Frequently Asked Questions

The festival is headquartered in Weslaco, Texas, with field trips taking participants throughout the Rio Grande Valley to some of the region's premier birding destinations.

Our host hotel is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Weslaco. The host hotel offers comfortable accommodations and is conveniently located. Additional lodging information and booking details are available on our hotel page.

Your festival registration includes:

• Expert-guided birding field trips
• Festival transportation to and from scheduled field trips and dinner each night
• Breakfast at the hotel, lunches and dinner during the festival
• Evening keynote presentations
• Festival goodie bag
• Opportunities to meet fellow birders from around the country

Yes! Festival registration includes breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the event. This allows participants to spend more time enjoying field trips and connecting with other birders.

Yes. Transportation to and from all scheduled festival field trips and dinner each night is included with your registration. Simply meet in the hotel lobby, and we'll take care of the driving so you can relax and enjoy the experience.

We are excited to feature keynote speakers who will share their knowledge, experiences, and passion for birds, conservation, and the natural world. Speaker announcements will be made as they are confirmed, so be sure to check our website and social media for updates.

Absolutely! Every registered participant will receive a Spring Chirp Festival Goodie Bag filled with useful items and information.

Spring Chirp offers a wide variety of guided field trips designed for birders of all experience levels. Trips may focus on:

• Valley specialty birds
• Shorebirds and waterfowl
• Tropical species
• Birds and butterflies
• Dealer's Choice adventures, where expert guides select the day's best birding destinations

See our full lineup on the field trips page.

Not at all! Whether you're brand new to birding or an experienced life-lister, there's something for everyone. Our knowledgeable guides enjoy helping participants of all skill levels.

We recommend bringing:

• Binoculars
• Camera (optional)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hat and sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Refillable water bottle
• Light rain jacket (weather permitting)

The Rio Grande Valley is one of North America's premier birding destinations. Depending on weather and migration conditions, participants may observe:

• Valley specialty birds
• Migratory songbirds
• Raptors and hawks
• Waterfowl
• Shorebirds
• Wading birds
• Hummingbirds
• Tropical species found nowhere else in the United States

Every field trip is different, making each day a new adventure.

The Lower Rio Grande Valley is an ecological crossroads where subtropical, Gulf Coast, Great Plains, and Chihuahuan Desert habitats converge. Birds traveling the Central and Mississippi Flyways pass through the region during spring migration, making it one of the most diverse birding areas in the United States.

Recent Spring Chirp festivals have recorded more than 230 bird species, along with an incredible variety of butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles, native plants, and other wildlife.

The festival is hosted by the Valley Nature Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing environmental education and promoting the conservation of the unique natural communities of the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

Registration information, field trip descriptions, lodging details, and festival updates are available right here on the Spring Chirp website. We encourage early registration, as many field trips have limited seating and fill quickly. Register now →