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SPECIES ENCOUNTERED DURING A VISIT TO THE LAGUNA FLAMINGOS PROJECT AND THE VICINITY OF LA PESCA, TAMAULIPAS, MEXICO24-27 APRIL 2001
Prepared by Robert A. Behrstock The Laguna Flamingos project is located approximately 150 miles south of Brownsville, Texas. The project (ranch) consists of a large working cattle ranch of approximately 12,400 acres with scattered woodlands, pastures with numerous trees, and approximately 4,000 acres of brackish lagoons and freshwater ponds. Other avian habitats nearby include the Rio Soto La Marina and its delta at the town of La Pesca, the periodically flooded southern tip of the Laguna Madre, the Gulf of Mexico, other brackish lagoons, commercial freshwater fishponds, and about 3,500 hectares of partly disturbed semi-deciduous tropical forest (Zuazua’s forest). In 1999, Dr. Eric Gustafson, one of the partners in the Laguna Flamingos project, invited Ted Eubanks of Fermata, Inc. to assess the ecotourism potential of the ranch. After a brief November visit to Laguna Flamingos and the adjacent La Pesca area, Eubanks prepared a list of species he encountered (Eubanks 1999). Additional bird and wildlife observations were made by representatives of a number of organizations including the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, North American Wetlands Conservation Council, Wildlife and Flora (Mexico), Wildlife Service, Mexico, and Manomet Bird Observatory. Subsequently, Dr. Gustafson invited Fermata personnel to continue to assess the ranch’s ecotourism potential as well as generate additional data concerning the ranch’s birdlife. From 24-27 April 2001, we (Robert A. Behrstock and Seth Davidson of Fermata, Inc., and Dr. Eric W. Gustafson and Jessica Johnson of Laguna Flamingos) visited habitats adjacent to and throughout the ranch. Sightings were made while on foot, and from elevated seats on a pick-up truck. On the day before our arrival there were approximately four inches of rainfall, making many of the ranch roads very muddy. During most of the visit we encountered north winds. Flocks of migrant water- and landbirds were in evidence much of the time, especially near the beach. Species encountered are presented in the following list. The sites we visited were: 25 April — 06:30 ‘till dusk. Vicinity of La Marina del Rio Motel (ca 10 km W of La Pesca) including roadside, river edge, brushy field and edge of Laguna Almagre immediately to the north; La Pesca lighthouse vicinity including Gulf beach, delta of Rio Soto la Marina, lagoons and flats just inshore of Gulf, and road paralleling beach; village of La Pesca (briefly); Laguna La Sal and adjacent fish ponds and woodland edge west of La Pesca; roadside near Laguna La Sal (briefly), and edge of Rio Soto La Marina until early afternoon. Transferred across river to Laguna Flamingos — referred to below as "ranch," then birded 13 km truck ride through ranch to guest quarters arriving in the early evening. Owl calling from yard after dark. 26 April - 06:35 ‘till dusk. Vicinity of guest quarters including trail along Laguna Flamingos, woodland edge, and brackish and freshwater ponds. After lunch, 11:20-12:30 return to freshwater pond below house for dragonfly observation. Afternoon - 1:20-3:00 birding drive (pasture with trees and ponds) to Zuazua’s forest tract, 3:00-5:30 walk in forest, then by truck back to guesthouse. 