Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

The Texas Conservation Action Plan is a natural resource conservation strategy that directs and guides parks and Wildlife research, restoration, management and recovery of non-game species. It all starts with habitat.

08—And in Texas, of course, over 95% of the land is in private ownership, and it sets up a perfect public-private partnership.

Matt Wagner, deputy Director for the Wildlife Division, says landowner participation is critical when it comes to conservation of our state’s natural resources.

19—And they come to us most of the time for hunting and improving habitat for deer and other game species. At the same time our biologists are educating them about the non-game that occur on their property—whether it’s plants or animals. So that their actions can benefit non-game as well.

In addition to landowners, Texas Parks and Wildlife also partners with various public and private organizations and universities, and points to improvements in Texas to threatened and endangered species, as proof these partnerships work.

18—The bald eagle, of course, has been delisted. Peregrine falcons on the Texas coast now for the first time in more than 30 years, folks are able to go down and actually trap peregrines for hawking purposes on a limited basis because those animals have recovered to sustainable levels.

There’s more work to do, and you can help when you buy the horned lizard conservation license plate. It costs $30, with $22 going to non-game conservation in Texas.

We receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…funding the private lands and public hunting programs.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

Eagles and hawks are raptors—birds of prey; and these amazing creatures hunt primarily using their long, sharp talons.

05—Raptors are the birds that are living just almost the same level as we are.

John Karger is Executive Director of Last Chance Forever Bird of Prey Conservancy. He rehabilitates injured and orphaned birds and—when feasible—releases them back into the wild, where they play an important role.

13—The raptors are prime indicators. When they get sick, we’re going to be sick. Thus in the 1960s we realized that we put a lot of chemicals on the earth. We knew that we did that because the birds were disappearing.

Karger travels around Texas with his raptors to demonstrate their prowess, and more importantly, to encourage in everyone a sense of stewardship.

18—If could get them to do one thing – just take a moment – realize how incredible nature is, and that it can really give you a sense of awe…a sense of incredible. What I really want people to do it to come to the Expo and realize that the whole outdoor world is there, and it is ours for just enjoying tremendously if we just take care of it.

Find links to information about raptors and the Last Chance Forever Bird of Prey Conservancy at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today…We receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…for Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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Hawk Watch website

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This is Passport to Texas

Habitat requirements vary between species, yet some critters make themselves at home anywhere.

06—Wildlife are really adaptable, and there’s going to be some wildlife that thrive in whatever type of habitat that’s provided.

Kelly Bender is an urban wildlife biologist. She says even a perfectly manicured monochromatic monoculture known as lawn—will attract some wildlife.

20—In a typical urban area—where you’ve got really closely mowed Bermuda grass lawn, or St. Augustine lawn, and then just a few really tall mature trees and kind of nothing in the middle? That kind of habitat is really good for grackles, and pigeons, for possum and raccoon, and kind of the species that you see in a disturbed habitat.

Bender says most people don’t mind seeing those species sometimes, but not all the time.

15—And so what we try to do is to encourage people to create a more balanced habitat. And what I mean by that is to provide native plants that provide natural food sources—fruits, nuts, berries, leaves, etcetera—that provide a balanced source of nutrition for the animals.

This balanced habitat is called a wildscape, and we’ll tell you more about Wildscaping tomorrow.

That’s our show… visit us online at passporttotexas.org and leave a comment on our blog…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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This is Passport to Texas

This month folks who reside in the Central Flyway of Texas may get a treat if they cast their gaze skyward, because whooping cranes are in migration.

18—Usually on a route down from the Muleshoe National Wildlife refuge area through the Hill Country and down to the coast. These birds are on migration so they’re on a pretty direct flight. And usually they’re moving during the day and they roost in good numbers at the various national wildlife refuges along the Central Flyway.

Mark Klym is with Wildlife Diversity. Whooping cranes are an endangered species, numbering slightly more than 260 birds—that’s up from a low of fewer than 20 animals in the early 20th Century.

Whoopers migrate in small groups of six or less, as well as on the fringes of migrating sand hill crane flocks. Klym asks that you contact him if you see these big birds along their migration path.

19—Once we’ve got a confirmation, our biologists use that to anticipate where we would see them next and try to follow them as they’re coming south to give us an idea if they’re going to run into any problems. You’ve got migratory bird hunting season at that time and we encourage the hunters to know what they’re shooting at. And, if there may be a problem, we may have to look at other actions to protect the birds.

We have the phone number for you to call to report seeing these birds at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show…with support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration program… for Texas Parks and Wildlife …I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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Whooping cranes are protected by federal and state endangered species laws, and Texans can help safeguard this national treasure by helping to prevent harm or harassment to whooping cranes. Anyone sighting a whooping crane is asked to report it to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (800) 792-1112, extension 4644 or alternatively at (512) 847-9480. Sightings can also be reported via e-mail at leeann.linam@tpwd.state.tx.us.

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This is Passport to Texas

This time of year when you look high overhead, you might just see whooping cranes.

10—Every year, about this time of year, we start getting emails and telephone calls from people all excited that they’ve seen whooping cranes flying over; and usually it’s between 50 and 100 birds.

But, Mark Klym, with the agency’s Wildlife Diversity program, says if you do witness a huge flock of big birds in the clouds…

07—I’m sorry, that’s not whooping cranes. Whooping Cranes never fly in a flock larger than about 10 birds, and very rarely more than six birds.

Well, maybe what you saw were sand hill cranes. Even so, North America’s biggest bird could still mingle in the mix.

05—Usually they’re off to the side. You’ll get the sand hills in a group and the whooping cranes off in a group on their own.

Whooping cranes, on the endangered species list, come through Texas’ Central Flyway this month on their way to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to overwinter.

15—We are optimistic that we are going to see a good population at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Certainly a recovery from what we saw in the past winter.

Well, with the drought, we had very few blue crabs in the bays and as result suffered; we had a few losses.

If you do see whooping cranes in migration, contact Mark Klym. You’ll find his information at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show…with support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program… for Texas Parks and Wildlife …I’m Cecilia Nasti.
_________________________________________________________

Whooping cranes are protected by federal and state endangered species laws, and Texans can help safeguard this national treasure by helping to prevent harm or harassment to whooping cranes. Anyone sighting a whooping crane is asked to report it to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (800) 792-1112, extension 4644 or, alternatively at (512) 847-9480. Sightings can also be reported via e-mail at leeann.linam@tpwd.state.tx.us.

Check out this YouTube video of whooping cranes at Aransas national Wildlife Refuge.

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