South Texas Ecotourism Center

09/14/2026

Week of 9/7/2026 - 9/13/2026

BIRDS
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus)
Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus)
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)
Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum)
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)
Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum)
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)
White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi)
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)
Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)

MAMMALS
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus)
Long-tailed Weasel (Neogale frenata)
Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus)
Rio Grande Ground Squirrel (Ictidomys parvidens)
Southern Plains Woodrat (Neotoma micropus)

REPTILES
Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)
Common Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis gularis)

AMPHIBIANS

FISH
Gulf Killifish (Fundulus grandis)

INVERTEBRATES
Fiddler Crab (Family Ocypodidae)
Red Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus)
Western Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides rumiko)

09/11/2026

A wonderful photo by STEC Office Specialist John Juarez of a Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) at the STEC Arched Bird Blinds. 501 West Hgwy 100, Laguna Vista, TX. Open daily from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Free admission. (956)772-0210. Facebook and Instagram.

09/11/2026

Come join the STEC on Thursday, September 24th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for our Faff Speaker Series with Thomas Forwood, Superintendent at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in Mission.
His topic will be "Owl About the Valley: Owls of the RGV and how they've adapted to thrive Here". Free Admission and refreshments. 501 W. State Hwy 100, Laguna Vista, TX. (956) 772-0210. stec-lv.org. Facebook and Instagram. STEC open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Padre Island Chamber of CommerceCameron County Parks and RecreationDavid A. Garza, Cameron County Commissioner, Pct. 3City of Los FresnosCity of Los FresnosCity of Brownsville, TX - Municipal GovernmentCity of South Padre IslandCity of HarlingenCity of McAllen TX GovernmentRio Grande Valley Birding Festival Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park - Texas Parks and WildlifeRio Grande Valley Urban Wildlife - Texas Parks and Wildlife

09/11/2026

Dear Educators and Community Partners,
The Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival is pleased to announce that Field Trip Awards are now open for RGV teens ages 14–18.
Selected students will receive a free RGVBF field trip for themselves and one guardian. This opportunity is designed to help young people explore the Valley’s incredible natural habitats and learn more about local wildlife, birding, and conservation.
We encourage you to share this opportunity with eligible teens who have an interest in birds, nature, or outdoor learning.
Program Details
Award recipients will receive:
• Free festival registration
• A field trip of their choice from a selection of available tours
• A free registration for a parent or guardian to accompany them
Field trips will take place on Saturday, November 14 or Sunday, November 15.
To participate, students must:
• Have transportation to and from the Harlingen Convention Center (701 Harlingen Heights Drive)
• Be available early morning through at least the afternoon (many trips depart at 6 AM)
• Complete the application form by Monday, October 19
Application link: https://forms.gle/k1V2iUaht3zGZCGi8
Awardees will be notified by Monday, November 26.
Thank you for helping us share this opportunity with youth across the Rio Grande Valley. Your support ensures that more students can experience the beauty of our local environment and develop a deeper appreciation for conservation.
Warm regards,

--
Sylvia Canales
RGVBF Education Chair

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

"Always in our hearts"

09/09/2026

Cameron County's Department of Resilience and Natural Resources is running a workshop series thanks to the Texas GLO on the Lower Laguna Madre hydrodynamic monitoring project — and wanted to have you in the room, whether you're neck-deep in the data yourself or just trying to keep tabs on what's happening with coastal monitoring in the RGV.

Here's the short version: right now, RATES and Cameron County are continuously monitoring water quality across the Lower Laguna Madre. That's a big gap to be filling, and we're looking to grow the program — which means we want more people in the room (or on the call) who might use this data, contribute to it, or help us figure out how to keep it going long-term.

We're running three sessions, each about two hours, and each one works whether you show up in person or hop on virtually:

Oct 6, (9–11 AM) — Data Literacy & Live WQData Training
South Texas EcoTourism Center, 409 State Highway 100, Laguna Vista, TX | virtual link sent after you register
This one's hands-on — we'll walk through the live water-quality dashboard together. No technical background needed.
Register: LLM Hydrodynamic Characterization Study Series: Data Literacy & Live WQData Training

Oct 27, 9–11 AM — Partnerships & Regional Coordination
Isla Blanca, 33174 State Park Rd 100, South Padre Island, TX 78597 | virtual link sent after you register
This is really about connecting the dots — who else is collecting data in this region, where our efforts overlap, and where there's room to share data or co-fund monitoring.
Register: LLM Hydrodynamic Characterization Study Series: Partnership & Regional Coordination

Nov 4, 9–11 AM — Funding & Long-Term Sustainability
South Texas EcoTourism Center, 409 State Highway 100, Laguna Vista, TX | virtual link sent after you register
We'll talk through upcoming funding opportunities and what it would take to keep this network running well past CMP27.
Register: LLM Hydrodynamic Characterization Study Series: Funding & Long-Term Sustainability

Come to one, come to all three, whatever fits your schedule. And please feel free to share this with your networks; if you know someone who works in coastal science, water resources, resilience planning, or regional funding and this isn't already on their radar, we'd love to have them there too.