27 April — 06:25 to dusk. Walked along airstrip to SE pasture and fence line adjacent to Las Jacarandas Ranch, cutting across pasture to edge of Laguna Flamingos and along shore/thicket edge to guest house, returning around noon. After lunch, rode across ranch via wetlands of Laguna Flamingos and Laguna Chovenosa, including extensive tidal flats and Sacahuiste grasslands, eventually cutting through "Mario’s Ranch" because of deep mud on the Laguna Flamingos ranch road. Transferred in late afternoon across river and eventually to Hotel Maria Yolanda in Soto La Marina. Indigo Buntings and Dickcissels migrating overhead at 11:30 P.M. Note: Not having a spotting scope may have cost us Western or Semipalmated Sandpiper but probably little else. No Short-billed Dowitchers were identified by voice or plumage; these species as well as Red Knots, were almost certainly in the vicinity. Following each bird name is a coarse estimate of total individuals seen and/or heard, and a comment or two on habitat, location, sex, or behavior. BIRDS:Thicket Tinamou (3 heard) Zuazua’s forest, calling vigorously during afternoon American White Pelican (40) Mostly at Laguna Flamingo, a few fly-overs Brown Pelican (3) Several at beach, also delta of Rio Soto La Marina. Neotropic Cormorant (40) Lagunas Flamingo and Chovenosa Great Blue Heron (10) Various lagoon edges Great Egret (50) Various lagoon edges and artificial channels Snowy Egret (20) Various lagoon edges and artificial channels Little Blue Heron (1) One fly-by on Rio Soto La Marina Tricolored Heron (25) Mostly on Laguna Chovenosa marshy border Cattle Egret (100) Small flocks at various sites Green Heron (1) One along channel near pumping station White Ibis (60) Laguna Flamingo and Chovenosa marshes White-faced Ibis (25) Laguna Flamingo and Chovenosa marshes Roseate Spoonbill (20) Flock over Laguna Flamingo and two at Laguna Chovenosa Black Vulture (not counted, common) Ubiquitous Turkey Vulture (20+) Less common than B.V. throughout Black-bellied Whistling Duck (20) Various Lagoon edges, also flying over forest patches Mottled Duck (16) Various ponds and lagoons, fresh and brackish, mostly pairs Blue-winged Teal (40) Various marsh edges Cinnamon Teal (1) Laguna Chovenosa marshes Northern Shoveler (25) Various marsh and lagoon edges Gadwall (6) Fish ponds by Laguna La Sal American Wigeon (10) Various pond edges Redhead (4) Fish ponds by Laguna La Sal Lesser Scaup (2) Fishponds by Laguna La Sal Ruddy Duck (2) Laguna Flamingos in open water Osprey (10) Coast, river, and lagoons Mississippi Kite (40) One flock over Zuazua’s forest Accipiter sp. (Cooper’s/Sharp-shinned Hawk) (1) Flew by guesthouse vicinity Gray Hawk (1 ad, 1 imm, 1 heard) Along road through ranch; 1 heard west of La Pesca Roadside Hawk (4) One west of La Pesca, 3 on ranch, only one heard Common Black Hawk (1) Near pumping station at river edge where known to nest Short-tailed Hawk (1 light, 1 dark) Both outside guest lodging Crested Caracara (30+) Ubiquitous Merlin (1) One flying by pumping station along river Peregrine Falcon (1) One on post at Laguna Chovenosa (where returned from previous years?) Plain Chachalaca (12) Woodland edge west of La Pesca and on ranch Wild Turkey (7) Flock on ranch along airstrip, heard as well Northern Bobwhite (1) Marshy edge of Laguna Chovenosa Sora (1 dead) marsh edge near La Pesca American Coot (30) Rio Soto La Marina and various lagoons Black-bellied Plover (200) Various lagoons, flats, river delta and migrating flocks American Golden Plover (10) Pond edge below guest lodging and burned flats near Laguna Chovenosa, in both cases with or close to Black-bellieds. Snowy Plover (4) Laguna Almagre west of La Pesca and flats near river delta Wilson’s Plover (20-30) Flats and lagoon edge throughout, paired and territorial Semipalmated Plover (3) Laguna Flamingo and flats neat river delta Killdeer (4) Various pond edges Black-necked Stilt (20) Various pond edges in small numbers American Avocet (40) Two or three ponds and artificial channel, most in alternate plumage Greater Yellowlegs (3) Grassy edged ponds along entrance road to guest lodging Lesser Yellowlegs (1000-1500) All ponds, marshes, lagoon edges and flocks overhead Solitary Sandpiper (25) Grassy edged ponds along