Ducks, Geese, & Birds - Wildlife Management Pro

Great Texas Birding Classic is Back!

If you enjoy birding in the great State of Texas, then you know that the biggest birding event in the area is just around the corner! The Great Texas Birding Classic (GTBC) is coming up April 24-May 2, aligning perfectly with the spring bird migration in Texas. This birding competition is a sport witha serious conservation purpose. Teams that observe the most bird species win the privilege of choosing which bird conservation projects receive grant money.

To date, the GTBC has contributed $686,000 directly to bird habitat conservation along the Texas gulf coast. Each year, organizations submit conservation project proposals to GTBC for prize funding consideration. The tournament’s mission is to increase appreciation, understanding and conservation of birds along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail through education, recreation, nature tourism and conservation fundraising. The event is sponsored by the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Continue reading Great Texas Birding Classic is Back!

Funding to Pay for Cowbird Trapping

Nest parasitism by the brown-headed cowbird is one of the reasons for the decline in songbird numbers across North America. Trapping of cowbirds has proven to be effective in increasing successful reproduction of many songbird species including the black-capped vireo. As such, participants in EQIP or WHIP may receive payment for trapping cowbirds according to the guidelines developed by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

The payment for this wildlife management practice will be made annually for three consecutive years at the rate of $6.00 per acre for a 100-acre trap unit, or the equivalent of $600 per year for three years. If a participant enrolls less than 100 acres, the payment is $6.00 per acre. The payment is intended to provide an incentive for the construction of the trap as well as maintenance and operation of the trap. This payment is intended to cover about 50% to 60% of the total cost of trapping during the three year period. Continue reading Funding to Pay for Cowbird Trapping

Breeding and Nesting of White-Winged Doves

White-winged doves begin breeding during March and April depending on environmental conditions. As the breeding season begins, males begin calling and displaying for potential female mates. When a male white-winged dove finally attracts a female, she will fly to him, they copulate, and afterwards they preen each other. Within a few days, the pair will begin construction of a nest using small twigs. White-winged doves prefer native vegetation such as Texas ebony, Texas sugarberry, and huisache; however, in urban areas they readily nest in large ornamental shade trees including live oak and Rio Grande ash.

In South Texas, they nest in the citrus orchards that have been planted where native habitat once existed. Interestingly, white-winged doves rarely nest in mesquite, likely because the tree canopies are too open. The nests are typically between 8 to 30 feet above the ground, but several animals including hawks, owls, snakes, and feral and domestic cats, among others, still prey upon the eggs and nestlings. Continue reading Breeding and Nesting of White-Winged Doves

Bobwhite Quail Population Dynamics

Bobwhite quail are an amazing upland game bird species with dynamic populations. Research has found that annual cumulative rainfall from April through August is a predictor that explains over 92% of the variance in annual bobwhite quail productivity, based on juvenile:adult ratios obtained from hunter bags in South Texas. Basically, annual reproduction is highly correlated with precipitation.

Overwinter survival of bobwhites in South Texas ranges from about 17 to over 80%, and is far more variable than overwinter survival of bobwhites in the Rolling Plains, which is only about 30%. Harder, colder winter weather obviously can take it’s toll on bobwhite quail populations. Continue reading Bobwhite Quail Population Dynamics

Late Winter Duck and Goose Reports

This duck and goose hunting report wraps up the end of the duck hunting season across Texas, but things are still going strong for geese across the state. Overall, the season was good and decent hunting weather did it’s part to puts birds across the landscape. Duck season ended on January 24 in the High Plains and the consensus among hunters was that is was a successful season.

Abundant water in the Panhandle gave ducks ample habitat and hunters a plethora of playa lakes to hunt. According to the duck hunting reports, lots of mallards, teal, pintails, gadwalls and wigeons were taken from playas and feed lots ponds. Goose season still runs from February 7, and prospects are fair for decoying action. Many waterfowl guides say this season has been a tough year to pattern birds, probably due the low count of juvenile birds thanks to poor reproduction. Continue reading Late Winter Duck and Goose Reports

Texas Coast Duck Hunting Report

Duck hunting along the Texas coast had been hit and miss this season, even with the cold weather pushing down some new ducks. Duck hunting reports indicate ice was a problem on the coastal prairies for waterfowl hunters. Ponds iced over two inches thick in some places, and that made for tough duck hunting. Few birds moved, according to several outfitters submitting duck hunting reports.

Many hunters along the coast reported seeing an influx of birds overnight, probably because the area had the most open water and feeding areas. However, coastal hunters on the bays said the bird flight was slim as well, but not for lack of birds. Port O’Connor and Rockport are holding large rafts of red heads, lesser scaup, pintails, and some gadwall. Continue reading Texas Coast Duck Hunting Report

Texas Panhandle Duck Hunting Reports

Duck hunters in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit are shaking their heads at the direction geese have gone according to recent duck hunting reports. It seems there has been no solid pattern for geese according to several waterfowl outfitters in the Amarillo area. Some days the birds never leave the roost! Snow goose hunting has been tough as well.

Duck hunters also had a tough time finding open water, and outfitters said many birds moved out of the area to find water. Playa lakes were unhuntable due to ice. Prospects are fair to good for the remainder of the hunting season. Continue reading Texas Panhandle Duck Hunting Reports