Happy to answer any questions, just reply to this email or reach me directly at [email protected].

Hope to see you next month,
Kirsten Ayres
Coastal Resources Specialist
Cameron County Department of Resilience & Natural Resources

This publication was funded in part through a grant from the Texas General Land Office (GLO) providing Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 funding made available to the State of Texas and awarded under the Texas Coastal Management Program. The views contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the views of the GLO or the State of Texas.


K.J. Ayres-Guerra
Coastal Resources Specialist
Resilience and Natural Resources
1390 W Expressway 83
San Benito, TX 78586
(904) 755-2115
[email protected]

09/08/2026

Did you know a small breeding population of Nilgai (Boiselaphus Tragocamelus) a species of antelope native to India originally were released on the Norias Division of the King Ranch for hunting purposes. Many of these animals quickly escaped and it is now estimated that there are between 30,000 to 50,000 of them roaming South Texas. The word "Nilgai" translated directly from Hindu to "blue cow", a reference to the bluish-grey color of adult males which can weigh up to 640 lbs. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department classifies nilgai as an exotic/non-game species. There is no closed season, no bag limit, and no hunting license requirement to harvest them on private land. Major landowners, such as the King Ranch, manage populations via safari-style and regulated hunts to keep numbers balanced. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR) manages approximately 120,000 acres, of which 50,735 acres are open to hunting. The Last Shot Draw Hunt event is designed to fulfill our management objectives for the harvest of huntable species located within LANWR. Historically, approximately 15% of selected hunters do not participate in the hunt, either due to non-payment or failure to attend. The LANWR draw hunt offers a quality, safe, affordable, and fair experience for all participants. Their goal is to provide equal opportunity via a drawing process while encouraging conservation practices among hunters. Since the inception of the LANWR hunt program in 1970, numerous changes have been implemented to enhance the participant’s experience. With new land acquisitions, facility upgrades, land management improvements, and increased hunter involvement, the hunt program has evolved significantly. this event will be on Saturday, October 17th, at the South Texas Ecotourism Center in conjunction with the STEC's Nilgai Cook Off and Market Day to educate the public about this unique and interesting invasive species in our area. Please sign up for a cook off team for $100 per team. You can cook up to two dishes and they need to be cooked with a bbq pit, We will also have vendors, educational programs, games, food, music and more. Free admission. Check out the flyer and registration for Cook off and Market Day vendors. STEC is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on holidays. Free admission. (956) 772-0210. stec-lv.org. Instagram and Facebook.@topfansSouth Padre Island Chamber of CommerceCameron County Parks and RecreationDavid A. Garza, Cameron County Commissioner, Pct. 3City of Los FresnosCity of Brownsville, TX - Municipal GovernmentCity of Los FresnosCity of Brownsville, TX - Municipal GovernmentCity of Harlingen
City of McAllen TX GovernmentCity of South Padre IslandThe Texas Bucket ListThe Valley Land Fund See less

09/08/2026

Week of 8/31/2026 - 9/6/2026

BIRDS
Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis)
Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus)
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps)

MAMMALS
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus)
Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus)
Rio Grande Ground Squirrel (Ictidomys parvidens)
Southern Plains Woodrat (Neotoma micropus)

REPTILES
Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)
Common Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis gularis)

AMPHIBIANS

FISH
Gulf Killifish (Fundulus grandis)

INVERTEBRATES
Fiddler Crab (Family Ocypodidae)
Red Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus)

Be sure to join us for the first presentation of the 2026 Fall Speaker Series with Kirsten Jo (K.J.) Ayres-Gurerra speaking on "The Lower Laguna Madre Hydrodynamic Characterization" tomorrow Wednesday, September 9th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Free Admission. Refreshments. 501 W. State Hwy 100 Laguna Vista, TX. Open daily from 8 a.m. 5 p.m. except holidays. (956)772-0210. stec-lv.org. Instagram & Facebook.

09/08/2026

https://www.stbctmn.org/post/it-s-about-the-nectar-and-what-the-land-offers-up

Published September 5, 2026, in the McAllen MonitorStory and photos by Anita WesterveltSometimes you have to go with what you’ve got. The effects of drought and the long hot sunny summer are visually noticeable. We’re heading into butterfly season and there seems to be a shortfall in blooming ne...