cleaning up and making it presentable for all of our visitors, feathered or otherwise. Additionally, we have increased police patrols to deter crime in this area and to make sure that our visitors feel safe and leave with a sense of security to return in the near future," stated Mayor Raul G. Salinas, an avid supporter of the tourism industry in Laredo. "I welcome the birders and anything that we can do to assist with information on where to stay and the good places to eat while in town, estamos aqui para servirles."
>
> The City of Laredo is taking the following steps to ensure a safe and positive viewing experience:
>
> ? Monitoring the area for debris and litter pick by hand and taking into account the sensitivity of the viewing area
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> ? Extra police vigilance in the area to assist with visitor concerns and deter crime
>
> ? Addressing basic site needs such as providing complimentary bottled water and a "welcoming committee"
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> ? Ordering and placing temporary portable toilets in proximity of the viewing area
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> ? Promotion of access to parking lots in proximity to viewing area and etiquette
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>
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> Viewing area:
>
> West side of Zacate Creek with access through historical Azteca neighborhood from Market Street or from the East along Justo Penn Park and Las Palmas nature trail (take upper section at mid trail)
>
> Viewing etiquette:
>
> It has been advised by the local birding club, the Monte Mucho Audubon Society, that it is best to stay high up on the creek banks. Keep cell phones and radios to a minimum, tolerable tone. Loud displays or sudden movement will be frowned by fellow birders. Entering the lower trail area and the lower creek bed will be disruptive to the habitat and to the viewers that are perched atop a small bluff area just west of Zacate Creek close to the water and sewer treatment plant. Viewers are encouraged to stay in this area.
>
> With combined efforts from the City of Laredo and Monte Mucho Audubon, some portions of the lower creek trail and a small area with the where the creek & river intersect will be partitioned off with some form of tape or rope. Please respect these boundaries and do not go beyond these areas.
>
> Driving directions from IH 35 to three distinct parking areas:
>
> Please note that streets are narrow in this part of town and large recreational vehicles and even vehicles with hitched trailers will have difficulty maneuvering through some of the neighborhood streets.
>
> 1. South bound IH35 service road, will turn into Santa Ursula
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> 2. Stay to the left hand side, just two blocks before the bridge head for the international crossing
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> 3. Turn left on Farragut Street
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> 4. Cross over 35 and proceed east to San Eduardo Street,
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> 5. turn right and proceed 2 blocks to Market then 5 blocks to San Pablo
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> A. Lot 1 approx. ? of a mile from viewing area:
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> A1. Turn right onto San Pablo Street from Market
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> A2. At Water Street turn left, ends at a public parking lot
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> A3. Space for approx 8 regular vehicles and 1 handicap accessible spot
>
>
>
> B. Lot 2 approx 1/8 mile from the viewing area:
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> B1. Turn right on San Eugenio Street from Market, go one block
>
> B2. Turn left on Ventura Street, go until you get to cul de sac
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> B3. To the right side of cul de sac, there is a dirt entrance to a vacant sandlot
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> Space for approx. 20 vehicles
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>
>
> C. Open lot below international bridge II, approx. a 1 mile hike on semi-rough terrain from the viewing area, but has lots of parking:
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> C1. From South bound IH 35, stay on right hand lane of service road that will turn into Santa Ursula
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> C2. Follow Santa Ursula to a down ramp referred to as the connector and initiate a u-turn at the end of the ramp
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> C3. Enter large lot to the south of the ramp and continue the east edge
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> C4. Park anywhere at the edge of the concrete lot closest to the grassy flat area and access to the opening or start of Las Palmas trail, about mid way through the trail look for a fork on the right that takes you to higher ground to access the bluff viewing area.
>
> With combined efforts from the City of Laredo and Monte Mucho Audubon, some portions of the lower creek trail and a small area with the where the creek & river intersect will be partitioned off with some form of tape or rope. Please respect these boundaries and do not go beyond these areas.
>
> TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds