Hot Spots

The more hot spots you visit the more species you will find. There are hundreds of good bird and butterfly spots in South Texas; these are the most popular of them.

Most places charge a modest admission fee (from $2.50 per person to $5 per person, $3 per car at National Wildlife Refuges), while others offer free admission. Opening times change so it is best to check with web sites for the latest information. Some private sanctuaries are closed Mondays and Sunday am. Where there is no web site we have provided a telephone number. Some sites have neither.

Check with any member Chamber of Commerce (see members page) to obtain a Birding and Butterfly Map of the Valley which shows every hot spot listed here and on the reverse carries written directions. If you encounter difficulty obtaining maps or information call Keith Hackland at 956-782-9912 for help.

Alphabetic list of some of the nature hot spots in the Rio Grande Valley.

Most places do charge a modest admission fee. A few are free. There are hundreds of good bird and butterfly spots in South Texas; these are just a few of them.

Adolph Thomae County Park, Arroyo City

Brush and wetland – Good fishing and birding – Info 956-748-2044

Anzalduas County Park, Mission

Recreational park with many native trees set on a Resaca adjoining Rio Grande - Good birding -- good for warblers, Gray Hawk, Green Kingfisher and Ringed Kingfisher along the river bank - Info, check with Mission Chamber of Commerce

Bentsen – Rio Grande Valley State Park

Brushland and some riparian forest trees set between a Resaca and Rio Grande. Limited access. $5 per person admission. Access is restricted - no cars allowed, can rent bikes, or wait up to 11/2 hours to climb onto a bus and be dropped off in the park, or be prepared to hike several miles. Bird feeding has largely been eliminated. RV sites are closed. General camping is closed. Very limited rough camping only allowed. Good birding, likely area for Hook-billed Kite and Gray Hawk. A new hawk watch platform (handicap accessible) is accessed off the Rio Grande trail. Three feeding sites can be viewed at Bentsen from behind blinds, which is good for photographers

Boca Chica Beach, near Brownsville

A good area for some specialty birds (see ABA Birder’s Guide to Rio Grande Valley)

Brownsville Sanitary Landfill, outside Brownsville

The Tamaulipas Crow has not been seen here recently (look for it in spring south east of the Brownsville airport). Eclectic collection of gulls, vultures, some raptors, and waterfowl and waders after good rain. Usually open only during office hours Monday through Friday. For more information check with City or Sable Palm Audubon Sanctuary.

Chapeno, Falcon Heights

The old RV park here (enter at second dirt road on right after paved road curves) is good for Brown Jay, Audubon’s Oriole, Red-billed Pigeon, Muscovy, and other LRGV specialty birds. Feeders on private land; admission fee required. Public access to the river on fourth dirt road on right after paved road curves. It is a steep, rough road. Drive very carefully. Open 7 days a week.

Delta Lake, highway 88 North of Weslaco

Good habitat for fresh water, grassland, and brush birds. Crested Caracara, White-tailed Hawk, White-tailed Kite, and many other raptors may be seen on surrounding farm land.

Edinburg Wetlands World Birding Center, Edinburg

The first to open in the network of World Birding Centers. It is a good spot for birding as it has aquatic and brush habitat that attracts residents and migrants. Six acres of good butterfly habitat.

Estero Llano Grande State Park World Birding Center, Weslaco

176 acres of wetlands, grasslands, and thorn brush. Good for waterfowl, waders, migrants, and busy hummingbird feeders adjoining red blooming Turks Cap. It has the most imaginative visitor center in the Valley with its deck extending over the edge of a wetland. Visitors can sit and bird watch from the covered deck. This new center is one of the most favorite hot spots to Valley visitors, attracting many recommendations. Check open hours. 956-565-3919

Falcon State Park and Falcon County Park, Falcon Heights

State park 572 acres good for dryland birds, such as Scaled Quail, Black-throated Sparrow, and is excellent for Greater Roadrunner. December through March feeders maintained by Rvers attract great birds. Ask at entrance office for bird list. Country park of about 30 acres, good for sparrows and smaller species. Both parks are good for camping and RVs. Both are open 7 days a week.

Frontera Audubon Sanctuary, Weslaco

15 acres of tall trees and wetlands offers great bird habitat and attracts many specialties and rarities. Good feeders and many benches along its trails. Highly recommended for great birding in a small area. Check open hours.

Harlingen Arroyo Colorado World Birding Center

Also known as Hugh Ramsey Park, these 50 acres on the Arroyo Colorado in Harlingen city limits has responded very well to steady restoration of native trees and shrubs, and offers good birds and butterflies, and now provides ideal habitat for many Valley specialties, like Green Kingfisher, Ringed Kingfisher, Common Pauraque, Groove-billed Ani, Long-billed Thrasher and Olive Sparrow. Being close to Harlingen airport on Loop 499 (Ed Carey Drive) it offers birders a good spot to bird in conjunction with a trip to or from the airport. Open 7 days a week.

El Sal del Rey, north of Alamo, west of Raymondville

This is one of over 100 tracts comprising the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. It is accessed on foot from several entry points and is good for dry land (delete=ranch) birding. The salt lake supports (delete=certain) species in the winter, such as Sandhill Cranes and Long-billed Curlew (11% of the global population winter here) roost on the shore. Migrating Wilson's Phalarope stop off here. In the summer it is an important nesting site for Snowy Plover and other shore birds. These lakes are now a part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebirds Reserve Network due to their importance to shorebirds -- one of only 58 sites in the Americas.

Inn at El Canelo, near Raymondville

Known as the home of the Feruginous Pygmy Owl. The owl family lives next to the ranch headquarters and it is the only place in South Texas where a birder can count on seeing the Feruginous Pygmy Owl (without going on a ranch tour). This is a private ranch and birding is by reservation only (a significant admission fee is charged) 956-689-5042.

