Red-crowned Parrots

With this entry, I begin a series describing some of the places I have been birding in North America that I think anyone with an interest in birds would enjoy visiting.  Not only are these places incredibly birdy, they are also often wild, usually beautiful, and always memorable.

Since southern Texas is known for its magnificent birding locations, we focused on glamorous places like Bolivar Flats, Aransas, Santa Ana, and Laguna Atascosa when we were planning our trip there in the winter of 2010.  In the second week of the trip, we visited Bentsen State Park on a cold, rainy day.  Despite the weather, the birds were unbelievable, with Altamira Orioles, Green Jays, and Plain Chachalacas putting on a fantastic show.  However, we wanted more.  The day before a Rose-throated Becard (a Neotropical specialty) had been reported in the “Tropical Zone.”  We asked the local guides where that was, and they told us it was in Estero Llano Grande State Park, an entirely different park.  Eager to see the Becard, we hopped in the car and drove to Estero Llano.  Ironically, it was less than two miles from our hotel in Weslaco.  Since none of us had heard of it before (we had just skipped over it in the guide book), we weren’t expecting much.  We had intended to find the Becard and then leave immediately to visit other “more important” birding sites, but Estero Llano was astonishing!  Upon arriving, we were greeted by Green Kingfisher, Ringed Kingfisher, Least Grebe, Cinnamon Teal, American White Pelican, Black-shouldered Kite, Tropical Kingbird, Common Pauraque, Red-crowned Parrot, and Black-necked Stilt.  The birds were incredibly close and gave great views, and the scenery was absolutely fantastic.  We spent the rest of that day there and came back the next morning for more.  To this day, Estero Llano vies with the Dry Tortugas as my favorite birding spot in North America.  Sometimes I forget we never found the Rose-throated Becard.

Recently, Estero Llano has become a rarity hot spot and that does not surprise me at all.  So, if you are ever in Southern Texas birding or on vacation, visit Estero Llano Grande State Park.  You will not regret it.