I had another great morning in spite of the precipitous drop in temperature. After a humid 83 degree day that felt like Michigan in summer, we had a cool, crisp, windy day with temperatures in the 40's most of the day.
This morning I returned to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley campus to look for the Social Flycatcher. I was without a guide, but not without help. I made some new friends, reconnected with some old friends and together we found the bird after two hours of searching. When we first located it, the flycatcher was calling softly and partially hidden behind some trees. Eventually, the bird lived up to its name. He flew right in front of us and posed for photos, a social flycatcher indeed!
The Social Flycatcher is common further south, but is rare in North America. It is a Code 5 bird on the American Birding Association scale. This is the code reserved for birds seen 3 or fewer times in the last 30 years.
My total count for the year is still unimpressive at 116. However, I have seen two code 5 birds and 2 code 4 birds which makes for a sensational first week of the year.
After a two hour drive north, I am ready to see Whooping Cranes tomorrow.
Social Flycatcher, the fourth of the four rarities currently in the Rio Grande Valley
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Sometimes the ugly duckling grows up to be a beautiful duck!
Muscovy Duck
Other times, the duck just has a great personality.
White-tailed Kite
Rarely do I wish I was someone else. Today I wish I was Teddy Roosevelt. Bully for you Mark. Stay safe. Mike T