The World Birding Center (WBC) parks hold events throughout the year. Most of them have weekly repeating events with special events thrown in at least once a month. Estero Llano Grande and Bentsen State Park are two very active parks, along with Quinta Mazatlan and others.

There are nine parks in the system spread throughout the Rio Grande Valley, so you should be able to find one close to you to visit. Or make it a point to visit each one this year. They each have something different to offer.

Estero Llano Grande State Park has birding tours every Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. All ages and skill levels are welcome on this two-hour tour of the park, finding as many species of birds as possible, especially the 30 that are termed Valley specialties.

Butterfly and Dragonfly Tours are held every Friday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Here you get to join in on a ranger-led tour through the park searching for these beautiful insects. Some are found nowhere else but in south Texas.

This November, Discovery Nights will be held on November 12 and 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. This is a ranger-led tour which might include stargazing, owls, scorpions, tarantulas, alligators, frogs, bats, and other nighttime animals and crawlers.

The park hosts tram tours every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. This is a ranger-driven, two-hour tour of the park in a quiet electric tram. Reservations are required due to limited seating. Reservations can be made by calling (956) 565-3919.

Estero Llano Grande is located in Weslaco at 3301 S. International Blvd. The park is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5.

Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park has also announced several November activities. The park will have tram tours on November 18 and 25 at 3 p.m. Space is limited, so make sure to reserve your seat by calling (956) 584-9156.

Bird Walks are conducted Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (except for November 11, 12, 13), at 8:30 a.m.

A Birding 101 class will be held on November 17 at 9:30 a.m. Their Useful and Edible Plant Walk will be held on Sunday, November 20, at 9:30 a.m.

Other events include a Nature Walk, November 23, 9 a.m. and Night Skies on November 30 at 7 p.m.

The park is located in Mission at 2800 South Bentsen Palm Drive. Park grounds are open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Tram transportation services run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $5.

For information about the other World Birding Center parks visit theworldbirdingcenter.com. The website will feature each park and their calendar of events.