Past Events
Visit our Current Events page for upcoming events, or to learn about partnering with us. This page only includes past events for reference.
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COMMUNITY EVENT
November 5–9, 2025
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. 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. Nov. 6 & Fri. Nov. 7 noon to 6:00 p.m.
- Sat. Nov. 8 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Sun. Nov. 9 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Harlingen Convention Center, 701 Harlingen Heights Dr., Harlingen, TX 78552
COMMUNITY EVENT
November 8, 2025
Arbor Day Celebration | McAllen
Here's another great FREE family event with music, educational booths, and tree workshops, plus, you get to take home a free native tree! Fall is the perfect time to plant them.
See Keep McAllen Beautiful's website for details.
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 EVENTS
Multiple Events
Planta Nativa Month | Quinta Mazatlán, McAllen
To celebrate the beauty and resilience of native plants, Quinta Mazatlán in McAllen is hosting a month full of exciting events. Check out what they have planned in October. Details at quintamazatlan.com.
NATURE TALK
Saturday, November 1, 2025
Spiders of the RGV | In-Store | 2–3:00 p.m.
Please join us as we learn about the spiders that can be found here in the Rio Grande Valley. It's going to be a fascinating talk!
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Details above.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER
Our speaker will be Lynette Castillo, a Park Interpreter with the fabulous Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park.
COMMUNITY EVENT
November 1, 2025
Run for the Refuge 5K Run & Walk | Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge | 8:00 a.m.
We're proud to help sponsor Run for the Refuge! Don't miss this fun run/walk through the heart of one of the most biodiverse spots in Texas. Every step supports wildlife conservation, youth education, and community programs that protect the Wild Heart of the Valley.
This event is organized by Friends of the Wildlife Corridor, a group of Lower RGV citizens is doing key work to help protect the habitats that our native and migratory RGV wildlife depend on.
Details and updates: Friends of the Wildlife Corridor's Facebook event page
Location: Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, 3325 Green Jay Road, Alamo, TX 78516, USA
COMMUNITY EVENT
November 1, 2025
Texas Butterfly Festival FREE Community Day | Mission | 9:00 a.m.–2 p.m.
There'll be fun for the whole family at this year's FREE Community Day! There'll be arts and crafts, games, reptiles, trails, a native plant sale, and shopping from local vendors. Please stop by our booth to say hi!
Details and updates: National Butterfly Center's Facebook event page
Location: Texas Butterfly Center, 3333 Butterfly Park Drive, Mission, TX 78572
BIRDING
Daily October 20–26, 2025
Virtual Birding | Birdability Week | 9 a.m.
Birdability Week is a celebration of birders with disabilities and other health concerns, as well as an opportunity to share resources and ideas to help the birding community become accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to everybody! Some event highlights:
- Virtual birding every morning at 10 a.m. ET, Oct. 20–26. Tune in on Instagram Live @birdability
- Bird(Ability) Your Way Weekend, Saturday & Sunday, October 25–26: Bird in any way YOU like, whether it's watching virtually, car birding, listening for backyard birds, alone, or with a group at an accessible outing. If narrow dirt-packed trails are OK for you, come to our bird walk on the 25th! See below.
- Birdability Map: Explore or contribute to this crowdsourced map that describes the accessibility of birding locations.
BIRDING
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Free* Guided Bird Walk | Frontera Audubon, Weslaco | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
In the morning, we'll be meeting at Frontera Audubon, a wonderful 15-acre nature preserve in Weslaco, for a guided bird walk in partnership with this special reserve. More than 30 species were recently spotted here on a September walk, including a Zone-tailed Hawk!
- 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 park entrance.
- Wear footwear suitable for unpaved trails.
- Bring water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, etc.
- Don't forget your binoculars! If you need binoculars or are looking to upgrade, we carry some fantastic options for birders. Stop in to check them out!
Then in the afternoon, we'll be having a FREE NATURE TALK and NATIVE PLANT SALE back in our store! Details below.
