Just when the fall neotropical bird migration seemed to be over, a few more birds have shown up on the migration hotspot known as South Padre Island.
These included a very nice Black-throated Gray Warbler. To give an idea of how rare this bird is, the one in the photo is only the 3rd Black-throated Gray I’ve seen and second that I’ve managed to photograph.
This is such a dapper looking warbler.
Black-throated Gray Warblers breed in dry juniper and oak woodlands in the west.
There were also several more regularly occurring species present such as Black-throated Green Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Gray Catbird, and the first big waves of Yellow-rumped Warblers.
I also saw and was pleased to photograph a beautiful little Northern Parula,
The Northern Parula is one of the smaller warbler species.
A truly beautiful little bird!
and a female Wilson’s Warbler.
Female Wilson’s Warbler
Late fall species like Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Eastern Phoebe were also in evidence.
Always great to get a good photo of the hyperactive Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
The Eastern Phoebe is one of the hardier flycatcher species.
As with several sites in the lower Rio Grande Valley, it was also a nice day for waterbirds. I couldn’t pass up getting some shots of a gorgeous Reddish Egret in action.
Texas is one of the best places to see the Reddish Egret.
Reddish Egrets are graceful in flight too.
By now, I would be surprised to run into more fall migrants but there should be a lot more winter species arriving any day now.