WEST TEXAS FALL MIGRATION: CIBOLO CREEK RANCH - Victor ...
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WEST TEXAS FALL MIGRATION:
CIBOLO CREEK RANCH
SEPTEMBER 10–16, 2021
Elf Owl, Cibolo Creek Ranch, Texas, September 12, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
LEADERS: BARRY ZIMMER & BRIAN GIBBONS
LIST COMPILED BY: BARRY ZIMMER
VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC.
2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746
WWW.VENTBIRD.COM
West Texas Fall Migration: Cibolo Creek Ranch
September 10–16, 2021
By Barry Zimmer
Our trip began with some afternoon birding in the El Paso area. Recent heavy
rains had created a newly formed wetland area just across the border into New
Mexico. We were greeted there with a flurry of shorebirds (13 species total),
including Baird’s, Stilt, Solitary, and Pectoral sandpipers, Black-necked Stilt, and
Wilson’s Phalarope among others. An apparent adult Glossy Ibis just coming out
of breeding plumage was a rare find among the numerous White-faced Ibis.
Other birds of note included Cinnamon Teal and Yellow-headed Blackbird. From
there we headed over to my yard on the eastern slope of the Franklin Mountains.
We had a little happy hour of local wine and chips & salsa while we watched the
feeders. Hummingbirds were numerous with four species present—Black-
chinned, Broad-tailed, Rufous, and Calliope. At times, some of the hummingbirds
were just inches away. We also tallied Inca Dove, Curve-billed Thrasher, and
Hooded Oriole before we finally had to leave for dinner.
Calliope Hummingbird, my yard, El Paso, TX, September 10, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
On our first full day, we started out at Ascarate Park located in the heart of south-
central El Paso. A family group of seven adorable Burrowing Owls got the day off
to a great start.
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Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021
Burrowing Owl, Ascarate Park, Texas, September 11, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
Other birds inside the park included an over-summering Snow Goose, Mexican
Ducks, two gorgeous Wood Ducks from twenty feet away, Neotropic Cormorants,
five more Burrowing Owls, Black Phoebe, a very distant Tropical Kingbird (rare,
but increasing here), and numbers of brilliant Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Just as
we were about to leave, Tara spotted some distant raptors circling to the north. A
quick chase over to an area of nearby refineries revealed a dozen locally
uncommon Mississippi Kites and three Swainson’s Hawks feeding over a small
area. From there it was on to nearby Rio Bosque Wetlands Park. Great views of
a Gambel’s Quail on a post, a pair of Harris’s Hawks, several perched
Swainson’s Hawks, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Verdin, and a female Summer
Tanager were the highlights. Hundreds of tiny Western Pygmy Blues (the
smallest butterfly in the world) were also of note. Much of the remainder of the
day was devoted to traveling to Cibolo Creek. A quick stop at McNary Reservoir
yielded Clark’s and Western grebes and a close group of Snowy Egrets. Lark
Buntings and Pronghorns were in evidence in the grasslands between Van Horn
and Marfa, and a very early Prairie Falcon in the same area was an unexpected
treat. We arrived at Cibolo Creek Ranch around 5:30 PM being greeted
immediately by a pair of Vermilion Flycatchers. We settled into our rooms and
enjoyed a delicious dinner (the first of several spectacular meals) a short while
later.
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Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021
Wood Duck, Ascarate Park, El Paso, Texas, September 11, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
Our first full day on the ranch was spent on the western portion (where the
lodging is located). We birded Ojo Carrizal, the creek bed, the waterfall area, and
the trail to Ojo Grande de Cibolo and North Spring in the morning. Bird activity
was quite good early on with Bell’s Vireo, Blue Grosbeak, Painted Bunting, and
Summer Tanager practically in the parking lot. Working our way toward Ojo
Carrizal, we made numerous stops along the creek bed. An immature Golden
Eagle, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Rock Wren,
Townsend’s Warbler, and Western Tanager were among our additions. We
hadn’t even made it to Ojo Carrizal before we could hear the screams of Zone-
tailed Hawks up ahead. Quickly, an immature bird was spotted perched in a
hackberry. When we got out to scope that one, an adult female came circling
right over our heads. We enjoyed unsurpassed views of this southwestern
specialty raptor. A very cooperative Virginia’s Warbler, our first Yellow-billed
Cuckoo, Cassin’s Vireo, and Pyrrhuloxia added to our ever-growing list. Late
morning stops near the waterfall area (Canyon Wren, Black-throated Sparrow,
Black-headed Grosbeak, and Varied Bunting) and along the trail to North Springs
(Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, and Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher) rounded out the morning. I would be remiss not to mention the
butterflies that were everywhere. For the trip we identified over 30 species! That
evening, we made our first owling excursion. We were stunned to have
walkaway, point-blank views of the tiny Elf Owl. This migratory species has
www.ventbird.com 4 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021
generally gone completely silent by late summer, and is either non-responsive by
September or non-existent.