ABOUT OUR GUIDE
Terrilyn “Terri” Alaniz is President of the Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society, Conservation Artist/Photographer at Cactus Creek Ranch, and a certified Texas Master Naturalist. She also leads many field trips and bird tours, and shares birding videos on her "Off the Beaten Path Birding Rio Grande Valley" YouTube Channel.
NATURE TALK
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Gardening for Wildlife in Any and All Spaces! | In-Store | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
After the morning's guided bird walk (see above), we'll reconvene at our McAllen store in the afternoon so local wildlife biologist Angelina Vasquez can tell us about how we can be good stewards for wildlife in our human habitats: our homes! We'll be exploring ways to garden and aid wildlife in a variety of ways, no matter what your space. Whether you live in an apartment, a ranch, or a suburb, Angelina will be giving us tips and tricks to provide for wildlife in our own ways!
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Details above.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER
In addition to leading guided bird walks at Frontera Audubon, Angelina Vasquez is a wildlife biologist with LandHawk Consulting LLC. She studied Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainable Sciences at UTRGV, as well as Ecological Restoration at Texas A&M University.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Rio Reforestation | Pharr | October 18, 2025 | 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Please join us in this phenomenal local event to help bring life back to our beautiful South Texas thornforest! WBU staff will be joining hundreds of local volunteers to help plant 10,000 native tree seedlings, as part of the local American Forests team's 31st 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!
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Registration deadline is October 4th, 2025.
- Location: Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge's Milagro Tract, Pharr (use address: 904 W Doffin Rd, Pharr, TX 78577)
COMMUNITY EVENT
Spooktacular 2025 | Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center | October 18, 2025 | 6–9 p.m.
Don't miss this fantastic FREE family event at one of the Valley's great birding hotspots! Along with candy, there'll also be crafts, games, food, and great local vendors.
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Details on their website and Facebook page.
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Location: Edinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center, 714 S Raul Longoria Rd, Edinburg, TX
COMMUNITY EVENT BOOTH
Planta Nativa VIP (Very Important Plants) Night | Quinta Mazatlán, McAllen | October 16, 2025 | 6:30–9:30 p.m.
To celebrate the beauty and resilience of native plants, Quinta Mazatlán in McAllen is hosting a month full of exciting events, and we’re thrilled to be a small part of it! Please join us at the Planta Nativa VIP (Very Important Plants) Night on October 16th, 6:30–9:30 p.m. Enjoy a vibrant marketplace featuring native plants, educational booths, food and drink vendors, and a special presentation by Pam Penick, author of Gardens of Texas: Growing with Resilience.
Get your tickets at TicketLeap.
And be sure to check out the other events they have planned in October. Details at quintamazatlan.com.
FREE TALK
How YOU Can Become a Texas Master Naturalist! | Saturday, October 11th | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Are you passionate about the Rio Grande Valley's unique birds, butterflies, insects, and plants? If so, this presentation is for you! Come learn about the Texas Master Naturalist Program, which will help you build your knowledge, learn how to educate others, and become an advocate for the RGV's special ecosystem and wildlife.
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Details above.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER
As President of the South Texas Border Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) Program, Velma H. Schmidt channels both a love for the natural world with a desire to be of service to others. A Certified Texas Master Naturalist herself and an Edinburg native, Velma has a special place in her heart for the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center, where she often volunteers to help with educational programming and nature events. In addition to her TMN outreach and service, Velma works professionally as a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and the owner of RGV Play Therapy Center, and is a passionate advocate for helping children and adults through play and interaction with the natural world.
COMMUNITY EVENT BOOTH
Boo-tanical Fall Festival & Plant Sale | San Benito | October 11, 2025 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Please join us at the Cameron County Master Gardeners' annual fall festival and plant sale. Stop by our table to say boo!
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Admission is FREE!
- Bring a costume and your wagon to load up with fantastic plants and have a great day out with the family!
- Location: Within the gates of the county building at Education Garden, 1390 W. Expressway 83, San Benito, TX 78586
FREE TALK
How to Create an Inviting Yard in the RGV for Birds and People | Saturday, October 4th | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Please join WBU staff for a talk about how Rio Grande Valley bird lovers can turn our yards into inviting havens for both ourselves AND the fantastic diversity of birds we get. We're lucky to have beautiful native plants here in the Valley that are naturally attractive to birds because they provide the food and shelter birds need. Adding more native plants to your yard—as well as offering the rights bird foods in the right kind of feeders—attracts birds so you can enjoy and support them. Native plants also make your life easier as a gardener, as these plants are adapted to our local climate and pests.
