Nina’s birding brothers (Dano and Joe – the “Weisbirds”) and I planned a Galveston, Texas trip with hopes of capitalizing on spring migrants. Three days of intensive birding and camaraderie produced many great moments including “lifers” for Dano (31) and Joe (21). I didn’t expect any new species for my ABA Area (USA & Canada) list – especially as I had gone “ofer” in 2024.

However, the birding Gods were smiling on us. A code 5 Yellow-headed Caracara (Central American raptor) and a code 4 first-ever-in-the-Lower 48 Amur Stonechat (Asian flycatcher) were reported the week before our trip. Okay, I had never even heard of an Amur Stonechat. Google Amur. And Stonechat for that matter:).

We scored the Caracara on our second dawn attempt. It gave us a distant look on a faraway topless Palmetto Palm trunk after flying over from the Gulf of America (?). Birders from Wisconsin joined in our celebration with fist-pumps.

YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (photo courtesy of Joe Weisbord – the bird was 1/2 mile away)

The Stonechat required advance planning and pre-registration. Originally spotted on a December, 2024 Christmas Bird Count (CBC), this diminutive female took up residence on a small patch of a remote hunting ground. It took several months of deliberations before the ”Friends of Anahuac Refuge” obtained a permit from the State of Texas to allow birders access to this site. After a mile walk along the dike, we located and viewed this mega-rarity. Admittedly, not very satisfying looks, but for me, ABA Area #820 was in the books.

AMUR STONECHAT (photo courtesy of Jordan Juzdowski – the bird was 200 yards away)

During the Stonechat walk, I met an intense Coloradian named Nick who had completed a “Big Year” in 2023. He recorded 796 species in the ABA Area that year! Amazingly (to me), he had read my book!! When I thanked him for the $4 I receive from every Amazon sale, he deadpanned: “I bought it used”.

The Weisbirds and I re-started an annual birding tradition that originated before Covid in Massachusetts. Next year we will add nephew Carson and tackle the Texas Rio Grande Valley. I cannot wait!