Zone-tailed Hawk, Cibolo Creek Ranch, Texas, September 12, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
The following day, we headed north to bird the nearby Davis Mountains. A very
cooperative Scaled Quail posed on a fence post early on. Along Limpia Creek,
we quickly found a rare pair of Gray Hawks. A lingering Common Black Hawk
was much less cooperative but gave two quick fly-by views. At Davis Mountains
State Park we added Acorn Woodpecker, Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, Black-
crested Titmouse, and Canyon Towhee to our list, as well as a Canyon Tree Frog
and a Texas Brown Tarantula! Further out Highway 118, we stopped near the
McDonald Observatory (Western Bluebird and Bushtit) and at the Laurence
Wood Picnic Area in Madera Canyon (Plumbeous Vireo, nelsoni White-breasted
Nuthatch, and a brilliant male Hepatic Tanager). That evening, we enjoyed
S’mores by the fire pit back at the ranch, and some excellent stargazing.
The next day was devoted to birding the eastern section of the ranch. A couple of
Greater Roadrunners, Cactus Wrens, and several Cassin’s Sparrows got things
off to a good start. At La Cienega, we found three more Yellow-billed Cuckoos,
Warbling Vireo, another Painted Bunting, and a couple of Clay-colored Sparrows.
Nearby La Morita yielded a Western Screech-Owl calling from its cavity, as well
as an out-of-place Canyon Wren. Our afternoon trip to Shafter and Presidio was
largely uneventful, but we did enjoy walking around the streets of the Silver
Capital of Texas! A second owling trip produced another amazing Elf Owl, in
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Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021
addition to Great Horned Owl, Collared Peccary, Northern Raccoon, and a Black-
tailed Jackrabbit.
Elf Owl, Cibolo Creek Ranch, Texas, September 14, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
Our final day was largely a travel day as we returned to El Paso. We took a route
back through the Davis Mountains in hopes of encountering a Montezuma Quail,
but to no avail. After lunch, we birded a series of irrigation impoundments and
sewage treatment ponds in search of waterbirds in the valley southeast of El
Paso. Hot temperatures made for challenging birding, but we had many good
birds in spite of the weather. Topping the list was a very rare Sabine’s Gull at
Tornillo Reservoir, but other goodies included four species of grebes, American
White Pelican, a rare Greater Scaup, Osprey, Red-necked Phalarope, and
Forster’s and Black terns.
In all, we tallied 162 species of birds in just over five days of birding. Shorebirds
(14 species) and raptors (15 species) were excellent, while passerine migration
was generally slow. Four species of owls and four species of hummingbirds were
also noteworthy. Additionally, we had multiple rarities for the trip. The wonderful
Elf Owls were voted the favorite bird of the tour by the group. The butterflies, as
previously mentioned, were incredible with 31 species seen. And, as is always
the case at Cibolo Creek, the food and accommodations were nothing short of
superb. I look forward to my next visit!
