Trip to Laredo, Texas--this last week

[fouram]

On Saturday, just North of Pecos, Texas saw a whole "herd" of Pinyon Jays on the side of the road--a "lifer" for me, next--just south of Fort Sanderson, same day, another "lifer" for me--an "Acorn Woodpecker" noticeable by the large white wing patches as he flew--parallel to the highway. Next new to me--although not with wings --I assume an "extended family" of ?peccaries? at least 30 of them along the side of the road and ranging from hand size---seemingly---to over 85 lbs --40 kilo's--what they were feeding on??--next time I promise to charge my camera batteries BEFORE I head south!!!

[murraybrown]

Nice to get paid while highway birding, fouram! The Pinyon is one of those birds that never seems to be in the same place that I am. I have tried for it unsuccessfully several times.
Heading for southern Cal. again in a few weeks. Maybe this time will be lucky.

Murray

[tmanson]

Fouram: Good lifer birds. I know quite a few birders, who head south occasioanally, who are still looking for their lifer Pinyon Jay.
Next time your down Texas way, maybe you can corral a Montezuma Quail for me, and tell it to stay put until I get there!!; ( talking about lifer birds ). Cheers, Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[Dave]

Great sightings, fouram! Some of us take road trips for vacations, not for our jobs! I am another one who has never seen a Pinyon Jay. Peccaries would be an interesting addition to my mammal list as well! (A list I should start someday).
Of interest, Murray, I will be in the San Diego area Dec. 26 to Jan . 4 I am not on a "birding trip" exactly, but do plan to sneak some birding in, of course! Pinyon Jay would sure be welcome, but I will be too close to the coast most likely, and the nature of the trip does not allow for too much "rearranging" of locations. As we are in the heart of San Diego, Mission Bay will be well birded! Maybe it's time for my life Clapper Rail or Snowy Plover?

Dave Beeke

murraybrown said:

Heading for southern Cal. again in a few weeks.

Murray

[fouram]

Thor--I AM going to go down with fully charged batteries next time, I have a picture that I want to put up--with regards to a "National Birding Site" located on the road from El Paso, Texas, to Laredo--I believe the little town is called --El Rio?--I will get a pic of the sign. I will certainly "try" and see if I can get pictures of a Montezuma--and will have to sort of stop in likely looking areas--I fI can find out what they were---I alsosaw a "Crow" looking bird----it HAD to be a Corvid!--however it had quite a large patch of white on it??--I seem to remember--(as I flew past at 125 KMH) that it had some white near the head, neck??--will see if I can get that guy--as they seemed to be common around the Rio Grande--which I cross any number of times---noticeably absent were any Roadrunners--never saw a one--I hope that my next trip down is a little more leisurely!---Al

[tmanson]

Fouram: I was being a little tongue-in-cheek in reference to the Montezuma Quail; only because I have found this bird very difficult to find, even when using the services of a professional guide!!. From what I have been told, and what I have read, in Texas, they can be found in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.
In reference to your black and white corvid, could you perhaps be referring to a Black Phoebe? They would be on the smallish size for a crow, but are definitely black and white, and, are almost always found by water. They are pretty regular in the area you are referring to . Maybe the town you are talking about is El Rio? Cheers, Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[tmanson]

Fouram: Correction: Meant to say Del Rio. Thor

[murraybrown]

Good luck Dave. It will be late February when I'm in San Diego so I will eagerly await your report.
[I've got to get the California Gnatcatcher this time]

Murray

[Dave]

Thanks, Murray. I will write a report online here when I return and will certainly give details if I am lucky enough to get the gnatcatchers. Last winter I had my life California Gnatcatchers at San Elijo Lagoon, just north of San Diego between the I5 and the ocean. I would not have found them if some locals with pretty fancy gear weren't nearby. I somehow tried to fit in and politely asked what they were looking at. Their response? "A Wrentit, just behind those 4 California Gnatcatchers." Two Lifers, just like that .

Dave

[Gord]

Al, great to hear what you're seeing! I hope you're taking the binos too! They're to be used and if a casualty of use, no problem at all!!!

I know if I drove a truck, I wouldnt get much driving done...I think Id be pretty familiar with each and every birdy looking truck stop on my route!!!

Yes, I cant wait to travel when the family is old enough!

[fouram]

Thor, sorry for the time span in replying, I do not believe that I noticed a Pheobe, there is too much white there, rather, I believe it to be--(as pictured in the Sibley's on page 309--) a (perhaps) juvenile Chihuahuan Raven? It may be a reach, but in my minds eye--the bird in question was all black except for some white near the head?--neck?--I know if I have a chance next trip--I will try to get a picture!--Dave I have packed the bino's almost all the time, the batteries in the camera were a "blip"--all there seem to be at the Truck stops are some very bold--very chatty Grackles!---neat how they use their tails as rudders, as opposed to height adjustments--they seemed to have adjusted for their long tail length--for side to side movement!--As far as being able to travel to see birds and get paid--well the downside is that I have to put up with all the cookey people on the road--much less than enjoyable some times--I must admit. There are a couple of nice little pull-outs down in that area, that, depending on what time of day I leave to return home--I may find time to stop at and see if the offer up any surprises!00I just returned home from a rather cold trip to Edmonton--so I will sign off saying to all of the fellow birders here--"Merry Christmas"-I am very happy to have made all of your aquaintances!-and Gord--I hope that the returns to you on this site are at least as equal as the effort that you have put into it, thank you so much for all the hard work!!!---Al

[tmanson]

Fouram: Undoubtedly, you are right in your i.d. of a C. Raven. Until you mentioned the white around the neck, I had no idea that this was possible. I have seen this raven a few times, and didn't know that its neck feathers, at the base were white. The guide says something about them being noticeable in windy conditions. Perhaps the wash from a semi helps to reveal them?? Cheers, Thor

Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.

[fouram]

Actually, Thor--the "Corvid" id was partially a result--in my minds eye, of seeing this bird soar against the wind over the gorge which at that point was fairly deep in which the Rio Grande ran--it was rather windy that day as I remember! The wind must have ruffled it's feathers--which was when I saw the "White" patch. The woodpeckers that I saw--are rather subject to getting some pictures, as my id'ing them is quite sketchy. Interesting bird, although one family I am really not all that familiar with.

[Gord]

fouram said:

-and Gord--I hope that the returns to you on this
site are at least as equal as the effort that you have put into it, thank you so much for all the hard work!!!---Al

Thanks Al, it's been great. Things including the acquaintances made, learning new things and enjoying birding with others has certainly equaled my hopes of what the site would turn out to be! On that note I acknowledge everyone who has made the site what it is. Without each and all of you, it would be pretty boring!