Store and Community Events
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. Below is a list of local tours, talks, and other events sponsored by us or organizations we collaborate with.
Have an Event to Promote?Give us a call if you're interested in:
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FREE WALK
Guided Bird Walk | Saturday, December 21, 2024, 8:30–10:30 a.m.
About the FREE Event*
Join us on another lovely walk along the trails of the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center, a Valley gem. This time, we'll be guided by the park's expert Naturalist, William Farley. Beginners welcome!
- Meet at the visitor center.
- Plan on arriving a few minutes early, as we'll set off promptly at 8:30 a.m.
- Wear suitable shoes and bring water, insect repellant, or anything else you may need.
- Address: 714 S. Raul Longoria Road, Edinburg, Texas 78542
*The guided walk is free, but there is a small park admission fee, unless you're a park member: $3/adult, $2/seniors and students; free for kids aged 5 and under.
About Our Expert Speaker
William Farley is the Naturalist Coordinator for the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center, as well as a Texas Master Naturalist. Growing up in the Valley, he fell in love with the RGV's wildlife, especially its diverse and beautiful birds. This inspired him to pursue a degree in Range and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M Kingsville. William enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for the RGV's natural world with park visitors of all ages.
FREE TALK
How to Host Purple Martins | Saturday, January 4, 2025, 2–3 p.m.
About the FREE Talk
Whether you’re already a proud Purple Martin “landlord” or just thinking about putting up your first martin house, you won’t want to miss this discussion of best practices for a thriving colony.
These charming and entertaining birds usually return to the Valley around mid-February, so it's important to have your martin house in place before then. We carry a range of Purple Martin systems selected for their ease of use, durability, and “curb appeal.” And if you’re having trouble attracting Purple Martins to your house, we can chat about strategies that may help!
About Our Expert Speaker
With more than a decade of experience in environmental education, Veronica Guzman currently serves as a park interpreter at Estero Llano Grande State Park, where she shares her knowledge and enthusiasm for wildlife and conservation with visitors. Veronica's passion for Purple Martins began after receiving a martin house as a gift. She's been a Purple Martin landlord for over 15 years now, managing both public and personal colonies.
Native Plant Tours
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Run by ethnobotanist Benito Treviño (featured by American Forests) and wife Toni.
- 621 W La Sagunada Rd., Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Birding Tours and Retreats
- Nature Ninja Birding Tours offers exceptional guided tours and all-inclusive birding retreats in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
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Led by local birding whiz Tiffany Kersten, featured in Texas Monthly magazine.
Free Admission to Edinburg Scenic Wetlands
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Last Saturday and Sunday of each month
- A 40-acre wetlands oasis in the heart of Edinburg where you can spot birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
- Part of the World Birding Center network.
- 714 Raul Longoria Rd, Edinburg, TX 78542
King Ranch Nature Tours
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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.
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Home to the U.S.' largest known population of Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls.
- Locations vary by tour.
FREE TALK
All About Owls with John McKee | Saturday, December 14, 2024, 2–3 p.m.
About the FREE Talk
Owls are one of the most fascinating families of birds. In this program, we'll focus on the six species of owls found in the Rio Grande Valley, their unique behaviors, and the adaptations they've evolved to support their intriguing way of life.
About Our Expert Speaker
John McKee has been intrigued by the natural world since childhood. A Master Naturalist in both Illinois and Texas, he's conducted or participated in many faunal surveys and censuses, and devoted hundreds of hours to other volunteer conservation activities. He's traveled extensively in North America, building his life lists of birds, butterflies, and dragonflies, alongside his wife and fellow Master Naturalist Cindy. Cindy photographs their finds, while John catalogs those photos and uses them to produce nature programs.
WALK
Guided Bird Walk | Saturday, November 23, 2024, 9 a.m.–11 a.m.
