La Sal del Rey area
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Current birding conditions:
(10/06) After the recent rains the water level is fairly high and there are a number of wintering birds roosting there. In calm conditions the small biting gnats can be an annoyance but there are currently few other biting bugs.
La Sal del Rey and East Lake (La Sal Blanca) are designated as a Site of International Significance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN). Counts have revealed that over 10% of the estimated population (20,000) of long-billed curlews use these lakes as roosting sites during the winter months.
La Sal del Rey
The La Sal del Rey tract is 1,756 acres with a saline lake which is 975 acres at the highwater mark. The lake is surrounded by Tamaulipan thornscrub, with a band of dense brush, heavy with prickly pear and mesquite, which thins into grassland further from the lake. It is part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Maps may be obtained from the headquarters at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge by calling 956-784-7500.
Birds
It is an important migration and wintering ground for curlews, cranes, phalaropes, grebes, geese, and other birds. White-tailed Hawks and Crested Caracaras reside here year round and in summer, Snowy Plovers nest along the lake's edge. Also, Black-necked Stilt, Killdeer, Snowy Plover, and Least Tern nest here.
Rarities
During the winter of 2002-2003 Red-necked Phalaropes wintered here.
===Directions=== It is 28 miles northeast of McAllen in Hidalgo County. From US 281 go 3 miles east on 186 toward Raymondville. There's a parking lot with a map at the kiosk showing other access points and area locations. It's about a mile walk into the lake and 5 miles around the lake. There is another access point to the southeast corner of the lake that can be found along Brushline Road. Go north on Brushline just east of the parking area along 186.
La Sal Vieja
East Lake
East Lake lies 10 miles to the east of La Sal del Rey. Colonies of Gull-billed Terns nest here as well as least Terns and Snowy Plover.
La Sal del Rey
Parking
La Sal Vieja
East Lake
Delta Lake
Brushline
Road
