13. LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY REGION
Anzalduas Dam Park: Hidalgo County
Fee charged. This park has attracted an incredible array of bird and ode rarities. The dam area seems to be the best area to check out.
http://www.stxmaps.com/go/texas-coastal-birding-trail-anzalduas-dam-and-county-park.html
Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park: Hidalgo County
As part of the World Birding Center, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is a world-class destination for bird-watching and ode watching. Since its opening, Bentsen has been known for the wide variety of birds and insects it attracts. Wildlife watchers from around the country flock to Bentsen every year to see some of the tropical birds, butterflies and dragonflies that inhabit the Rio Grande Valley. A must stopping place for odes in the state.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=75981
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/bentsen-rio-grande-valley
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands: Hidalgo County
A 40-acre wetlands oasis in the midst of a lively urban landscape, the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands offers watchable wildlife year-round in a setting friendly to birds, butterflies and odes. The location is at 714 South Raul Longoria, Edinburg. This is another must see site in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=80355
http://www.theworldbirdingcenter.com/edinburg.html
Estero Llano Grande State Park: Hidalgo County
The 230-acre Estero Llano Grande State Park has the largest wetlands environment in the World Birding Center network. It sits alongside the Arroyo Colorado, a stream that split from the Rio Grande. A shallow lake fringed with marsh cane and native Rio Grande woodlands and shrublands add variety. The Green Jay Nature trail is one of the best trails for locating Woodland darners.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=75980
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/estero-llano-grande
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge: Cameron County
The refuge is a favorite among butterfly and dragonfly enthusiasts hoping to observe a rare species that, in the United States, is only found in South Texas. Like most of the Wildlife Refuges found along the coast, fresh water marshes or ponds are the best places for observation. Check out the trail near the visitor center.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=119402
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/laguna_atascosa/
National Butterfly Center: Hidalgo County
Located in Mission, Texas, near the Rio Grande River, and only 15 minutes from a major airport in McAllen, The Center is open to the public, for visitors and members, seven days/week. A flagship project of the North American Butterfly Association, the NBC is committed to 'Growing Connections' between people, plants, and the winged wonders that pollinate and propagate all that grows around us. We do this through educational and environmental initiatives that cultivate meaningful understanding of the parties and processes that create beneficial and sustainable ecosystems. A must for ode observers. Many rare odes have been spotted here in the last several years.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=122811
https://www.nationalbutterflycenter.org/
Resaca De La Palma State Park: Cameron County
As part of the World Birding Center, Brownsville’s Resaca de la Palma boasts the largest tract of native habitat in the World Birding Center network. The World Birding Center is the portal to over eight miles of trails, four decks that overlook the four miles of resaca, and a 2.76-mile tram loop that winds through the park. Tram tours are available, please contact our Visitor Center for the schedule. Visitors need to park in the parking lot; private vehicles are not allowed within the park. Resaca’s many trails can be accessed by tram, hiking, biking or walking. The trail behind the visitor center has been good if there is water in the resaca.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=75982
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/resaca-de-la-palma
Sabal Palm Sanctuary: Cameron County
The location is at 8435 Sabal Palm Grove Road south of Brownsville. The Sanctuary sits on a 527-acre tract of land on the Rio Grande in Brownsville and is one of the most uniquely biodiverse habitats in the country, containing one of the last vestige of original Sabal Palm forest in the U.S. The Sanctuary provides breeding habitat for many endangered or high-priority birds and is a critical source of shelter and food for migrating and wintering species. Another must see site in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=92512
http://sabalpalmsanctuary.org/
Salineno Boat Launch on Rio Grande: Starr County
The boat launch site is located north of Roma off or US 83. Turn left on Salineno Road. Go straight through town down to the river. Several species have been observed in this limited access area. Check it out.
26.515024-99.116450 degrees
Santa Ana NWR: Hidalgo County
The refuge is right in the middle of all this biological diversity, which is what makes this 2,088 acre parcel the ‘jewel of the National Wildlife Refuge System.’ Though small in size, Santa Ana offers visitors an opportunity to see birds, butterflies and many other species not found anywhere else in the United States beyond deep South Texas. Water levels in the various lakes and ponds are very important for the odes. Check with the refuge before checking this site out. In the past it has been one of the best places in the Lower Rio Grande Valley for odes.
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/santa_ana/
Texas Parks and Wildlife Division Coastal Fisheries Field Station: Cameron County
From the intersection of US 77/83 and FM 511, drive south on US 77/83 and exit at the Stillman Rd./Old Alice Rd. turnoff. After exiting, remain on the service road, continuing south to Fish Hatchery Rd., then go west on Fish Hatchery Rd. to the TPWD Coastal Fisheries Field Station. Park in the spaces beyond the headquarters. This facility's 20 large, rectangular ponds have been phased out, but several of the ponds are seasonally full and a new observation deck has been built overlooking one of the ponds. Summer visits have yielded 11 species of dragonflies and damselflies including the Caribbean Yellowface and the decidedly local Spot-tailed Dasher, both of which are limited to several counties in the U.S. I have not checked this spot out.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=144482
https://www.yellowpages.com/brownsville-tx/mip/texas-parks-wildlife-dept-division-coastal-fisheries-field-station-10069796