Photo by Jazmin Barrientos : Golden-cheeked Warbler making birders scream with excitement out in the rain, South Padre Island Convention Center
Hello Everyone!
Welcome Back to another episode of let’s go birdwatching!
Today we want to talk about why we love April so much.
š§ļø April = Magic in the RGV
You might recall, the saying that goes, April Showers bring May flowers…but most importantly when mixed in during migration season, they bring birds!
This April we got a rare cool front down here in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Rain and winds didn’t let up, putting a strain on migrating birds making them take a migratory stop to replenish calories and rest.
What does that mean for us? Great birdwatching conditions!
Mind you, you will probably get wet and cold…but really, you won’t care when you spot a Golden-cheeked Warbler WAY OFF its course.
(We saw one this year, lifer for us!)
Or a Cape May Warbler. Or a Cerulean Warbler.
Really all the birds this time during migration. They are wearing their best most beautiful feathers, ready to strut their stuff for breeding season! Colors galore, no matter where you set your eyes. Truly and wonderfully breath-taking.
You won’t even feel the cold, the sight of so many birds will definitely warm you up.
If you haven’t made it down to the Rio Grande Valley for a birdwatching adventure during one of these rare cold fronts, that certainly put everyone in a good mood, YOU SHOULD! Do it! We will guide you to all the best spots, pinky promise!
š¦ What We Saw This Weekend
Onto what we saw this past Sunday and Monday!
Here are our eBird Lists:
Sun 19 Apr 2026
Mon 20 Apr 2026
Cerulean Warbler
Photo by Jazmin Barrientos : Cerulean Warbler putting on a show at South Padre Island Convention Center
Let’s figure out how we ID’d this Cerulean Warbler!
š How to ID: Cerulean Warbler
First and foremost, check out that color! Cerulean blue in its head and upperparts. It is a big hint! We don’t see that color in a warbler down here in the RGV too often.
Next let’s look at the size. This is a small bird, most noticeable when it is right in front of you. We will go into characteristics of a warbler in another post very soon.
Now lets look at distinguishing marks:
It has a black / darkish breast band. It has two bold whitish wing bars.
Add all that together and you have a Cerulean Warbler.
Given, this one is a wet Cerulean Warbler, but we will take it!
This was a straight up Cerulean Warbler by text book definition, but it does get more challenging as we ID immature Cerulean Warblers and Adult Females. Just as it can get complicated with any other species.
šØ Spotlight:
Painted Bunting
Video by Jazmin Barrientos : Painted Bunting feeding in the ground at South Padre Island Convention Center
This species is one for the books.
There aren’t many birds like it. Packing majestic, boldly bright colorful feathers into one tiny body. The male is often described looking as if someone threw buckets of primary colored paints at it to see what would happen. We have literally heard this out in the field and it stuck our brain.
This whole scenario felt almost like Easter Egg hunting. Many wonderful colors laid about the grasses, trees and weeds. Some out in the open some hidden. The Painted Bunting is always one of those birds that just adds a great sense of awe to the spectacle of birdwatching.
Lets ID this bird together!
The Painted Bunting: Males have bold colors that are truly unmistakable. Once they come into their adult plumage, after their first winter, they retain their maximalist outfit year round. You will see their Blue head. Red in their breast area with a matching red eye ring. A Greenish color will be found in their back.
Females are very different. They are mostly a brightish green above the body with a more so yellowish green in their underparts. And a yellow eye ring.
But why? Don’t worry we will talk about Sexual Dimorphism, differences between male and female birds within their species, in a post coming up.
ā The Big Moment:
Golden-cheeked Warbler
Photo by Jazmin Barrientos : Golden-cheeked Warbler making birders scream with excitement out in the rain, South Padre Island Convention Center
Yes. You read that right. We bet you were here for this bird huh?
E for endangered in our National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America (6th Edition). And according to a quick google search it remains enlisted as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The Golden-cheeked Warbler. How can we describe the feeling? Euphoric? When finding a rare bird, practically in your own backyard ( 20 minutes away from home), endangered species and a lifer, meaning it was the first time we set eyes on it.
Yeah. Guess so. A big sigh after holding our breath for a minute.
Stars in our eyes. Hearts pounding in our chest.
We were actually headed to birdwatch at South Padre Island, cold rain and all. Toddler in the back seat with snacks. Blissfully oblivious and unaware that we were about to have one of those “we will talk about this for years to come” kind of days.
On our way, our excitement grew. A notification, saying a Black-capped Vireo had been spotted in one of the streets of S.P.I. and we were headed straight for it. We have seen this bird before, during a crazy spring break years ago. However, it is pretty rare to see one here in the valley, hence our eagerness to get there already.
We crossed the Queen Isabella Causeway. Hit one or two stop lights, then suddenly, got a second notification. A Golden-cheeked Warbler spotted at the boardwalk in the S.P.I. convention center. Lord. Almighty. You have us right where we need to be. We skipped on the Black-capped Vireo (seen it, appreciate it, love it)… but a Golden-cheeked lifer?! Yeah, no hesitation. Let’s go.
Once we arrived at the S.P.I convention center, fingers fumbling, too excited to find camera buttons. Soft specks of rain started to hit the window of the truck. Raincoats came on. Steps went straight to the boardwalk.
Speaking to other birders, we came to find out they had lost the bird and had been looking for it ever since the latest notification. Some said it was spotted at a different area of the convention center.
As we head back inland, exiting the boardwalk, a very nice lady and her husband passed by and mentioned it was being spotted as we spoke!
We. Ran. Over a boardwalk that desperately needs love and attention, boards squeaking and shifting under our feet. Specks of rain turn to a steady drizzle. Coating everything at once. Camera, binoculars, raincoats, fingers and face.
We arrived at the spot. Mangroves tall and high. At least 10 to 15 people crowded looking upwards. Rain falling and smiles awakening. It was magical. The bird was none the wiser. But we? Elated. Enthused. Completely exhilarated. That kind of moment making people say, “what a great day to be alive.”
Well, you know…that was us mainly.
Haha.
But gosh.
It was a great day indeed.
Our son had his own great moment outdoors, with all his snacks and eventually, his favorite show playing in the truck.
Nice, warm and cozy.
We had a thrilling adventure chasing a bird that became a lifer on our list.
The Golden-cheeked Warbler.
Wet, cold and happy.
All is well and as it should be.
Want to read about another past April Moment? Click here!
Comments, Questions, Ideas, Suggestions?
Please feel free to share your experiences and special finds with us.
Until next time! Test Your Knowledge!
Check out our Mini Bird Quiz ;D
Happy birding! Love Always,
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