About the FREE Event
Join us on a short walk along the trails of the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center, a Valley gem. Our expert guide will help us spot and identify species at this birding hotspot, and give tips on getting the most out of your binoculars.
- Meet at the visitor center.
- Plan on arriving a few minutes early, as we'll set off promptly at 9 a.m. The walk will last no more than 2 hours.
- Wear suitable shoes and bring water, insect repellant, or anything else you may need.
- Address: 714 S. Raul Longoria Road, Edinburg, Texas 78542
About Our Expert Guide
We'll be led by Richard Moncrief, an expert birder and the Birding and Nature Observation Sales Manager with Carl Zeiss, Optics. Richard will also be joining us in-store for the day to demo the excellent ZEISS binoculars and give a talk on Optics 101—see details below.
IN-STORE DEMO
ZEISS Optics | Saturday, November 23, 2024 | Noon to 2 p.m. and 3–6 p.m.
About the FREE Event
Whether you're looking to upgrade your binoculars or are shopping for your first pair that you can keep for life, pop in to see the ZEISS difference for yourself. We'll have a ZEISS expert on site to demo these exceptional, premium optics. Check them out for yourself to see if they're right for you.
If you're just getting started with binoculars, the ZEISS expert will also be giving an intro talk from 2–3 p.m.
FREE TALK
Optics 101 with ZEISS Optics | Saturday, November 23, 2024, 2–3 p.m.
About the FREE Talk
Getting a clear, bright, up-close look at our feathered friends can really enhance your bird watching fun, whether you're relaxing in your backyard or exploring the Valley's many birding hot spots.
Come learn how to choose the best binoculars for your bird watching goals and budget! This talk will give you an introduction to binoculars for nature observation, and expert advice on choosing the right pair for you.
About Our Expert Speaker
Richard Moncrief is the Birding and Nature Observation Sales Manager with Carl Zeiss, SBE. With ZEISS for 20+ years, Richard really enjoys bringing people and nature together through the fascinating world of optics, and especially likes championing conservation causes, helping with young birder programs and accessibility for all birders. Living in rural eastern Virginia, he finds exploring the wilds of the forests and fields a wonderful and peaceful pastime.
SPONSORING
McAllen Arbor Day Road Race and Celebration | Nov. 2
We're proud to be sponsoring Keep McAllen Beautiful's run/walk/bike event, which will raise funds to plant trees to make McAllen greener, cooler, and more beautiful! There'll be a kids' fun run, too, along with tree workshops and give-aways! Details on their website.
SPONSOR AND BOOTH
Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival | Nov. 6–10, 2024
This is a fantastic annual festival for bird lovers of all ages, with guest speakers, field trips, a silent auction, a raptor show, FREE FAMILY AND KIDS' EVENTS, and more. Note that some of the events have fees and require pre-registration.
Come see us at the festival's BIRDERS' BAZAAR TRADE SHOW, which is FREE and open to the public. There'll be tons of items and info for bird and nature lovers. Stop by to say hi and pick up some product!
TRADESHOW HOURS AND LOCATION
- Thurs. and Fri., Nov. 7th–8th: 12:00 p.m.—6:00 pm
- Sat., Nov. 9th: 10:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.
- Sun., Nov. 10th: 10:00 a.m.—4:00 pm.
- Harlingen Convention Center, 701 Harlingen Heights Dr., Harlingen, TX 78552
BOOTH AT COMMUNITY EVENT
Texas Butterfly Festival | October 26–29, 2024
- We're excited to be part of this great event at Mission's National Butterfly Center. There'll be guest speakers, workshops, field trips, special dinners, and more! Learn more on the festival website.
- We'll have a booth there on the 26th and 27th. Stop by to say hi, pick up some product, and enter our raffle!
BOOTH AT COMMUNITY EVENT
Edinburg Scenic Wetland's Spooktacular 2024 | October 19, 2024
- Don't miss this fun family Halloween event, with activities, a film, candy, and more! More details on their Facebook post.
