So here I am at the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival. One of the biggest and best of the many birding festivals in the country, featuring all the A-List glitterati celeb birders of North America, such as Pete Dunne, Jon Dunn, Bill Clark, Rick Wright, Jeff Gordon. Everyone who is anyone is here. And me. I have just two days left as I am scheduled to leave fashionably early on Sunday.
Today started out as a “Groundhog Day” day. As in the well-known movie, my alarm went off at the same time as yesterday, but not at 6 like in the movie but four o’clock. Again. I ran the same routine, ate the same breakfast, and got in the hotel van. “I’m going to the convention center,” I droned. I get a blank look from the driver. “It’s behind Sam’s Club,” I specified. ” …… Sam’s Club … Sam’s Club …. hmmmm.” She runs into the hotel and comes back with “I know where we’re going!” (You don’t know where Sam’s Club is?!?!? The Harlingen Convention Center?!?!? In Harlingen, Texas??? Half a mile away?)
Soon I was on the bus and we set out into the early morning darkness for two hours until we reached the little village of Salineno. Within minutes of standing on the river, without even trying, before we said our prayers, along came a Ringed Kingfisher (542) on this side of the river! It’s in bounds! The shot is goooood!
We returned to the feeders where I saw almost all these birds yesterday. I was eager to get back to the river to search for the seedeater. I snuck away early but didn’t get far before the rest of the group came along. It was an all-out group search. But first we had to pick through the kinglets and titmice for the beginners. I’m starting to sweat, fearing we would run out of time before finding success. Eventually we reached the spot where I knew one had been seen a few days ago. The clock is ticking, no bird is showing. Then I heard a sweet sound: “Seadeater!!!” And there it was, Morelet’s Seedeater (543) (ABA 648).
I searched for this bird on my first visit to the valley in 1995 and again last April. I had to see one this trip and there it was, sweet redemption.
Tomorrow I am on a search for Aplomado Falcon, which could be a sure thing, but Sprague’s Pipit will take more effort. Later in the day we are going to South Padre Island where lady luck will make or break this trip. I have four new ones so far, plus the falcon makes five, and if I can get four on the island I’m at 9. I must get one more on the last day on the Big Day van. My prediction? Yellow-throated Warbler.
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