Birding With The Jays : Birdwatching Adventures & Guide

Four point five stars on google maps out of 39 reviews. That is where we are heading this morning.

On the road, hot coffee in hand. Charley Crockett on the radio. Great-tailed Grackle flying on the left side of the truck with a branch on its beak. Cloudy skies surround us, the sun wants to take a peak to see what we are up to.

Photo by Jazmin Barrientos : Arriving at the Landfill, Brownsville, Texas

It is an early morning, and we have so much to do. We recently lost a dear integrant of our birding flock, Julian’s father. As part of his last wishes, we are planning a celebration of life that will serve as a family reunion to reminisce on the good times. This, however, comes with many more responsibilities; such as cleaning and clearing the backyard and getting rid of brush, trash and other unwanted foreign materials from the garden.

Photo by Jazmin Barrientos : Tires by a Tree, Brownsville Landfill, Texas

Cue in the field trip to Brownsville, Texas’ finest birdwatching emporium: The City Dump. Please detect the sarcasm, because we do not want you showing up in your most stylish loafers.

The drive there was straight forward. As we arrive :
Lots of men. Lots of big trucks. LOTS of birds flying in for the breakfast buffet. We checked in and were then guided to an area for us to drop off our contribution to this mountain of trash. You must drive cautiously though, since the heterogeneous conglomerate of birds, too invested in finding food, move at the speed of something that doesn’t want to move. Therefore, you might run over that rarity you are out there looking for. We parked and Julian got down to do his job.

I pretty much got the passenger princess treatment. I did not get down. I did not touch trash. I just sat in the truck. In awe. There were huge machines driving to and fro. Crushing, moving, obliterating everything in their path. And the birds? Flying right on top and around these machines. Scavenging for remains. Given that this has only been the second time I have personally ever been to the city dump, I’d say I handled it pretty well.

On the way out, you show your PUB – utility bill and on your way you go. Lighter load and all. Except, you know, in your conscience, because of all the human waste that is being pumped into our environment.

Well anyways, today, we figured we were already here so we asked the staff in their little reception cube, if we could birdwatch a bit. And guess what? NO ONE looked at us like we were crazy. In fact, a man was so kind enough to lend us safety vests and give us guided instructions to the designated birdwatching area they have for all of us looneys!

The truth is, we are late to this game. It has always been a thing. Ever since back in the day, when we found out people would come here to get the Tamaulipas Crow in their life list, or into their yearly birding list. Lately, there have been a lot of different fancy gulls discovered here as well. This January 2025, a Gray Gull was spotted. In March of this year 2025, there were also reports of a Vega Gull, Iceland Gull and a Glaucous Gull.

But because of everything going on in our life, we have missed our opportunity. Today, however, was just for fun.

There was nothing out of our norm out here, just the usual suspects. Crested Caracaras, Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures. The coolest birds we crossed paths with would probably be two Chihuahuan Ravens. But let me tell you, there were many gulls! So many. Too many. It was gull heaven. So if gulls are your thing, come to the dump. You will have the time of your life.

Huge Side Note:
Here are a few pointers, not all necessary. But still, worth considering:
* Do not slather on cream. Or anything on you that is sticky. You are exposing yourself to the possibility of becoming a dirt and debris breaded human.
* Wear closed toe shoes. Maybe it should go without saying, but just in case. It is a landfill. There is trash. There are needles. There are screws, nails and human waste. Along with other unknown waste. No one will think you are cool if you show up with sandals.
* Consider wearing a mask. Seriously, you are breathing all that in. Plus they burn brush and trash close by. Did we mention it is a landfill, and that it smells? And they are constantly churning and crushing the disposed waste.
* Wear Safety Glasses. They might get in the way when birdwatching, yes. But also, they might get in the way between stuff flying straight into your eyes. Or pink eye.

Thank you for joining us on our latest mini adventure. Hope you all find yourselves well. Until next time!

Happy birding! Love Always,