The Estero Llano Grande State Park is one of  only nine birding centers in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV).  Five hundred species of bird make RGV stopover or home.  From a historic adobe hacienda to scenic bluffs high above the Rio Grande River to teeming wetlands and pristine wilderness birds love these birding centers as a place to rest and fuel up for further journeys.

The World Birding Center (fig. 1) is more than just a spot on a map because it is a network of nine distinctly different bird habitats (fig. 2) which are each sponsored by one of nine unique birding communities, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife, and Rio Grande Valley Communities.


Figure 1. Entrance to Ester Llano Grande State Park World Birding Center by Eddie Padron.

Figure 2. Unique bird habitat at Ester Llano Grande State Park World Birding Center by Stephanie Duenas.

Sunflower at Ester Llano Grande State Park World Birding Center by Eddie Padron.


A carney at Ester Llano Grande State Park World Birding Center by Jenni Alfaro.

Harlingen, TX has a port on the Arroyo Colorado River (fig.3) where there is currently an advisory against eating fish caught in this area of the river.  Harlingen was established by Lon Hill who had a vision that Harlingen would become a port to the Gulf of Mexico by way of the Arroyo Colorado River (fig. 4).

Figure 3. Port of  Harlingen, TX by Lucero Martinez.

Figure 4. Arroyo Colorado River by Eddie Padron.

The bridge at this location (fig. 5) used to be a low water crossing bridge but now has a modern high water crossing bridge.

Figure 5. Site of previous low water crossing bridge replaced with a modern high water crossing bridge (pictured) by Lucero Martinez.

The Arroyo Colorado River continues from Harlingen to Rio Hondo, TX, where there is a lift bridge (fig. 6) in place.  Currently there are plans to consider a high water crossing bridge at this location.

Figure 6.  Lift bridge at Rio Hondo by Stephanie Duenas.