Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

We have a saying here in Texas that goes: It ain’t braggin’ if it’s true. And when it comes to which state holds the record for the most bird species…well…yes sir…Texas comes out on top.

Texas has 630 species on the list, and it grows by several species every year.

Cliff Shackelford is a non-game ornithologist with Parks and Wildlife.

When I first started paying attention to the state list – probably fifteen, twenty years ago – it was in the five seventies, five eighties…so it’s neat to see it go up like a nice bank account.

You may be wondering why we’re seeing more species. Part of the reason is birdwatchers are getting better; the other part is…well…a little embarrassing for the birds.

Birds are often lost. Usually what happens is there’s a stray from Mexico that’s attracted to the great habitat work that’s done in the Rio Grande Valley. And there’s a lot of birdwatchers there that have studied their Mexican field guides, and so these birds have just come across from parts farther south, and they show up and there’s hopefully an observer that knows what they’re looking at. And that’s how we get a lot of our new birds.

Not all lost birds come from the south. Arctic strays sometimes end up in the Panhandle…and their poor sense of direction is Texas’ gain; because, even if the bird only hangs around for a short time, we still get to count it.

That’s our show for today…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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Link to World Birding Center

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Whether do your shooting with a gun or a camera the September issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine has stories that take aim at your interests. Managing Editor, Louie Bond.

In our September cover story, we have our annual hunting forecast. It’s a real must have for all Texas hunters. John Jefferson says the biologists he interviewed were excited about this year’s prospects due to this wonderful abundant rain we’ve been having this year.

They attract rare birds, and wildlife photographers and even former President Jimmy Carter.

Thanks, Louie. The September issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is on newsstands now.

To find out how you can have this publication delivered right to your door – or at least to your mailbox – visit passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today. Remember: Life’s Better Outside.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Of the four most common venomous snakes in Texas — Copperheads, Rattlesnakes, Cottonmouths, and Coral snakes – we come across one species more than others.

Probably the Western Diamond Back rattlesnake because it is so widespread and very abundant in many places. It also gets large and can be aggressive.

We asked herpetologist, Andy Price, if he would give us the first rule of human/snake encounters.

Yeah… leave it alone.

Although venomous snake bites are rare, they result in an average of 2 to 3 deaths annually statewide.

Emergency medical folks tell us that about half of the snake bites that occur are what they call ‘illegitimate bites,’ which means people have been messing around with them in one fashion or another. For those that are legitimate, the best thing to do is go get treated at a medical facility as quickly as you can.

Even people receiving so-called “illegitimate” snake bites should seek treatment. What’s another way to avoid snake bites? Get to know what they look like and where they live — and always remain aware when outdoors.

Most of those bites occur when people aren’t watching what they’re doing, basically. Stepping over a log and not seeing what’s on the other side. Putting their hands or feet somewhere where they can’t see, like in a crevasse. Some people are bitten when they reach under plants for one reason of another.

That’s our show…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger… for Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program

The Goose Island Shoreline Stabilization and Marsh Restoration Project is mitigating damage from wind and wave erosion.

The first step we completed was in 2005, and that was constructing the offshore breakwater.

Kay Jenkins is Project Manager. The breakwater is designed to protect the mile long southern shoreline of Goose Island from erosion due to wave action. And later this year, phase 2 begins.

What we want to do to restore some of the marsh that we’ve lost is dredge two of the nearby boat channels that are near the park. We’re going to use that dredge material beneficially and place it in these twenty-four acres of marsh creation site.

If all goes as planned, next summer the public gets a chance to help restore marsh habitat.

Texas Parks & Wildlife and its volunteers and partners can go out there and transplant marsh plants from our existing marsh into the new marsh to help it stabilize quicker. I think this is where we’re going to get a lot of the community familiar with the project and supporting the project because they’ll get to come out and actually be a part of restoring that habitat.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…we receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program… providing funding for wetland conservation through the Private Lands Enhancement Program.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Goose Island -- Saving Shoreline & Marsh Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program

The Goose Island Shoreline Stabilization and Marsh Restoration Project is mitigating damage from wind and wave erosion.

The first step we completed was in 2005, and that was constructing the offshore breakwater.

Kay Jenkins is Project Manager. The breakwater is designed to protect the mile long southern shoreline of Goose Island from erosion due to wave action. And later this year, phase 2 begins.

What we want to do to restore some of the marsh that we’ve lost is dredge two of the nearby boat channels that are near the park. We’re going to use that dredge material beneficially and place it in these twenty-four acres of marsh creation site.

If all goes as planned, next summer the public gets a chance to help restore marsh habitat.

Texas Parks & Wildlife and its volunteers and partners can go out there and transplant marsh plants from our existing marsh into the new marsh to help it stabilize quicker. I think this is where we’re going to get a lot of the community familiar with the project and supporting the project because they’ll get to come out and actually be a part of restoring that habitat.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…we receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program… providing funding for wetland conservation through the Private Lands Enhancement Program.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Goose Island -- Saving Shoreline & Marsh Play Now | Play in Popup | Download