In this talk, we'll discuss:
- Unique elements of our native Valley habitat
- The right foods and feeders for attracting a diversity of Valley birds
- How to landscape and garden here in the Valley with the birds and other wildlife in mind
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Details above.
ABOUT WBU STAFF SPEAKERS
Wild Birds Unlimited McAllen is locally owned, operated, and staffed by Valley bird lovers, just like you! Staff are WBU Certified Birdfeeding Specialists,™ trained to show you how to turn your yard into a bird feeding habitat that not only brings song, color and life to your home, but also benefits the wild birds and the environment in the Valley.
FREE TALK
Doves & Pigeons of the RGV: Native Birds Worth Celebrating | Saturday, September 20th | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Did you know the Rio Grande Valley gets eight of the nine species of pigeons and doves found in Texas? It's easy to take these birds for granted, as they're relatively common and their songs blends into the "background music" of life in South Texas. But these plump birds are fascinating! Come learn how to tell them apart, what they eat, why they make the nests they do, and why they deserve our love and attention.
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Details above.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER
Laura is a Rio Grande Valley native and bird enthusiast. With over seven years of experience in environmental education, she currently serves as an educator at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center. Laura also shares her love of birds and nature with the community through her work at Wild Birds Unlimited in McAllen.
COMMUNITY EVENT
Bentsen Outdoor Skills Showcase BOSS 2025 | Mission | Saturday, September 20th | 3:00–7:00 p.m.
Don't miss this great opportunity for the whole family! The FREE Bentsen Outdoor Skills Showcase or B.O.S.S. event is focused on providing local families and beginners with the competency and expertise to master the outdoors. Activities will include:
- Tent setup
- Orienteering/navigation
- Campfire builds
- Knot tying
- Fish print
Visit their website for details.
COMMUNITY EVENT BOOTH
Quinta Mazatlán's Hummingbird Morning | McAllen | September 13, 2025 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Please stop by our booth at the beautiful Quinta Mazatlán's Hummingbird Morning! They're celebrating hummingbird migration through the Rio Grande Valley with gardens tours to look for hummingbirds, educational booths, a marketplace with food, native plants, and other merchandise, a cupcake contest and other activities! Admission is $5, with children 2 and under free.
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Admission is $5, with children 2 and under free. Purchase tickets.
- Location: 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen, Texas
FREE TALK
Dark Skies Over the RGV: Why We Need Them and What You Can Do | Saturday, September 13th | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Did you know most migratory birds fly at night? But city lights can disorient birds, causing them to stray off track. This can lead to collisions with buildings and also imperil their health as they waste precious energy in confusion.
Light pollution is on the rise worldwide, not only affecting the nighttime behaviors of birds and other wildlife, but impacting human health, too, and our ability to see the stars. The good news is that it’s one of the most easily reversible forms of pollution!
Join us to learn about the five principles of responsible outdoor lighting and ways we can protect the night skies of the Rio Grande Valley.
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Details above.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER
Jennifer Rektorik is the Rio Grande Valley Outreach Coordinator for DarkSky Texas and a DarkSky International Advocate. Born and raised in the Valley, she grew up stargazing on a ranch in Starr County, and during her lifetime has watched the stars dim over the RGV. As a Texas Master Naturalist with the South Texas Border Chapter, she is dedicated to protecting darkness as a vital part of the ecosystem that supports the well-being of both wildlife and people in the RGV.
FREE TALK
Thornforest Restoration in the RGV: A Native Seed Approach | Saturday, August 30th | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Please join us to learn about the critical work the American Forests team is doing to restore the unique and endangered thornforest ecosystem of South Texas. Our native RGV thornforest is among the most diverse habitats in the U.S.—but little remains. We need to restore it to help with urban heat, air pollution, flooding, and birds and other wildlife.
