Karen Nayki and her husband, Tom, have what they consider to be the best of both worlds. They are avid nature lovers and love to travel to see new species of birds around the world. As Winter Texans they have found a great way to supplement their income by working at something they love.
The couple are park hosts at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco. A park host is a volunteer who gets free parking and utilities in a state park in return for working 20 hours a week for the park. They do not have to pay lot rental fees to stay in an RV park or pay utilities. Because they are lovers of nature, they are where they want to be, surrounded by the calls of birds and the sounds of wildlife.
Nayki stated they do a variety of jobs from weeding the butterfly gardens, to painting signs, and helping in the office. She also helps with the park’s “Breakfast with the Birds” presentations and often leads bird walks. The couple is spending three months at the park having arrived in December to be here for the season. She indicated there were two other couples that were also serving as park hosts.
The couple spent their first eight winters of retirement in Baja California. They had friends from Ireland who were planning to come to Texas last year to see the birds, the friends convinced them to join them, and they were all hired to act as park hosts at Estero Llano Grande.
"I love it here," said Nayki. Texas is on the main flyway for migrating birds. Last year I saw 70 new species of birds I had never seen before, including the Jacana." She was referring to a rare bird seldom seen this far north that put Estero Llano Grande firmly on the birding map last year when it was spotted. Bird watchers from all over the United States flew in to see it. Nayki went on to say it had not been spotted this year but the reputation for being a place to see usual birds was made and birders from all over the United States now make visits to Estero Llano Grande.
During winter months the park gets as many as 100 visitors a day from around the world. About 12,000 people come through the park during the winter. In addition, there are many children’s school classes that come to visit.
When asked what birds they could expect to see in the park, Nayki said the park is home to the Ringed, Belted and Green Kingfishers. The Vermillion Flycatcher, Blue and Tricolor Herons and the Anhinga might be spotted. She also said the Anhinga or "snake bird," lives in the park but could be difficult to see. It swims in the water with only its head above the surface and looks more like a snake in the water than a bird.
"I have also seen another 17 new birds I had never seen before this year," she went on to say. Currently many birders are visiting to see the Red-Winged Blackbirds, Nayki added, saying she had recently spotted an albino red-winged blackbird.
Nayki stressed that Estero Llano Grande is a walking park. There are miles of trails around the ponds where visitors can hike to see the birds and other wildlife. As of yet, there are no trams for riding or bicycle trails. It is being preserved as a wildlife habitat with few conveniences for the human element.
"There are also baby alligators in the alligator pond," Nayki added. "They have been a big draw this year. Alligators are cute when they are little."
Nayki sees bobcats and loves to watch their antics. "I’ve also recently seen my first Texas armadillo," she added "I wanted to see one while I was here."
The couple loves birds and travels extensively to see them. When asked how many birds she had seen, Nayki replied, "at least 600 species." Since there are only 500 species native to America, she was asked where she had traveled to see the birds.
"We have traveled in Australia and Africa," she explained. "Last fall we spent a month tent camping with an African safari where we saw many usual birds as well as a variety of other wildlife native to that part of Africa." The couple has seen almost every bird that lives in North America.
Nayki recommends working as a park host to any couple who are as wild about nature as she and her husband are. "It’s an economical way to travel because you get free parking for your RV and utilities and a park pass. And you are close to the nature you want to observe."
She also mentioned that not all volunteers who work at the park live there. One volunteer who does the bird walks for Estero Llano Grande lives in a nearby RV park but gets a season pass free of charge because he leads the bird walks.
For those who love nature and want to be close to it, volunteering as park hosts or working as volunteers within a park, might be just the way to do it.