Tweets, whistles and squawks; huge flocks of grackles jostle among themselves for best treetop perches and a chance at the feeders. Dozens of green jays swoop and dive through thick brush flashing brilliant yellow tail feathers then seemingly disappearing in the foliage once they land.  The chatter of Great Kiskadees fills the air as they dart tree to tree and periodically give chase to another of their species that some how offends.

Scissortail flycatchers decorate the highest treetops then move swarm-like showing amazing acrobatics courtesy those long tail feather rudders. Small packs of Chachalaca mill about scratching seed then making a short, clumsy, wing-flailing dash into the brush.

This is day one of birding on the south Texas coast and we are off to a good start.

Two other new ones for our list, a long billed thrasher and an Atamira Oriole.