2021-05-04,5,6 SPI The Big Fallout That Wasn’t

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44 Photos

American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla — **American Redstart**
*(Setophaga ruticilla)*

**Description:**
American Redstarts have a flamboyant style of foraging that makes spotting them in the canopy relatively easy. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 13:47

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** AmericanRedstart_D5X5689_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pin It — **American Redstart**
*(Setophaga ruticilla)*

**Description:**
American Redstarts have a flamboyant style of foraging that makes spotting them in the canopy relatively easy. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 13:47

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** AmericanRedstart_D5X5689_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Bay-Breasted Warbler - Setophaga castanea — **Bay-Breasted Warbler**
*(Setophaga castanea)*

**Description:**
This female was the first of her species I met (ever). Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:06 14:47

**Location:**

South Padre Island WBC
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:** BayBreastedWarbler_D5X6992_SPI-BirdAndNatureCTR

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Cape May Warbler - Setophaga tigrina — **Cape May Warbler**
*(Setophaga tigrina)*

**Description:**
Cape May Warblers were especially abundant during this spring migration. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 12:41

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** CapeMayWarbler_D5X5458_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum — **Cedar Waxwing**
*(Bombycilla cedrorum)*

**Description:**
Cedar Waxwings aren’t rare in Texas, but we enjoyed their company. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:06 16:40

**Location:**

South Padre Island WBC
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6000

**File Name:** CedarWaxwing_D5X7158_SPI-BirdAndNatureCTR

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Chestnut-Sided Warbler - Setophaga pensylvanica — **Chestnut-Sided Warbler**
*(Setophaga pensylvanica)*

**Description:**
Most of us here in south Texas enjoyed the company of these warblers as they passed through on their journey north to breed. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 14:42

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/180

**File Name:** ChestnutSidedWarbler_D5X5766_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Flame-Colored Tanager - Piranga bidentata — **Flame-Colored Tanager**
*(Piranga bidentata)*

**Description:**
I met this rare bird a day earlier, but my session with the camera was better this day. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:05 15:18

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/750

**File Name:** FlameColoredTanager_D5X6523_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Green Heron - Butorides virescens — **Green Heron**
*(Butorides virescens)*

**Description:**
It had been only about a week since I last visited the nesting Green Herons, and they’d grown so fast. Newer nests now sported young, hungry babies. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:06 14:09

**Location:**

South Padre Island WBC
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:** GreenHeron_D5X6888_SPI-BirdAndNatureCTR

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
In the past few days we began seeing three different bunting species (Painted, Indigo, and Varied), complicating the process of identification. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 14:37

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/350

**File Name:** IndigoBunting_D5X5741_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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MacGillivray's Warbler - Geothlypis tolmiei — **MacGillivray's Warbler**
*(Geothlypis tolmiei)*

**Description:**
The MacGillivray’s Warbler is more often seen in the west than here in Texas. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 16:18

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/180

**File Name:** MacGillivraysWarbler_D5X5945_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Magnolia Warbler - Setophaga magnolia — **Magnolia Warbler**
*(Setophaga magnolia)*

**Description:**
Many of the flashy warblers passing through sported a lot of yellow. Magnolia Warblers in particular fit this pattern. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:06 14:03

**Location:**

South Padre Island WBC
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/750

**File Name:** MagnoliaWarbler_D5X6850_SPI-BirdAndNatureCTR

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Mourning Warbler - Geothlypis philadelphia — **Mourning Warbler**
*(Geothlypis philadelphia)*

**Description:**
Mourning Warblers in eastern North America are like their western counterpart, the MacGillivray’s Warbler. Their paths overlap as they pass through south Texas on their way north. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 15:32

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** MourningWarbler_D5X5842_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
Most of the male Painted Buntings came through south Texas a few weeks ago. Now we are seeing mostly the gals. Their paths overlap as they pass through south Texas on their way north. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 16:37

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125

**File Name:** PaintedBunting_D5X6011_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Eastern Wood-Pewee - Contopus virens — **Eastern Wood-Pewee**
*(Contopus virens)*

**Description:**
Eastern Wood-Pewees seemed to be everywhere we looked during this day of migration. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:05:05 14:47

