Falcon

We left the lower Rio Grande and went a little further north west to an area adjacent to the Falcon dam. This was an area again that was identified as a good birding location.

Enroute we saw another World birding Site and we stopped for a quick investigation. Not many birds there however it was interesting stop nonetheless. Butterflies were a highlight buzzing the many flowers and it was interesting architecture in the surrounding streets.

We stayed at the Falcon State Park. And it was excellent. Good facilities, power and water for $20. We saw Javelinas [Peccaries] almost straight away so this was a good omen.

The following morning I marched to the main feeder area to try to get a few good birds easy. I had been told that Bobwhites were easy here and that Scaled Quail were a possibility. The Bird host warned that the Scaled quail had not been seen for a while but admitted that the bobwhite were a little temperamental however a pretty good bet – usually arriving about 8am.

I staked it out for a few hours from 7 until 9. However no quails! Slightly annoyed I went for coffee. Literally arriving at my RV I heard the call of ‘Bob-white’. Now this was not someone announcing that they had arrived it was the birds themselves. I raced back to be told that the birds had indeed arrived just after I left and had subsequently left. I never saw them. And there would be no opportunities as we travelled further west. I contemplated staying another night but I thought that it may be pushing the friendship if I further extended at a place that lacked fast food, bowling alleys or amusement parks.

Now I did see some excellent birds here. I got my lifers of Pyroloxia, Cactus Wren and some mammals, Desert Cottontail and Javelinas. The feeders also hosted some of the other regular Rio Grande specials; Green Jay, Kiskadee, Thrashers, Olive sparrow, Golden fronted and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers. Cardinals were abundant here as were Orange crowned Warblers and Kinglets of the Ruby-crowned variety. Red-winged Blackbirds were abundant and among their droves was the odd Brown-headed Cowbird. Roadrunners ran around the road impressing even those with no interest in birds whatsoever.

The night was beautiful here. And in the early evening the moon was full and rose bloated and yellow against the darkening sky. Holidays are good.

Another spot just south of Falcon State Park had us visiting another little village xxxx. They had a sanctuary area between the village and the Rio Grande. Feeders, which are the norm here attracted a host of species including a particularly special bird and a lifer for me, Audubon’s Oriole. It is a beautiful yellow Oriole with a black head. It was wary too and I was unable to get a photo. Still it was great to add another life bird to my list.

It was here too that while we were birding we heard the none-so-subtle noise of the Border Patrol boats cruising by. While we were parked we were visited by a 4wd Border Patrol vehicle and, perhaps ironically, they were very welcoming; urging us to enjoy our visit to Texas. Perhaps they knew as we did that we didn’t really want to stay forever.