We've been there three times and have some suggestions. They're in caps.

----- Original Message -----

Hello Tweets,

I am making my first birding trip to southernmost Texas the first week of April. Two quick questions:

1. Any general suggestions are welcome. I picked up a copy of "A Birder's Guide to the Rio Grande Valley" and I am an habitual eBird researcher. NEED TO VISIT THE STATE PARKS LIKE ESTERO LLANO GRANDE AND BENTSEN PLUS THE NWR'S LIKE SANTA ANA. THEY ALL HAVE GUIDED WALKS THAT GET THE LOCAL SPECIALTIES PLUS INFO AND TIPS ON OTHER PLACES TO GO. TALK; EVERYBODY WANTS TO HELP. GET THE BIRDING TRAIL MAPS. SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, ESPECIALLY THE CONVENTION CENTER, THE BIRDING CENTER, AND SHEEPSHEAD PROPERTIES CAN ALL BE HOT. AND THE SABAL PALM PRESERVE. LAGUNA ATASCOSA NWR IS PRETTY GOOD BUT BECAUSE OF OCELOT CONCERNS TRAMS ARE THE ONLY VEHICLE ACCESS. THEY CAN POINT OUT THE APLOMODO FALCON HACKING SITES. WE ALSO HEAD UP TO ARANSAS. IF THEY ARE STILL AROUND, CAPT. TOMMY'S CRUISE IS WONDERFUL. EVEN WITHOUT THE CRANES THE TOUR TO ROOKERIES AND NESTING ISLANDS IS FUN. ALSO, TEXANS ARE PROTECTIVE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY, DON'T TRESSPASS.

2. Should I hire a guide for my first day (or 2?). I did in Arizona last year and it got me off to a great start (props to Lauren Halsey). Does it help as much in south Texas? Any recommendations on a guide? WE USED A GUIDE, THROUGH CAPT TOMMY AND IT WAS VERY HELPFUL. BUT, AT LEAST FOR US ALL THE BIRDERS WE RAN INTO WERE REALLY HELPFUL.

Thanks, and back to your fasciculated duck, which will probably be gone before I can get there on Saturday.
--
Rick Tyler

?P.S. Falcated, from "falcate" meaning hooked or curved like a sickle.



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