entrance road and laguna Chovenosa marshes Willet (60) various pond and lagoon edges Spotted Sandpiper (15) Grassy edged ponds as well as lagoon edges and flats near delta Upland Sandpiper (3) One in pasture on ranch and two calling/seen as migrating overhead Whimbrel (40-60) Scattered at lagoon edges plus a few migrating flocks Long-billed Curlew (6) Scattered at lagoon edges/vegetated flats Dunlin (80) One flock on shallow arm of Laguna Flamingo Pectoral Sandpiper (120) Ponds along ranch roads, also migrant flocks near beach and overhead Sanderling (6) Beach and delta flats Least Sandpiper (20) Grassy lagoon/pond edges and flats near river delta Stilt Sandpiper (3) Pond along main road to lodging at ranch-well into alternate plumage Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1) Flat a bit inland from delta at La Pesca, seen on ground and in flight Long-billed Dowitcher (20) Small flocks at various pond and lagoon edges, many of these were heard Wilson’s Phalarope (800-1000) Flocks migrating along coast, also in Laguna Chovenosa marshes Ruddy Turnstone (25) beach/seawall at Soto La Marina delta in La Pesca Laughing Gull (100) Coastal flats, beach and lagoons Franklin’s Gull (500) Flocks migrating along beach ponds/river delta, bright pink breasts Ring-billed Gull (20) Laguna Almagre, beach, ponds, and river delta Herring Gull (8) Beach and Laguna Almagre Gull-billed Tern (250) Nearly all at marshes of Laguna Chovenosa Caspian Tern (4) Flats and river delta at La Pesca Royal Tern (40) Flats and river delta at La Pesca Sandwich Tern (50) Flats and river delta at La Pesca Common Tern (30) Flats and river delta at La Pesca Forster’s Tern (6) Over pond edge along Laguna Flamingos Least Tern (2) nesting w/2 eggs at lagoon edge near La Pesca Black Tern (60) Roosting at river delta at La Pesca Black Skimmer (1) River delta at La Pesca Red-billed Pigeon (40) Treetops in pastures and woodland edge White-winged Dove (Common, not counted) Mourning Dove (Common, not counted) Fence lines and pastures throughout Inca Dove (8-12) Mostly around habitations or town edge Common Ground Dove (8) Various thicket edges White-tipped Dove (1 seen, commonly heard) Woodlands and edge throughout, 1 flying across lightly wooded pasture Red-crowned Parrot (2) Treetop in lightly wooded pasture Yellow-headed Parrot (perhaps 55: over 40 during one drive) Scattered trees in pastures, woodland treetops; vocal and readily seen in pairs and small flocks. Yellow-billed Cuckoo (3) Woodland edge and scattered trees in pastures Groove-billed Ani (40) Woodland edge, thickets, lightly wooded pastures Greater Roadrunner (1) Near beach at La Pesca Squirrel Cuckoo (1) Zuazua’s forest Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (1 seen, 2-3 heard) Zuazua’s forest and near guest lodging Mottled Owl (1 heard) Woods below guest lodging Lesser Nighthawk (6) Ranch and La Pesca vicinity at late afternoon; flying low-silent Common Nighthawk (6) Over ranch, migrating and calling during day, a couple at dusk Pauraque (several heard) Lawns and thickets near guest house dusk/dawn Tawny-collared Nightjar (several heard) Lawns and thickets near guest house, dusk/dawn Chimney Swift (20) Small numbers, mostly with swallows Buff-bellied Hummingbird (4) Woodland edge below guest house and interior of Zuazua’s forest Ruby-throated Hummingbird (5) Woodland edge below guest house, thickets near La Pesca Blue-crowned Motmot (1) Edge of Zuazua’s forest Elegant Trogon (1 seen, 2 heard) Zuazua’s forest edge and interior Belted Kingfisher (1) pond edge along road near Laguna La Sal Golden-fronted Woodpecker (20) Everywhere but beach edge and marshes Ladder-backed Woodpecker (6) Scattered trees in pastures and thicket edges Lineated Woodpecker (3) Zuazua’s forest, near guest house (where vocal) and woodland near Laguna Chovenosa