DOCSLIB.ORG

Wildlife Populations in Texas

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Wildlife Populations in Texas • Five big game species – White-tailed deer – Mule deer – Pronghorn – Bighorn sheep – Javelina • Fifty-seven small game species – Forty-six migratory game birds, nine upland game birds, two squirrels • Sixteen furbearer species (i.e. beaver, raccoon, fox, skunk, etc) • Approximately 900 terrestrial vertebrate nongame species • Approximately 70 species of medium to large-sized exotic mammals and birds? White-tailed Deer Deer Surveys Figure 1. Monitored deer range within the Resource Management Units (RMU) of Texas. 31 29 30 26 22 18 25 27 17 16 24 21 15 02 20 28 23 19 14 03 05 06 13 04 07 11 12 Ecoregion RMU Area (Ha) 08 Blackland Prairie 20 731,745 21 367,820 Cross Timbers 22 771,971 23 1,430,907 24 1,080,818 25 1,552,348 Eastern Rolling Plains 26 564,404 27 1,162,939 Ecoregion RMU Area (Ha) 29 1,091,385 Post Oak Savannah 11 690,618 Edwards Plateau 4 1,308,326 12 475,323 5 2,807,841 18 1,290,491 6 583,685 19 2,528,747 7 1,909,010 South Texas Plains 8 5,255,676 28 1,246,008 Southern High Plains 2 810,505 Pineywoods 13 949,342 TransPecos 3 693,080 14 1,755,050 Western Rolling Plains 30 4,223,231 15 862,622 31 1,622,158 16 1,056,147 39,557,788 Total 17 735,592 Figure 2. Distribution of White-tailed Deer by Ecological Area 2013 Survey Period 53.77% 11.09% 6.60% 10.70% 5.89% 5.71% 0.26% 1.23% 4.75% Edwards Plateau Cross Timbers Western Rolling Plains Post Oak Savannah South Texas Plains Pineywoods Eastern Rolling Plains Trans Pecos Southern High Plains Figure 3. Estimated # Deer Per 1,000 Acres by Ecological Area 2013 Survey Period Refer to Table 2 for Sample Size and Confidence Intervals. Edwards Plateau 112.8 Trans Pecos 29.2 Cross Timbers 37.8 Post Oak Savannah 35.4 Eastern Rolling Plains 27.8 Western Rolling Plains 18.6 South Texas Plains 17.9 Pineywoods 18.1 Southern High Plains 5.3 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Mule Deer Aerial transects (n = 76) by monitoring unit in the Trans-Pecos, 2013 Figure 4. Randomly generated transects (n = 49) by monitoring unit in the Panhandle, 2013 (actual transects surveyed = 44). Mule deer population estimates by ecoregion and statewide since 2005. Pronghorn Aerial Surveys Panhandle herd units colored red with surplus pronghorn populations used for restocking, 2013 and 2014. In 2013, the estimated Panhandle pronghorn population was 12,831, including fawns Trans-Pecos herd units. Red units are where pronghorn were transplanted in 2013 and 2014. In 2013, the estimated Trans-Pecos pronghorn population was 3,071, including fawns Bighorn Sheep Free-Ranging Bighorn Sheep Observations from Helicopter Surveys 2001-2013. Mountain Range 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Sierra Diablo/ Baylor/ Beach 225* 274 324 448 338* 599 686 868 852 764 752 665 737 Elephant Mountain WMA 130* 48 76 47 36 119** 139** 146 159 167 144 156 176 Van Horn 12* * 6* 10* 12** 25** 20* 28 37 55 47 63 46 Eagle * * * * * * 8 * 1* 12 10 0 13 Sierra Vieja 7* * * * * * * * * *** *** *** *** Black Gap WMA 87 29 71 76 66 104 138 151 95 117 43 81 85 Big Bend Ranch State Park **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** 30 44 56 9 Point Mesa **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** 54 Carrizo Mountains * * * * * * * * * * * * 23 Total Observed 461 351 477 581 452 847 991 1,193 1,144 1115 1026 1009 1190 * Portions of mountain ranges were not included in survey or no survey was conducted. ** Sheep observed in ground surveys. *** No survey was conducted during reporting period. Monitoring efforts will be discontinued because economically unfeasible. **** No surveys were conducted because mountain range was uninhabited by bighorn sheep. Javelina Elk (classified as exotic in Texas since 1997) In the mid-1990’s the population of free-ranging elk in the Trans-Pecos was estimated at 325 individuals. The estimates are as follows: 40 in the Davis Mountains, 30 in the Wylie Mountains, 30 in the Eagle Mountains, 170 in the Glass Mountains, and 40 in the Guadalupe Mountains. The range of the Glass Mountain herd continues to expand southward into the adjacent Del Norte Mountains. The Panhandle herd remained constant at 15 individuals. Based on Breeding Bird Survey data, the Texas turkey population has grown considerably over the past ten years and appears to still be growing. The Texas turkey population is estimated to exceed 500,000 birds. 