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, near Rio Hondo

The largest refuge in South Texas, at 45,000 acres, known for the Aplomado Falcon and for its 15 mile loop road along the Laguna Madre. Visitors center has a book shop and two good feeding points. Large butterfly garden.

Llano Grande Lake, Weslaco

Good for aquatic (including White Pelican) and wading birds, though species count varies with water level. It is best in winter. The bridge is a good spot for cave swallows.

Estero Llano Grande State Park will be opening this summer and will provide the only public access to Llano Grande Lake. You can find out more information about the park at http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/sites/weslaco/index.phtml.

Los Ebanos Preserve, near Los Fresnos

This charming 82 acre private preserve is open for birding during the winter and for special events all year. It includes a small Resaca and some of the original brush of this area. Good birding and great for butterflies. Has a historic colonial style ranch home and gift shop. It is operated by descendants of the original owners. 956-399-9097 www.losebanospreserve.com

Old Hidalgo Pumphouse World Birding Center, Hidalgo

Offering 600 acres of rich treed river lands adjacent to the historic restored irrigation pump house, this recently opened site is a good birding stop, offering miles of bicycle and hiking trails through the native brushland. A good spot for seeing Valley specialties and migrants. It also offers the chance to explore the valley’s history of taming the Rio Grande and to see the massive irrigation pumps used to lift water from the river onto the land. Park open 7 days a week.

Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center, McAllen

This quiet 25 acre site in McAllen a ten minute walk (3 minute drive) from the International Airport offers great birding for many Valley specialties in a striking park like setting with trails through native thorn brush on its periphery. The park surrounds a historic adobe brick showpiece home and impressive visitor center. Quinta Mazatlan offers the scents and sights of Tropical Texas in a beautiful package. Not to be missed. Check open hours.

Resaca de la Palma State Park World Birding Center, Brownsville

A rich birding area is not yet open to visitors but may be viewed by appointment. Site is in development. See web site for latest information and contact options.

Roma Bluffs World Birding Center, Roma

An exciting dual birding and historic site now open with many improvements in progress. The best view of the Rio Grande in the Valley is from a deck on top of the Roma Bluffs, the focal point of this center. A scope is useful and Red-billed Pigeon, Muscovy Duck and other specialties are regularly seen from this vantage point. Adjacent to the deck is the historic part of Roma, one of the oldest settlements on the Texas side of the Rio Grande. It is in the process of being restored, and in a building already restored is a visitor center with excellent displays and nature bookshop. In due course a trail will be opened to lead visitors to a tract of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge on the river. Deck open 7 days a week.

Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary, Brownsville

Sabal Palm Audubon Center and Sanctuary
For nature lovers, no visit to South Texas is complete without a visit to the Sabal Palm Audubon Center and Sanctuary, which harbors one of the most beautiful and critical ecosystems of South Texas. Self-guided nature trails entice visitors to explore naturally occurring and mature Sabal Palm and Texas Ebony jungle as well as the beautiful wetlands on this 557-acre sanctuary. Located on the banks of the Rio Grande River, Sabal Palm is home to the endangered ocelot, migrating birds, butterflies, Green Jays, Long-billed Thrashers, Buff-bellied Hummingbirds and many other wildlife. There is an admission fee. Sabal Palm is located on Sabal Palm Road.
For more information, call (956) 541-8034 or visit www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/sabal

Salineño

Site offers excellent winter birding. Continue straight through village to the public river access. Chain link gate on the left immediately before the river is a tract of Lower Rio Grande Valley N.W.R. and late November to late March feeders are maintained by volunteers there, providing a great viewing spot (limited open hours 7:30am to 4:00pm 7 days a week). Donations recommended to pay for volunteer’s bird feed (they pay for feed out of their own pocket). Good for Brown Jay, Audubon’s Oriole, Red-billed Pigeon, Muscovy (on the river), and other LRGV specialties.

San Ygnacio Bird Sanctuary, San Ygnacio

This private bird sanctuary is the best place for viewing White-collared Seedeaters, and good for a other RGV specialty birds and butterflies.

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, near Alamo

Described as the jewel of the U.S. National Wildlife system, this 2,044 sanctuary along the winding Rio Grande with its extensive trail system is the top birding spot. It attracts 150,000 to 200,000 visitors a year but is never crowded. The visitor’s center has a good book shop and displays and is set in a productive butterfly garden and has a good feeder point that attracts Green Jays, Inca Doves, Buff-bellied Hummingbirds, and many other RGV specialties. Santa Ana is also known for many sightings of rarities. In addition to South Texas mesquite brush and resacas, Santa Ana offers the best example of riparian forest remaining along the Rio Grande.

South Padre Island Board Walk, next to South Padre Island Convention Center

The board walk is great area for viewing shore and wetland birds and the shrubby areas are very popular with migrants in season. Very productive for such a small area.

Weslaco - Frontera Audubon Sanctuary

Great bird habitat attracts many specialties and rarities. Has good feeders and many benches in key spots. Highly recommended for great birding in a small area. 956-968-3275 www.fronteraaudubon.org

Weslaco - Valley Nature Center, Weslaco

This 6 acre park offers the greatest diversity of flora in the RGV, and therefore also the greatest diversity of butterflies. Also very good for bird watching, and some interesting odonata. VNC feeds birds and butterflies through the year. Excellent native plant nursery. Interesting visitors center and gift shop. Excellent for children. Membership is available and keeps you in touch with what is happening in the RGV. 956-969-2475 See www.valleynaturecenter.org

Weslaco Water Treatment Plant

Productive for waterfowl, particularly in the winter. Open 8 am to 5 pm Mon to Fri. Contact City or Valley Nature Center for more information.