AUBURN – Local birder Dan Marquis will give a talk and slide show presentation on the birds of the Lower Rio Grande Valley at the Stanton Bird Club’s monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, May 7, at the Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring St.

The Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas is known as one of the top birding hotspots in the country. It is situated at the gateway to the North American central flyway, therefore most species of birds returning from their winter residences in Central and Southern America must pass through the region on their northward migration to their summer breeding grounds.

More importantly, because only the Rio Grande River separates it from Mexico, the Lower Rio Grande Valley is the northern limit for several species of Central American birds. Some of the “specialty” birds of the area, such as the olive sparrow and the gaudy green jay, can be found nowhere else in North America.

And the possibility of vagrants from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande keeps bird watchers coming back to add new species to their life list.

Marquis is a long-time member of the Stanton Bird Club and has been birding for about 20 years. He serves on the club’s board of directors and as the field trip coordinator. He also leads many of the club’s field trips and maintains its Web site.

He is an avid kayaker and enjoys nature photography. Marquis spent four days birding the Rio Grande Valley with friends in February 2006 and came home with 39 new birds for his life list.

The Stanton Bird Club is a conservation organization offering monthly natural history programs and field trips throughout the state free. Stanton welcomes new members whose dues help to support land stewardship at three sanctuaries owned and managed by the club in Lewiston and Monmouth. For more information, contact the club at 782-5238 or visit www.stantonbirdclub.org.