Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (east Lake)

Ecosystem Overview

The Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (east Lake) ecosystem supports 22 documented wildlife species across 20 taxonomic genera. Located in Willacy County, Texas, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 5 frequently observed species and 4 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Willacy County nearby has 71% more documented species, Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (east Lake) offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #58 for species diversity among 100 Willacy County County natural areas, placing it in the 42th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#58

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common7 species

Occasional6 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#58 of 100 locations

42th percentile for diversity

vs. Willacy County

-71% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 22 total documented species.

Evolvulus alsinoides

Slender Dwarf Morning-Glory

Very Common2 obs.

Distichlis littoralis

Shore Grass

Very Common1 obs.

Vachellia bravoensis

Very Common1 obs.

Chordeiles acutipennis

Lesser Nighthawk

Very Common1 obs.

Pardalophora saussurei

Very Common1 obs.

Kricogonia lyside

Lyside Sulphur

Common1 obs.

Chloris subdolichostachya

Common1 obs.

Teucrium cubense

Common1 obs.

Verbesina encelioides

Golden Crownbeard

Common1 obs.

Libytheana carinenta

American Snout

Common1 obs.

Acanthocereus tetragonus

Triangle Cactus

Common1 obs.

Suaeda linearis

Annual Seepweed

Occasional1 obs.

Megathyrsus maximus

Guineagrass

Occasional1 obs.

Euphorbia prostrata

Prostrate Sandmat

Occasional1 obs.

Palafoxia texana

Occasional1 obs.

Medranoa palmeri

Occasional1 obs.

Caracara plancus

Crested Caracara

Occasional0.08 obs.

Calidris bairdii

Baird'S Sandpiper

Rare0.04 obs.

Plegadis falcinellus

Glossy Ibis

Rare0.03 obs.

Plegadis chihi

White-Faced Ibis

Rare0.03 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-59%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Willacy County County, Texas

Nearby Natural Areas

Willacy County

Importance: 0.80

75 species

-71% vs. current

Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-72% vs. current

Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-72% vs. current

Raymondville

Importance: 0.70

78 species

-72% vs. current

Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (teniente)

Importance: 0.70

77 species

-71% vs. current

Lyford

Importance: 0.70

19 species

+16% vs. current

Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Importance: 0.70

2 species

+1000% vs. current

Raymondville

Importance: 0.60

21 species

+5% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Willacy County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-59%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Willacy County County, Texas

Nearby Natural Areas

Willacy County

Importance: 0.80

75 species

-71% vs. current

Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-72% vs. current

Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-72% vs. current

Raymondville

Importance: 0.70

78 species

-72% vs. current

Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (teniente)

Importance: 0.70

77 species

-71% vs. current

Lyford

Importance: 0.70

19 species

+16% vs. current

Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Importance: 0.70

2 species

+1000% vs. current

Raymondville

Importance: 0.60

21 species

+5% vs. current

About This Comparison

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 22 total documented species.

Evolvulus alsinoides

Slender Dwarf Morning-Glory

Very Common2 obs.

Distichlis littoralis

Shore Grass

Very Common1 obs.

Vachellia bravoensis

Very Common1 obs.

Chordeiles acutipennis

Lesser Nighthawk

Very Common1 obs.

Pardalophora saussurei

Very Common1 obs.

Kricogonia lyside

Lyside Sulphur

Common1 obs.

Chloris subdolichostachya

Common1 obs.

Teucrium cubense

Common1 obs.

Verbesina encelioides

Golden Crownbeard

Common1 obs.

Libytheana carinenta

American Snout

Common1 obs.

Acanthocereus tetragonus

Triangle Cactus

Common1 obs.

Suaeda linearis

Annual Seepweed

Occasional1 obs.

Megathyrsus maximus

Guineagrass

Occasional1 obs.

Euphorbia prostrata

Prostrate Sandmat

Occasional1 obs.

Palafoxia texana

Occasional1 obs.

Medranoa palmeri

Occasional1 obs.

Caracara plancus

Crested Caracara

Occasional0.08 obs.

Calidris bairdii

Baird'S Sandpiper

Rare0.04 obs.

Plegadis falcinellus

Glossy Ibis

Rare0.03 obs.

Plegadis chihi

White-Faced Ibis

Rare0.03 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 22 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#58

Regional Rank

Out of 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common7 species

Occasional6 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#58 of 100 locations

42th percentile for diversity

vs. Willacy County

-71% species diversity