South Texas in Style: Upper Valley Extension

Clay-colored Thrush © Brad McKinney

Experience a wilder stretch of the Rio Grande, harboring a unique assemblage of birds combining South Texas specialties and desert species more commonly found further west. Whether scanning the scenic bluffs at Santa Margarita or relaxing at Salineño’s famous bird feeding stations, this three-day extension will be memorable.

This extension to our South Texas in Style tour seeks specialty birds of the desert and riparian habitats of the northern region of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, or “Upper Valley.” This area around Falcon Dam is rich in history and retains much of its frontier character, providing a great backdrop to the region’s excellent birding.

As we head west from the citrus groves of the coastal plain of McAllen and Mission, we will soon enter arid and hilly brushlands called “chaparral.” Approaching our birding destinations of Santa Margarita Ranch and Salineño, the ridges and limestone mesas become more prominent, creating scenic overlooks at places like Roma and the bluffs of Santa Margarita Ranch. In the chaparral, we will be looking for a new suite of birds, like Scaled Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Say’s and Black phoebes, Verdin, Cactus and Rock wrens, Curve-billed Thrasher, Black-throated Sparrow, and Pyrrhuloxia.

In the riparian forests along the Rio Grande at Santa Margarita Ranch and Salineño, we will search for Mexican Duck, Gray Hawk, Ringed and Green kingfishers, Couch’s Kingbird, Great Kiskadee, Green Jay, and Altamira and Audubon’s orioles. Though far less predictable, chances do exist for some of the rarer birds of the upper valley, especially Muscovy Duck, Red-billed Pigeon, and Hook-billed Kite.

The feeders at Salineño are THE place to see both Audubon’s and Altamira orioles, as well as an assortment of South Texas specialties like White-tipped Dove, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Green Jay, Long-billed Thrasher, and Olive Sparrow. During winter, there should also be several wintering species in the mix, including Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, Lincoln’s and White-crowned sparrows, and Orange-crowned Warbler. Another target at Salineño is Morelet’s Seedeater, a bird whose very limited U.S. range includes scattered locations from Salineño to the upriver communities of Zapata and San Ygnacio. With two nights at Zapata, we should have multiple opportunities to search for the seedeater in town, where it has been fairly reliable over the years. This very birdy area of the upper Rio Grande Valley provides a wonderful conclusion to our South Texas in Style tour.

Nice accommodations; easy short hikes and roadside birding, with one longer hike at Santa Margarita Ranch; generally mild winter weather, with possible cooler temperatures in the event of a cold front.

Scaled Quail © Brad McKinney