South Texas Birding & Nature with Naturalist Journeys

December 3-11, 2025 with Greg Butcher and Tucson Audubon host Jennie MacFarland

South Texas is one of the greatest birding destinations in the United States, and for good reason. Due to its proximity to the humid tropics of Mexico, the subtropical woodlands of the Rio Grande Valley boast over two dozen tropical bird species that spill across the border, from chachalacas to pauraques. Here, colorful Great Kiskadee and personable Green Jay mingle with temperate species. These tropical species occur nowhere else in the United States.

On this South Texas birding tour, we explore three of South Texas’ very most productive regions: Coastal lagoons and shallow wetlands that throng with thousands of shorebirds, herons, and waterfowl (and wintering endangered Whooping Crane); the arid inland expanse of Tamaulipan thorn-scrub, which harbors a collection of species typical of the American Southwest, like Cactus Wren and Pyrrhuloxia; and the subtropical savannas, wetlands, and riparian woodlands of the Lower Rio Grande Valley with their decidedly tropical species like Hook-billed Kite and Altamira Oriole.

Additionally, 300+ species of butterflies have been recorded in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Many sites we visit on this South Texas nature tour have plantings to attract these butterflies, where we may see a diversity of these delightful creatures, as well as some of the nearly 100 species of dragonflies and damselflies found in the area.

Tour Highlights Include:

• Enjoy a boat tour of Aransas Bay to view the only self-sustaining populations of Whooping Cranes on their wintering grounds, while being entertained by dolphins playing in the wake of the boat.
• Visit premier birding sites of the Texas Coastal Bend in Port Aransas, Rockport, and Corpus Christi on this fun South Texas birding tour.
• Watch for Pauraque, Clay-colored Thrush, Long-billed Thrasher, Olive Sparrow, and other regional specialties at Laguna Atascosa and Santa Ana NWRs and the World Birding Centers at Estero Llano Grande SP, Quinta Mazatlan, Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, and Bentsen-Rio Grande SP.
• Witness close views of Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, Altamira Oriole, and more.
• Experience the sight and sounds of hundreds of Red-crowned Parrots as they roost in Brownsville.
• Visit wetlands and coastal grasslands of Cameron County for shorebirds, waders, Least Grebe, Green and Ringed Kingfishers, White-tailed Hawk, and Aplomado Falcon.
• Marvel at some of the 300+ butterfly species recorded in the valley at the National Butterfly Center.
• Learn about the fascinating history of South Texas while travelling through King and Kenedy Counties and visiting ethno-botanist Benito Trevino’s Rancho Lomitas.

Tour Summary

• December 3-11, 2025
• 9-Day / 8-Night
• $3890 (double occupancy) / $4870 (single occupancy)
• Arrival Airport is Corpus Christi (CRP)
• Departure Airport is McAllen (MFE)
  

See the full itinerary and registration info here. See Naturalist Journeys for terms and conditions.

Your participation supports conservation and a portion will be donated to Tucson Audubon. For registration please contact Naturalist Journeys, let them know you wish to travel on the custom South Texas journey set up for Tucson Audubon and they will help you with forms, payment and tour information. Email: travel@naturalistjourneys.com / 866-900-1146. Naturalist Journeys is located in Portal, AZ.