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:
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— Check OUR FACEBOOK EVENTS PAGE for Last-Minute Changes & New Events —
BIRDING
Daily in Sept. and Oct.
Hawk Watches | Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission, TX | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
The fabulous Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park and World Birding Center in Mission, Texas, sits under converging hawk migration routes, and they have a fantastic two-story observation tower with accessible ramp for great views.
The park is a birding hotspot that's always worth a visit, but on September and October mornings (weather permitting), you can join park volunteers and naturalists to spot, identify, and count thousands of migrating raptors. See event details, including park fees and what to bring.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Saturday, October 10, 2026
BOO-tanical Fall Festival & Plant Sale | San Benito | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Pick up some great plants, and enjoy a morning of family-friendly activities, educational booths, local vendors, and fall fun, at Cameron County Master Gardeners’ 4th Annual BOO-tanical Fall Festival & Plant Sale. Stop by our booth to say hi!
See their Facebook Event page for details.
FREE TALK
Saturday, October 10, 2026
"Notable Invertebrates of the RGV" | In-Store | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Check Facebook event page for updates.
Come learn about some of the unique and fascinating invertebrates that can be found here in the Rio Grande Valley! Invertebrates include spiders, insects, worms—anything without a backbone.
The presentation will include live animals and kid-friendly hands-on experiences!
ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER
Matthew Schalk is the Educator/Ecosystem Specialist at the South Texas Ecotourism Center, and also manages Pocket Beasts, a small enterprise of breeding and distributing exotic invertebrates. He's had a lifelong interest in the vastly under-appreciated “creepy crawlies” of the world. Matthew has previously tended the reptile, amphibian, and bird collections at Gladys Porter Zoo, as well as guided tours and given presentations on reptiles and invertebrates at Grace Heritage Ranch.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Saturday, October 17
Rio Reforestation | Pharr | 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Please join the WBU McAllen team at this phenomenal local event to help bring life back to our beautiful South Texas thornforest! We'll be joining hundreds of other local volunteers to help plant 10,000 native tree seedlings, as part of the local American Forests team's 32nd annual Rio Reforestation Event. It’s an unforgettable experience—seeing the power of community in action and restoring a critical ecosystem, one tree at a time. There will also be educational information on native habitats, promotional items, food/drinks, and interaction with our conservation partners in the RGV. We can’t wait to get our hands dirty with you that morning—let’s grow something great together!
- Location: Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge's Milagro Tract, Pharr (use address: 904 W Doffin Rd, Pharr, TX 78577)
FREE TALK
Saturday, October 17, 2026
"Gray Hawks in the Lower Rio Grande Valley" | In-Store | 2–3 p.m.
Check Facebook event page for updates.
In this presentation, Evan Farese will share his research on Gray Hawks in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, focusing on their nesting success, diet, and how they adapt to urban and natural environments. He will also discuss the importance of conserving this threatened species and share other bird migration and conservation projects happening at UTRGV.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER
Originally from California, Evan's interest in studying birds has taken him all around the country and even the world. Since 2022, he has lived in Brownsville, TX, where he pursued his master's degree studying Gray Hawks. Evan is a general bird enthusiast, interested in all aspects of bird ecology as well as migration, nesting ecology, and even the intricacies of difficult identifications. Currently, Evan works as the Lab Manager for the Contina Lab at UTRGV in Brownsville as well as as an associate guide for Nature Ninja Birding Tours.
NATURE WALK
Saturday, October 24, 2026
SenseScape: Guided Nature Therapy Stroll | McAllen Nature Center | 8:30–10:30 a.m.
Check Facebook event page for updates.
Enjoy a guided, sensory-focused experience to help you slow down, quiet your mind, and connect with the natural world in our Rio Grande Valley. Guided through mindful exercises, your senses will be awakened so that you feel more grounded and present. We will listen for the subtle sounds of nature, feel the different textures around us, look for the shades of color and unique shapes before us, and detect the scents of the natural world at the McAllen Nature Center.
This is not a hike or a bioblitz—it's a slow stroll so you have the opportunity to pause, to be curious, and to allow your body and mind to reset.
Then in the afternoon, join us in the store at 2 p.m. for a related free talk: "SenseScape: Health Benefits of Plants & Nature"—see below.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT GUIDE
Roberto Gaitan was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. He served as President of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists for three years. He is a board member of the Friends of Estero Llano Grande State Park, is certified as a Forest Bathing Guide, is Native Landscape Certified, serves as President of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is the Director of the upcoming RGV Native Plant Center on SPI. What drives Roberto above anything else, is the desire to educate the public on the natural treasures of our home and promote public support for conservation projects and activities.
