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Below the Dam

Birding the Border: Below the damn

Discover Unique Birdwatching Opportunities at Amistad National Recreation Area

Calling all birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts! Experience the thrill of birding right along the Rio Grande River at the Amistad National Recreation Area’s exclusive Below the Dam site. This unique location, typically closed to the public, offers a rare chance to observe birds from both the U.S. and Mexico—all from the U.S. side with your trusty binoculars!

Amistad Reservoir, one of Texas’s largest, straddles the U.S./Mexico border and is fed by the Pecos, Devil, and Rio Grande rivers, making it a vital irrigation resource for local farmers and ranchers. With over 200 documented bird species, including those seldom seen beyond Mexican borders, this area is a birdwatcher’s paradise.

Join us for an unforgettable 1.5-mile walk along a scenic dirt road where each turn offers the possibility of spotting rare avian species. Whether you’re an avid birder or a nature lover, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss!

Trip Date:
Friday, May 2

Departure Time: 6:30 AM

Trip Fee: $155

Guide: Brandon Nooner

Birding Buddy: Sara Nooner

Travel and Facilities:

Discover Unique Birding Opportunities

Target Birds:

  • Morelet’s Seedeater
  • Rock Wren
  • Canyon Wren
  • Olive Sparrow
  • Cassin’s Sparrow

Bryan’s Birdy Bulletin

Nestled beneath limestone bluffs along the vast Rio Grande lies a hidden haven for bird enthusiasts and wildlife photographers alike. This property, with its dense vegetation, offers a rare glimpse into a world not easily accessible to the public. Here, trails weave through a landscape that bridges the arid Tamaulipan thornscrub with the lush riparian zone, where cane, mesquite, and hackberry reign supreme.

Because of the unique nature of this habitat, its proximity to the border, and its limited access to birders, each visit promises potential for thrilling discoveries. Whether you’re searching for a wandering Morelet’s Seedeater or hoping for a glimpse of the elusive White-tipped Dove, this location could yield an extraordinary birding adventure. Who knows what exceptional sightings await?

Previous eBird Checklists:

2023
    Amistad Dam
    Vega Verde Road
2021
    Amistad Dam
    Vega Verde Road
2020
    Amistad Dam
    Vega Verde Road
2019

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