The Binocular Site
Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, Texas
Of all the parks in the Rio Grande Valley, Bentsen is by far the best known among birders. Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park is also headquarters to the World Birding Center that covers nine parks along the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
This park has one of the largest tracts of floodplain forest in the area and is home to many birds that can not be found elsewhere in the United States, along with many exotic visitors from Mexico that cross the Rio Grande.
Keen eyes can hope to spot Clay-colored Robins, Northern Beardless-tyrannulets, and the Ferruginous Pygmy-owl. Other prized species regularly reported in the area are Hook-billed Kites, Ringed Kingfishers, and the occasional Blue Bunting.
Bentsen is a year round treat for birders looking for neo-tropical and sub-tropical life birds. Popular times to visit are the spring and fall, when you can witness the huge clouds of Broad-winged Hawks and Swainson's Hawks as they migrate.
The official state bird of Texas is the Northern Mockingbird and you can find a checklist for birdwatching in Texas here.
Photo credit to birdfreak, used with permission under the creative commons license. You can learn more about the birding opportunities, tours, and more about the Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park here.If you've visited the Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, please take the time to share your experience and any tips or insight you have about this Texas bird watching location below.
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