Passport to Texas

Whoopers in flight.

Wildlife: Where to See Whooping Cranes Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

According to Parks and Wildlife biologist Leeann Linam, sightings of migrating whooping cranes, which winter in Texas, started in October.

21— Mid-October is traditionally the early arrival time. By mid-December they should all be in Texas. So, from there, we’ll take a look and see where they’ve chosen to spend their wintering time this year. And they’ll remain on those wintering grounds until late February to early or mid-March, when some migration movements will start, and by mid-April they’re mostly gone from the state.

Some of the birds are still moving through Texas and depending on where you live – you might be able to catch a glimpse of them heading toward the coast.

23 – Well, the center of the migration path probably passes over Wichita Falls, western Tarrant County – Fort Worth area – down across Waco, just east of Austin, probably. Then, from there on down to Victoria and the Texas coast. So, that’s the center of the flyway. And from that center, 100 miles to the east and the west are the greatest possibilities of seeing them.

Look for a large white bird with black wing tips that’s flying in a group of three to six. If you miss them on the way here – you can always catch them on their way back to Canada in spring.

Learn more about whooping cranes and the Whooper Watch program on the Texas parks and Wildlife website.

The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series.

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

Pair of Whooping Cranes

Wildlife: Whooping Crane Recovery Update Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Parks and Wildlife biologist, Leeann Linam, has a long history with Whooping Cranes.

11— [chuckles] well, I may age myself here, but we moved to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge when I was 12. And so I guess that means about 40 years or so I’ve been involved with whooping cranes.

Whoopers winter at the refuge, where Leeann’s father worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Yet, after 70 years of conservation—and a low of 15 birds—there are still fewer than 300 members in the migrating population.

24 – Part of it is the nature of the animal, itself. Whooping cranes are one of these birds designed to be around for a long time. They live 25 to 30 years and more (in captivity). They don’t reproduce until they’re four or five years old; they usually only raise one chick successfully per year. So it just takes a while. You just have to be patient and provide the right conditions for a long time and then the numbers start to add up.

As their population increases and becomes more widespread, maintaining an accurate tally of the birds becomes a challenge. Whoopers are moving farther up the coast away from their traditional wetland habitat.

07 – Some in the rice country in Horton County and most interestingly, in Central Texas, we’ve had some whooping cranes wintering in Williamson County.

Tomorrow: where to see migrating whoopers.

The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series and funds diverse conservation programs in Texas…

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

Nature Hike with Scouts

Conservation: Holiday Conservation Gifts Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Holidays challenge the creativity of gift-givers everywhere. However, if you have nature lovers on your list, gift giving is easy—and the giving is twice as nice.

A seventy-dollar Texas State Parks Pass is a thoughtful and sensible gift for your outdoor enthusiast. Pass holders enjoy twelve months of unlimited visits to more than ninety state parks and historic sites.

They also receive discounts on camping, park store merchandise and recreational equipment rentals. Money spent on the pass supports your Texas state parks.

For thirty dollars each, you can give the drivers on your list a conservation license plate. Twenty-two dollars from every sale goes directly to help fund conservation efforts in Texas. The horned lizard plate, in particular, funds research and conservation of non-game species such as the iconic horned lizard.

Give every outdoor lover on your list access to more than a million acres of public land—with the Limited Public Use Permit—for the ridiculously reasonable price of twelve dollars.

Permit holders receive twelve months of access to Texas’ wildlife management areas, where they can fish, hike, bird watch, cycle, and camp.

When you give one of these gifts, you delight the receiver, and help support state parks and conservation in Texas.

That’s our show…remember: life’s better outside… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

2013 TPWD Holiday Ornaments

State Parks: 2013 Holiday Ornaments Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

For over a decade, Texas state park lovers have collected commemorative holiday ornaments.

11—Like last year we have three unique ornaments; each one highlighting a specific park. This year we’re highlighting Goliad State park, Wyler Arial Tramway at Franklin Mountains, and Enchanted Rock.

Thomas Wilhelm, with state parks, says the laser etched wooden decorations are handmade in the USA.

06—And on the back of each ornament is an interpretive message about the park.

The 2013 ornaments as well as those from year’s past are available by calling the Texas Parks and Wildlife customer service center; proceeds from ornament sales support parks. In addition, we make supporting parks and spoiling loved ones this holiday season easy with a state park gift certificate.

23— The state park gift certificate is a way to give the gift of state parks to anyone. That gift card can be redeemed for annual park passes, facility fees, state park merchandise, pretty much anything that we charge a fee for in state parks you can use the gift card for. This year we do have a promotion: if you purchase a gift card worth $75 or more, you do get a free 2013 ornament.

Find details about the ornaments and gift certificate at passporttotexas.org.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Barrington Farm Christmas

State Parks: Christmas in Parks Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

If you love the holidays and the outdoors, now through the end of the month, find Yuletide events at state parks.

08—We have the Christmas in the Parks brochure for 2013; inside it details over 40 different events that are happening across the state.

Thomas Wilhelm, with state parks, says park goers have a variety of events from which to choose, including: historic homes and farms decked out for the season, hikes with Santa, and decorating your campsites.

22—If campers want to participate in that, they have to register in advance. They have the opportunity to decorate their campsite for the season with lights – or whatever. A lot of the parks, then, offer hayrides to the public to go through the campground and see all the campsites.