50 YARDS AWAY: The bird man of Parks and Wildlife has 
wise words for beachgoers: [03 "...yards away."]. We'll 
decipher the meaning up next on Passport to Texas. 

This is Passport to Texas

The Texas Gulf Coast buzzes with birdlife year-round. 
And while it's tempting to get close to them when visiting 
the beach...

05- Fish, swim and play from fifty yards away. It's an idea that 
we want to relay to folks.

TPW Ornithologist, Cliff Shackelford says this slogan is a 
catchy reminder to keep your distance from our feathered 
friends.

10- Especially in the nesting season. You want to keep your 
distance when you're fishing, birdwatching, boating-keep fifty 
yards between you and the birds.

Fifty yards is considered a safe distance so that you don't 
spook birds from their nests.

08-When people get too close they notice-oh, all the adults are 
flying off the nests. And the hot sun cooks the little nestlings. 
Well, that is bad stuff.

Cliff adds that while it may be fun to bring your dog to 
the beach, keep it fifty yards away and on its leash. 

22- That dog might love running after those flocks of birds, but 
in migration, some of those birds like red knots, could have 
flown hundreds and hundreds of miles and that's their resting 
spot. That's their refueling spot. And that's disruptive on a bird 
during its long journey. So, keep the dog leashed, and remember 
to fish, swim and play at fifty yards away.

That's our show... Funding provided in part by Ram 
Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

For Texas Parks and Wildlife...I'm Cecilia Nasti



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