It takes a very good bird to bring me out of retirement to write an #ABArare post, and the Collared Plover found by Dan Jones in Hargill, TX on Aug 2 is just such a bird. Collared Plover has a range that extends from South America to Mexico. It’s a Code 5 species with only one previous record from the ABA Area, a bird that was seen May 9-12, 1992 in Uvalde, TX.
Collared Plover at Hargill, TX on Aug 2, 2014. Photo by Dan Jones.
Jones found the Plover at the playa located on the southeast side of the intersection of First Street and Lincoln Avenue (map here). He wrote that it was “on 1st towards the east end” of the playa. Hargill is located northeast of Edinburg and west of Raymondville. From the McAllen/Pharr area, take I-69C/US 281 north to 490 east. This road will take you to Hargill.
Other birders quickly followed up on the sighting and are reporting that the bird is still present as of the afternoon of August 2nd.