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Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021
Sabine’s Gull, Tornillo Reservoir, Texas, September 15, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
ITINERARY
September 10 – afternoon visit to ponding areas at McNutt & Gardner roads
in Dona Ana County New Mexico, followed by my yard (4 species)
September 11 – Ascarate Park, Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, McNary
Reservoir, drive to Cibolo Creek with roadside birding (62 species; 84 total)
September 12 – west side of Cibolo Creek Ranch, including Ojo Carrizal, Ojo
Grande de Cibolo, waterfall area; evening owling (62 species; 124 total)
September 13 – drive to Davis Mountains via Highways 67 & 17, Limpia
Creek, Davis Mountains State Park, Highway 118 to McDonald Observatory &
Laurence E. Wood picnic area, return to Cibolo via Alpine & Highway 90 (54
species; 142 total)
September 14 – east side of Cibolo Creek Ranch, including La Cienega & La
Morita; afternoon to Shafter and Presidio (BJ Bishop Wetlands); evening owling
(58 species; 150 total)
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Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021
September 15 –Cibolo Creek Ranch briefly after breakfast, drive to Davis
Mountains with stops at Limpia Creek & Madera Canyon; after lunch to El Paso’s
lower valley including McNary Reservoir, FM 2217 pond, Fort Hancock Sewage
Ponds, Fort Hancock Reservoir, Tornillo Reservoir (70 species; 162 total)
September 16 – departures for home (162 species total)
Cibolo Creek Ranch, Texas, September 12, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
KEY
E = all areas in and around El Paso, including McNutt & Gardner roads, Ascarate
Park, Rio Bosque, reservoirs along Highway 20
C = Cibolo Creek Ranch and surrounding areas
D = Davis Mountains and surrounding grasslands
Underlined species indicate birds of very uncommon occurrence or species of
such low density as to be easily missed
Bold-faced species indicate birds of rare, casual or accidental occurrence
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Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021
BIRDS
Waterfowl:
Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) E----over summering individual at
Ascarate; rare in September
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) E---established, introduced population
that is resident at Ascarate Park
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) E---fabulous pair at Ascarate Park that had our
group “trending” on Twitter in El Paso!; uncommon
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) E,C
Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanopptera) E,D---best along McNutt Road
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) C,D,E
American Wigeon (Mareca americana) E---one distantly at McNary;
uncommon this early
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchus) E----one male for some at Ascarate
Mexican Duck (Anas diazi) E---recently split from Mallard
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) D,E
Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) E,C,D
Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) E----female discovered last week at Fort
Hancock still lingering; very rare at this season
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) E----including a flock of 171 at McNary
New World Quail:
Scaled Quail (Calllipepla squamata) D,C----two different males sitting up
as sentries on fence posts, both of which allowed wonderful, prolonged views;
also a covey of twenty or so more near La Morita
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Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021
Scaled Quail, near Fort Davis, Texas, September 13, 2021, ©Brian Gibbons
Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii) E---female at Rio Bosque that sat up
on a post allowing great studies; in Texas, this species only occurs in the
westernmost three counties
Grebes:
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) E
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) E----two distant birds in with Ruddy
Ducks at McNary the last afternoon
Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) E----four total in with Clark’s;
side-by-side comparisons
Clark’s Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) E----over 30 at McNary; good scope
studies, including some light-hearted displaying
www.ventbird.com 10 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Clark’s Grebe, McNary Reservoir, Texas, September 11, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
Pigeons & Doves:
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) urban areas throughout
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) daily; now widespread in
this part of the state (including at remote Cibolo)
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) E---nice views of a pair in my yard; declining
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) seen daily in numbers
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) seen daily
Cuckoos:
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) E,C---five total, including
great studies at the bathroom stop the last afternoon; voted the second favorite
bird of the tour!
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) C----nice scope views; five
total; voted the fifth favorite bird of the tour!
www.ventbird.com 11 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Hummingbirds:
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) seen daily; about 25 in
my yard, including a few adult males
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) E,C---about fifteen
in my yard the first afternoon
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) E,C---two in my yard and
another attending our feeders at Cibolo
Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) E---four in my yard; at times as
close as a few feet away!
