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One of the premier birding hotspots in the country, if not the number one hotspot, is the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of Texas. This special place plays host, or has played host - in the sense of vagrants, to an incredible variety of bird species, 485 to be exact. Its unique geographical reality places it at a critical junction of habitat types which allows this area to become truly magical in the imagination of every birder. When one considers the fact that this biotic cross roads is built around four distinct and unique environments, one begins to understand why the RGV is held in such high esteem as a bird mecca. To the north one encounters a relatively temperate climate, while to the south the picture is radically changed by a subtropical presence. The same is true for the east-west component: arid to one side and coastal/coastal prairie to the other. All this, combined with the fact that two principal flyways, the Mississippi and the Central, join together/or split (depending on whether we are looking at a Spring or Fall migration) just to the north of the Valley and you fully realize what makes this four or five county area so wonderfully diverse. One can’t deny it; the birds just love this place! The birding community has known for eons of this legendary corner of our world and has made names like Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Bentsen, Rio Grande State Park, Sabal Palm Grove, (See Outdoors) and still others, synonymous with colorful birds and warm memories. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, (See Outdoors) for example, is the only National Wildlife Refuge in the entire Refuge System to have broken the 400 barrier; that is a record 400 plus bird species within its boundaries. It’s sister Refuge, Santa Ana, is not far behind. With credentials such as these, it is no wonder why the RGV attracts so many to its fabled landscapes. |
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