El Franco Lee Park was quiet as it has been for the past several visits. Except for several Eastern Kingbirds and two Indigo Buntings there were no migrants. A pair of Ring-necked Ducks remains, but otherwise the wetlands are empty. To use the rest of daylight I made a mad dash to Russ Pitman Park from home and found a handful of migrants. Things started well with a male American Redstart and Acadian Flycatcher, before quieting. I came across a secretive Kentucky Warbler. With a few minutes of light remaining a male Summer Tanager appeared and at the 11th hour the hoped for Blue-winged Warbler, two hyperactive birds that were difficult to observe. Looks like Spring is well under way.
This weekend I spent three days leading tours at FeatherFest in Galveston under difficult conditions. With strong south winds the birding was slow, except Whimbrels, Upland Sandpipers, and American Golden Plovers. I actually found the best birds Sunday (04/15) afternoon after the festival, when about 30 Red Knots showed very well on east beach among hundreds of shorebirds, gulls, and terns.
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