Ivory-billed Woodcreeper (1-2) Zuazua’s forest Black-crested Titmouse (10) Thicket edge, woodland interior, scattered trees in pastures Spot-breasted Wren (20, mostly heard), Near La Pesca, Zuazua’s forest, and various ranch locations in dense woodland edge White-bellied Wren (2 seen, 4-5 heard) Near La Pesca, Zuazua’s forest, and various wooded ranch locations; easily located by sweet, explosive "PEEdaladee" song Loggerhead Shrike (1-2) trees in open pasture on ranch White-eyed Vireo (several heard) Mostly in low woodland west of La Pesca Blue-headed Vireo (4) Woodland edge and scattered trees on ranch Warbling Vireo (2) Woodland edge on ranch Philadelphia Vireo (1) Woodland edge on ranch Red-eyed Vireo (12) Woodland edge, forest canopy, trees at river edge Green Jay (2 seen, others heard) Thickets and pastures with scattered trees Brown Jay (60) Ubiquitous except beach and marsh Tamaulipas Crow (30) Throughout except beach and marsh Horned Lark (1) Sand flats at Laguna Chovenosa Purple Martin (30) One west of La Pesca, the balance around ranch buildings Tree Swallow (10) Mostly migrating along beach Northern Rough-winged Swallow (20) Mostly migrating along beach, a few over ranch Bank Swallow (3) Over Rio Soto La Marina Cliff Swallow (20) Mostly migrating along beach and over ranch Barn Swallow (thousands) Everywhere but especially common along beach Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet (5) Thickets near Laguna Almagre and on ranch; vocal Eastern Wood-Pewee (4) Thickets and woodland edge on ranch, also Zuazua’s forest Least Flycatcher (1 seen, one heard) Woodlands on ranch and Zuazua’s forest Couch’s Kingbird (not counted) Very common throughout; vocal Eastern Kingbird (50) Throughout; often as small migrating flocks Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (6) Fence lines near Laguna Almagre and on the ranch Social Flycatcher (1-2 heard) Thicket near Laguna Almagre Rose-throated Becard (2 seen, one heard) Zuazua’s forest and open parkland on ranch Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (4) Zuazua’s forest Catharus sp. (Swainson’s Thrush? glimpsed) (1) Scattered trees on ranch Gray Catbird (4-6) Singles in wooded patches and in Zuazua’s forest Northern Mockingbird (10) Open fields, fences, woodland edge Long-billed Thrasher (1) Woodland west of La Pesca by Laguna Almagre Tennessee Warbler (2) Scattered trees on ranch Tropical Parula (1) Zuazua’s forest; vocal Yellow Warbler (4) Lagoon and woodland edge; all males Chestnut-sided Warbler (5) Woodland edge and pastures with scattered trees; all males Magnolia Warbler (4) Zuazua’s forest and several open or wooded edge sites on ranch Black-and-white Warbler (3) Zuazua’s forest and several open or woods edge sites on ranch; all males Northern Waterthrush (2) Pond and lagoon edge on ranch Common Yellowthroat (6) Various marsh edges, one in woodland; those seen were males Gray-crowned Yellowthroat (1) Weedy SE pasture; singing from tree top and in flight Summer Tanager (5) Woodland edge or scattered trees; males and females Scarlet Tanager (15) Woodland edge or scattered trees, males and females Olive Sparrow (8 seen, many heard) Woodland edges and interior throughout White-collared Seedeater (1) Roadside west of La Pesca Yellow-faced Grassquit (2 males, one of which was singing) Roadside west of La Pesca Botteri’s Sparrow (3) Sacahuiste grass flats near edges of Lagunas Flamingo and Chovenosa, singing during cool, overcast afternoon, no doubt more common Northern Cardinal (3) Woodland edge on ranch and west of La Pesca Rose-breasted Grosbeak (10) Scattered at woodland edge, thickets, or trees in pastures; most were females Blue Bunting (8) Zuazua’s forest and woodland edge on ranch, vocal Blue Grosbeak (20) Scattered at woodland edge, thickets, or trees in pastures; most were females