Welcome
The Magic Valley’s early 20th Century transition into an agricultural powerhouse is retold at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse, which also embraces nature conservation as a wing of the World Birding Center. On a break from cross-border shopping excursions, visitors to this museum on the Rio Grande can learn about the steam-driven irrigation pumps that transformed Hidalgo County into a year-round farming phenomenon. They also can wander the museum’s grounds, where hummingbird gardens are planned, and where many of the Valley’s amazing bird species are regular visitors as well.

The Land
Next door to the museum, more than 600 acres of U.S. Fish and Wildlife land is being replanted with native Huisache, Texas Ebony and Anacua, and will be an important birding tract when opened as part of the WBC. Plans are to also replant museum grounds with the types of native trees, shrubs and flowers that attract Valley birds and butterflies.

The Birds
Tropical kingfishers – both green and ringed – like the combination of water and woodland along the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse’s now abandoned intake channel. Those floodplain woodlands also harbor the Great Kiskadee, Green Jay, Clay-colored Robin, Altamira Oriole and other Valley specialties. In winter, various colorful warblers, kinglets and gnatcatchers can be found chasing their insect meals.

Learn & Discover
For now, visiting birders can tour the museum and grounds on their own or by appointment.

What’s Here
New hike and bike trails through the adjacent federal refuge are expected by next spring. Work also will be starting soon on new hummingbird and butterfly gardens around the museum.