Spring 2014 A publication of the Wildlife Division—Getting Texans Involved
E-NEWS
Welcome to the first edition of Eye on Nature that will not be printed as a hard copy. With the printing of the fall 2013 edition, we made the hard decision to go with a strictly electronic format for the main newsletter, and make a pdf version available for those who want to print a hard copy for themselves. To make sure that you are always aware that a new issue has been posted, subscribe to Eye on Nature at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXPWD/subscriber/topics. You can also follow us on facebook by searching for “Texas Wildlife Diversity Program-Texas Parks and Wildlife Department” where we will also post notice of new publications.
Urban Wildlife
The spring 2014 Eye on Nature is focused on wildlife in the city. Everyone knows that squirrels and grackles make their way into the city, but the lead article by Derek Broman focusses on bobcats using urban landscapes. Diana Foss calls our attention to bats using urban structures for their daytime roosts – and not just in Austin! Brett Johnson deals with a messy, both in the literal and in the “touchy” sense, issue of egrets nesting in an urban rookery, while Keith Crenshaw reminds us that hogs aren’t just a rural problem.
DFW Public Contributing to Urban Carnivore Research
By Derek Broman
In the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex (DFW), Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Urban Wildlife Office is currently involved with a collaborative urban bobcat research project that seeks to provide information on bobcat habitat, diet, and population demographics in an urban landscape.
Photo © Chris Jackson
Nature Tourism and the Value of City Bats
By Diana Foss
Bats are often shrouded by myths and erroneous movie stereotypes. But the real fact is that bats are highly beneficial, providing significant services to people and ecosystems, including cities! Bats living in urban areas often receive a mixed welcome when discovered.
Photo © D. Humes
Managing Your Property for Wildlife
By Judit Green
Every day for the past 9 years I have driven along my usual route heading to my office located on a State Natural Area just outside of San Antonio. Leaving my neighborhood’s city streets lined by homes with turf grass lawns and arriving to this beautiful rural drive where an array of plants fill the understory of large canopy trees alongside this two-lane road sets the tone for my day.
Texas Wildscapes and Texas Water
By Mark Klym
Rain – a precious commodity anywhere in the Lone Star State. The water we have is under increasing demand to refresh our thirsty cities and quench our parched crops. Water is precious, and scarce, yet often one of the easiest ways we could conserve water, and one of the most effective, is completely over looked.
Heronries in Urban Areas: Living with Cattle Egrets
by Brett Johnson
“They are such pretty birds!” “These birds are driving me crazy!” “They don’t hurt anyone. Can’t we just leave them alone?” and “There is bird poop literally everywhere.” These were all statements that I heard for the first time in 2010, and then again in 2011.
Home Owner’s Association and Citizens Work to Combat Feral Hogs In The Big City
By Keith Crenshaw
When you think of Houston, you might think of the museum district near downtown. You might think a little greener and go to Memorial Park. Most others think of Houston as bright lights and asphalt. Citizens of Kingwood, a suburb on the Northeast outskirts of Houston, live in their community dubbed ‘The Liveable Forest’.
Urban White-Tailed Deer
By Jessica Alderson
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) pose a growing urban wildlife management problem in many metropolitan areas throughout the United States. As urban sprawl increases, the natural habitat required by many wildlife species disappears, but white-tailed deer are able to adapt to urban environments and human activity.
Urban Wildlife
Even a citified yard can be a nature haven
By Sheryl Smith-Rodgers
“He’s coming!” During the day, I often holler news flashes at my husband. Seated at my desk, typing on a project, I can hear the Golden-fronted Woodpecker before he alights on a wooden suet feeder in our back yard.
Great Birding in El Paso
By Lois Balin
Many folks from the great state of Texas (and beyond) think the El Paso area is a dusty and drab desert, devoid of wildlife species. They would be wrong; El Paso in far western Texas not only has a unique blend of New Mexico, Mexico, and Texas cultures, and a rich history, but an amazing variety of birds as well. Over 400 bird species have been found here.
You Can Help Complete the Cycle
By Mark Klym
Everyone loves butterflies! The beautiful colors and graceful aerobatics of this little insect seems to work its way into our psyche. Their presence never seems to fail to bring shouts of excitement and contented smiles. Most butterflies spend their entire life in a very small area, though some, including the monarch, may migrate great distances.
Back Porch
By Richard Heilbrun
I haven’t been able to spend much time outside lately, but thankfully, the spring weather is quickly nudging me out the door. And I know just what I want to do. We’ve been talking to the folks at www.iNaturalist.org recently and cooked up some neat partnership ideas to enable all Texans to share with us all the cool stuff they see when they’re outside.
Did You Know?
- Did you know that grasslands were once widespread in west Texas?
- Did you know that Texas is home to three species of horned lizards?
- Did you know that beetles are now being used to help control salt cedar in Texas?
- Did you know that the Desert Bighorn Sheep population in Texas may be as high as 1100 individuals?
- Did you know that Texas is home to two diverse mountain lion populations?
Wild Stuff!
Introduction to Texas
Turtles Booklet
Send an email request to mark.klym@tpwd.state.tx.us
Help protect native non-game species like the Horned Lizard with the purchase of the Horned Lizard license plate. The cost is just $30*, with $22 going directly to benefit the conservation of wildlife diversity in Texas.
Order online today and get your plate in just two weeks!
www.conservation-plate.org/nature
*In addition to regular vehicle registration fees.
Hummingbird Wheel
This 10" full-color identification wheel is a helpful reference to keep nearby when you watch the hummingbirds. Sixteen hummingbird species are featured, all of which have been documented in Texas! For each bird, the wheel tells you its range in North America, Habitat Type, and distingishing features of both males and females.
Send $11.95 (shipping and handling included) to Texas Hummingbird Roundup, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744