Cibolo Creek Ranch, Texas, September 13, 2021, ©Brian Gibbons
Rails, Gallinules and Coots:
American Coot (Fulica americana) E
Stilts and Avocets:
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Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicana) E----about 25 the first
afternoon along McNutt
Plovers:
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) E,C----seen daily
Sandpipers and Allies:
Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus) E---about 40 along McNutt the first
afternoon, plus one at Fort Hancock Sewage
Baird’s Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) E----excellent views along McNutt, where
we had about 35; also a few at Rio Bosque & Fort Hancock
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) E---30 total
Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) E---four along McNutt; uncommon
migrant
Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) E---about 13 total
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) E---one along McNutt
Road
Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) E---35 total
Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) E----one at the FM 2217 pond
the final afternoon; very uncommon
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitius macularius) E---seven total
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) E,C---nine in El Paso the first afternoon
& one by me only at the main Cibolo pond
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) C----one at McNutt & three at
the FM 2217 pond
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) E---about 35 the first afternoon
Gulls & Terns:
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) E---six total
Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini) E----our rarest bird of the tour was a juvenile at
Tornillo the final afternoon
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Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) E---three total
Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri) E---one at McNary
Cormorants:
Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) E---best at Ascarate, but a
couple hundred overall
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) E
Pelicans:
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) E---about a dozen at
Fort Hancock
Herons and Egrets:
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) E,C
Great Egret (Ardea alba) E---two at Fort Hancock
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) E----about 40 total, including a group of 15
sitting on irrigation gate near McNary
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) E,Presidio----best at Ascarate
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) E---Ascarate, McNary
& Fort Hancock
Ibises:
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) E---about 47 total; great views
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) E---one adult going out of breeding
plumage along McNutt the first afternoon was a great rarity
New World Vultures:
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) E,C,D---seen daily in numbers
Osprey:
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) E---one by Rob & I the final afternoon at Tornillo
www.ventbird.com 14 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Birding Cibolo Creek Ranch, Texas, September 14, 2021, ©Brian Gibbons
Hawks, Eagles & Kites:
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) C---immature bird perched on cliff at
Cibolo; uncommon
Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) E----twelve hawking insects over
the refineries the first morning was an unexpected treat; very uncommon this
late; spotted by Tara
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) C,Presido----male at entry to Cibolo
and female at BJ Bishop Wetlands in Presidio; early for this species
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter stratus) C----by Brian’s van only
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) D---adult bird flew by
quickly twice in cottonwood forest along Limpia Creek, but never perched where
we could scope it; young bird seen briefly by Brian and Tara the last day at the
same spot
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Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) E---scope views of a pair at Rio
Bosque the first morning; another two that we passed by the final afternoon near
Tornillo; very localized in this area
Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) D---two adult birds in bare tree along
Limpia Creek; rare but increasing in this area
Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) E,D----one day we had 49
individuals; very close scope studies
Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonatus) C,D---epic views of female and
fledged young at Ojo Carrizal; four total; voted the fourth favorite bird of the tour!
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) seen daily with fifteen total birds
Owls:
Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii) C----after some searching,
we had scope views of bird calling in nest cavity at La Morita thanks to Brian’s
spotting
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) C----seen on second owling outing at
Cibolo
Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) C---incredibly, we had three of these tiny
owls at Cibolo with absolutely crippling views of two; unexpected this late into the
season; voted the favorite bird of the tour in a landslide!
Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) E---we had wonderful studies of a family
of seven our first morning on the Ascarate golf course, as well as another five
inside the park itself; voted the third favorite bird of the tour!
Kingfishers:
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) E,C----early arriving migrants
Woodpeckers:
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) D---great studies
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Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Acorn Woodpecker, Davis Mountains, Texas, September 15, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) C---at the very western
edge of their range
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) E,C,D---eight total
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) D---heard only
Falcons:
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) S,P,H---five total
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) C----adult & immature bird greeted
our arrival at Cibolo; uncommon
Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) D----very unexpected this early was one
near Valentine; scope views
