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Jodi Stroklund , Refuge Manager
Route 2, Box 202A
Alamo, Texas 78516
Phone: (956) 784-7500
Fax: (956) 787-8338
How to Get Here: Refuge headquarters is located 7 miles south of Alamo,
Texas, on FM 907 about 1/4 mile east on U.S. Highway 281.
Index: Wildlife, Recreation
Opportunities, A Few Simple Rules, Safety
Tips, Volunteering at the Refuge, Friends
of Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
Along the banks of the lower Rio Grande is the Santa Ana National Wildlife
Refuge, a 2,088 acre refuge established in 1943 for the protection of migratory
birds. Considered the jewel of the refuge system, this essential
island of thorn forest habitat is host or home to nearly 400 different
types of birds and a myriad of other species, including the indigo snake,
malachite butterfly and the endangered ocelot.
At an ecological crossroad, Santa Ana is strategically located where subtropical
climate, gulf coast, great plains and Chihuahuan desert meet. Thousands of
birds from the Central and Mississippi flyways funnel through the area on
their way to and from Central and South America. This small patch of midvalley
riparian woodland is also habitat for about one half of all butterfly species
found in the United States.
Before dams and control structures significantly reduced the flow of the Rio
Grande, periodic floods cut shifting channels into the delta creating crescent-shaped
oxbow lakes, referred to as resacas. Santa Anas management
program mimics the historical flooding of the Rio Grande, maintaining the
bottom land hardwood forest and providing crucial nesting and feeding habitat
for birds, watering holes for animals, and homes for countless amphibians,
reptiles, crustaceans and insects.
With over 95 percent of the original habitat in the lower Rio Grande delta
cleared or altered, Santa Ana is a reminder of the semitropical thorn forest
that once dominated the area.
Birds
The 397 species of birds found on Santa Ana make it a birders delight.
Waterfowl, marsh birds and shorebirds can be seen on the lakes and wetlands
of the refuge. Some species to look for are black-bellied and fulvous whistling
duck, mottled duck, blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal, least grebe,
anhinga, tricolored heron, white ibis, lesser yellowlegs, long-billed dowitcher
and least tern.
Migrating raptors that fly over the refuge in spring and fall include osprey,
broadwing hawk, northern harrier and peregrine falcon. Santa Ana NWR's rarest
raptors, the hook-billed kite and gray hawk, are seen occasionally on the
refuge and attract birders from around the world. Spring warblers are abundant,
with over 35 species seen, including golden-winged warbler, magnolia warbler,
northern and tropical parula, American redstart, palm warbler and yellow-breasted
chat.
Other specialties found in the lower Rio Grande Valley include the buff-bellied
hummingbird, roseate spoonbill, masked duck, plain chachalaca, red-billed
pigeon, Inca dove, ruddy ground dove, groove-billed ani, pauraque, ringed
and green kingfishers, Couchs and tropical kingbirds, great kiskadee,
green jay, clay-colored robin and Chihuahuan raven.
Butterflies
Zebra longwings, Julias, and Mexican bluewings are but a few of the more than
300 butterfly species found on the refuge. A favored spot by butterflies and
visitors alike is the butterfly garden in front of the Santa Ana Visitor Center.
Youll hardly need your binoculars! Peak diversity falls between October
and December. A single October day has been known to produce a tremendous
65 documented species! For a list of species, please check the Butterflies
of Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge website Butterfly
Checklist.
Wildlife
Bobcat, coyote, armadillo, long-tailed weasel and Mexican ground squirrel
are a few of the mammals found on the refuge. The endangered ocelot and jaguarundi
are also present but rarely seen.
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is open seven days a week (except Thanksgiving, Christmas
Day and New Year's Day) from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Stop by and get the latest
news on wildlife sightings. Exciting, informative programs are offered and
displays feature the spectacular flora and fauna found in the Valley. The
bookshop features everything from the latest field guides to
insect repellant. To enhance your visit, pick up maps, bird lists and binoculars
at the front desk.
Recreation
Opportunities
Trails
There
are 12 miles of foot trails and access roads that are open to hiking in addition
to the 7-mile tour road. These trails vary in length from ½ mile (paved and
wheelchair-accessible) to the seven mile Wildlife Drive. Some start from the
Visitor Center, others from parking lots along the wildlife drive. Trails
are open every day from sunrise to sunset. During the winter season, roving
naturalists and guides are available to assist visitors.
Wildlife Drive
The seven mile wildlife drive, open
on weekends during the summer, provides excellent opportunities for exploring
the more remote areas of Santa Ana. The drive is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from May through November. Please call the Visitor
Center at (956) 784-7500 before arrival to confirm that the drive will be
open.
Interpretive
Tram
A 60-passenger interpretive tram is in operation from Thanksgiving
to the end of April. Available seven days a week, the 1.5 hour tour departs
the Santa Ana Visitor Center three times daily (call for times). Cost is $3.00
for adults and $1.00 for children. Arrangements can be made by visitors with
tram operators to schedule a drop-off/pick-up in the more remote areas. Please
call the Visitor Center at (956) 784-7500 before arrival to confirm that the
tram is running.
Bicycles
Bicycles are welcome on the wildlife drive daily from sunrise to sunset.
Events
For a list of upcoming events and programs at Santa Ana
NWR, contact the Visitor Center or visit the Friends of Santa Ana National
Refuge at www.friendsofsantaana.org
Entrance Fees
Entrance
to the refuge is FREE on the first Sunday of each month.
Daily
Passes
Private Vehicle |
$ 3.00 |
Group Rate |
$25.00 (Tour groups, etc.) |
School Groups |
FREE |
Bicycles/Foot Entry |
$ 3.00 (per family group) |
Santa Ana NWR Annual Passport |
$10.00 (also good at Laguna Atascosa NWR) |
Current Federal Duck Stamp |
$15.00 |
Golden Eagle Passport |
$65.00 |
Golden Age Passport |
$10.00 |
Golden Access Passport |
FREE |