Guided tours, nature walks, birding programs, and special events at top RGV hotspots this month.
April is one of the best months to visit the RGV. Spring migration peaks mid-April through early May — expect warbler fallouts, flycatcher movement, and peak activity at feeders and wetlands. Most programs are free with park admission. Links will be added as registration opens.
Connect with nature through movement and meditation in the park.
Join a park naturalist for a narrated tram tour through the park. A great way to cover the full grounds and find specialty birds.
Join a park naturalist and explore Bentsen after dark — owls, nightjars, and nocturnal wildlife await.
Learn the basics of birding with a focus on raptor identification — perfect timing with the Hawk Daze festival coming up.
The Valley's premier raptor event — hawk watch sessions, guided birding tours, raptor talks, guest speakers, and Jr Ranger activities over four days. Timed to coincide with peak spring raptor migration through the Valley.
Two-hour guided tour of the park covering wetlands and thorn scrub. All ages and skill levels welcome — great for finding Valley specialty birds including Least Grebe, Masked Duck, and Green Kingfisher. Focus on the 30 Valley Specialty species.
Ranger-led tour through the park searching for butterflies and dragonflies — some found nowhere else but South Texas.
Narrated ranger-driven electric tram tour of the park. Reservation required due to limited seating.
Kid-friendly ranger-led night tour. May include stargazing, owls, scorpions, tarantulas, alligators, frogs, bats and more. One of the most unique programs in the Valley.
International birding event — a 17-foot circle is marked on the deck and participants count every bird species seen or heard from inside the circle. A fun, accessible way to experience serious birding alongside the community.
Weekly guided walk through the gardens and forest of Quinta Mazatlán with a park naturalist. Learn to identify local plants, birds, and other Rio Grande Valley wildlife. Great for beginners and families.
Learn how to use iNaturalist — one of the most popular nature apps — to identify and record the flora and fauna of the Rio Grande Valley. Participants contribute real biodiversity data to science and conservation.
The Gray Hawk is a rare and threatened species in Texas, with the LRGV representing one of its only U.S. footholds. Researcher Evan Farese presents his graduate research on nesting success and diet, comparing birds in developed vs. natural habitats. Includes a broader look at ongoing UTRGV avian migration and conservation research.
A fresh look at some of South Texas' most familiar birds — how to tell the Valley's doves and pigeons apart, their nesting behaviors, diets, and what makes them far more fascinating than they first appear. Presented by Laura Brush, educator at Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and Wild Birds Unlimited in McAllen.
Gather around the campfire for conversation and connection, then head out on a guided night hike to listen for owls and other nocturnal birds. Bring your flashlight and favorite chair.
Blazing Bluewings 5K followed by a free Earth Day event with vendors, partners, Native Plant Sales and more. A great family day at the butterfly center.
Join the National Butterfly Center for Loteria Mariposa — a fun evening learning about local wildlife through the classic game. Refreshments and snacks available for purchase.