50 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Rolling Rolling Plains = 38.3 birds/20 miles in 2015 0 5 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 2014 0 5 1978 in 2015 miles birds/20 = 21 South Texas 1980 1982 Quail Bobwhite 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 Quail… Mean 2010 2012 2014 12 16 20 Gulf Prairies = 14.9 birds/20 miles = 14.9 birds/20 in 2015 Gulf Prairies 0 4 8 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 18 10 12 14 16 0 2 4 6 8 1978 High Plains10.9 = birds/20 miles in 2015 1980 1982 Quail Bobwhite 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 Cross Timbers = 1.2 birds/20 miles in = 1.2 birds/20 2015 Timbers Cross 40 10 15 20 25 30 35 0 5 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 16 10 12 14 0 2 4 6 8 Edwards Plateau = 6 birds/20 miles in 2015 in miles birds/20 6 = Plateau Edwards 1978 1980 Bobwhite Quail Bobwhite 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 Migratory Birds • Waterfowl – Five species of goose – Five species of rails and gallinules – Twenty-eight species of ducks – One crane species Doves (Three species) Estimated Waterfowl Populations From Winter Aerial Surveys 2014 2015 19-year avg Mallard 457,567 564,868 647,612 Mottled Duck 32,736 17,028 29,818 Pintail 548,319 398,071 625,197 Gadwall 735,130 842,979 698,642 Wigeon 139,692 219,787 244,038 Shoveler 306,963 164,501 129,152 Wood Duck 24,726 56,777 19,204 G-W Teal 634,689 276,951 457,835 B-W/Cinn. Teal 6,082 27,953 66,355 Black-bellied W.D. - - 11,611 Fulvous W.D. - - 1,423 TOTAL DABBLERS 2,885,904 2,568,915 2,930,094 Canvasback 51,597 26,167 42,854 Redhead 180,095 429,850 240,336 Scaup 357,957 140,992 205,261 Ring-necked Duck 255,769 354,071 167,464 Bufflehead 19,352 31,538 18,335 Goldeneye 4,371 13,916 5,934 Ruddy Duck 6,063 5,879 4,283 TOTAL DIVERS 875,204 1,002,413 684,466 TOTAL DUCKS 4,182,963 4,036,763 3,708,145 Estimated Mourning Dove Populations from Rural Roadside Call Counts Estimated White-winged Dove Populations from Rural Call Counts and Urban Point Counts Exotics • The last survey of medium to large-sized exotic mammals and birds was conducted in 1988. • At that time there were an estimated 67 species of exotics totaling 164,257 confined, or free-ranging animals, statewide (not including feral hogs). • The majority were located in the Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains. Feral Hogs • The estimated statewide feral hog population is approximately 3.5 – 4.0 M. • Approximately 45,000 hogs are killed annually by Texas Wildlife Services and aerial control agents N = 20,543 Table 1. Estimated pronghorn populations by Wildlife District, 1987-2013 TRANS-PECOS PANHANDLE POSSUM KINGDOM STATEWIDE (DISTRICT 1) (DISTRICT 2) (DISTRICT 3) YEAR BUCKS DOES FAWNS TOTAL BUCKS DOES FAWNS TOTAL BUCKS DOES FAWNS TOTAL BUCKS DOES FAWNS TOTAL 1987 4,825 8,012 4,389 17,226 1,102 2,179 826 4,107 1,041 1,182 1,018 3,241 6,968 11,373 6,233 24,574 1988 4,664 7,180 1,256 13,100 1,024 2,137 532 3,693 617 672 205 1,494 6,305 9,989 1,993 18,287 1989 2,929 4,576 772 8,277 1,149 2,132 392 3,673 464 522 307 1,293 4,542 7,230 1,471 13,243 1990 2,443 4,585 974 8,002 641 1,593 334 2,568 447 473 345 1,265 3,531 6,651 1,653 11,835 1991 3,029 5,594 3,206 11,829 792 1,809 467 3,068 578 669 551 1,798 4,399 8,072 4,224 16,695 1992 4,310 7,241 3,275 14,826 762 1,759 499 3,020 773 646 501 1,920 5,845 9,646 4,275 19,766 1993 4,531 7,157 1,774 13,462 737 1,900 654 3,291 204 366 80 650 5,472 9,423 2,508 17,403 1994 3,112 5,127 802 9,041 859 1,905 458 3,222 274 305 121 700 4,245 7,337 1,381 12,963 1995 2,322 4,210 993 7,525 965 2,079 526 3,570 250 351 207 808 3,537 6,640 1,726 11,903 1996 2,202 3,908 1,061 7,171 938 1,830 399 3,167 123 211 80 414 3,263 5,949 1,540 10,752 1997 2,906 4,866 2,387 10,159 697 1,986 801 3,484 252 333 330 915 3,855 7,185 3,518 14,558 1998 2,212 3,192 305 5,709 988 2,158 512 3,658 110 204 44 358 3,310 5,554 861 9,725 1999 2,228 3,446 931 6,605 1,189 2,948 847 4,984 240 288 181 709 3,657 6,682 1,959 12,298 2000 1,824 3,132 312 5,268 1,036 2,825 847 4,708 156 207 36 399 3,016 6,164 1,195 10,375 2001 1,533 2,613 915 5,061 1,130 2,636 942 4,708 96 168 117 381 2,759 5,417 1,974 10,150 2002 1,793 2,935 753 5,481 1,188 2,294 614 4,096 83 115 62 260 3,064 5,344 1,429 9,837 2003 1,978 3,214 1,625 6,817 1,290 2,735 1,135 5,160 60 128 85 273 3,328 6,077 2,845 12,250 2004 2,038 3,576 2,595 8,209 1,087 2,048 1,045 4,180 125 221 140 486 3,250 5,845 3,780 12,875 2005 2,825 4,291 2,836 9,952 1,456 2,588 1,348 5,392 214 262 184 660 4,495 7,141 4,368 16,004 2006 2,492 4,089 793 7,374 1,223 2,446 861 4,530 149 210 78 437 3,864 6,745 1,732 12,341 2007 3,020 4,583 2,466 10,069 1,663 3,022 1,286 5,971 164 246 102 512 4,847 7,851 3,854 16,552 2008 2,437 3,689 552 6,678 3,067 5,933 1,911 10,911 81 125 5 211 5,585 9,747 2,468 17,800 2009 2,080 3,394 445 5,919 3,139 6,321 2,439 11,899 109 185 21 315 5,328 9,900 2,905 18,133 2010 1,271 2,836 624 4,731 2,779 5,813 1,327 9,919 90 141 44 275 4,140 8,790 1,995 14,925 2011 1,076 2,416 253 3,745 2,997 6,361 1,317 10,675 84 139 5 228 4,157 8,916 1,575 14,648 2012 748 1,722 281 2,751 2,983 7,461 1,721 12,189 51 96 52 199 3,782 9,279 2,054 15,115 2013 752 1,809 510 3,071 3,083 7,476 2,272 12,831 88 169 22 279 3,923 9,454 2,804 16,181 ABSTRACT In 2014, 163, 20-mile quail survey lines were conducted in August.
Recommended publications
  • Texas Big Bend and the Davis Mountains April 22-29, 2017

