One Good Tern

On Saturday April 15 three Sooty Terns were located in Rockport, TX. I was busy on Sunday, but left bright and early at 4 am for Rockport. I stopped to gas up at the Buc-ees in Wharton and who should be at the pump next to me but Shepdawg himself. We were of course both headed to the same place.

Sooty Tern
Rockport Beach

I managed to beat ShepDawg by a couple of minutes and we divided up the search for the tern. It was rainy and windy. After about 30 minutes I found it, Sooty Tern for Year Bird 388. Not bad and it wasn't even 8 am yet.

Northern Waterthrush

Headed over to Port Aransas and started at Paradise Pond first. Walking in I heard the flatulent call of a Dickcissel for Year Bird 389.  Close behind it a Cerulean Warbler came down to say good morning for Year Bird 390. A Northern Waterthrush walked at our feet for Year Bird 391.

At the end of the bird walk was a large flock of Indigo Buntings in all their glory. Right in the middle was a Painted Bunting for Year Bird 392.

Blackpoll Warbler

I headed over to the Birding Center to see what was happening there. A Blackpoll Warbler was Year Bird 393. While there at the Birding Center I heard from Arman Moreno a female frigate bird was hanging out at the Aransas Wetlands Park around the corner.

It took but a moment at the Wetlands Park to locate the female Magnificent Frigatebird for Year Bird 394. The place was hoping with shorebirds but no new birds there.

Before I left the island I headed back over to Paradise Pond to see if anything new was showing up. I was getting the impression more birds were showing up at the Birding Center.

Sure enough there were some new birds, first a Tennessee Warbler for Year Bird 395 and then a Warbling Vireo for Year Bird 396.

My route home took me by the Demo Garden and Pond in Rockport. I decided a quick pass through was in order. Not a single warbler was present, but I did find an Olive-sided Flycatcher over the Pond for Year Bird 397.

I called it an early afternoon. I had to make the 190 mile drive home and get some rest, tomorrow was my first Birding Classic event and I had to meet my team at 3 am!