Nature

The Land: Long before humans recorded its work, the Rio Grande was shaping Resaca de la Palma. Abandoned coils of river bed, known locally as resacas, create wildlife-attracting ponds here when full. Along the natural levees of these shallow ponds are dense stands of banco woodlands and marsh vegetation. Elsewhere, drier Tamaulipan thorn woodlands include classic mesquite and anacahuita.

The Birds: Resaca de la Palma promises to be an especially rich birding environment. Colorful neo-tropical and nearctic migrants — like the Summer Tanager, American Redstart, and Yellow-breasted Chat – have been noted here more often and in higher numbers. When resaca levels are controlled for the benefit of wildlife, species like the Least Grebe, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Purple Gallinule and various herons, as well as migrating waterfowl in their seasons, should also congregate here. The property’s dense ground-level vegetation is especially attractive to species like the Olive Sparrow, Long-billed Thrasher and White-eyed Vireo, along with all the “Valley specialties.”

• Birds of the Rio Grande Valley. Photo Gallery & Sound Library from the World Birding Center
• Listing of bird sightings in 2013, from the Resaca de la Palma eBird Tracker
• Bird Checklist for Resaca de la Palma SP
• Interpretive Guide to State Parks of the World Birding Center
• Texas Wildlife Factsheets