Jan 9, 10 & 11

Updated: Jan 23, 2022

I didn't mean for the suspense I promised to last for three days, but I did not have access to Wifi. Here is a quick recap with some pictures.

My target for January 9 was the Morrelet's Seedeater. This little bird with an unusually thick beak is very uncommon in the USA, and when seen, it is almost always in the a little town on the Rio Grande called Salineno. I saw the bird (Yay!) but did not get the photo (Boo!). However, the birds I was able to photgraph were much more colorful.

I left Salineno mid morning for a 550 mile drive to Big Bend National Park. I arrived late in the evening and for the first time on my trip, I did not set an alarm. This proved costly as most of the birds in the park are most active around dawn.

I have used all the different types of clothes I brought with me. Last week I was in humid mid-80's summer-type weather. I started today in mountains wearing my winter coat and hat in freezing temperatures. After a half hour drive down to lower elevations in the desert it was at least 30 degrees warmer.

This morning I was on the trails of Big Bend before dawn and saw most of my targets. Then I drove 280 miles north to New Mexico (and Wifi!).

I will be in the field a half hour before dawn tomorrow in search of a blue mockingbird, This is another ultra rare bird in our country. Only a handful of them have been recorded here. This particular bird has been in the area since early December and makes very brief appearances in deep vegetation around dawn at a predictable location.

I will start the day with 145 birds on my list for the year.

The DeWind feeders in Salineno are legendary. For years, Pat and Gail Dewind rolled out the red(ish) carpet and welcomed birds and birders to their yard behind their trailer. They sold the property to the Valley land Fund. Volunteers carry on the tradition, The next three photos were taken at these feeders.