Store and Community Nature Events

Scroll for the list of local tours, talks, and other events sponsored by us or organizations we collaborate with. Sharing the joy of birds and nature is at the core of Wild Birds Unlimited. Here at your locally owned WBU McAllen store, we're committed to helping our fellow Rio Grande Valley residents and visitors connect with the unique ecology and wildlife the Valley has to offer. 

 

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Looking to Partner?

Give us a call if you're interested in:

  • Promoting your event
  • Having us speak to or host your organization 
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NATURE TALK

Saturday, March 21

"The Bees' Needs: Cultivating a Garden for Native Bees" | In-Store | 2–3 pm.

 

Free Talk: "The Bees' Needs: Cultivating a Garden for Native Bees" | In-Store | 2–3 pm. | Saturday, March 21

 

No garden is complete without a chorus of buzzing bees bumbling from bloom to bloom! Come learn about creating a full habitat for our native Rio Grande Valley bees—from nesting to foraging!

Not only are bees VIPs (Very Important Pollinators), but with hundreds of species of native bees found in the Valley, they also come in a lovely rainbow of glittering colors. And just like butterflies and their host plants, some bees have specific flowers they need to thrive.

Plus, you're invited to Devin's "RGV Bee-O Blitz Bash" on Sunday, March 22nd! Join Devin on guided nature walks in Raymondville and Harlingen to document native bees. See details on Devin's iNaturalist project page.

 

ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER

Devin Johnston is a professional beekeeper, hobbyist “bee bother-er,” and co-ower of R9 Hive & Honey. A single off-hand photograph of a native bee on sunflowers transformed Devin's interest in honey bees into a passion for learning about Rio Grande Valley native bees. Devin spends her weekdays teaching bee safety classes to local organizations and removing nuisance bee colonies. On her days off, Devin enjoys hiking and hanging out in ditches trying to document native bees. R9 Hive & Honey is a small, family owned business that does humane removals of nuisance, feral honey bee colonies around South Texas, then rehabilitates the colonies so the bees can be used to pollinate locally grown commercial crops and private gardens. R9 then collects the honey from their oldest and strongest hives.

 

  

BIRDING

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Guided Bird Walk at Anzalduas Park  |  Mission, TX  |  8:30–10:30 a.m.

 

Free Guided Bird Walk in Mission

 

We're so excited to head to Anzalduas Park in Mission with Chris Cron (aka, the Cronic Birder) for a free guided bird walk! Whether you've been here before or it's your first visit, come join us!

  • Park entry is free.
  • Meet in the parking lot.
  • Please wear suitable footwear.
  • Bring water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, etc.
  • Location: 6400 Anzalduas Dam Rd, Mission, TX 78572 

Then in the afternoon, join us back in our McAllen store for a great FREE nature talk at 2 p.m.—details below.

 

About Our Guide

Born and raised in the Valley, Chris Cron didn’t discover his passion for birds and photography until a chance encounter during the COVID lockdown. On his very first bird walk, a guide used a spotting scope to showcase shorebirds, and Chris was instantly hooked by the ability to observe birds up close while still respecting their space. That moment led him to digiscoping—using a smartphone and scope to photograph wildlife. Since then, Chris has explored different phones, adapters, and optics through hands-on experimentation. He now enjoys helping others learn simple tools and apps to capture great images while fostering a deeper appreciation for the wildlife around us. See Chris' Instagram page.

 

 

     

 

NATURE TALK

Saturday, March 28

"Digiscoping Made Simple: Photographing Wildlife with Your Smartphone" | In-Store | 2–3 pm.

 

Free Talk: "Digiscoping Made Simple: Photographing Wildlife with Your Smartphone" | In-Store | 2–3 pm. | Saturday, March 28

 

Discover how to transform your smartphone into a powerful wildlife photography tool! In this beginner-friendly session, Chris Cron (aka, the Cronic Birder) will introduce the basics of digiscoping—using your phone with optics to photograph birds and other wildlife. Learn practical tips, simple setups, and techniques that make it easier than you think to capture amazing images in the field.

 

About Our Expert Speaker

Born and raised in the Valley, Chris Cron didn’t discover his passion for birds and photography until a chance encounter during the COVID lockdown. On his very first bird walk, a guide used a spotting scope to showcase shorebirds, and Chris was instantly hooked by the ability to observe birds up close while still respecting their space. That moment led him to digiscoping—using a smartphone and scope to photograph wildlife. Since then, Chris has explored different phones, adapters, and optics through hands-on experimentation. He now enjoys helping others learn simple tools and apps to capture great images while fostering a deeper appreciation for the wildlife around us. See Chris' Instagram page.

 

  

NATIVE PLANT SALES

We're now stocking native plants regularly now—come check them out! Learn why natives are so good for you AND your birds.

 
Native Plant Sales

  

 

   

   

  

More WBU McAllen events coming soon!

 Check our Facebook events page, as we often post there first.

 

 

 

Native Plant Tours

 

 

Birding Tours and Retreats

      • Nature Ninja Birding Tours offers exceptional guided tours and all-inclusive birding retreats in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.

 

 

Free Admission to Edinburg Scenic Wetlands

 

 

King Ranch Nature Tours

      • Recognized as an Internationally Important Bird Area, the King Ranch offers guided bird watching and wildlife tours through their diverse South Texas habitats where nearly 400 species of birds have been recorded.

      • Home to the U.S.' largest known population of Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls.

      • Locations vary by tour.

 

 

 

 

For older events, please see our Past Events page.