Indigo Bunting (250) Scattered trees, woodland edge, many migrating flocks, also heard overhead at 11:30 P.M. on starless evening in Soto La Marina Painted Bunting (1-2 males) thickets near lodging building Dickcissel (70) Scattered trees, woodland edge, two migrating flocks, also heard overhead at 11:30 P.M. on starless evening in Soto La Marina Red-winged Blackbird (common, not counted) Throughout at marsh edge, fencerows, pasture, etc. Eastern Meadowlark (40) Pastures, roadside, fence lines, etc. Great-tailed Grackle (Common, not counted) small flocks seen throughout Bronzed Cowbird (15) Small flocks or males in tree tops Brown-headed Cowbird (30) A few small flocks Altamira Oriole (60) Scattered pairs throughout; nesting and vocal Baltimore Oriole (25) Migrating, occasional small flocks in tree tops House Sparrow (6) Gas station and yards in La Pesca
LEPIDOPTERTA — BUTTERFLIES:Polydamas Swallowtail (two along woodland trail) Ornythion Swallowtail (common at woodland edge) Note: Other black and yellow swallowtails may have been present; only one was seen well) Black Swallowtail ?? (several fast fly-bys in open areas) Kite Swallowtail (Protographium sp.) (30+ at woodland edge) Great Southern White (abundant at salt marsh and lagoon edges) Lyside Sulphur (many 100s, seen everywhere) Large Orange Sulphur (one at woodland edge) Cloudless Sulphur (several at woodland/lagoon edge) Boisduval’s Yellow (one male at woodland edge) Little Sulphur (common at lagoon/woodland edge) Western Pygmy Blue (one at salt marsh edge) Ceruanus Blue (common at ranch’s lagoon edge and elsewhere) Reakirt’s Blue (several along lagoon edge near La Pesca) Red-bordered Pixie (one sunning on ornamental vine in La Pesca) Phaon Crescent (one in open area) Vesta Crescent (three in open areas) Variegated Fritillary (perhaps 10 in open areas) American / Painted Lady (Vanessa sp.) (1 in SE pasture) inconclusive glimpse Tropical Leafwing (one at woodland edge) Gulf Fritillary (one in open area) Zebra Longwing (three at woodland edge and inside woods) Queen (three in open areas) Bordered Patch (one on lawn by guest house) Carolina Satyr (about 8 in woodland understory) Guava Skipper (one sunning on ornamental vine in La Pesca) Tropical Checkered Skipper (several in open areas) Two-barred Flasher (about 10 in forest understory) Dorantes Longtail (about 6 in forest understory) Mazans Scallopwing (one at woodland edge) Turk’s Cap White Skipper (one in forest understory) Obscure Skipper (one in salt marsh at La Pesca) REPTILESIndigo Snake (2) One in pasture, one in Zuazua’s forest Racerunner/Whiptail-type lizard (Ameiva / Cnemidophorus sp.?) Chocolate brown, velvety skin with very fine scales, in open weedy terrain Pond Turtles MAMMALSEastern Cottontail Squirrel (Sciurus aureogaster is known from the ranch) White-tailed Deer Coyote REFERENCESDameron, W. 1999. Butterflies of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Los Angeles, CA: Flutterby Press. Eubanks, T.E. 1999. Mexico -- Tamaulipas: (La Pesca). Available on the Internet at: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/ns/maybank/Tamaulipas-11-99.htm Gustafson, E.W. 2001. Laguna Flamingos: A Groundbreaking Model for Sustainable Ecotourism. Monterrey, N.L. Self published. Howell, S.N.G. and S Webb. 1995. A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America. New York: Oxford University Press. Paulson, D.R. and S.W. Dunkle. 2000. The Odonata of North America. Available on the Internet at: http://www.ups.edu/biology/museum/NAdragons.html Paulson D.R. and E. Gonzalez Soriano, 2000. Odonata of Mexico by State. Available on the Internet at: http://www.ups.edu/biology/museum/ODofMexico.html Westfall M.J. and M.L. May 1996. Damselflies of North America.
Gainesville: Scientific Publishers, Inc.
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