ROCKET, JOHN 1989 34. Journal Survey of Rio Grande riparian creeks from 6.1 miles NWQ Presidio, Presidio Cr., Texas, to Terlingua, Bonwain Cr., Texas and Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park, Big Bonwain Cr., Texas. August 18 Long on the bank of the river. The goldfinches were heard only. (Crit) The cottonwood copse was a major disappointment: 5 large trees and squatters' trailers beneath each tree. There were dogs & kids & scattered junk - not a place to collect birds. June was a monstrous monoculture of salt cedar everywhere else. I stopped to listen several times in the salt cedar, but it was a self-defeated effort. Goldfinches are just very scarce here this summer. The next promising stop NW of Big Bend National Park was in Terlingua, away from the river itself. Where Texas Highway 170 crosses Terlingua Creek (live water area), there was a trailer court with about a dozen moderately large cotton- woods on a flat about 25' above creek level. Other broad- leaf trees are mixed with small-med. size cottonwood along the creek bank. I listened and looked here for about 15 minutes - no goldfinches. The entire run from NW of Presidio to Terlingua was from 12:00 to 15:45. The road soon entered Big Bend National Park, passing through Chihuahuan Desert microphyll vegetation, past HQ at Panther Junction and on to Rio Grande Village. Here good riparian growth is encountered once again. There are many moderate and large cottonwoods, some willows, and lots of salt cedar. June is a pond grown mostly to giant cane, tho. Several River trailers & campers have Ammophila food-