FREE TALK
Saturday, October 24, 2026
"SenseScape: Health Benefits of Plants & Nature" | In-Store | 2–3 p.m.
Check Facebook event page for updates.
Have you ever just sat still to take in the sights, sounds, and scents of nature? Ever reached out to touch a leaf, stem, or flower petal and enjoy its texture? Ever taken some time to enjoy bird song and ponder what they're singing about?
If you have, then you've probably noticed how relaxing it is, how much better you feel afterward. This talk will focus on how taking time to experience nature with all your senses isn't a "waste of time"—it's actually vital for good health and well-being. Come learn how to make the most out of your time in the "sense-scape" that surrounds us when we spend time in the Valley's natural world.
And please join our FREE "SenseScape Guided Nature Therapy Stroll" at 8:30 a.m. at the McAllen Nature Center to try it out—see above.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT GUIDE
Roberto Gaitan was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. He served as President of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists for three years. He is a board member of the Friends of Estero Llano Grande State Park, is certified as a Forest Bathing Guide, is Native Landscape Certified, serves as President of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is the Director of the upcoming RGV Native Plant Center on SPI. What drives Roberto above anything else, is the desire to educate the public on the natural treasures of our home and promote public support for conservation projects and activities.
COMMUNITY EVENT
October 24, 2026
Spooky Science Fest 2026 | Weslaco | 6–10 p.m.
Here's another great fun and educational community event! This year's theme is "They Feast!" with a focus on parasites. See their website for more info. Stop by our booth to say hi!
BIRDING
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Free* Guided Bird Walk | Bentsen–Rio Grande Valley State Park | 8:30–10:30 a.m.
Check Facebook event page for updates.
We have another great day of bird spotting and learning lined up for you! In the morning, we'll be meeting at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, where a ranger will be leading us on a FREE guided bird walk. This park is one of the Valley's top birding and wildlife hotspots, with over 350 birding species having been spotted there.
- PARK FEE: The guided walk itself is free, but there is a small park admission fee you must pay. See the park's website for fees.
- Meet at the visitor center.
- Some parts of the trail may be unpaved—wear suitable footwear.
- Bring water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, etc.
- Don't forget your binoculars! If you're looking to buy or upgrade your binoculars, we carry some fantastic options for birders. Stop in to check them out! The park may also have some for rent.
- Location: Bentsen–Rio Grande Valley State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive (FM 2062), Mission, TX 78572
Then in the afternoon, the park superintendent, Thomas Forwood, will be joining us back in our store for a FREE nature talk—see below.
FREE TALK
Saturday, October 31 (Halloween)
"Bats of the RGV: Our Most Misunderstood Mammal" | In-Store | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Check Facebook event page for updates.
Bats are some of our most fascinating and highly adapted animals here in the Valley, but tend to be misunderstood. Often demonized in stories and made to seem scary, the truth about bats is usually much more interesting—and sometimes even stranger than the fiction!
Come learn about our bat species in the RGV and what makes them special and beneficial!
ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER
Thomas Forwood is Superintendent at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, one of the Valley's top birding and wildlife hotspots. Originally from Pennsylvania, Tom fell in love with birds while working as an interpretive park ranger with Montana State Parks. He's been with Texas State Parks for the past several years, first in Big Bend and now here in the Valley, where he spends most of his free time birding and enjoying other naturalist pursuits, as well as also traveling for birding. Birds are Thomas' first passion, but as a park ranger in Montana, he worked at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, where bats were a big part of their education and outreach, and has brought his knowledge and enthusiasm for bats to South Texas.
COMMUNITY EVENT
November 11–15, 2026
RGV Birding Festival | Harlingen
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 fabulous field trips have fees and require pre-registration; they can fill up fast, so don't delay.
Come see us at the festival's BIRDERS' BAZAAR TRADE SHOW, which is FREE and open to the public at the Harlingen Convention Center. There'll be tons of items and info for bird and nature lovers. Stop by to say hi and pick up some product!
Please check our Facebook Events page for the latest events and changes to events.
This website may not reflect the most up-to-date information.
We're busy coordinating with local experts on a whole slew of new nature talks in the coming weeks. Here's a preview (subject to change):
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Regular Community Tours & Events
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.
For older events, please see our Past Events page.