Richard Moore Outdoor Report: Halfway Mark 2025

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Water is the magic elixir sustaining wildlife, and at the halfway mark of 2025, record rainfall has invigorated South Texas wildlands. 

Historic late March rainfall over 20 inches in two days dumped nearly a year’s worth of rainfall in the lower Rio Grande Valley, with much of the area draining through Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on its way to the Arroyo Colorado and Laguna Madre. 

Indeed, half or more of the main 45,000-plus-acre refuge east of Rio Hondo was underwater. An aerial view revealed the extraordinary extent of the historic deluge, and for weeks after, many refuge roads remained flooded. 

The Rio Grande Valley is perhaps best described as an arid region occasionally interrupted by cataclysmic flooding, and coastal prairie can quickly become coastal wetlands. 

Wildlife is benefitting from abundant rainfall as timely showers have continued throughout the first half of the year, with native plants like the anacua providing bountiful fruit for resident red-crowned parrots. 

Ephemeral wetlands are once again inundated, with flocks of egrets, herons, and spoonbills foraging nutrient and prey rich waters.  

Schools of gar also gathered in shallows along with other fish that were prompted to spawn with rising spring waters. 

Alligators continue to roam throughout the lower Valley and occasionally require a slight detour so they can scamper away. However, this big fellow was in no hurry to move and seemed to be contemplating a bite of tire before slowly departing.  

While rainfall during the first half of the year benefited gators, gar, and waterfowl, the abundant moisture also aided migratory songbirds that moved through in spring as native birds began nesting. 

Rainfall spurred soaring insect populations, and Altamira orioles enjoyed abundant prey as they nested in blooming ebonies and mesquite trees. 

As we enter the second half of the year, the table is set for what promises to be a fabulous fall migration, as in just a couple of months vanguard of migrating waterfowl will begin arriving in the Rio Grande Valley.