Texas Birding Retreats

Upscale Birding Retreats in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas

These all-inclusive retreats include pickup from the McAllen International Airport on afternoon of the first day (shuttle times: noon to 5 pm), drop off to the McAllen International Airport on the final morning (shuttle times: 6 am to noon), all meals, beer and wine with dinner, four nights at the beautiful and birdy Peculiar Nest B&B in McAllen (peep the eBird hotspot here), and three full days of guided birding with Tiffany Kersten! A small group with a maximum of 8 participants for public tours, with the exception of Migration Madness. For larger tours, including Migration Madness and larger tours for private groups, this house 1/2 mile away will be used to house additional participants.  

The itinerary varies a bit, as we travel to the places that the birding has been the best in prior weeks, but we will hit the majority of the following hotspots, with some smaller sites interspersed. Typically, we will spend one day in Starr County, one day in Hidalgo County, and one day in Cameron County, though it will somewhat depend upon how the birding is in each of these areas. You can also peruse the Trip Reports from prior tours linked below, to see examples of possible itineraries and anticipated species. 

Salineno Birding Center 

Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park 

National Butterfly Center 

Anzalduas County Park 

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge 

Frontera Audubon 

Estero Llano Grande State Park 

Resaca de la Palma State Park 

Cost: $1500 per person, for either single or double occupancy. 

Double occupancy rooms are more upscale and with a lake view. 

Deposit: $400; Balance due 30 days prior. 

Payment methods accepted: Zelle (tiffanykersten@gmail.com), Venmo (@NatureNinjaBirding), PayPal (@TiffanyKersten), 

or a mailed check. Email for mailed check address. 

 

2024

"Birds & Brews" Retreat - Jan 1 - 5, 2024:  FULL (8 TOTAL) 

Private Tour for Kestrels Women's Birding Club - Jan 15 - 19, 2024:  FULL  (15 TOTAL) 

Co-leader: Janice Travis

Private Tour for Little Rock Women Birders - Jan 29 - Feb 2: FULL (10 TOTAL) 

Co-leader: Vjera Thompson 

Women's Retreat - Mar 4 - 8 (Mon - Fri): 5 SPACES (6 TOTAL) 

Private Tour for Saw Mill River Audubon - Mar 11 - 15: FULL  (14 TOTAL) 

Private Tour for John Burroughs Natural History Society - Mar 18 - 22: FULL (11 TOTAL)

Co-leader: Stephanie Lopez 

Pre-Eclipse Retreat - Apr 1 - 5: FULL (7 TOTAL)

Private Tour for Polly's Birthday - April 13 - 17 (Sat - Wed): FULL  (8 TOTAL) 

Migration Madness - Apr 19 - 23 (Fri - Tue): FULL (8 TOTAL)

Rarity Roundup - Nov 11 - 15: 7 SPACES (8 TOTAL) - an effort to see whatever rarities were found during the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival during the week prior, as well as our local specialty birds.

Women's Retreat - Nov 18 - 22: 8 SPACES (8 TOTAL) 

Kiandra's Private Tour - Nov 25 - 29: FULL  (10 TOTAL) 

2025 

Kick Off Your Year List: - Jan 6 - 10, 2025:  8 SPACES  (8 TOTAL) 

Private Tour for Kestrels Women's Birding Club - Jan 13 - 17, 2025:  10 SPACES  (10 TOTAL) 

Co-leader: TBD 

Women's Birding Retreat: - Jan 20 - 24, 2025:  8 SPACES  (8 TOTAL)

Feb - March Tour Dates TBD 

Private "Migration Madness" Tour for Kestrels Women's Birding Club - Apr 14 - 18, 2025:  6 SPACES  (10 TOTAL) 

Co-leader: TBD 

Migration Madness - Apr 21 - 25, 2025:  10 SPACES  (10 TOTAL) 

Co-leader: TBD 

Trip Reports from prior Texas Birding Retreats:

Nov 29 - Dec 3, 2022: https://ebird.org/tripreport/87247

Jan 24 - 28, 2023: https://ebird.org/tripreport/104117

Feb 14 - 18, 2023: https://ebird.org/tripreport/108126

Mar 20 - 24, 2023: https://ebird.org/tripreport/115683

Apr 4 - 8, 2023: https://ebird.org/tripreport/117644

Apr 23 - 27, 2023: https://ebird.org/tripreport/121937

Nov 13 - 17, 2023: https://ebird.org/tripreport/175576

Jan 1 - 5, 2024: https://ebird.org/tripreport/191918

Jan 15 - 19, 2024: 

Jan 29 - Feb 2, 2024: https://ebird.org/tripreport/199084

Mar 4 - 8, 2024: 

Mar 11 - 15, 2024: 

Mar 18 - 22, 2024: 

Apr 1 - 5, 2024: 

What to Bring: Binoculars! Spotting scope if you have a particular affinity for using it, though I will have a Swarovski scope I will be sharing with the the group. Most participants choose not to bring their own scope. Please also bring a reusable water bottle or two, which we can be filled with filtered water at the B&B.

Attire: Sturdy, closed-toe shoes such as tennis shoes or hiking boots are required. Long pants are recommended for thorny plants and insects, and long-sleeves are also recommended due to insects and sun. A baseball cap or wide brimmed hat is recommended for sun. Dressing in layers is suggested, as we often have cooler mornings and warm afternoons. Please bring a rain coat (no ponchos please, as they can be noisy in wind and get in the way of birding); in winter we sometimes have cool, misty mornings even if rain is not in the forecast. Winter temps can sometimes drop to the 40s, though 60s and 70s are more common. April through October temps can sometimes approach the triple digits. 

Sun / Insects: We have sunscreen and bug spray available for use, for those who prefer not to travel with it. There are chiggers in the area during warmer weather, but we will do our absolute best to stay out of areas with tall grass. 

Scheduling Flights: American Airlines and United Airlines are the two airlines that provide service to McAllen International Airport. Please make your flight arrangements to arrive between noon and 5 pm, and to depart between 8 am and 1 pm. These are the times we're available to pick people up and drop them off at the airport. You may choose flights outside of these windows, but will need to schedule your own Uber, Lyft, or Taxi for the ten minute ride to/from the B&B/Airport. 

Date Changes: In the event you are needing to change your booked date(s) a minimum of one month prior to your scheduled tour, your deposit will be transferred and applied to those dates. All payments are non-refundable and must be used within 12 months of the originally scheduled dates. Date change requests or cancellations within one month of scheduled date will result in a lost deposit and/or balance payment. In certain circumstances, name changes may be permitted, if you are able to find someone to take your spot if you cannot make it. Travel insurance (optional, but not required) may eliminate this concern in some situations. 

*This same pricing and itinerary is available to private groups of six or more. Private retreats can be customized, and are 6 participants minimum to 15 participants max. 

Email natureninjabirding@gmail.com for details.