Useful Links & Regional Resources

Planning a trip to Big Bend National Park, the Davis Mountains,

Lake Balmorhea and the surrounding region?

The sites below are helpful for the wildlife side of things,

skip to the second batch for general travel information for the towns out here.

VisitBigBend.com

Balmorhea State Park

Barton Warnock Visitor Center

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park - wiki page

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute

Davis Mountains State Park

Christmas Mountains Oasis

West Texas Hummingbirds

Bird Education Network

Texas Ornithological Society

Texbirds

Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection (TCWC)

eBird - Texas eBird

Alpine, Fort Davis, Marathon, Marfa, Texas Mountain Trails and Big Bend info:

Alpine Chamber of Commerce
City of Balmorhea

Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce

Marathon Chamber of Commerce

Marfa Chamber of Commerce

Texas Mountain Trails

VisitBigBend.com

Last updated 11/30/12.



Past Rare Birds

This post is archived; it should stay at the very back of the blog, but the sidebar link should remain active and "Past RBA" things will go here! Do let us know if any links are broken!

*** After 2013, unfortunately, this feature is unlikely to be regularly updated. Hopefully eBird's BirdTrax feature in the sidebar will at least keep current sightings more accessible!

Red-necked Grebe, (Podiceps grisegena), Balmorhea Lake, Balmorhea, Reeves Co., 10 Dec. 2013 - 1 Jan 2014

Lewis's Woodpecker, (Melanerpes lewis), Mile High Road, Alpine, Brewster Co., 1 Dec -13 Dec 2013, 17 Dec. 2013

Long-tailed Duck, (Clangula hyemalis), Marathon Treatment Ponds - PRIVATE PROPERTY - Marathon, Brewster Co., 7 Dec 2013

possible Nutting's Flycatcher, (Myiarchus nuttingi), Rio Grande Village, Big Bend Nat'l Park, Brewster Co., 7 Dec 2013 - 12 Dec 2013

Costa's Hummingbird, (Calypte costae), private residence, south Brewster Co., 22 Nov 2013 - 4 Dec 2013

Black-legged Kittiwake, (Rissa tridactyla), Balmorhea Lake, Balmorhea, Reeves Co., 17 Nov 2013 - 29 Nov 2013

Crescent-chested Warbler, (Oreothlypis superciliosa), Pinnacles Trail, below Emory Peak Trail intersection, Chisos Mtns., Big Bend National Park, Brewster Co., 24 Sept 2013. Credible sight-record.

Flame-colored Tanager, male, (Piranga bidentata), Boot Springs, Chisos Mtns., Big Bend National Park, Brewster Co., TX 6 May - 1 July 2013

White-eared Hummingbird, (Hylocharis leucotis), Davis Mountains Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, Jeff Davis Co., TX 27-28 June 2013

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, (Myiodynastes luteiventris),Christmas Mountains Oasis, Terligua Ranch - area, Brewster Co., TX 15 June 2013

Varied Thrush, (Ixoreus naevius), Christmas Mountains Oasis, Terlingua Ranch area, Brewster Co., TX. 20 October 2012 - 19 Mar 2013.

Rough-legged Hawk, (Buteo lagopus), ~ Altuda pass, Hwy 90 between Marathon and Alpine, 5 miles east of the "Altuda Railroad Box" and Seal Ranch sign., Brewster Co., TX 2 January 2013

Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) Marathon Cemetery, Marathon, Brewster Co., TX. 15, 27 Nov. 2012.

7 Dec. 12: 4 flew over Chisos Basin Loop Trail, Big Bend Nat'l Park.
11 Dec. 12: 14+ in Alpine, TX.
11 Dec. 12: 1 in NE Marathon, TX.

2-7, 15 Jan. 13 : 26 at the Alpine Cemetery in Alpine, Brewster Co.

14 Jan. 2013: 4 at Marathon Cemetery in Marathon, Brewster Co.

22 Jan. 2013: 11 at Alpine Cemetery, Alpine, Brewster Co.

8 Feb. 2013: ~15 at Alpine Cemetery, Alpine, Brewster Co.

Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) Marathon Cemetery, Marathon, Brewster Co., TX. 21 November - 2 December 2012.

Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens)Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park, Brewster Co, TX. 1 December 2012.

Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae), Christmas Mountains Oasis, Terlingua Ranch area, Brewster Co., TX. 6-18 November 2012.

Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilla yucatanensis),Christmas Mountains Oasis, Terlingua Ranch area, Brewster Co., TX. 19 October 2012 - 20 October 2012 . 1st trans-Pecos record!

Red Phalarope, (Phalaropus fulicarius), Balmorhea Lake, Balmorhea, Reeves Co., TX, 31 October 2012.

Varied Thrush, (Ixoreus naevius), Christmas Mountains Oasis, Terlingua Ranch area, Brewster Co., TX. 20 October 2012 - present.

Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) Marathon Cemetery, Marathon, Brewster Co, TX. 15, 27 Nov. 2012.

7 Dec. 12: 4 flew over Chisos Basin Loop Trail, Big Bend Nat'l Park, Brewster Co.
11 Dec. 12: 14+ in Alpine, TX, Brewster Co.
11 Dec. 12: 1 in NE Marathon, TX, Brewster Co.

Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) Marathon Cemetery, Marathon, Brewster Co., TX. 21 November - 2 December 2012.

Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park, Brewster Co, TX. 1 December 2012.

Costa's Hummingbird, (Calypte costae), Christmas Mountains Oasis, Terlingua Ranch area, Brewster Co., TX 6 November 2012 - Present.

