Texas: The Rio Grande Valley in Winter

At a time when much of the country is still firmly in winter’s embrace, South Texas offers a typically mild climate along with a notable abundance and diversity of both wintering and resident birds. We’ll visit famed spots such as South Padre Island, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Bentsen – Rio Grande Valley and Estero Llano Grande State Parks, Santa Margarita Ranch (if warranted), and the riverside below Falcon Dam, looking especially for birds whose range in the United States is largely restricted to South Texas. Winter is also a time when vagrants from Mexico appear, and our schedule is flexible enough to allow us to pursue any that are present.

Most of the world’s wild Whooping Cranes winter along a small stretch of the Texas coast. We’ll make a special boat trip to visit these magnificent creatures and connect with the many birds that use the rich central Texas coastline during the winter months.