This presentation highlights American Forests' hands-on work collecting, processing, and growing native seeds in the Rio Grande Valley, and how local communities and science come together to reforest our native habitat.
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Details above.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKERS
As Senior Manager of Community Resilience at American Forests, Mylen Arias leads community-driven efforts to restore the Rio Grande Valley’s thornforest through her background in environmental education, scientific research, partnership development, and community engagement.
Serving as the Manager of the Semillas Compartidas (Shared Seeds) Initiative at American Forests, Jennifer Richmond utilizes her extensive background in agriculture to support thornforest restoration in the Rio Grande Valley through seed collection and processing, logistics, and community partnerships.
FREE TALK
Bring On the Hummingbirds Using Native Plants | Saturday, August 23rd | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
We’re very excited to have well-known local native plant expert Anita Westervelt in to share her knowledge! She's going to tell us about the 12 locally available plants sure to bring hummingbirds to your garden!
Native plants are the best source of nectar for hummingbirds. A garden to attract hummingbirds is full of diversity—hummingbirds like many colors of flowers, not just red ones. The Rio Grande Valley offers a variety of native flowering plants that hummingbirds love and will look great in your yard.
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Details above.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER
Anita Westervelt is a Texas Master Naturalist with more than 9,000 volunteer hours. She is a newspaper columnist for the McAllen Monitor with native nature articles the first and third Saturdays of the month. She is also the author of Anita’s Blog on the South Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalist site. A retired U.S. Navy Chief Journalist and former Federal External Affairs Officer, she holds degrees in communication and fine art. She is a writer, photographer, photojournalist, native plant guide and presentation and workshop leader.
FREE TALK
Drones! High-Tech Help for Conservation | Saturday, August 16th | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Join us for a fascinating talk on how drones are being used for conservation efforts in forestry, environmental sciences, and agroecology. Drones’ ability to get into hard-to-reach areas and capture high-resolution data is helping with analysis, monitoring, and decision-making about our native habitats, wildlife, and more right here in the Rio Grande Valley. The Valley’s bird life is interlinked with our ability to protect and restore native habitats.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER
Carlos Garcia Patlan is an ecologist for the Texas A&M Forest Service, working in the Urban and Community Forestry Program, where he helps guide communities toward sustainable management of their community forests. He has a master's degree in agricultural, environmental, and sustainability sciences at UTRGV, and is a Texas Master Naturalist.
FREE TALK
Wild Parrots! Jesters of the Rio Grande Valley | Saturday, July 19th | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
IN-STORE TALK
Join us as we learn about the fascinating parrots found in the wild throughout the Rio Grande Valley. We'll hear about what makes them so unique among our Valley birds, such as their complex social lives, and ways to make your backyard a more inviting place for them.
GUIDED PARROT WALK
Then at 7 p.m., join our speaker in Brownsville for a fun guided walk—also FREE—at Oliveira Park to see these remarkable birds in action! Check the Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society Facebook page for details.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT SPEAKER
Terrilyn “Terri” Alaniz is President of the Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society, Conservation Artist/Photographer at Cactus Creek Ranch, a certified Texas Master Naturalist, and an experienced parrot handler. She also leads many field trips and bird tours, and shares birding videos on her "Off the Beaten Path Birding Rio Grande Valley" YouTube Channel.
FREE TALK
Love & Honey: The Wild Bees of the RGV | Saturday, July 12th | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Calling all insect enthusiasts and bee lovers: Come explore the rainbow of native bees found here in the Rio Grande Valley—it goes way beyond the European Honey Bee! You'll also get tips for photographing bees, and learn about the impact community scientists are making by documenting local bees.
About Our Expert Speaker
Devin Johnston is a professional beekeeper, co-owner of R9 Hive & Honey, and hobbyist “bee bother-er.” A single off-hand photograph of a native bee on sunflowers transformed her 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, feral honey bee colonies from a wide variety of properties. On her days off, Devin enjoys hiking and hanging out in ditches trying to document native bees.