Red Phalarope, (Phalaropus fulicarius), Balmorhea Lake, Balmorhea, Reeves Co. TX, 31 October 2012

Surf Scoter, (Melanitta perspicillata), Balmorhea Lake, Balmorhea, Reeves Co. TX, 28 October 2012

Varied Thrush, (Ixoreus naevius), Christmas Mountains Oasis, Terlingua Ranch area, Brewster Co., TX 20 October 2012 - present.

Buff-bellied Hummingbird, (Amazilla yucatanensis), Christmas Mountains Oasis, Terlingua Ranch area, Brewster Co., TX 19 October 2012 - 20 October 2012 . 1st trans-Pecos record!

Sabine's Gull, 2, (Xema sabini), Balmorhea Lake, Balmorhea, Reeves Co., TX 22 September - 23 October 2012

Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) , Gage Hotel, Brewster Co., TX 12 August 2012

Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus), Gage Hotel, Brewster Co., TX 11 August 2012

Hermit Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis), Post Park, Brewster Co., TX 29 April 2012

Swainson's Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii), Gage Gardens, Marathon, Brewster Co., TX 15 April 2012

***Nutting's Flycatcher*** (Myiarchus nuttingi), Santa Elena Canyon Trail Head parking lot area, Big Bend National Park, Brewster Co., TX 31 Dec. 2011 - 20 Jan. 2012.

Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps), Christmas Mountains Oasis, Terlingua Ranch, Brewster Co., TX 1 - 6 Dec. 2011

Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus), Hwy 90, ~ 12 miles W. of Marathon, Brewster Co., TX. Roadkill. 30 Nov. 2011.

Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park, Brewster County, TX. Aug ? - 4 Dec. 2011.

Lewis' Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis), Private Property outside of Ft. Davis, Jeff Davis County, TX. 5 Nov. 2011 - 6 Nov. 2011.

Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea), Gage Hotel, Marathon, Brewster Co. 25 Oct. 2011 - 8 Nov. 2011.

Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) The Double Bacon, Marathon, Brewster Co. Sept. 23-24 2011.

Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) I-10 Rest Stop West of Ft. Stockton, Pecos Co. 12 September 2011.

Flame-Colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata), Limpia Chute hiking trail, The Nature Conservancy's Davis Mountains Preserve, Jeff Davis Co. 30 July 2011.

Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata), Sul Ross State University campus, Alpine, Brewster Co. 20 June 2011.

Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus), Marathon Motel & RV Park, Brewster Co. 4 March 2011.

**Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus) Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park, 23 November 10 - 4 January 2011.

Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin), Marathon, Brewster Co. 23 November -20 December, 2010.

Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) Marathon Motel & RV Park, Brewster Co. Oct.- Dec. 2010.

Birds of Marathon & Post Park (#3)

This post is the third in a series of unofficial bird lists for Marathon and Post Park specifically - we're aiming to highlight 1) birds that require little effort to be seen, and 2) regional specialties. Hopefully the format will work out for 'year-round' and seasonal variations. Feedback is welcome!

Winter residents

Northern Harrier
American Kestrel
Northern Flicker
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Lark Bunting
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brewer’s Blackbird

Also look for:
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Ferruginous Hawk
Golden Eagle
Prairie Falcon
Red-naped Sapsucker
Anna’s Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
American Pipit
Green-tailed Towhee
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
American Goldfinch

Spring/fall migrants:
Osprey
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Townsend’s Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Yellow-headed Blackbird


Quick links to Marathon Basin & Post Park bird lists:
Year-round residents
Summer residents

Click here to download the birds of the Trans-Pecos checklist pdf

***

That's the last of it for now - we'd appreciate any additional insights that would be helpful for visitors (birders or not!)

Birds of Marathon & Post Park (#2)

This post is the second in a series of unofficial bird lists for Marathon and Post Park specifically - we're aiming to highlight 1) birds that require little effort to be seen, and 2) regional specialties. Hopefully the format will work out for 'year-round' and seasonal variations. Feedback is welcome!

Summer residents

Turkey Vulture
Swainson’s Hawk
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Lesser Nighthawk
Common Nighthawk
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Vermillion Flycatcher
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Cassin’s Kingbird
Western Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Bell’s Vireo
Chihuahuan Raven
Cliff Swallow
Cave Swallow
Barn Swallow
Yellow-breasted Chat
Summer Tanager
Cassin’s Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Black-throated Sparrow
Blue Grosbeak
Painted Bunting
Bronzed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Lesser Goldfinch

Also look for:
Burrowing Owl
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Black-headed Grosbeak
Western Tanager
Bullock’s Oriole
Scott’s Oriole


Quick links to Marathon Basin & Post Park bird lists:
Year-round residents
Winter residents & spring/fall migrants

Click here to download the birds of the Trans-Pecos checklist pdf

Birds of Marathon & Post Park (#1)

This post is the first in a series of unofficial bird lists for Marathon and Post Park specifically - we're aiming to highlight 1) birds that require little effort to be seen, and 2) regional specialties. Hopefully the format will work out for 'year-round' and seasonal variations. Feedback is welcome!

Year-round residents

Red-tailed Hawk
Wild Turkey
Scaled Quail
American Coot
Rock Dove
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Black Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe
Loggerhead Shrike
Common Raven
Verdin
Cactus Wren
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
Northern Mockingbird
Curve-billed Thrasher
European Starling
Canyon Towhee
Northern Cardinal
Pyrrhuloxia
Eastern Meadowlark
Great-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
House Sparrow

Also look for:
Aplomado Falcon
‘Mexican’ Mallard
Great Horned Owl
Bewick’s Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher


Quick links to Marathon Basin & Post Park bird lists:
Summer residents
Winter residents & spring/fall migrants

Click here to download the birds of the Trans-Pecos checklist pdf