- We'll have a booth there. Stop by to say hi, pick up some product, and enter our raffle!
FREE TALK
Spooky Spiders of South Texas with Joseph Connors | Saturday, October 12, 2024, 2–3 p.m.
About the FREE Talk
Kid-friendly, and featuring live spiders, this talk with get the family into the Halloween spirit with a captivating exploration of the spiders that inhabit the Rio Grande Valley—some of the real-life ghosts, goblins, pirates, and ogres in our area. From the common to the extraordinary, discover fascinating facts, behaviors, adaptations, and where to find these misunderstood eight-legged wonders. Bring your curiosity, questions, and enthusiasm!
About Our Guest Speaker
Joseph Connors, a lifelong Valley resident, enjoys sharing his passion for our often-overlooked wildlife through his skillful macro photography. As a member of the South Texas Border Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist, Joseph can often be found on night hikes, enthusiastically pointing out spiders and other nocturnal creatures. He is also a frequent contributor to the citizen science project, iNaturalist, helping to document the incredible diversity of South Texas wildlife.
BOOTH AND RAFFLE AT COMMUNITY EVENT
Bentsen Outdoor Skills Showcase | September 21, 2024, 4 p.m–8 p.m.
This community event was focused on providing local families and beginners with the competency and expertise to master the outdoors. This evening of fun activities and exhibitors showcased the many outdoor offerings the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is perfectly suited for, such as hiking, biking, and nature viewing. Details on the Facebook event page.
Thanks to everyone who attended and stopped by our booth and signed up for our raffle! The raffle winner was Dorothy Trevino of Mission, Texas. She won an economy tube feeder, Lower Texas Coast Trail Map, and a 2 lb bag of No Mess No Millet seed (total value of $32).
FREE TALK
Birding 101 with Keith Hackland | Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, 2–3 p.m.
About the FREE Talk
The Rio Grande Valley is a birding hot spot, attracting birders from around the world. But the Valley’s birding bonanza is open to ANYONE and ALL AGES—starting right in your own backyard! You don’t need lots of gear. All you really need is the desire to look, listen, and learn about the amazing and beautiful birds that surround us. And with the fall bird migration underway, it’s the perfect time to jump into this fun, relaxing hobby!
So come join us for this FREE event on the basics of birding. Our expert guest speaker, Keith Hackland, will lead a multi-media, interactive talk covering the ABCs of bird watching/identification, what makes the Valley a special place for birds, and much more.
Start reconnecting with the natural world today through birding—it’s something the whole family can enjoy together. Once you learn to I.D. common backyard birds, you can go on to explore the hundreds of different bird species that frequent the RGV’s many fantastic reserves, including several birds that don’t show up anywhere else in the U.S.A. Happy birding!
About Our Expert Speaker
Keith Hackland founded Alamo Inn B&B, Gear and Tours, in Alamo, Texas, in 1999—it’s the largest birder lodge in the United States. Keith is also the founder of BirdersOnTheRoad.com, a streaming video service that showcases local and international birding videos from professional guides. He’s had a long career involving wildlife and nature conservation and tours, including work with Friends of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Originally hailing from South Africa, Keith has lived and birded in Africa, Central and Southern Europe, Scandinavia, Britain, Canada, California, and Texas, where he’s been a resident of the Lower Rio Grande Valley for more than 27 years. Keith is also an avid photographer and backyard bird feeder.
FREE Plant Swap: Saturday, May 18, 2024
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See flyer below for details.
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Hosted by Hidalgo County Master Gardener Association.
- South Texas MG Educational Garden, 509 E. Earling Rd., San Juan, Texas (map)
FREE: Earth Day—Meet the Creatures Event
Please join us at this FREE family fun event. And don't forget your binoculars—there's some great birding there!
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Saturday, April 20, 2024, 9 a.m.—2 p.m.
- Activities for kids, including interacting with resident animals.
