The generally elusive Sedge Wren at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge

We spent a tremendous morning driving the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge’s, Shoveler Pond loop – two and a half miles through reed-bed, ponds and wet-land. First stop was The Willows, an area of scrub which is known to be good for migrants. We had a few there including Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Common Yellowthroat, Painted Bunting and Great Crested Flycatcher. We also caught up with the generally elusive Sedge Wren. Then on to the other pull-ins along the route, adding numerous fresh-water wader and wildfowl species. Top birds were another couple of difficult to see species – Virginia Rail and Marsh Wren. After lunch we went to the beach, Rollover Pass, to be precise – a great place for shore birds. Here we had seven species of tern and a hat-full of saltwater waders. Our final stop was back at the woods and ‘yards’ of High Island where, on our way through to the coast, we had lunch whilst watching Hooded Warbler, Ovenbird, Brown Thrasher and, best of all – the elusive Swainson’s Warbler!

Just one of the array of wildfowl, heron  and wader species – Least Bittern

Another difficult to see bird is Seaside Sparrow – seen at Tuna Road

But the ‘stand-out’ species of the day – found by our resident ‘birding pursuivant’ Jake, was Swainson’s Warbler – Hooks Wood. Record shot!