I just returned from the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival in Harlingen, Texas. It was superbly organized, friendly (150 local volunteers), and had excellent trip leaders and seminar presenters (Pete Dunne, Bob Schutsky, and Victor Emanuel, for example). I saw 146 species (about average) and added 31 life birds (such South Texas specialities as Aplomado falcon, buff-bellied hummingbird, Tamaulipas crow, and ferruginous pygmy owl). The field trips touched the King Ranch and the Laguna Atascosa NWR, among a dozen others. For those of us wanting a less expensive alternative to the advertized tours, this is one to consider. My five half-day field trips were about $120, and there are discount airfares and budget motels. For further information, contact: Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, PO Box 3162, Harlingen, TX 78551-3162, or call (956)423-5440 or (800)531-7346 (e-mail tbortness@harlingen.com). ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com