Harlingen Harlingen has been dubbed the Tropical Playground of Texas, so it's only fitting that they boast a sizable flock of red-crowned parrots. These spirited birds are usually seen in the vicinity of the Arroyo Colorado. Take 77 Sunshine Strip to McKelvey Park, then walk one of the trails to the Arroyo's edge. The parrots frequent a stretch of ebony, mesquite and hackberry trees along the banks, and are likely to be spotted in the early morning or evening. The Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors an annual Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival. The dates for the 2002 Festival are November 6 - 10. Visitors will enjoy a host of field trips and seminar opportunities, while meeting and talking with some of the country's foremost birding authorities. For more information, write or call the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge Located 37 miles west of Harlingen, Santa Ana is a 2,080-acre sanctuary enveloped in Spanish moss and subtropical vegetation. Birders may take advantage of the refuge's walking trails, as well as its seasonal tram, operated late November to late April by Weslaco's Valley Nature Center. Birders are afforded the opportunity to record many of the refuge's 384 species of birds, including the least grebe and such song and upland birds as the buff-bellied hummingbird and elusive green jay. To reach Santa Ana from Harlingen, take 83 West and exit at FM 907. Head south for seven miles, then turn left on 281. Follow signs. Rt. 2, Box 202A Alamo, TX 78516 (956) 787-3079 Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge It's for the birds - 393 to be exact. Laguna Atascosa holds the record for bird sightings in the U.S., including the great kiskadee, chachalaca, piping plover, and yellow-green vireo, an occasional nester at Laguna. The refuge also contains the largest block of protected native habitat in South Texas - crucial to the survival of the endangered ocelot and jaguarundi. The refuge is open daily sunrise to sunset. Take Hwy. 106 to Rio Hondo; continue driving east 18 miles until the road T's out. Turn left and drive 3 miles to headquarters. P.O. Box 450 Rio Hondo, TX 78583 (956) 748-3607 Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary A walk through this 172-acre wildlife sanctuary is a step back in time. You'll marvel at the green jays, chachalaca, and buff-bellied hummingbirds concealed in the foliage of this largest and best preserved piece of Sabal Palm forest remaining in the U.S. The sanctuary is open seven days a week and is owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Admission is required. Cost is $2 adults; $1 children. Located six miles southeast of Brownsville on Southmost Road (FMI419). P.O. Box 5052 Brownsville, TX 78523 (956) 541-8034 Brownsville Sanitary Landfill Truth is stranger than fiction. Opportunities for spotting the Mexican crow are so bountiful at the city landfill, it is sometimes referred to as Mexican Crow Park. The landfill is closed Sundays, so if you hope to spot a glaucous gull, lesser black-backed gull or Mexican crow, plan to visit Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. And lucky you - admission is free! From Harlingen, take 77 to FM 511. Go under Hwy 48 overpass until you reach four-way stop. Enter landfill via Port of Brownsville. Ask security guard for permission to enter and for further instructions. Brownsville The raucous call of the red-crowned parrot is music to any birder's ear! Flocks of these birds, along with the more subdued green parakeet, may generally be seen at dusk in this flavorful border-Texas town. Parrots are usually spotted in the northwest section of the city on both sides of Central Boulevard, from Boca Chica Blvd. to Los Ebanos Blvd. Parakeets are usually seen on the side streets southeast of Central and Boca Chica Boulevards, east of the resaca. Call the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce for location details. Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park Night birds such as the pauraque, common night-hawk, screech owl, and elf, barn, and great horned owl are favorites at Bentsen, a 587-acre park renowned for its great birding and camping opportunities. A fee is required. P.O. Box 988 Mission, TX 78572 (956) 585-1107