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Estero Llano Grande State Park

Texas · Southeast

EasyOfficial Site
Habitat
WetlandForestTropical
Best Seasons
WinterSpring
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

November-April

Entrance Fee

$5 per person (ages 13+)

Hours

7:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily

About This Location

Estero Llano Grande State Park is a World Birding Center site in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, featuring a shallow lake, thorn forest, and woodland that attract over 300 species. The park is one of the most accessible and productive birding sites in the Rio Grande Valley.

Location

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Notable Species

Least GrebeCommon PauraqueGreen KingfisherHook-billed KiteClay-colored Thrush

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Red-eyed Vireo

Vireo olivaceus

3/4/2026Aransas NWR--Visitors Center/HQ1 observed

Kentucky Warbler

Geothlypis formosa

3/4/2026South Padre Is.--Valley Land Fund lots (LTC 036)1 observed

Kentucky Warbler

Geothlypis formosa

3/4/2026South Padre Is.--Valley Land Fund lots (LTC 036)1 observed

Brown Booby

Sula leucogaster

3/4/2026Brown Booby Platform -- S Laguna Cir3 observed

Brown Booby

Sula leucogaster

3/4/2026Brown Booby Platform -- S Laguna Cir3 observed

American Flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

3/4/2026Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Ctr. (CTC 057)1 observed

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellata

3/4/2026Texas City Dike (UTC 074)1 observed

Louisiana Waterthrush

Parkesia motacilla

3/4/2026Houston Arboretum and Nature Center1 observed

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

3/4/2026Ann and Roy Butler Trail, Austin US-TX 30.26643, -97.760221 observed

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Contopus virens

3/4/2026US-TX-Waxahachie-Yard1 observed

Pyrrhuloxia

Cardinalis sinuatus

3/4/2026Tide Water Oaks Walk1 observed

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus

3/4/2026Dupree Park, Lubbock1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/20263932 Saturn St, Flower Mound US-TX 33.03921, -97.065441 observed

Brown Booby

Sula leucogaster

3/4/2026West Aries Drive, South Padre Island, Texas, US (26.122, -97.172)3 observed

Brown Booby

Sula leucogaster

3/4/2026West Aries Drive, South Padre Island, Texas, US (26.122, -97.172)3 observed

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

3/4/2026White Point & Koonce Loop1 observed

American Flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

3/4/2026Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Ctr. (CTC 057)1 observed

American Flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

3/4/2026Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Ctr. (CTC 057)1 observed

American Flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

3/4/2026Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Ctr. (CTC 057)1 observed

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

3/4/2026Cuero Municipal Park1 observed

Recent Observations

Great-tailed Grackle

Dallas-Fort Worth Airport

3/4/2026

1 birds

Sandhill Crane

Bird paradise private

3/4/2026

100 birds

Common Grackle

323 Chimney Rock Dr, Tyler US-TX 32.28597, -95.30913

3/4/2026

House Sparrow

Spicy Thai

3/4/2026

1 birds

Cooper's Hawk

1920 Chiesa Rd, Rowlett US-TX 32.88102, -96.52062

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Finch

1920 Chiesa Rd, Rowlett US-TX 32.88102, -96.52062

3/4/2026

2 birds

Downy Woodpecker

1920 Chiesa Rd, Rowlett US-TX 32.88102, -96.52062

3/4/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

1920 Chiesa Rd, Rowlett US-TX 32.88102, -96.52062

3/4/2026

2 birds

Tufted Titmouse

1920 Chiesa Rd, Rowlett US-TX 32.88102, -96.52062

3/4/2026

2 birds

Red-shouldered Hawk

MBY

3/4/2026

1 birds

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

Pine Springs Campground

3/4/2026

1 birds

Muscovy Duck

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

1 birds

Pine Warbler

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

1 birds

Neotropic Cormorant

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

3 birds

Spotted Sandpiper

Jim Chapman Lake--Spillway

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

2 birds

Killdeer

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

3 birds

Wilson's Snipe

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

2 birds

Great Blue Heron

Jim Chapman Lake--Spillway

3/4/2026

3 birds

Carolina Wren

Porter Rd., Montgomery Co.

3/4/2026

2 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Walk the Ibis Pond trail for waterbirds and shorebirds

  2. 2

    Check at dusk for Common Pauraque on the trails

Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Visitor Center
Trails
Observation Deck

Nearby Attractions

  • Santa Ana NWR
  • Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park

More in Texas

High Island

Legendary Texas coast migrant trap where trans-Gulf birds make landfall during spring fallouts.

Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Subtropical Rio Grande Valley forest with rare Mexican species found nowhere else in the US.

Big Bend National Park

Remote Chihuahuan Desert park with the only US breeding population of Colima Warbler.

Birding Guides

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

How to Start a Birding Life List

9 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Estero Llano Grande State Park for birding?▼
The best months to visit Estero Llano Grande State Park for birding are November-April. The best seasons are Winter and Spring.
What birds can I see at Estero Llano Grande State Park?▼
Notable species at Estero Llano Grande State Park include Least Grebe, Common Pauraque, Green Kingfisher, Hook-billed Kite, Clay-colored Thrush. The area supports wetland, forest, tropical habitats.
How difficult is birding at Estero Llano Grande State Park?▼
Birding at Estero Llano Grande State Park is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.
Is there an entrance fee at Estero Llano Grande State Park?▼
The entrance fee at Estero Llano Grande State Park is $5 per person (ages 13+). Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily.
What amenities are available at Estero Llano Grande State Park?▼
Estero Llano Grande State Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Trails, Observation Deck.