- Please stop by the WBU McAllen table to say hi and pick up free samples (while supplies last) and enter our raffle.
- Congrats to our raffle winner Michelle Leija, who won a small tube feeder ($17.99 value); a 2-lb. bag of seed ($8.99 value); and a small reusable WBU bag made from recycled material.
- National Butterfly Center, 3333 Butterfly Park Drive, Mission, TX
March 23, 2024: Run for the Refuge 5K 2024, Sponsorship and Raffle
from Friends of the Wildlife Corridor
- WBU McAllen was a proud sponsor of the 2nd Annual Run for the Refuge 5K on March 23, 2024, at the Santa Ana & Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges in Alamo, TX.
- We were on site giving out samples of bird seed and live mealworms. It was great to meet so many fellow RGV nature lovers!
- Thanks to the fantastic refuge staff and to the Friends of the Wildlife Corridor for inviting us to help sponsor and attend the race. This was our first event with them and we look forward to many more! This group of Lower RGV citizens is doing key work to help protect the habitats that our native and migratory RGV wildlife depend on.
- Congrats to our raffle winner Chris Markham, who won "The Joy of Bird Feeding," the ultimate reference book for backyard bird watchers ($29.99 value); a small tube feeder ($17.99 value); a 2-lb. bag of seed ($8.99 value.
March 11, 2024: Grand Opening Raffle
- Was open late February through March 10th, one entry per customer, with in-store purchase.
- Drawing was held March 11th. Winners were contacted and announced here (with permission).
- 1st prize went to IRENE MOHUN: Free Seed for a Year ($600+ value), defined as one 20-lb. bag of our high-quality No-Mess No Millet Blend per month for 12 months
- 2nd prize went to MARK PEREZ: Advanced Pole System® Hanging System ($94.99 value) -- our exclusive, patented hanging system that's the perfect beginning to your ultimate bird feeding station
- 3rd prize went to MARISELA PEREZ: $50 WBU McAllen Shopping Spree ($50 Gift Card)
- 4th prize went to JESUS "MICHAEL" LIGUEZ: "The Joy of Bird Feeding" ($29.99 value), the ultimate reference book for backyard bird watchers
March 8-10, 2024: Grand Opening—Free Nature Talks
About the Speakers
Friday, March 8, 2024, 2 p.m.: Benito and Toni Treviño on Native Plants
Native plants help attract and support the RGV's spectacular bird life. Come meet speakers Benito and Toni Treviño of Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery and Tours in Rio Grande City. Benito, an ethnobotanist, was recently featured in an article by American Forests for the important work he’s doing on habitat restoration in the Valley, where the The Valley Land Fund estimates that "less than five percent of the original native habitat remains.”
We hope you’ll stop in to enjoy the talk and chat with our staff about how you can turn your yard into a Certified Wildlife Habitat to attract and support your birds.
Saturday, March 9, 2024, 2 p.m.: Tiffany Kersten on Birding
We'll hear from our local big year celebrity and pro bird guide, Tiffany Kersten. Tiffany and her Nature Ninja Birding Tours crew run birding retreats and tours in the RGV and beyond—a treat for any bird lover! Tiffany's riveting, record-breaking story was featured by Texas Monthly, and she’ll share some of her experiences and expertise with us.
While you're in the store, see for yourself why we think our Vortex binoculars range is a great value for birders. They offer clear, bright imaging, plus a lifetime guarantee!
Sunday, March 10, 2024, 2 p.m.: Veronica Guzmán on Purple Martins
Veronica Guzmán, Environmental Education Coordinator for the beautiful Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center, will talk to us about these charming and entertaining birds and best practices for hosting your own thriving colony.
If you're having trouble attracting Purple Martins to your yard, chat with our staff about strategies that can help. And be sure to check out our range of high-quality Purple Martin systems selected for their ease of use, durability, and “curb appeal.”