SPI birding center takes flight

The crowds gathered, the ribbon was cut and the doors flung open to South Padre Island's World Birding Center Saturday and officials were pleased with the attendance.

"The turn out is great," beamed volunteer Judy Svetanoff. "We're overflowing and that shows that ecotourism on the Island is growing."

About 500 people arrived for the much anticipated opening which featured self paced tours of the building and exhibit hall, live animals from both the Gladys Porter Zoo and Valley Nature Center, face painting for the kids, kite flying exhibitions and a raptor show. Sea Turtle Inc was on hand providing turtle crafts and education, as was the Coast Guard Auxiliary which taught the little ones knot tying.

"There's so much to see and do I don't know where to start," said Mabry Duncan, a Harlingen resident and avid birder whose been anxiously waiting for the center to open.

The Vasquez family of McAllen, all eight of them, knew exactly what they wanted to see first.

"The alligator!" proclaimed 9-year-old Denise Vasquez, speaking of Allowishus who has lived in the wetlands near the center for many years. The sprawling boardwalk offers visitors more than just a view of the resident reptile and the three story observation tower is a bird lover's dream.

"I'm hoping to spot a rose throated becard," said Tully Vaslovek of Brownsville. "I heard one was spotted here once,but they don't show up very often."

Cheryl Owen, a Texas Master Naturalist from Harlingen was also glad to the center open.

"It's been a long time coming," she said."We had a lot of set backs due to Hurricane Dolly. This opening is important because we're one of the major birding centers in the world.People from all over the world come here."

The SPI World Birding Center is located at 6801 Padre Blvd. and is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m to 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday 1-4 p.m.Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for children ages 4 to 12, and free for children under 4. Visit www.worldbirdingcenter.org or call 956-243-8179.