The Roma-San Pedro International Bridge tells the story of the border in a tangible way: this 700-foot-long steel suspension bridge was built across the Rio Grande in 1928. It is the only surviving suspension bridge along the international border between the United States and Mexico. In Roma, the Roma Bluffs World Birding Center offers a different perspective on the river: from the center, you can enjoy views of the Rio Grande and Mexico. Roma Bluffs is the only World Birding Center site in Starr County. WBC Roma Bluffs encompasses a three-acre natural area along the riverbank. The bridge makes the border tangible as a structure; the view from Roma Bluffs also directs your gaze across the river to Mexico.
A Waterscape and Birdlife
Falcon International Reservoir stretches along the Rio Grande across 84,000 acres. The Falcon Loop identifies the wooded areas around the reservoir as habitat for the Great Kiskadee, Vermilion Flycatcher, Couch's Kingbird, and migratory land birds. This brings together two scales of nature description: the vast extent of the reservoir and the specific wooded habitats highlighted by the loop. In addition to three named species, the loop also includes migratory land birds as a group. The three named species give the description specific names; the reference to migratory land birds also draws attention to bird migration.
Historical Traces in Rio Grande City
Rio Grande City can also be discovered through its various historical traces. After the war, Davis officially laid out the town, which developed into a river port. The architecture in the Rio Grande City Downtown Historic District reflects French and German influences that reached the region through Mexico. Both the Downtown Historic District and the Fort Ringgold Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Architecture and urban development answer different questions: the French and German influences explain part of the building history; the town’s development into a river port describes how Rio Grande City changed. In the Historic Downtown, the Bessie III Trolley Tour travels along the side streets and to the sights. The Old Rio Grande City Cemetery is the resting place of more than 250 members of the Rio Grande City community.
Seasonal Birdwatching
In Salineño, birdwatchers who welcome other birdwatchers as guests observe rare species such as the Brown Jay, Audubon's Oriole, and Altamira Oriole at feeding stations every winter. Access to feeding stations and viewing conditions may vary; if you plan around this seasonal highlight, check the options in advance. A bird sanctuary on the Santa Margarita Ranch in Starr County is home to Brown Jays. Since the ranch is private, access and sightings should be verified in advance. For your trip planning, the two birdwatching experiences are quite different: Salineño is associated with winter viewing at feeding stations, while access and possible sightings at the private ranch should be verified in advance.
Discover more destinations: Rio Grande City, Roma, Nueces, Galveston, Hockley County, Bell, Goliad County, Callahan County.
For the overarching travel overview: Texas.
