As I pedaled into Estero Llano Grande State Park, a World Birding Center site with over 300 species of birds observed, the dry ponds and absence of birds floating, wading, feeding and calling punctuated the drought conditions in Deep South Texas.
Falcon Reservoir on the Rio Grande, which stores water for use in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, stands at 16.5% capacity as of January 13, 2024, its lowest level in 20 years. Upstream, Amistad Reservoir stands at 26.6% capacity on the same date according to the Water for Texas Website. The Rio Grande Valley gets most of its water from the Rio Grande and after use by municipalities and agriculture there is not always enough left to pump for other uses.
I pedaled east from the Visitor’s Center past the dry Ibis Pond, Avocet Pond and Dowitcher Pond, so often alive with a rainbow of birds but not today. Across a footbridge, I turned north and watched a lone Northern Shoveler foraging in Grebe Marsh, now but a puddle.
Just north of Grebe Marsh, I stopped at Alligator Lake, which had water. There I parked my Surly at the bike rack (no bikes allowed at the lake) and walked toward the two observation decks beside the lake. I stopped briefly to admire two Common Pauraques hiding in plain sight beside the trail.
At the bigger observation deck I spotted an American Alligator moving slowly through the water. A few Yellow-crowned Night Herons perched on limbs beside the lake. I walked back to my bike.
I pedaled along Camino de Aves to Orchard Trail to the Levee.
To the south of the Levee is Llano Grande Lake where the Arroyo Colorado is split by a dike, constructed for the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project. The Arroyo Colorado continues to the south of the dike and the water to the north of the dike forms Llano Grande Lake and continues as the North Floodway. Both streams empty into the Laguna Madre.
South of the Levee, White Pelicans, White Ibises, American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts and other birds fed in Llano Grande. I followed the Levee to the Llano Grande Hiking Trail Loop.
Back on the Levee, I dropped to Wader’s Trail and followed it to Flycatcher Trail and to Lakeview Drive. I visited Indigo Blind where a family of javelinas foraged for food and Red-winged Blackbirds flew from feeder to feeder.
I rode the asphalt roads near Indigo Blind before leaving the park.
Even with the drought conditions, Estero Llano Grande State Park is worth a visit.
Sad the lack of water is now chasing the beautiful birds elsewhere. We can only hope for rain.