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1500

**File Name:** EasternWoodPewee_D5X6411_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Philadelphia Vireo - Vireo philadelphicus — **Philadelphia Vireo**
*(Vireo philadelphicus)*

**Description:**
Philadelphia Vireos look like a darker, more contrasty Warbling Vireo. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 16:05

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125

**File Name:** PhiladelphiaVireo_D5X5918_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Red-Winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus — **Red-Winged Blackbird**
*(Agelaius phoeniceus)*

**Description:**
This male Red-Winged Blackbird proclaims his territory. With the spring migration winding down, as well as my stay in Texas, I wanted to maximize my pursuit of bird meetings. This was the third day in a row I visited South Padre Island. Today I visited both the Convention Centre and the Bird and Nature Center.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:06 15:22

**Location:**

South Padre Island WBC
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1500

**File Name:** RedWingedBlackbird_D5X7024_SPI-BirdAndNatureCTR

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Rose-Breasted Grosbeak - Pheucticus ludovicianus — **Rose-Breasted Grosbeak**
*(Pheucticus ludovicianus)*

**Description:**
We hadn’t seen male grosbeaks for some time, but the females seemed to still be on the move north. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:06 13:20

**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:** RoseBreastedGrosbeak_D5X6800_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Ruby-Throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris — **Ruby-Throated Hummingbird**
*(Archilochus colubris)*

**Description:**
This unusual leucistic hummingbird stood out among its many peers here. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:05 15:15

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/350

**File Name:** RubyThroatedLeucisticHummingbird_D5X6473_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Swainson's Thrush - Catharus ustulatus — **Swainson's Thrush**
*(Catharus ustulatus)*

**Description:**
Catharus thrushes like the Hermit and Swainson’s can be tricky to identify, but the “goggles” on the eyes tell us this bird is a Swainson’s Thrush. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 13:07

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** SwainsonsThrush_D5X5511_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Varied Bunting - Passerina versicolor — **Varied Bunting**
*(Passerina versicolor)*

**Description:**
Female buntings are not as showy as their male counterparts. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:06 15:54

**Location:**

South Padre Island WBC
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
13.12 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/750

**File Name:** VariedBunting_D5X7077_SPI-BirdAndNatureCTR

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Veery - Catharus fuscescens — **Veery**
*(Catharus fuscescens)*

**Description:**
Catharus thrushes like this bird can be tricky to identify, but the red tint to its brown feathers tells us it is a Veery. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 16:13

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/90

**File Name:** Veery_D5X5932_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Warbling Vireo - Vireo gilvus — **Warbling Vireo**
*(Vireo gilvus)*

**Description:**
Philadelphia Vireos look like a darker, more contrasty Warbling Vireo, but with more yellow. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 13:39

**Location:**

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

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

**File Name:** WarblingVireo_D5X5661_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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White-Winged Dove - Zenaida asiatica — **White-Winged Dove**
*(Zenaida asiatica)*

**Description:**
White-Winged Doves joined the migrating birds on SPI, taking advantage of the food supply provided by volunteers. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:06 13:22

**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:** WhiteWingedDove_D5X6808_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher - Empidonax flaviventris — **Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher**
*(Empidonax flaviventris)*

**Description:**
This was my first meeting with this species. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:05 18:02

**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:** YellowBelliedFlycatcher_D5X6702_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Yellow-Billed Cuckoo - Coccyzus americanus — **Yellow-Billed Cuckoo**
*(Coccyzus americanus)*

**Description:**
This bird seemed weary. Resting in relative open is not typical. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:05 17:48

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/750

**File Name:** YellowBilledCuckoo_D5X6661_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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

**Description:**
This “western” form of Yellow-Rumped Warbler is uncommon here in Texas. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:05 13:54

**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:** YellowRumpedAudubonsWarbler_D5X6091_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Yellow Warbler - Setophaga petechia — **Yellow Warbler**
*(Setophaga petechia)*

**Description:**
Both male and female Yellow Warblers were passing through during this period of migration. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:04 13:38

**Location:**

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

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/350

**File Name:** YellowWarbler_D5X5658_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

American Redstarts have a flamboyant style of foraging that makes spotting them in the canopy relatively easy. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.

