Follow the River Road in the small community of Salineño until it ends at a small parking lot with a sweeping view of the Rio Grande River. 

To the west (upstream), you will see an island with tall trees where Red-billed Pigeons often roost.

Look for the immense Montezuma Cypress along the U.S. shore in the same direction, one of the few individuals of this majestic tree that remain along the Rio Grande.

This area along the river is an excellent spot for finding Rio Grande Valley speciality birds such as Audubon's Oriole, White-tipped Dove, Groove-billed Ani (summer is best), Long-billed Thrasher, Green Jay, and (now infrequently) Brown Jay.

The parking area by the river is a great gathering spot for birders and a favorite spot to wait for fly-by kingfishers (Ringed, Belted and Green), Muscovy Duck, or Hook-billed Kite.

While standing at the river, you may see such waterbirds as Least or Caspian Tern, Black Skimmer, various large waders, and Ring-billed Gulls.

During spring, Bank Swallows, Indigo Buntings, and Dickcissels stream across the river from Mexico, and although vocal, may be frustratingly difficult to see well. In winter, the river may be filled with both dabbling and diving ducks.

Red-breasted Mergansers and scoters, though rare, occur here as well.

Check the boulders in the winter for Black Phoebe and Spotted Sandpiper.

There is a trail leading upstream from the river parking area towards the island in the middle of the river which is where Morelet's Seedeaters may be seen.

Walk this track and watch for woodland species and winter waterfowl.

Audubon's Oriole, White-tipped Dove, Groove-billed Ani (summer is best), Long-billed Thrasher, Green Jay, and (now infrequently) Brown Jay.

Ringed, Belted and Green Kingfishers, Muscovy Duck, Hook-billed Kite.

Water birds such as Least or Caspian Tern, Black Skimmer, various large waders, and Ring-billed Gulls.

During spring, Bank Swallows, Indigo Buntings, and Dickcissels.

In winter, dabbling and diving ducks, occasionally Red-breasted Mergansers and scoters. Check the boulders for Black Phoebe and Spotted Sandpiper.

Other possible species are Plain Chachalaca, Great Kiskadee, Green Jay and Olive Sparrow.

Salineño (pronounced Sal-a-nain-yo) is a small community downriver from Falcon Dam and 13 miles up river from the city of Roma, Texas.

It is a little desert town of about 300 people. The main street runs past the church and the village square and right down to the river, 100 feet from Mexico.

It is at this river landing where birders have come for many years to find Red-billed Pigeon and Audubon's Oriole.

The tract represents riverbank flood area forest type habitat.

Every morning and evening, the pigeons fly up and down the river before spending their days out of sight in the canopies of trees.

Winter resident caretakers and Valley Land Fund volunteers maintain on-site feeders (at the hotspot known as DeWind's Yard) which attract Mexican and western Rio Grande Valley specialties. Each year these feeders and this stretch of riverbank are visited by thousands of birders seeking to add these unique birds to their life list.

In 1998, a portion of the property was donated to the Valley Land Fund, while the rest was purchased in 2011.

The Valley Land Fund owns 2.6 acres of land here adjacent to the Kepler Tract.

The Kepler Tract is a small set of wooded lots, once owned by birders, and now maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

This sanctuary is a popular spot for birders and is usually open to the public from November through March. Contact the Valley Land Fund for additional information.

The Valley Land Fund
2400 N. 10th St., Suite A
McAllen, TX 78501

Phone: (956) 686-6429
Fax: (956) 686-1909

Call ahead. Access to the site is restricted. Visitation may be arranged by contacting the managing entity. An entrance fee or donation may be required. Although no bathrooms are on site, a port-a-potty may be available near the feeders at the DeWind's Yard hotspot.

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