FIELD TRIP
Explore a Tiny Forest | Saturday, May 10th | 12:30–1:30 p.m. | Corner of Jordan Rd. and Ware Rd., McAllen
Please join us for a special field trip to explore one of the Tiny Forests installed by the Center of Urban Ecology (CUE), the Friends of Quinta Mazatlán, and the City of McAllen to help restore native habitats.
In 2023, they planted 1,800 native trees and shrubs—30 unique to the RGV—in a 9,000 sq. ft. area in McAllen. Two years later, the space is already looking amazing! In 5–10 years, it’ll be just like a much older native RGV thornforest! Our RGV thornforest is among the most diverse habitats in the U.S.—but little remains. We need to restore it to help with urban heat, air pollution, flooding, and wildlife.
Roberto Gaitan will be showing us around. He's a Master Naturalist and President of the RGV Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas.
Afterward, we’ll head back to Wild Birds Unlimited for a FREE TALK on using natives in YOUR yard, plus a native plant sale—read more below!
**** Park along Ware Rd. or at the Elks Lodge. We'll MEET OUTSIDE at the corner of Jordan Rd. and Ware Rd. ****
FREE TALK
Turn Your Yard into a Bird Paradise Using Native Plants | Saturday, May 10, 2025, 2–3 p.m.
This FREE talk is going to be about how to attract a diversity of birds to our yards by using multi-dimensional landscaping: creating a well-rounded native plant habitat in your yard, rather than just planting a single native tree or shrub here or there.
Note that this talk will start with a brief intro to a great local organization for those who love the RGV's native plants: the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas.
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Details above.
About Our Expert Speaker
Roberto Gaitan is President of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. He's a Master Naturalist, is Native Landscape Certified, and loves sharing his knowledge of the RGV's native flora and fauna. He also teaches Native Landscape Certification Program classes around the Valley.
FREE TALK
Wake Up and Smell the Conservation: How to Choose Coffee that Helps Farmers and RGV Birds | Saturday, May 3, 2025, 10–11 a.m.
**Note THIS IS A MORNING TALK—not the usual afternoon time.**
Did you know your cup of coffee can help bird conservation? And that there’s a difference between bird-friendly and shade-grown coffee? How is coffee even produced, anyway?
For the answers to these questions and more, join us for a complimentary cup of coffee and a free talk by Kelly Smith of the American Birding Association (ABA). Kelly will be telling us about:
- The journey coffee beans take from the fincas in Central and South America to your kitchen
- How shade-grown, organic coffee helps preserve bird habitats and promote diversity, and benefits farmers and their communities
- Why RGV bird lovers in particular have a vested interest—many of the birds we enjoy here in the Valley depend on habitats around Central American coffee farms in their winter migration
- Why we should be looking for coffee that's certified Bird Friendly® by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (the gold standard for shade-grown, organic coffees)
- The special coffee that the ABA has created with Thanksgiving Coffee, an award-winning, family-owned American roaster, to help support birds
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Details above.
About the Complimentary Coffee
We'll be tasting Song Bird Coffee, a certified Bird Friendly® coffee that the ABA has created in partnership with Thanksgiving Coffee Company. A portion of the proceeds from each package benefits the mission, programs, and conservation efforts of the ABA.
About Our Expert Speaker
You may recognize Kelly as the ABA representative at various regional bird festivals and events. A research and conservation-minded naturalist, Kelly has volunteered or served on the board of many nature organizations for the last 15 years, including the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival and Balcones Songbird Festival, the South Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalists, the Friends of the Wildlife Corridor and the Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Texas Pelagics, the Texas Ornithological Society, and the Brandywine Zoo Kestrel Monitoring Program. Kelly has also spent years assisting raptor and songbird banding projects in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Kelly puts her business degree and volunteer experience to work for the ABA as the Conservation and Outreach Director, leading programs like Community Weekends, Birders’ Exchange, Song Bird Coffee, Bird of the Year, and ABA Sales. When not at work or volunteering, Kelly spends her time hiking and kayaking around San Antonio and scuba-diving in the Caribbean.
COMMUNITY EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
Booth at Quinta Mazatlán's Monarch Fest | Saturday, April 26, 2025
This is a great way to celebrate Earth Day! Bring the family out, and please stop by our booth. And don't forget your binoculars, because they have some nice birding trails, too!
