South Padre Island has a boardwalk extending out into the ocean where access to shore birds is easy.
Skimmers
Carrina took this photo of the Black Skimmer. A flock of approx 200 flew in to land next to us. All birds faced into the wind in unison. Note the lower part of the beak is longer than the upper part. This is because they actually SKIM the top of the water with their beak open, scooping up tiny organisms. The neon orange color on their beaks was astonishing.
Brown Jay, next to the robin-sized Kisskadee
And then the Brown Jay, a rare visitor to the U.S., appearing this year after a 4 year absence. He is quite a lot larger than our Calif. jays but still has the sassy ways of our Stellar jays … stealing food from other birds and fussing loudly if all is not pleasing him. He was seen at Salineno refuge, near Falcon Lake.
Hooded Oriole
Also seen there was the exquisite Hooded Oriole … a deeper orange than most orioles and smaller.
Green Jay
Our visit at Salineno gave us views of 3 kinds of Orioles and the Green Jay. What more can one ask of Texas??
Mary P Williams 