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with Phyllis Yochem
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Tuesday, February 15, 2000
Rare robin gets a Texas-sized welcome while on vacation from Mexico
Some birds decide to become 'Winter Texans' and choose Sarita as a destination; birders flock to see them
The prevailing mood was euphoric in Sarita when we went there last week to see a rare rufous-backed robin. Hundreds of other birders had already seen it, and many more were still coming and going. The bird, usually found in the highlands of Mexico, seemed perfectly at home like any winter tourist. He was doing a ground search, alternated with a short survey of date palms, followed by a brief flight to visit the other side of the grounds of the Kenedy County courthouse.
Birders were well-behaved and content, helping each other find better views and pointing out the bird for newcomers. Birding equipment on hand included many powerful spotting scopes and long-lensed cameras. This was an easy bird, however, and could be seen well with unaided eyes. The light was good. If the bird went behind a branch for a minute, it always emerged.
The robin was first sighted by Val Kitchens and Paula Kayton, who were on their way to the Rio Grande Valley after attending an American Birding Association Regional Conference in Corpus Christi. It has caused a big stir on Internet birding sites. It appears to be about the 10th sighting for Texas. This species is endemic in western Mexico and strays occasionally in winter to Arizona. Many rufous-backed robins nest and summer in parks and residential areas in Mexico City.
Birder heaven
Besides the cooperative robin, birders had many more reasons for being happy in Sarita.
The place was alive with other interesting species. Ponds were busy with tiny, shiny emerging heads of least grebes. At the edge of one pond was a snipe. On bushes thrusting up from the water, sleepy black-crowned night herons roosted. A Baltimore oriole dazzled birders' winter-weary eyes. A barn owl first snoozed, then flew around. Eastern blue-birds posed and sallied out from wire fences.
A surprising delight for many birders was an immature Cape May warbler, foraging (and staying to be seen) in live oak trees by Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. A Cape May warbler is unusual here, even in migration. It is notable in all plumages for extensively streaked underparts. A male in breeding plumage has a chestnut cheek patch which we did not see on this bird. It did have a little patch of yellow behind the ear, and a yellow rump.
A further attraction was an apparently melanistic (dark charcoal color) golden-fronted woodpecker. It flew about the palm trees diverting attention from the robin. A thrasher was beginning a nest in a low tree on the courthouse grounds and a cactus wren was chortling nearby. Gone to heaven? That is what the birders must have thought had happened to them.
As I tried to photograph the bird, I noticed it was posed above a blooming deep purple phacelia. Other spring flowers were out or beginning to be. A thrilling stand of Indian paint brush flanked the bluebird road.
Purple martins coming
The unmistakable signs of early spring in Sarita reminded me of something that needs to be done. Before you can say "spring house cleaning'' purple martins, America's favorite bird, will be here cruising around and inspecting facilities. They have been to Brazil, where they go every winter and they are feeling the vibes. Houses should be in place, ready to raise.
The first scouts were seen this year, according to Nature Society News, sometimes called "The Voice of the Purple Martin,'' on Dec. 5, 1999, in Plant City, Fla. On Jan. 8 they were sighted in Amelia, La. Finally on Jan. 24 they were seen in Hico. I have seen none so far but by now they are likely all around us. The News web site at naturesociety.org carries daily scout updates.
Phyllis Yochem, a Corpus Christi
resident, has studied birds of Texas since 1960.
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