Cibolo Creek Ranch— Photo: Barry Zimmer

Located at the base of the Chinati Mountains near Big Bend, this 25,000-acre ranch is truly a birder's paradise. The owner has built a beautiful lodge, adjacent to two springs, called Hacienda de Cibolo. This is a luxurious facility, complete with lovely rooms, swimming pool, and excellent food, and surrounded by fabulous birding opportunities.

We will use the ranch as our base of operations for four days. Vermilion Flycatchers are common right outside our rooms, Bell's Vireos and  Blue Grosbeaks utilize nearby thickets, and a pair of Zone-tailed Hawks nest very close by. In the foothills above the ranch one can find Golden Eagle; Gray Vireo (uncommon); Rock and Canyon wrens; Curve-billed Thrasher; Black-throated, Cassin's, and Rufous-crowned sparrows; Pyrrhuloxia; and Varied Bunting, to name a few of the many possible species. Riparian oases along Cibolo Creek harbor Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed woodpeckers, Cassin's Kingbird, and Summer Tanager.

One day we will journey away from the ranch to the nearby Davis Mountains where possibilities include Acorn Woodpecker, Black-crested Titmouse, Western Bluebird, and Hepatic Tanager. September marks the peak of fall migration in west Texas, so many western migrant species may be seen including a variety of flycatchers; Plumbeous, Warbling, and Cassin's vireos; Virginia's, Townsend's, Black-throated Gray, Wilson's, and MacGillivray's warblers; Western Tanager; Black-headed Grosbeak; Lazuli and Painted buntings; Green-tailed Towhee; and Brewer's and Clay-colored sparrows. En route from El Paso we will search for Gambel's Quail, Cave Swallow, Crissal Thrasher, and migrant shorebirds.

Very good accommodations and food including four nights at luxurious Cibolo Creek; easy to moderate walking over relatively short (generally a mile or less) distances; some midday breaks; warm climate with cooler nights.