2021-04-02 Back to South Padre Island

Hooded Warbler - Setophaga citrina — Hooded Warblers spend winters in Mexico and Central America. Those I met here are just passing through and will continue north to the southeastern USA. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

If you are passionate about birds, I believe there is no better place to hang out than South Padre Island during spring migration. As a kid growing up near the Southern California coast, eastern birds seemed out of reach for me. But here in south Texas, most of these unreachable species pass through as they travel between their summer and winter homes.

I split my time between two lovely locations on this Friday morning; the Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary and the South Padre Island Convention Centre. Each rewarded me with meeting bird species for the first time. My encounters included three new species; Yellow-Throated Vireo, Yellow-Throated Warbler, and Worm-Eating Warbler.

We do not expect migration to reach its high point for two or three weeks. But the number of birds on the move here was encouraging. I only spent four and a half hours on the island, but in those few hours I captured the Black-and-White Warbler, Golden-Fronted Woodpecker, Great Kiskadee, Hooded Oriole, Hooded Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Nashville Warbler, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Ovenbird, Painted Bunting, Worm-Eating Warbler, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Yellow-Throated Vireo, and Yellow-Throated Warbler.

To be sure, I shall return (apologies to Douglas MacArthur).

Black-and-White Warbler - Mniotilta varia — **Black-and-White Warbler**
*(Mniotilta varia)*

**Description:**
Birds such as this Black-and-White Warbler spend winters here. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 11:51

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** BlackAndWhiteWarbler_D5X0012-SPI_ConventionCentre

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pin It — **Black-and-White Warbler**
*(Mniotilta varia)*

**Description:**
Birds such as this Black-and-White Warbler spend winters here. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 11:51

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** BlackAndWhiteWarbler_D5X0012-SPI_ConventionCentre

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Golden-Fronted Woodpecker - Melanerpes aurifrons — **Golden-Fronted Woodpecker**
*(Melanerpes aurifrons)*

**Description:**
Not all birds I met were migrants. This woodpecker is resident in south Texas. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 10:25

**Location:**

Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** GoldenFrontedWoodpecker_D5X9734-SheepsheadBirdSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Great Kiskadee - Pitangus sulphuratus — **Great Kiskadee**
*(Pitangus sulphuratus)*

**Description:**
Not all birds I met were migrants. South Texas is the only place in the USA that hosts Great Kiskadees. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 9:52

**Location:**

Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** GreatKiskadee_D5X9514-SheepsheadBirdSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Hooded Oriole - Icterus cucullatus — **Hooded Oriole**
*(Icterus cucullatus)*

**Description:**
A few Hooded Orioles winter in south Texas, but most spent it in Mexico. This bird will most likely breed in south Texas this summer.. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 9:54

**Location:**

Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250

**File Name:** HoodedOriole_D5X9529-SheepsheadBirdSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea — **Indigo Bunting**
*(Passerina cyanea)*

**Description:**
Indigo Buntings spend their winters in Mexico, Caribbean Islands, and Central America. Those I met here are just passing through and will continue north to the southeastern USA. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 12:55

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** IndigoBunting_D5X0205-SPI_ConventionCentre

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Lincoln's Sparrow - Melospiza lincolnii — **Lincoln's Sparrow**
*(Melospiza lincolnii)*

**Description:**
Lincoln’s Sparrows wintering in Texas will soon head north to breed. Some will travel as far as Canada and Alaska. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 11:32

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** LincolnsSparrow_D5X9840-SPI_ConventionCentre

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Nashville Warbler - Leiothlypis ruficapilla — **Nashville Warbler**
*(Leiothlypis ruficapilla)*

**Description:**
Most Nashville Warblers winter in Mexico, though a few will stay in south Texas until the call of migration sends them north as far as southern Canada. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 13:00

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** NashvilleWarbler_D5X0267-SPI_ConventionCentre

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Orange-Crowned Warbler - Leiothlypis celata — **Orange-Crowned Warbler**
*(Leiothlypis celata)*

**Description:**
All the Orange-Crowned Warblers wintering in south Texas will leave soon to breed in the Rocky Mountain states or in Canada and Alaska. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 9:37

**Location:**

Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500

**File Name:** OrangeCrownedWarbler_D5X9496-SheepsheadBirdSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Orchard Oriole - Icterus spurius — **Orchard Oriole**
*(Icterus spurius)*

**Description:**
Orchard Orioles winter in southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America. A few of these birds will stay in south Texas, but most will continue their migration throughout most of the USA east of the Rockies. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 9:52

**Location:**

Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** OrchardOriole_D5X9506-SheepsheadBirdSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Ovenbird - Seiurus aurocapilla — **Ovenbird**
*(Seiurus aurocapilla)*

**Description:**
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean host Ovenbirds in winter, but when spring comes, they migrate to the northern USA and southern and central Canada. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 10:59

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** Ovenbird_D5X9756-SPI_ConventionCentre

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Painted Bunting - Passerina ciris — **Painted Bunting**
*(Passerina ciris)*

