Sabal Palm Sanctuary, Brownsville

Today has been a big disappointment as we travelled to two reserves which were a complete waste of time.  Firstly Boca Chica at the mouth of the Rio Grande gave us very little and then the world birding centre at South Padre was even worse. To be honest the place looked mismanaged, a bit like an out of season resort - we left there pretty quick and made our way to Sabal Palm. This was a stunning private reserve and our three hours there could easily have been six.  We managed two trip ticks in Wood Stork and Gull billed Tern today, but Sabal offered great views of Green Jay, Magnolia Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler and American Redstart (all first year males), Altamira Oriole, Long-billed Thrasher, Yellow-billed Cuckoos and yet more quantities of summer pluamge Stilt Sandpipers.

We travel back north tomorrow and we revisit Port Aransas for more waders.

Magnolia Warbler, 1st summer male

Buff-bellied Hummingbird