Dodgy warbler photography

One of the main attractions of Texas for a birding holiday was the glittering array of north American wood-warblers that pass through in spring – surely one of the most attractive families of birds in the world. We weren’t disappointed, with great views of a wide variety of species along the coast at well-known sites like Boy Scout Wood, Smith Oaks, Sabine Woods and South Padre Island. However, at all of these, photography was pretty challenging: warblers are almost constantly on the move, through dense vegetation, shaded from very strong sunlight!

Fortunately, one of the species I particularly wanted to see showed very well at South Padre Island: Northern Parula. The first two images are of a female, while the third looks like an adult male, complete with eyeliner!

Other species were not quite so obliging, but they’re such superb birds, I feel compelled to show you the photos anyway!

American Redstart – stunning!

Bay-breasted Warbler – one of the scarcer species at High Island

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Magnolia Warbler – although this shot doesn’t do it justice, this was probably my favourite Dendroica

Prothonotary Warbler – we completely missed these on coastal passage, but found one easily in a breeding area inland

Yellow-throated Warbler – several times I picked this species up by song, sounding a bit like a Willow Warbler

OK, not a warbler… but White-eyed Vireos were another regularly seen (and even more regularly heard) passerine while warbler-hunting

 

And finally, one more warbler and one more vireo: this time, speciality breeding birds in the Hill Country. The entire world breeding population  of Golden-cheeked Warbler (estimated at just 21,000 individuals) lies within the boundaries of Texas, dependant on habitat rich in ashe juniper and live oaks. Walking the East Trail at Lost Maples, we had no trouble finding at least 10 singing males, some showing pretty well (though again, better to watch than photograph!)

Also at Lost Maples, we found a pair of Black-capped Vireos on the plateau. These birds favour dense scrubby bushes with scattered trees, and although vocal, tend to remain hard to see. They’re thought to be even rarer than the Golden-cheeks, with a world population of 8,000 individuals breeding from Texas into Mexico.

One good tern…

…deserves several more. Following on from yesterday’s Royal extravaganza, here are some more Texan terns. First up, something familiar from home: Sandwich Terns.

Another familiar bird from Europe, but one I wasn’t really expecting to see in good numbers on the coast: we came across several groups of 50+ Black Terns, pausing on their northward migration. Individual birds could be found in just about any state of moult between full winter and full summer plumage… this one is at the former end of the scale.

We also came across a few Least Terns, with birds showing particularly well off the jetty at Quintana. The light was very harsh during the middle of the day, which made it difficult to get good sharp photos, especially of predominantly white birds!

And finally, something very unfamiliar, a bird that I’d been really keen to see: Black Skimmer. They proved to be pretty widespread and easily seen along the coast. The most showy and approachable birds were at Rockport beach, where you can drive alongside them.

A Royal occasion

No, not that Royal occasion – there’s more than enough web space wasted on devoted to today’s events in London already! Staunch Republicans can read on in safety.

In Texas we encountered Royal Terns all along the coast, frequently showing very well in nice light for photography. Suzanne will testify that I spent quite some time enjoying them… but I think the results are worth it! These were taken in Rockport and Port Aransas.