Bay-Breasted Warbler

Setophaga castanea

This female was the first of her species I met (ever). Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Bay-Breasted Warbler

Setophaga castanea

Cape May Warbler

Setophaga tigrina

Cape May Warblers were especially abundant during this spring migration. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.

Cape May Warbler

Setophaga tigrina

Cape May Warblers were especially abundant during this spring migration. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Cape May Warbler

Setophaga tigrina

This Cape May Warbler female was chasing all other warblers from the oranges placed to nourish the travelling birds. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Cape May Warbler

Setophaga tigrina

Cedar Waxwing

Bombycilla cedrorum

Cedar Waxwings aren’t rare in Texas, but we enjoyed their company. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

Most of us here in south Texas enjoyed the company of these warblers as they passed through on their journey north to breed. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

On seeing this bird for the first time, someone asked a friend of mine, “What is that bird with the chestnut sides?”. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Flame-Colored Tanager

Piranga bidentata

I met this rare bird a day earlier, but my session with the camera was better this day. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Flame-Colored Tanager

Piranga bidentata

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

It had been only about a week since I last visited the nesting Green Herons, and they’d grown so fast. Newer nests now sported young, hungry babies. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

In the past few days we began seeing three different bunting species (Painted, Indigo, and Varied), complicating the process of identification. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

Most of the male Indigo Buntings passed through south Texas weeks earlier. At his time, the girls dominated the scene, except for this boy. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

MacGillivray's Warbler

Geothlypis tolmiei

The MacGillivray’s Warbler is more often seen in the west than here in Texas. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.

MacGillivray's Warbler

Geothlypis tolmiei

MacGillivray's Warbler

Geothlypis tolmiei

Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga magnolia

Many of the flashy warblers passing through sported a lot of yellow. Magnolia Warblers in particular fit this pattern. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

Mourning Warblers in eastern North America are like their western counterpart, the MacGillivray’s Warbler. Their paths overlap as they pass through south Texas on their way north. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

Most of the male Painted Buntings came through south Texas a few weeks ago. Now we are seeing mostly the gals. Their paths overlap as they pass through south Texas on their way north. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus virens

Eastern Wood-Pewees seemed to be everywhere we looked during this day of migration. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus virens

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus virens

Philadelphia Vireo

Vireo philadelphicus

Philadelphia Vireos look like a darker, more contrasty Warbling Vireo. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.

Philadelphia Vireo

Vireo philadelphicus

A lot of vireos showed up recently, but the Philadelphia Vireos were most abundant this day. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

This male Red-Winged Blackbird proclaims his territory. With the spring migration winding down, as well as my stay in Texas, I wanted to maximize my pursuit of bird meetings. This was the third day in a row I visited South Padre Island. Today I visited both the Convention Centre and the Bird and Nature Center.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

We hadn’t seen male grosbeaks for some time, but the females seemed to still be on the move north. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

This unusual leucistic hummingbird stood out among its many peers here. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Catharus thrushes like the Hermit and Swainson’s can be tricky to identify, but the “goggles” on the eyes tell us this bird is a Swainson’s Thrush. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.

Varied Bunting

Passerina versicolor

Female buntings are not as showy as their male counterparts. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Veery

Catharus fuscescens

Catharus thrushes like this bird can be tricky to identify, but the red tint to its brown feathers tells us it is a Veery. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.

Warbling Vireo

Vireo gilvus

Philadelphia Vireos look like a darker, more contrasty Warbling Vireo, but with more yellow. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.

White-Winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

White-Winged Doves joined the migrating birds on SPI, taking advantage of the food supply provided by volunteers. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax flaviventris

This was my first meeting with this species. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus

This bird seemed weary. Resting in relative open is not typical. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata auduboni

This “western” form of Yellow-Rumped Warbler is uncommon here in Texas. Tuesday night’s winds at South Padre Island (Texas) did not produce the big warbler fallout we hoped for at the Convention Center. Still, there were several birding surprises in store for those of us who showed up to find birds.

Yellow Warbler

Setophaga petechia

Both male and female Yellow Warblers were passing through during this period of migration. Tuesday’s birds at South Padre Island (Texas) were all great birds for me, but most of us at the Convention Center expected overnight north winds to provide a feast on Wednesday for interested birders.