South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley are a birding paradise, with six wildlife refuges. Some sites in the region that are dedicated to birding offer group event and meeting spaces, along with great opportunities to enjoy bird sightings and a pleasant walk among the interesting flora.
McAllen is home to Quinta Mazatlan (956.688.3370; www.quinatmazatlan.com), a wing of the World Birding Center, a 15-acre urban sanctuary. Its centerpiece is a historic adobe hacienda that was built as a private home in the1930s and can be used for conferences and events. A half-mile of nature trails winds through more than 15 acres of birding habitat, filled with Rio Grande Valley favorites like green janes, buff-bellied hummingbirds and olive sparrows. Green parakeets and red-crowned parrots sometimes nest in the estate’s palm trees.
Leslie Howard, supervisor of events for Quinta Mazatlan, says groups frequently use the site for training meets, retreats and after-hours receptions and dinners away from urban distractions.
“We can accommodate up to 150 for a sit-down meeting. We have two meeting rooms, and one can hold up to 150,” she says. “Guests love to stroll the estate and the house, which measures 10,000 square feet. We also give tours.”
Set along the Oso Creek in Corpus Christi, the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center (361.852.2100; www.stxbot.org) is a 180-acre site where groups may gather under big Texas stars. The nature center has more than 5,000 roses, hibiscus and orchids, as well as a bird and butterfly trail and a wetland boardwalk. The center features an indoor meeting room, and there is also a grassy event-friendly site outside with parking space for groups. Later this summer, the center will unveil a new butterfly conservatory.
Because Corpus Christi is located in the ideal spot for traveling birds to stop for rest and fuel before heading south for the winter, the city has been called the “birdiest city in America.” Nearby Padre Island National Seashore is a perfect place to enjoy birding, horseback riding, relaxing on the beach, and scenic drives.
Texas State Aquarium (361.881.1307; www.texasstateaquarium.org) is also located in Corpus Christi. The aquarium’s Hawn Wild Flight Theater stages Wild Flight, which acquaints visitors with the aerial antics of various birds through a free-flight performance of hawks, owls, falcons, and parrots. The aquarium is available for private group events.