**Description:**
Painted Buntings are some of the most gaudy birds on the planet and always draw the attention of bird-loving humans. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 12:38

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000

**File Name:** PaintedBunting_D5X0115-SPI_ConventionCentre

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Worm-Eating Warbler - Helmitheros vermivorum — **Worm-Eating Warbler**
*(Helmitheros vermivorum)*

**Description:**
Until this morning, I’d never met a Worm-Eating Warbler. Their migration route from Mexico to eastern USA takes most of them through south Texas. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 11:47

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** WormEatingWarbler_D5X0003-SPI_ConventionCentre

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus varius — **Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker**
*(Sphyrapicus varius)*

**Description:**
Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers winter in the southeastern USA and south through Texas, Mexico and Central America. They all leave their winter homes to travel as far north as Canada and eastern Alaska to raise the next generation. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 10:03

**Location:**

Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** YellowBelliedSapsucker_D5X9571-SheepsheadBirdSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Yellow-Rumped Warbler - Setophaga coronata coronata — **Yellow-Rumped Warbler**
*(Setophaga coronata coronata)*

**Description:**
Yellow-Rumped Warblers are plentiful in Texas all winter, but depart for lands to the north in spring to raise families. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 10:05

**Location:**

Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** YellowRumpedWarbler_D5X9574-SheepsheadBirdSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Yellow-Throated Vireo - Vireo flavifrons — **Yellow-Throated Vireo**
*(Vireo flavifrons)*

**Description:**
Some Yellow-Throated Vireos winter in the Caribbean, but most stay in southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Most will migrate through south Texas in spring on their way to summer homes in eastern USA. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 11:36

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000

**File Name:** YellowThroatedVireo_D5X9878-SPI_ConventionCentre

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Yellow-Throated Warbler - Setophaga dominica — **Yellow-Throated Warbler**
*(Setophaga dominica)*

**Description:**
Some Yellow-Throated Warblers winter on the Texan gulf coast. Those wintering in Mexico will migrate through south Texas in spring on their way to summer homes in eastern USA. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:04:02 10:09

**Location:**

Sheepshead Bird Sanctuary
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** YellowThroatedWarbler_D5X9645-SheepsheadBirdSanctuary

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

Black-and-White Warbler

Mniotilta varia

Birds such as this Black-and-White Warbler spend winters here. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Golden-Fronted Woodpecker

Melanerpes aurifrons

Not all birds I met were migrants. This woodpecker is resident in south Texas. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Great Kiskadee

Pitangus sulphuratus

Not all birds I met were migrants. South Texas is the only place in the USA that hosts Great Kiskadees. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Hooded Oriole

Icterus cucullatus

A few Hooded Orioles winter in south Texas, but most spent it in Mexico. This bird will most likely breed in south Texas this summer.. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Hooded Warbler

Setophaga citrina

Hooded Warblers spend winters in Mexico and Central America. Those I met here are just passing through and will continue north to the southeastern USA. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Hooded Warbler

Setophaga citrina

Hooded Warbler

Setophaga citrina

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Buntings spend their winters in Mexico, Caribbean Islands, and Central America. Those I met here are just passing through and will continue north to the southeastern USA. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Lincoln's Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

Lincoln’s Sparrows wintering in Texas will soon head north to breed. Some will travel as far as Canada and Alaska. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis ruficapilla

Most Nashville Warblers winter in Mexico, though a few will stay in south Texas until the call of migration sends them north as far as southern Canada. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Orange-Crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis celata

All the Orange-Crowned Warblers wintering in south Texas will leave soon to breed in the Rocky Mountain states or in Canada and Alaska. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Orchard Oriole

Icterus spurius

Orchard Orioles winter in southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America. A few of these birds will stay in south Texas, but most will continue their migration throughout most of the USA east of the Rockies. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Ovenbird

Seiurus aurocapilla

Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean host Ovenbirds in winter, but when spring comes, they migrate to the northern USA and southern and central Canada. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

Painted Buntings are some of the most gaudy birds on the planet and always draw the attention of bird-loving humans. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

Worm-Eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Until this morning, I’d never met a Worm-Eating Warbler. Their migration route from Mexico to eastern USA takes most of them through south Texas. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Worm-Eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers winter in the southeastern USA and south through Texas, Mexico and Central America. They all leave their winter homes to travel as far north as Canada and eastern Alaska to raise the next generation. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata coronata

Yellow-Rumped Warblers are plentiful in Texas all winter, but depart for lands to the north in spring to raise families. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Yellow-Throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

Some Yellow-Throated Vireos winter in the Caribbean, but most stay in southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Most will migrate through south Texas in spring on their way to summer homes in eastern USA. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.

Yellow-Throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

Yellow-Throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

Yellow-Throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

Yellow-Throated Warbler

Setophaga dominica

Some Yellow-Throated Warblers winter on the Texan gulf coast. Those wintering in Mexico will migrate through south Texas in spring on their way to summer homes in eastern USA. With spring migration on South Padre Island (Texas) picking up, there’s no other place I’d rather be in April.