Overall great trip, although the locals told us that the winds had been high and many of the migratory birds hard just kept flying. I think it was more that we were there a little early - over the end of April to beginning of May.
White-tailed hawk being chased by a kite as we drove up.
Green jays, Chachalacas, and Olive Sparrows at the visitors center as always.
Altamira Orioles everywhere, nesting in mesquite and on telephone wires with hanging nests. Golden-fronted woodpeckers often seen with them.
15-mile drive has been closed for some time - it's been decades since we were here. Now only open to walking and cycling. Well worth the short walk in from the main park road as we were able to scope lots of shorebirds, phalaropes, stilts, ibis. Verdin as well.
Right across form our hotel, songbirds near the entrance - orioles, cuckoo, tanagers, etc. - then pay the fee and use the boardwalk to look at herons, rails, shorebirds. Scope was great for looking across the mudflats. Hard to find a better place to see the differences between Reddish Egret, Little Blue Heron, Green Heron, Least Bittern, Tricolored Heron, and so on. Within 6 feet of both Clapper Rail and Sora. We ended up back here a couple of times.
Notes Sabal - mosquitos gray cheeked thrush buff bellied hummingbird
Sunburn and shrimp tacos CHicano rap vs Desi hip hop in trucks Man o war Skimmer
Santa Ana NWR - tyrannulet gntas least bittern and grebes noisy, painted buntings, lots of water, gray hawk, better than Sabal
Conference Center - orchard orioles, migratory warblers
Giant candy stores, tshirt stores Texas all wet Visit bookended by Caracaras