Christmas Bird Counts

Count circle includes Bentsen State Park and Anzalduas County Park. Participants, working in teams, may opt for a few hours of counting, an all-day marathon or anything in between. Compiler Roy Rodriguez, Roy.Rodriguez@tpwd.texas.gov, 956-584-9156. This count is usually held on the last Friday of the count window.

There are 8 sections within the Brownsville CBC, which includes hotspots like Resaca de la Palma SP; Fish Hatchery Road; Palo Alto NHS; Padre Island Blvd.; TNC Southmost Preserve; Sabal Palm Sanctuary; UTRGV Campus and often the adjacent Texas Southmost College Campus; Downtown Brownsville; and much more! Compiler: Karl Berg, karl.berg@utrgv.edu.

The Chaparral Wildlife Management Area is located 8 miles West of Artesia Wells on F.M. 133. The CWMA consists of 15,200 acres of South Texas brush country. The event takes place rain or shine and no experience is required. For more information, contact Nicole Alonso, nicole.alonso@tpwd.texas.gov, Office phone: 830-676-3413, Cell phone: 361-230-0735

The compiler is Javier Gonzalez naturalist@spibirding.com , 956-467-8782

You can participate either by meeting in Gomez Farias or through a 6-day tour which includes transportation from Harlingen, Weslaco, or Mission. Guides, hotel, and meals are included. Click on the name of the count for more information about the tour or go to gowithjo.com/tour/christmas-bird-count-at-el-cielo-biosphere-reserve-mexico/. Those who aren't interested in the tour should contact Stennie Meadours at stenmead@aol.com for details about the meeting spot and the count.

Compiler: Susan Foster, idratherbebirding@gmail.com.

This is always an exciting count due to the 30-plus specialty birds in the Rio Grande Valley. Email hgtxcbc@gmail.com or call 956-244-2347 to join. Co-compilers Mark Conway and Alicia Cavazos. The count is usually held on the last Saturday of the count window.

The La Sal Vieja CBC is located out at the Valley Salt Lakes area in northeastern Hidalgo County and southwestern Willacy County. The area is a wonderful place to bird! The count normally averages about 165 species. The count circle has large areas of USFWS tracts which are hard to access by the public.

If you are interested in participating on the Laguna Atascosa (TXLA) CBC, see the website for information on the circle and areas within. Teams are pre-defined for each area. Area Leaders will manage the team details. So get your request in early! We will work to match up new participants with teams in need. Contact: Cathy Harrington txlacbc@flanwr.org 512-410-1360. Website: https://flanwr.org/Christmas-Bird-Count/

Our count circle includes private ranches and public lands, much of which is on the Rio Grande. Compiler: Glenda Barrera, gcbarr56@gmail.com, 956-286-5876.

Santa Ana (TXSA)The Santa Ana CBC count circle includes Alamo, San Juan, Hidalgo, Pharr, much of McAllen, and a bit of Donna. John McKee is running the count this year. Please contact him at 815-617-2091 for more information and to sign up.

Please call ahead or email to register. Compiler John Yochum, john.yochum@tpwd.texas.gov, (956) 565-3919.