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Thursday, April 10

Friday, April 11

Saturday, April 12



**Per Person. Price is based on double occupancy. For singles, price is $999. The price includes airport reception, all transfers, all tours, all meals as outlined above, guide service throughout the trip, four nights of accommodation, and hotel taxes. Price does not include hotel incidentals.
Price does not include airfare to and from McAllen Reservations are limited.


Guarantee Van
Dare us to show you at least ten of these birds, and if we cannot, dinner is on us:
Green Jay, Least Grebe, Tropical or Couch's Kingbird, Plain Chachalaca, Tropical Parula, Northern Beardless-Tyrannuelet, Fulvous or Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Green or Ringed Kingfisher, Altamira Oriole or Hooded Oriole, Bronzed Cowbird, Golden-fronted or Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Olive Sparrow, Long-Billed or Curved-billed Thrasher, Inca or White-tipped Dove, Great Kiskadee, Buff-bellied or Black-chinned Hummingbird and Harris' Hawk.

Bentsen State Park:
As one of the many World Birding Centers, Bentsen Park in Mission is considered to be a must-see location when visiting the Lower Rio Grande Valley. There are bird feeding stations which are located throughout the park as well as photo blinds. There are at least two families of Gray Hawks, Clay-colored Robins, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulets, and at least one Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl in the park. An undetermined number of Hook-billed Kites may be present.

Anzalduas County Park:
Located on the last dam on the Rio Grande in Mission, Texas is Anzalduas County Park. Large Cedar Elm and Rio Grande Ash trees loom overhead, festooned with Spanish moss and adorned with excellent birds. Here, Gray Hawks have been nesting for several years, and Hook-billed Kites may soar overhead. This is also a very good vantage point for hawk migration. Other birds to seek out are Altamira Orioles, all three kingfishers, Vermilion Flycatchers and migrating warblers. There are picnic tables and restrooms available.

Mid Valley (Weslaco Destinations--Frontera Audubon Center & Estero Llano Grande World Birding Center):
Originally an Alluvial Flood Plain, much of the old habitat is gone -- with vast flatlands made up of agricultural fields and urban areas. The places to visit are the remnant and reforested woodland and riparian zones. Weslaco, Texas is in the middle of the Valley birding sites. Three very good birding locations are within it's boundaries. The Frontera Audubon Center trails will delight birders with excellent birds. This restored sanctuary is rich in native plants and trees, which attract both birds and butterflies. At the nearby Estero Llano Grande State Park, part of the World Birding Center, visitors may see Roseate Spoonbill, American White Pelican, Wood Stork, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and a variety of shorebirds. Visitors may also spot other wildlife such as alligators, bobcats, coyotes, Texas tortoises and indigo snakes.

Night Trip OWL PROWL:
We will travel to Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park to seek out night birds. Hearing four or five species is at least possible, and if you are fortunate, you might see nesting Elf Owl. Other possible species to sight are Barn, Eastern Screech and Great Horned. The rare and elusive Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl is another great possibility.

Out West Trip (Chapeno, Salineno and Starr County Park):
This habitat is rolling hills of sandstone with a definite Chihuahuan Desert flair. Here is where we seek out Muscovy Duck, Zone-tailed Hawk, Scaled Quail, Red-billed Pigeon, Common Poorwill, Black Phoebe, Brown Jay, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Black-throated, Lark & Cassin's Sparrows, Audubon's, Bullock's and Hooded Orioles.

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge:
Santa Ana NWR has been called the GEM of the National Wildlife Refuge system in South Texas. This 2,000-plus acre preserve of riparian thorn forest is the best example of what the ancient old-growth floodplain forest used to look like. Here you may seek out Green Jays, Great Kiskadees, Olive Sparrows, Vermilion and Brown-crested Flycatchers, White-tipped Doves, Plain Chachalacas, the kingfishers and orioles.

Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen World Birding Center:
This 8-acre parcel of land off of South 10th Street has an abundant array of both native and ornamental plants and trees. Most of the sought-after specialty birds can be seen on this tract. Your visit to McAllen and the surrounding urban habitats would be incomplete without a visit to Historic Quinta Mazatlan.

Lakes & Wetlands (Salt Lake, Delta Lake, Edinburg Wetlands):
This field trip visits some natural salt lakes that have been important historically since the Spanish colonial period. They are part of the Rio Grande Valley NWR. Only one of the three, La Sal del Rey, is open for public visitation. In past years, large numbers of Wilson's Phalaropes have wintered here, one of few such sites in the Northern Hemisphere. The area is good for open country raptors and desert species. Land birds in the uplands are neither numerous nor diverse, but can include Say's Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, and upland sparrows such as Cassin's. This tour will require two miles of walking. Depending on the weather, it may be muddy and so boots are recommended.

Parakeet Watch:
Join us on Friday, April 11th for a free van trip to North McAllen to see the Green Parakeet spectacle. Hundreds of Green Parakeets congregate each evening and allow for excellent up-close views. After viewing the parakeets, we will visit one of two restaurants for Dutch-Treat Dinner and then drive you back to the event center. If you prefer, follow us in your own vehicle and do dinner on your own.

East Trip: South Padre Island & Laguna Atascosa
This habitat is mostly delta land, with many resacas (oxbows) and extensive coastal prairie and saltgrass plains. Once you factor in the Laguna Madre bay and the offshore/pelagic opportunities -- coastal birding offers the most varied and interesting experiences. The coastal refuge boasts the largest bird list of any refuge in the US! The immediate area of the visitor's center can be good for observing common species like Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, White-tipped Dove, and Plain Chachalaca at the feeders and water features. White-tailed Deer and Javelina also frequent these. Behind the center there is a short nature trail around an artificial resaca. The Bayside loop is a 15 mile road through the impenetrable thorn forest which is home to the rare Ocelot. The habitat continues through bayside coastal prairie and is excellent for raptors.

Kayaking the Rio:
Join us for a special one-day event-Kayaking the Rio Grande. Bird the Rio Grande while kayaking. It's possibly the most exciting way to bird. Chihuahuan desert, limestone bluffs and amazing riparian forest make for spectacular views as we float down the Rio Grande in search of Red-billed Pigeon, Muscovy Duck, Audubon's Oriole, as well as other specialty birds. Caminos del Rio, a local non-profit will organize a ful-day event for several lucky birders as we explore the flora and fauna of the most historic river in the U.S. We will use sit-on-top kayaks which are very hard to tip over, but don’t require experience. Participants may get wet, as these boats are low to the water. Instructions, safety equipment, life jackets, drinking water, and lunch will be provided. Please indicate dietary needs, if any.

Brownsville:
Brownsville is famous for its parrots and parakeets. The 527-acre Audubon Sabal Palm Grove, home to the only native Texas palm is also located in Brownsville. Its jungle-like appearance is quite an attraction and was the location for the old Tarzan movies of the 30's. Here you will see many Valley specials like Least Grebe, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Mottled Ducks, the orioles, kingfishers and Tropical Parula. The oxbow lakes or Resacas of Brownsville are also prime locations for waterbirds and local songbird viewing. It is a prime spot for migrant warblers at this time and so close to Mexico that rare species can appear at any time.