Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park

I haven't been blogging a lot lately although we have been doing quite a bit but between all the happy hours and the line dancing, etc. I just haven't had the time or the inclination. So here goes the latest blog.

Another world birding center in Texas, Bentsen park is located in Mission about a 1-hour drive from where we are in Harlingen.

I know you must be getting tired of bird blogs but this area is renowned for the diversity of species that live here or spend winter here. It is what made us choose this place for our winter living. And so far, we love it! We are true winter Texans!

Everyone here is so friendly and ready to help in any way you might need. Birders will go out of their way to point out a sighting to us newbies. We even meet some of the same people from park to park! It seems we're all doing the rounds hoping for a glimpse of a bird not yet recorded on our sighting list.

Bentsen park did not deceive. It is a large park with roads going from photo blind to photo blind. We walked about half of it before giving up and getting on the shuttle that goes around every 30 minutes and stops at all the interesting trails and feeding stations. The shuttle is free of charge after paying the $5 pp for park entry.

The first feeding station is just after entering the park and the first time we went we saw so many birds right there that we thought we might not have to go any further.

Pine Siskin

Golden-fronted Woodpecker

A beautiful male Cardinal

Inca Dove

White-tipped Dove

Plain Chachalaca

Golden-fronted Woodpecker showing the cute red spot on top of his head.

Olive Sparrow

 Thank God we decided to continue exploring since not only did we see other birds but also some interesting plants and pretty landscapes.

This boardwalk was a gradual climb to an eagle lookout. We didn't see any eagles or hawks but
a nice view of the forest.

That is tall grass!

A cute little stone bridge on the way.

Harris's hawk

A lot of trees and bushes have thorns but these were dangerously long and pointy.

American Redstart female

Orange-crowned Warbler

Immature Cooper's Hawk

Javelina

We spooked him. See his raised mane (hackles).

Gold Finch in winter plumage

Terrible picture of a Vermillion Flycatcher. 

Bell's Vireo?

The second time we visited the park we took our bicycles and went around the whole park stopping at all the trails and feed stations we wanted to. We walked a rather long trail that, according to the map, was supposed to lead to the Rio Grande river. It turned out to be a loop with no river in sight. When we finished our visit we asked the attendant at the office and she said: "There used to be a lookout but it got demolished during a storm and is no longer there". I wish we had known before trekking in the heat to see nothing. Oh well!

It's a beautiful big park worth visiting. But we say that of every park we go to!