Nature and Birding Destinations

Quinta Mazatlan is the McAllen Wing of the World Birding Center. Set on 15 acres, the site has nature programs, walking trails, speaker series, nature art gallery, native butterfly garden, gift shop and more. Located on Sunset Drive in McAllen. Open Tuesday through Sunday. For details call 956-688-3370 or visit http://www.mcallen.net/quinta/

Anzalduas Park and Dam A diversion dam used to divert water from the Rio Grande to a large irrigation canal on the Mexican side. The national boundary line runs through the center of the dam. The park has many shade trees, picnic tables, boating facilities and a pavilion overlooking the Rio Grande. Good birding site. On FM 1016, one mile west of Hwy 494. Open until dark.

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge Home to many birds, waterfowl and animals native to the Valley. Established in 1943 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge recalls life as it was in the early 1900s before civilization took over. Santa Ana lies on the banks of the Rio Grande and contains inland lakes for waterfowl, wading birds, perching birds and other wildlife. With 2,080 acres, the preserve is famous for the number of species which seasonally call it home, including endangered species such as the ocelot, jaguarundi and several others. Being a transitional zone, birders may view many Mexican birds that venture only as far north as Santa Ana. Seven and one half miles south of Alamo on U.S. 281. Visitor center and tram rides available. 787-7861.

Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park is one of the few public natural preserves in the southern portion of Texas along the banks of the Rio Grande. 588 acres of subtropical resaca woodlands support birds and wildlife more commonly found in Mexico, making Bentsen one of the premiere bird watching locations in the nation. Campsites, trailer hook-ups, shower facilities, picnic areas, hiking trails, fishing and wildlife observation are all available to the public. For details call 585-1107. Five miles southwest of Mission.

Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge The Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is a 45,187 acre refuge originally established for the protection of redhead ducks. Today, the refuge is home to 406 species of birds, American alligator, and the endangered ocelot and Aplomado falcon. More than six miles of walking trails are available and the 15-mile bay side driving loop is a must for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. Hunting opportunities for whitetail deer, feral hog and nilgai available to the general public.Open daily sunrise to sunset. Visitors Center open daily October through April, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, weekends only in May through July 4 and closed July 5 through September 30. Visitors Center closed holidays. Restrooms available at Visitors Center. Entrance fee is $3.00 per vehicle. Located east of Rio Hondo, 3 miles north of FM 106. For details call 956-748-3607.

Bill Schupp Park Park offers walking trails, picnic area, playground, paved parking and restrooms (handicap accessible). Located on West Zinnia Avenue in McAllen.

Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Alamo Wood-mulched trail through thicket with benches. Located on the northwest corner of 13 th Street and Durante Avenue in Alamo.

Chihuahua Woods Preserve The Chihuahua Woods Preserve is a 243 acre wildlife preserve with a 1-mile marked trail. Daylight hours only. Visiting parties are limited to 6 adults; not suitable for children or pets. Area is covered in cactus and thorns; paths are not regularly maintained; no facilities available. Located off Business Highway 83 in Mission. For details call 956-580-4241.

Delta Lake County Park Man-made, freshwater lake with minimal native habitat. Facilities include restrooms, pavilion, BBQ facilities and picnic tables. No swimming allowed. Hours are 8:00 am to sunset daily. Located on FM 88, 16 miles north of Weslaco.

Edinburg Scenic Wetlands Trail 40 acres of scenic wetland trails. Area features nature trails, observation platforms, ponds, restrooms and parking area. Open daily during daylight hours. Located at Edinburg Municipal Park on Doolittle Road in Edinburg.

Estero Llano Grande Lake Headwaters of the Arroyo Colorado. Floodway is surrounded by native habitat. This is one of the better spots to see a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl. Located just past 5 Mile Road North in Weslaco.

Frontera Audubon Society Weslaco Thicket This area has recently been refurbished. Permission required to visit. Headquarters and gift shop located at 1101 South Texas Boulevard in Weslaco. For details call 956-968-3275.

La Lomita Chapel Area is covered in mesquite and ebony trees. Facilities include picnic tables, restrooms and parking area. Hours are 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Located south of Junction 494 in Mission.

McAllen Nature Center Handicap-accessible nature trails, picnic tables, restrooms, parking area. Hours are 8:00 am to dusk. Located on Business Highway 83 in McAllen.

Martin Refuges Private wildlife refuge offering wildlife and nature photography opportunities. Two locations and professionally-designed photo blinds on water features. Visitors can view and photograph birds, mammals and reptiles. By appointment only. Contact John & Audrey Martin. Email: MartinRefuge@aol.com Phone: 956-381-1264

Me thodist Camp Thicket Area covered with ash, mesquite, cedar, Black Willow and hackberry. No facilities available. Request permission at the office. Located 1 mile south of Weslaco. For details call 956-565-6006

Mission Chamber of Commerce Butterfly garden on the front lawn of the Chamber of Commerce. Located on 9 th Street in Mission.

Mission Nature Park 2 miles of walking trails through brush. No facilities available. Located south on Conway Avenue in Mission.

The Mockingbird 2 acre birding oasis covered with live oaks and native brush. Professional photography blinds and elevated viewing stands. Appointment required. For details call Allen Williams, 956-460-9864 or visit www.themockingbird.com.

Monte Cristo Tract (LRGVNWR) Area is only accessible on foot. Enter only at designated points and stay on the trails. Hours are sunrise to sunset daily. Located on Wallace Road, northwest of Edinburg.

Rancho San Francisco Rancho San Francisco is a 2000 acre working ranch. Owners offer guided bird and butterfly tours of the ranch. Photography blinds available. Located north of La Joya. To schedule a tour, call 956-519-0459.

Valley Nature Center 6 acre park with a half-mile of trails through native scrub forest. Center is open year-round. Hours are Tuesday – Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Located at 301 South Border Street in Weslaco. For details call 956-969-2475 or visit www.valleynaturecenter.org.

Sealife Center trips to see the Mangrove Warbler and other shore birds up close.The trip is three hours and cost is 45.00 per person the fees go back to planting birding habitat. This is a bay trip with no sea sickness. Great photo opportunities and dolphins too! Contact Scarlet Colley, SPI Dolphin Research and Sealife Center, South Padre Island, Texas www.spinaturecenter.com 956-299-0629

Weslaco Water Treatment Ponds Amount of water in ponds affects abundance and diversity of birds. No facilities available. Located on Airport Drive in Weslaco.

Yturria Tract (LRGVNWR) Enter only at designated points and stay on trails. Hours are sunrise to sunset daily. Area is only accessible on foot. No facilities available. Located on US 83 in La Joya. For details call 956-784-7500.

More information available at McAllen Chamber of Commerce