The Rio Grande Valley is a bird watcher’s paradise. Bird lovers from all over the nation literally flock to the area to spot a newly reported rare species or simply to add to the list of birds they’ve identified. The Valley offers five different wildlife refuges within driving distance Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge being the main highlight. Over the past couple of years the Valley has become known as one of the Top 10 locations for bird and butterfly watching in the United States.
The City of Alamo is the gateway to the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. Nature tourists visiting Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge exceed 165,000 per year, with 99,000 of them here to go bird watching. More than 90% of visitors stay 3 to 7 nights at local hotels and bed and breakfasts. They inject an estimated $34 million per year into Alamo and surrounding communities.
Santa Ana is considered the jewel of the National Wildlife Refuge (NWF) system and is the most popular and best known wildlife refuge in the Valley. Its 2,088 acres boasts more species of birds including rarities such as the indigo snake and the endangered ocelot, more than any other spot in the United States. Visitors can get within feet of these and other docile birds. Walk on three trails of different lengths totaling 12 miles. Stop at three man made lakes and bird watching blinds. Santa Ana is also home to half of all butterfly species found in North America and has several butterfly gardens next to the Visitor Center.
During the winter, a 60-passenger tram traverses the refuge three times a day. A friendly naturalist from the Valley Nature Center leads the hour-long, guided, seven-mile ride. The refuge is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.
Directions to Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge. Take Highway 83 to Alamo, turn south onto FM 907 for 7.5 miles. At Highway 281 (Old Military Highway) turns left and continue for about one quarter of a mile. The refuge is on the south side of the highway.
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Directions from Alamo Texas to Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge |
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