Admission is FREE for each person who brings in a plastic bag or bottle for recycling. Learn more at on Quinta Mazatlán's Facebook event page.
Location: Quinta Mazatlan, 600 Sunset Dr. McAllen, TX 78503
COMMUNITY EVENT BOOTH
Rio Grande Valley Home and Garden Show | April 11–13, 2025
We'll be at the Home and Garden Show this year—stop by our WBU booth for your backyard bird feeding needs and to say hi!
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Admission is FREE!
- There'll be tons of resources to help you tackle your outdoor-living and home-improvement projects.
- Plus, kids' crafts, special guests, seminars, and more!
- Location: McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd., McAllen, TX 78501
FREE TALK
Raptor Identification: Unusual Plumages | Saturday, March 15, 2025, 2–3 p.m.
Don't miss this chance to meet and learn from world-renowned raptor expert, Bill Clark!
Hawks, falcons, and similar birds of prey are some of the most majestic and thrilling birds to watch. But they don't always match the field guides, making them tricky to identify sometimes.
Bill will help you step up your raptor game by teaching us about different plumages you could run across, from albino birds to those with excess pigmentation, or even birds with methane-flare burns or abnormal beaks.
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Details above.
About Our Expert Speaker
William "Bill" Clark bands and studies raptors, has authored raptor field guides, has observed raptors in over 50 countries, and leads international raptor tours. He is also chairman of Raptours, LLC, which specializes in guided hawk tours.
FREE WALK
Guided Bird Walk + Coffee Tasting | Saturday, March 1, 2025, 8:00–10:30 a.m.
About the FREE Event*
We're super excited to be partnering with another valley treasure, the Estero Llano Grande State Park, on a guided bird walk! Did you know over 300 species of birds have been identified here?
- All ages and skill-levels are welcome on this family-friendly tour. But no pets, please, sorry.
- Come early for complimentary coffee from 8–8:30 a.m.! We'll be sampling Thanksgiving Coffee—an award-winning, family-owned roaster whose SongBird line not only TASTES GREAT but has earned the Smithsonian BIRD FRIENDLY® SEAL.
- Our guides will be members of the park's friendly and knowledgeable Interpretive Team.
- We'll be looking for as many species as possible, especially the 30 that are termed Valley Specialties.
- This is a great chance to get to know your fellow WBU and birding enthusiasts, too!
- The walk will include the park's famous birding deck overlooking the beautiful wetlands, where a whopping 115 bird species have been recorded in a single day, to the Tropical Area, where Green Jays, Great Kiskadees, Clay-colored Thrushes and even rarities such as the Elegant Trogon, Rose-throated Becard, White-throated Thrush, and Crimson-collared Grosbeak have been observed.
- This guided tour is free with park admission, which is $5 for adults; children are free.
- Address: 3301 S. International Blvd. (FM 1015), Weslaco, TX 78596.
- Meet on the deck just outside the Visitor Center Park Store.
- Wear suitable shoes and bring water, insect repellant, or anything else you may need.
FREE: A CONVERSATION WITH LOCAL AUTHOR ELAINE HERNANDEZ
"Our Butterfly Effect: Using Inspiring Stories to Create Local Changes with Global Impact" | Feb. 15th
About the FREE Event
We're so excited to welcome local author Elaine Hernandez! She's the author of "Her Butterfly Effect: When the Evergreens Blossomed Orange," an inspirational children's book about a fateful encounter between distressed monarch butterflies migrating through Mexico and a group of downtrodden farm animals. Their cooperation transforms each others lives.
Please join us for coffee and an adult-level conversation about creating your own "butterfly effect" with small changes at the local level that can have an international impact. (This is not a kids' event.)
Elaine will share her journey in writing her first book, which is based on her experiences living on a dairy farm and vineyard in rural Mexico during the 1970s. She will also encourage the audience to think about sharing their own lived experiences with younger generations by writing their own life stories. Stories are often the most powerful way of impacting change!
PLUS, stay after for a NATIVE PLANT SALE! Planting natives is one way you can create local changes that ripple outward. Texas-native plants not only beautify your yard, but provide essential food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and other pollinators, some of which then migrate to other parts of the world. Sale starts immediately after the presentation, and supplies are limited.
