We will meet at Resaca de la Palma State Park in Brownsville, Texas at 8 AM in front of the visitor center. Fortunately, most of our targets are at this one state park, so we should enjoy a great day of birding almost exclusively at this location. There is a $4 entry fee at the visitor center, which opens at 8 AM and takes cash or card. If you arrive earlier than 8 AM you can fill out a self-pay envelope with cash. We will first target the 3rd US record (1st Texas record) Gray-collared Becard at the feeders or wherever it has most recently been seen in the park. Then we will target Roadside Hawk at the dry resaca, where it often perches momentarily on stumps in the resaca. We can walk down the maintenance trail at the beginning of the park in search of the Dusky-capped Flycatcher (lawrenceii subspecies - a potential split!) and Golden-crowned Warbler. We will likely spend most of the day waiting for our targets, as they can be elusive. Fortunately, the trails are very easy and there are benches in most areas. There are restrooms and snacks available in the visitor center, but please bring water and a lunch.

Should we fail to locate Dusky-capped Flycatcher and Golden-crowned Warbler, we can try for the latter first at Hugh Ramsey Park in Harlingen (25 min from Resaca) and we can search for the former at the National Butterfly Center (1 hr west of Resaca).

Unfortunately, no spots were available on a Santa Margarita Ranch trip in Starr County for Dec. 3. Due to the incredible rarities seen there lately (Bare-throated Tiger-Heron and Mottled Owl, both 3rd US records), there is very high demand for access onto the ranch, and only two guides who can take groups onto the private property, so there is a long waitlist. Furthermore, the cost for access has increased from $25 to a whopping $160. If you would still like to visit Santa Margarita Ranch in the future, e-mail santamargaritatxranch@gmail.com.

Leader is Liam Wolff. Please text any questions to him at (706) 607-0229.