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Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Prairie Falcon, Valentine, Texas, September 11, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
Flycatchers:
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) C---six total
Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) C,D---16 total
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) C----singles on trail to North Spring
and at La Morita; uncommon
Hammond’s Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondii) C---one bird along trail to
North Spring by Brian, Jeff & Michael
Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) C---one at Ojo Grande de Cibolo
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) E,C----three total
Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya) E,C,D----several excellent views
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) C,D----wonderfully common
with 36 total; these gems were a constant feature right around our rooms at
Cibolo Creek Ranch
www.ventbird.com 18 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Vermilion Flycatcher, Cibolo Creek Ranch, Texas, September 12, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) C---one pair just south
of the ranch and another on the east side near La Cienega; getting late for this
species
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) E----one very distant bird
scoped on the Ascarate golf course; this species ahs just recently colonized the
El Paso area at this site; still considered rare
Cassin’s Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferus) C,D----quite common at Cibolo &
the Davis Mountains; up to 25 in one day
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) E---this species had mostly
migrated out of the area; we had five total mostly near Valentine
Vireos:
Bell‘s Vireo (Vireo bellii) C,D----great views in the parking lot at Cibolo
Cassin’s Vireo (Vireo cassinii) C—singles at Ojo Carrizal & La Morita
www.ventbird.com 19 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus) D---two at the Laurence Wood Picnic
Area
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) C---three total
Shrikes:
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) D,C----eight total (a generally
declining species)
Corvids:
Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii) D---about a dozen
in the Davis Mountains with good scope views in the state park
Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) Van Horn----three close on the
ground when we exited the interstate; no others seen; this species is largely
migratory so most are already gone
Common Raven (Corvus corax) D,C
Chickadees and Titmice:
Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) D----good studies in Davis
Mountains State Park
Penduline Tits:
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) E,C----heard several times, but only seen at
Rio Bosque the first morning
Swallows:
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) D---one south of Fort Davis
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) C----two over ranch lake during
checklist session
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) C---flock of 15 over ranch
lake during checklist session
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) E,C,D
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) D
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) E,D
www.ventbird.com 20 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Long-tailed Tits:
Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) D----fifteen or more below the observatory
Davis Mountains, Texas, September 13, 2021, ©Brian Gibbons
Nuthatches:
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) D---subspecies nelsoni, a
possible future split
Gnatcatchers:
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) C---one at Ojo Grande de
Cibolo
Wrens:
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) C----scope views
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) C----scope views at the waterfall
& another at La Morita
www.ventbird.com 21 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) C----one migrant at the small pond just
north of the parking area
Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) D---heard only
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) C----it took awhile, but
finally good views of this normally gregarious bird
Starlings:
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) E,D
Thrashers:
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) E,C----very close study in
my yard
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus poilyglottus) E,C,D
Thrushes and Allies:
Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) D---a few below the observatory
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) E---one in my yard & another at
Ascarate
Waxwngs:
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) E---one flyover at Rio Bosque
Silky-Flycatchers:
Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) D---male flying in front of van for Jeff & I
only
Old World Sparrows:
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) E,Presidio
Finches and Allies:
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) E,C,D
Lesser Goldfinch ((Spinus psaltria) C,D---heard more often than seen;
seemed unusually scarce
www.ventbird.com 22 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021New World Sparrows:
Cassin’s Sparrow (Peucaea cassinii) C---about ten total in the vicinity of
the landing strip on the eastern portion of the ranch; good scope views
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) C----several nice views of
this handsome sparrow
Black-throated Sparrow, Cibolo Creek Ranch, Texas, September 12, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) C,D----about eleven total
Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) D----over a hundred in the
grasslands around Valentine
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) D----flock of about 25 at the Laurence
Wood Picnic area
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) C---two at La Cienega
Canyon Towhee (Melazona fusca) D,C----best at Davis Mountains
State Park where some were not impressed by this species!; almost on the tires
of my van
www.ventbird.com 23 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) C----scope study on the
hillside just south of the main ranch complex
Icterids:
Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) E,C,D----
particularly well at Ascarate and at one of the ranch ponds
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) D---some still carrying food
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) C---fourteen in one day!
Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus) E---three in my yard the first afternoon
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) E---flock of fifteen or so at
Ascarate
Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) C---one juvenile seen a couple of
times near the ranch
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) C
Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) D---one early female for
some just south of Fort Davis
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) E,D,Van Horn
New World Warblers:
Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) C----one at Ojo Grande de
Cibolo
Virginia’s Warbler (Leiothlypis virginiae) C---male seen well at Ojo Carrizal
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga ptechia) E,C---two total
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) C---a couple at La Cienega;
Audubon’s types
Townsned’s Warbler (Setophaga townsendi) C----singles near Ojo Carrizla
and at Shafter
Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusila) E,C---14 total
Cardinals and Allies:
www.ventbird.com 24 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava) D----stunning male at the Laurence Wood
Picnic Area
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) E,C,D---21 total with many bright males
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) C,D---nineteen total
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardianlis) C,D
Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) C---four total
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) C,D---four
total
Dickcissel (Spiza americana) D---one heard flying over grassy area near Fort
Davis
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) C,D---34 total with one pair almost
always in parking area of the ranch (they had a very late fledgling)
Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor) C---close immature bird near the
waterfall
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) C---single immature birds at the ranch and
at La Cienega
Total species – 162
MAMMALS
Spotted Ground Squirrel---Ascarate
Rock Squirrel
Desert Cottontail
Black-tailed Jackrabbit---one on second owling trip at Cibolo
Pallid Bat---flying around the tack room at Cibolo
Various unidentified bat species---probably including Brazilian Free-tailed, Hoary
Bat and others
Northern Raccoon---seven seen on second owling trip
Collared Peccary (Javelina)----two walking along steep cliff face on second
owling trip
White-tailed Deer
Elk---heard only by some
Pronghorn---about 35 total seen in scattered grassland locations around the
Davis Mountains
Total species – 11+
www.ventbird.com 25 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021American Bison, Cibolo Creek Ranch, Texas, September 14, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
EXOTIC MAMMALS
American Bison
Black Buck
Roan Antelope
Thomson’s Gazelle
Barbary Sheep (Aoudad)
Spotted Deer
Dromedary Camel
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS
Red-spotted Toad
Bullfrog
Rio Grande Leopard Frog
Canyon Tree Frog
Red-eared Slider
Spiny Soft-shelled Turtle
Greater Earless Lizard
www.ventbird.com 26 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Crevice Spiny Lizard
Common Checkered Whiptail
Checkered Garter Snake
Total species – 10
BUTTERFLIES
Giant Swallowtail---in my yard
Two-tailed Swallowtail---largest butterfly in North America!
Pipevine Swallowtail
Black Swallowtail
Checkered White
Cloudless Sulphur
Clouded Sulphur
Sleepy Orange
Southern Dogface
Mexican Yellow
Dainty Sulphur
Western Pygmy Blue---by the hundreds; the smallest butterfly in the world!
Gray Hairstreak
Vesta Crescent---leader only
Fatal Metalmark---leader only
Painted Lady
Monarch
Queen
American Snout
Question Mark---scope views
Variegated fritillary
Tropical Buckeye
Red Admiral
Arizona Sister---briefly for some
Orange Skipperling
Tropical Least Skipper
Fiery Skipper
Sachem or Nysa Roadside Skipper
Funereal/Mournful Duskywing
Common Checkered Skipper
Common Sootywing
Total species - 31
*using the nomenclature of Butterflies of North America, Kaufman Focus Guide
www.ventbird.com 27 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021American Rubyspot, Cibolo Creek Ranch, Texas, September 12, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
DRAGONFLIES
Common Green Darner
Wandering Glider
Variegated Meadowhawk
Flame Skimmer
Filigree Skimmer
American Rubyspot
Dancer species
Total species – 7
SIGNIFICANT OTHERS
Texas Brown Tarantula
Tarantula Hawk (Wasp)
Lesser Stripetail Scorpion----glowing green individuals on night walk in black light
www.ventbird.com 28 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021Lesser Stripetail Scorpion, Cibolo Creek Ranch, Texas, September 11, 2021,
©Barry Zimmer
Chrysina woodi---bright green scarab beetle with blue legs at the Laurence Wood
Picnic Area
Black Bladder-bodied Meloid
Beetle species---possible a blister beetle in genus Epicauta
Praying mantis species
Plains Lubber Grasshopper
Horse Lubber Grasshopper
Cockerell’s Blue-winged Grasshopper
Red-winged Grasshopper
Tiger Moth species
Western Poplar Sphinx Moth
Murdered sheep head---Suzy’s favorite?
Marfa Mystery Lights viewing area
Brian 8 miles to empty
Rosie the Wonder Dog
THE FIVE FAVORITE BIRDS OF THE TRIP
1. Elf Owl
2. Greater Roadrunner
3. Burrowing Owl
4. Zone-tailed Hawk
www.ventbird.com 29 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 20215. Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Cibolo Creek Ranch, Texas, September 15, 2021, ©Barry Zimmer
www.ventbird.com 30 West Texas Fall Migration:
Cibolo Creek Ranch, 2021You can also read