About the Local Author and Speaker
Elaine Hernandez, PhD, is a local storyteller and a global development specialist. She has worked on internationally funded projects in Mexico, Central America, and Ukraine, and has collected powerful stories of impact with the "photo voice" methodology.
CITIZEN SCIENCE / BACKYARD BIRDING
Great Backyard Bird Count | February 14–17
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) lets you join your fellow bird enthusiasts from around the world to help provide crucial insights into bird populations and their changing habitats! It's fun and easy—just count your birds, then report your numbers. All you need is 15 minutes, and the whole family or even a classroom can help, making you all CITIZEN SCIENTISTS!
TIP: Download the amazing, FREE Merlin Bird ID app! It makes it super easy to ID the birds you see—or even hear! And any birds Merlin helps you ID during the 4 days of the GBBC will be automatically reported—no need to register or sign-up separately!
Visit www.birdcount.org to learn more.
LOCAL BIRDING
Rio Grande Valley Lady Birders Weekend | February 13–16
Nature Ninja Birding Tours, an incredible RGV-based company owned by our talented friend Tiffany Kersten (featured in Texas Monthly magazine), is hosting a 4-day birding adventure February 13-16, 2025, led entirely by an all-female team. This unforgettable weekend will explore several local wildlife hotspots.
Whether you’re new to birding or chasing your next lifer, this tour is perfect for you. Wild Birds Unlimited McAllen will be there, soaking in the beauty of our Valley birds and maybe spotting a few new feathered friends. We hope you'll join us for a weekend of spectacular birding, great company, and support for this amazing female-owned RGV business!
Spots are filling fast, so don’t wait—reserve your place today!
FREE TALK
Native Plant Gardening for Butterflies | Saturday, February 1, 2025, 2–3 p.m.
About the FREE Talk
With winter winding down, it's the perfect time to start thinking about your landscaping and/or garden, and steps you can take to make it more supportive of native wildlife. With that in mind, please join us for a fun presentation on how to create a thriving butterfly habitat using native plants. Perfect for gardeners of all skill levels!
- Discover the best plants for attracting butterflies and other pollinators here in the Rio Grande Valley.
- Explore tips and inspiration for designing a sustainable garden that both beautifies your property AND benefits wildlife and the environment.
About Our Expert Speaker
Stephanie Lopez is Interim Executive Director of the National Butterfly Center in Mission, TX, and loves sharing her expertise on local wildlife with the public. Her passion for wildlife and the outdoors, especially for butterflies and birds, was first inspired by her parents, raised in ranches in central Mexico, and then further ignited by a bird walk she took at the National Butterfly Center in 2015.
FREE TALK
Rare Birds and Wildlife of the King Ranch | Saturday, January 18, 2025, 2–3 p.m.
About the FREE Talk
We'll learn about the rare birds, such as the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and Tropical Parula, and other wildlife that can be found in the King Ranch. We'll also hear about the King Ranch's conservation efforts to help preserve wildlife and dwindling native habitats, some of which we may be able to adapt for our own "backyard conservation."
The King Ranch isn't just one of Texas' most famous ranches. It's recognized as an Internationally Important Bird Area and has a long history of conservation.
- Nearly 400 species of birds have been recorded in the King Ranch, including the largest known population of Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls in the U.S.
- Spanning 825,000 acres in South Texas and into the Rio Grande Valley, the King Ranch includes a variety of habitats, from wetlands and grasslands to brush country, that are important for native birds and many migrating species.
About Our Expert Speaker
Janice Travis is Tour Supervisor and one of the bird and nature guides at the King Ranch. Janice's passion for birding was ignited during an undergrad ornithology class at Eastern University in Pennsylvania. She went on to get her master’s degree in Biology, with a concentration in ecology, from the University of North Florida. A Michigan native and the spouse of a U.S. Marine, Janice has lived and birded across the U.S., and has also birded in travels to Japan, Belize, and Panama.
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.
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
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.”
For upcoming or recent events, please see our Current Events page.