Texas: Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival

Zebra Heliconian Butterfly. Photo courtesy of Kate Fitzmier.

A Birding Best

If you had to pick only one birding destination from the many wonderful birding spots in the United States, the Rio Grande Valley should be a top contender. Lucky for birders and wildlife devotees, the Annual Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival takes place in the heart of this richly diverse habitat. Make plans to attend this festival in November and get ready to be mesmerized.

World famous for birds and wildlife

Located in the southernmost tip of Texas, the host city of Harligen sits between the Laguna Atascosa and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuges. The Laguna Atascosa NWR is 45,000 acres with an amazing blend of temperate, subtropical, coastal, and desert environments. This range of habitat is world-famous for its birds and home to a mix of wildlife found only in this area. Upon entering the Santa Ana NWR, you will be immersed in tropical surroundings of Spanish moss trailing from trees and a historical area of tombs and unmarked graves enclosed by a 100-year-old, hand-hewn ebony fence.

Collared Peccaries, Bobcats, and Green Jays

The Rio Grande Valley is full of species not commonly seen anywhere else in the United States. Visitors soon become accustomed to encounters with rowdy Green Jays, Plain Chachalacas, and Great Kiskadees. Wildlife sightings could include Bobcats, Collared Peccaries, Indigo Snakes, and if you are really lucky—the endangered Ocelot.

Meet interesting people

Just as amazing are the many volunteers, tour leaders, and seminar speakers who make the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival such a success. In between all the fun, be sure to visit the Eagle Optics booth. Bushnell, Kowa, Leica, Nikon, Swarovski, and Zeiss will also be on hand to demonstrate their great sport optics.

This is one festival you won't want to miss.