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One of the premier birding hotspots in south Texas, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is a birder's delight. With a wide range of habitats easily explored along paved roads, hiking trails and an elevated observation tower, the park is home to more than 300 bird species, including many target birds for first time visitors to the Rio Grande Valley.

Pros

• Large park has varied habitats that attract many regional specialty birds, giving visitors the opportunity to see many target species in the same area.

• Guided walks and programs offer expert introduction to the regional avifauna and wildlife of south Texas.
• Ample parking is available as well as paved roads and maintained trails throughout the park that improve accessibility in different areas.

Cons

• Visitor center facilities are relatively limited compared to other local birding hotspots, but improvements are planned.
• The sheer size of the park can make it difficult to explore, but tram stops and guided walks give visitors easy access to the most popular and productive areas.

Description

• Name: Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
• Location: 2800 South Bentsen Palm Drive, Mission, Texas
• Size: 760 acres with 7+ miles of hiking trails and paved roads
• Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (staff on duty 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
• Fees: $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, free for children age 12 and younger; annual passes and group rates are available
• Suggested Birding Time: 4-6 hours

Review - Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park

Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, the headquarters of the World Birding Center network, is often at the top of birders' must-see lists when visiting south Texas, and for good reason.

The park's 760 acres encompass a variety of habitats from scrub grassland and tropical woodlands to wetlands, marshes and planned butterfly gardens. A regular tram visits stops around the park, making it easy to explore different habitats, and guided bird walks with experienced, knowledgeable staff members can be a great option for casual birders or anyone wanting an insider's view of the park. Night walks for owling and spotting nocturnal mammals are a popular event offered twice weekly, but spaces fill up quickly and advance reservations are recommended.

The paved parking area has ample spaces available, including handicapped parking, and the trails throughout the park are well maintained, level and easily accessible even for those with limited mobility, with scattered benches available along roadsides. Guests arriving when the visitor center is closed can use a self pay station at the entrance to the park. In addition to birding and wildlife watching, other activities in the park include picnicking, boating, fishing and biking, plus guided butterfly and dragonfly walks. These activities can make the park much busier, however, and birders interested in a more private experience should contact the park for group schedules or else select a less popular birding destination to explore.

The visitor center is less spectacular than similar interpretive centers at other local parks and preserves, but it still offers a small gift shop, café and an eBird Trail Tracker kiosk to record recent bird sightings. Field guides, water bottles, feeders, hats, toys and other souvenirs are available for purchase, and visitors can rent binoculars or bicycles for a nominal fee. A separate interpretive hall features a number of informational and educational exhibits, and near the visitor center, plants are labeled and bilingual interpretive signs help orient guests to local ecology.

Not to be missed is the two story hawk tower, a large viewing platform that overlooks scrub grassland, forest edges, mudflats and wetlands. The tower can be windy and a spotting scope is recommended for viewing distant shorebirds, waders and waterfowl. A 210-foot gently sloped ramp leads to the tower, making it complete accessible for all guests, and seasonal counts of migrating birds are often held at the tower.

Comfortable viewing blinds are set up near feeding stations, though the feeders are only filled during the winter months or when other food sources are scarce. Still, the water features near the blinds can attract birds at any time of year, giving visitors an intimate, personal view.

More than 325 bird species have been recorded at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, and because of the park's proximity to Mexico, it is often the site of rare bird visits as well. Depending on the season, water levels and available food, species that may be seen include:

• Altamira oriole
• Anhinga
• Black-bellied whistling-duck
• Black-crested titmouse
• Bronzed cowbird
• Buff-bellied hummingbird
• Golden-fronted woodpecker
• Gray hawk
• Great kiskadee
• Green jay
• Groove-billed ani
• Northern cardinal
• Plain chachalaca
• Roseate spoonbill
• White-tailed kite
• White-winged dove

While birding at the park can be spectacular, birders should be prepared for long hours of outdoor activity with appropriate clothing, insect repellant, sunscreen and adequate water. Snakes are common in the park and should not be disturbed, and visitors should always keep to trails and marked viewing areas.

Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is one of the most popular and most productive birding hotspots of south Texas and is well deserving of its place as the headquarters of the World Birding Center. With a wide variety of habitats that are home to many regional specialty birds, this state park is a must-visit destination for birders traveling to the Rio Grande Valley.

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As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary services for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.