On January 19, Marci and Terry Fuller found an immature male Crimson-collared Grosbeak (Code 4) at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) near Alamo, TX. They found the bird along the entrance road about three-fourths of the way from the dike near the visitor center to the old manager’s residence (the area that now has the observation tower and canopy walk). As you walk south from the headquarters area, the road passes under some utility lines and then curves to the right. It then curves slightly back to the left. Just beyond, there is a sabal palm on the left (east) side of the road. The bird flew out onto the road at this spot when it was first seen. Click here for a map.
Crimson-collared Grosbeak. Photo by Terry Fuller
Crimson-collared Grosbeaks are visitors from northeastern Mexico and within the ABA Area have only been found in Texas. Small invasions of this species occurred in the winters of 1987-1988 and 2004-2005. There were very few records between those two invasions, but they have been somewhat regular since 2005 with one or two individuals found many winters.
The trails at Santa Ana NWR are open from sunrise to sunset seven days a week and the visitor center is open from 8 AM to 4 PM. There is a $3 parking fee.