Anzalduas County Park is bounded by the Rio Grande River, and a buoy just a short distance from the dock marked the boundary between the United States and Mexico. We had been warned that there were a lot of mosquitoes as well as Border Patrol and police at the park. The mosquito warning was correct, but the law enforcement warning was greatly understated.
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We had two target bird species at the Anzalduas County Park. Gray Hawks nest there, and a Tropical Parula had been reported nesting in the Spanish moss hanging from trees near the maintenance building. We arrived at the park just as it was opening at 8:00 a.m. On the road leading to the park, we saw nesting Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and a few Northern Rough-winged Swallows.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
I thought that I heard the Tropical Parula singing, but only a few minutes after we arrived, and before I could locate it, maintenance workers started mowing the grass, and a law enforcement helicopter took off and was flying around the area, and I couldn't hear the bird song any more. We saw a few birds in the park.
Clay-colored Robin (Thrush)
Western Kingbird
I heard a hawk calling from the dike area, but that was off-limits, so I couldn't look for the hawk. A few minutes later, a Gray Hawk flew overhead. By the time I got my camera on it, the hawk was flying away from, but its key field marks are clearly seen in my photos.
Gray Hawk
A few minutes later, I saw a Swainson's Hawk kiting - really reminded me of our Virginia Red-tailed Hawks in its behavior. And then the Swainson's Hawk was heading right towards me. It was being chased away by a Couch's(?) Kingbird.
Swainson's Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
On our way out of the park, we saw a Black Phoebe.
Black Phoebe