Falling for the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Fall is here, which means it’s time to bundle up and spend hours outside! Birdwatching does not rest simply because it’s a little chillier; the birds certainly don’t! At our very own Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of that rare bird that prefers to smile for the camera during the colder months.

Birds on Film

Fall migration lasts from mid-July to November, and winter lasts from December to February. During these windows of opportunity, certain uncommon or rare species of birds popular during the spring and summer seasons finally become visible.

There are at least seven species of extremely rare birds that birdwatchers are more likely to see in the fall. They include:

• Red-breasted Mergansers
• American White Pelicans
• Least Bitterns
• Sprague’s Pipits
• Brown-headed Cowbirds
• Orchard Orioles
• American Goldfinches

Of these, two have nests on the refuge, which increases the chance of seeing these flighty featherheads. For a full species list, check out the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge site.

Ruffle Your Feathers at a Festival

If birding in a group is more your flight of fancy, be sure to check out the 22^nd Annual RGV Birding Festival that will be held from November 4 – November 8. The festival will feature field trips along with guest speakers such as Greg Miller, Jeffrey A. Gordon and more. Although the event will be held in Harlingen, the festival does bring birders to Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge featured as a not-to-be-missed site.

Birds of a Feather, Visit Together

The City of Alamo welcomes all bird enthusiasts to visit Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. Known as a ‘birder’s paradise,’ the 2,088 acres of subtropical thorn forest are home to approximately 400 species of birds. Visit Alamo today for the chance to see these rarities up close. For more information on what you can expect to find in the jewel of Alamo, contact the Alamo Economic Development Corporation at 956.787.6622.