    Texas Big Bend and the Davis Mountains April 22-29, 2017

    Texas Big Bend and the Davis Mountains Participants: Anne, Craig, David, Frank, Hilary, Jan, Joan, Judith, Lori, Linda, Neil, Skip and Stephen April 22-29, 2017 GUIDES Woody Wheeler and Lynn Tennefoss Sunset through "The Window" at Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park Day One: El Paso to McNary Reservoir, Balmorhea State Park and Fort Davis Appropriately, we started this journey on Earth Day. We departed from El Paso on an unusually cool but sunny day – ideal for travelling. El Paso and its suburbs swiftly gave way to the vast expanses of the Chihuahuan Desert. An hour east, and well into the desert, we exited off the freeway at McNary Reservoir. At the exit underpass, we found a small colony of Cave Swallows searching for nest sites. This was a life bird for many in our group. Nearby, we pulled into the completely unassuming McNary Reservoir. From below it appears to be a scrubby, degraded bank. Upon cresting the bank, however, there is a sizeable reservoir. Here we found Clark’s Grebes performing a small portion of their spectacular mating dance that resembles a synchronized water ballet. Western Grebes were also nearby, as were a variety of wintering waterfowl and an unexpected flock of Willet. Gambel’s Quail perched conspicuously and called loudly from the shore. Just as we were about to depart, Lynn spotted a lone Ruddy Duck bringing our total to 17 species of Gambel's Quail birds at our first stop. We stopped for lunch at a colorful Mexican restaurant in Van Horn that has hosted a number of celebrities over the years.
  • A Look at the Texas Hill Country Following the Path We Are on Today Through 2030

    A Look at the Texas Hill Country Following the Path We Are on Today Through 2030

    A Look at the Texas Hill Country Following the path we are on today through 2030 This unique and special region will grow, but what will the Hill Country look like in 2030? Growth of the Hill Country The Hill Country Alliance (HCA) is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise public awareness and build community support around the need to preserve the natural resources and heritage of the Central Texas Hill Country. HCA was formed in response to the escalating challenges brought to the Texas Hill Country by rapid development occurring in a sensitive eco-system. Concerned citizens began meeting in September of 2004 to share ideas about strengthening community activism and educating the public about regional planning, conservation development and a more responsible approach growth in the Hill Country. This report was prepared for the Texas Hill Country Alliance by Pegasus Planning 2 Growth of the Hill Country 3 Growth of the Hill Country Table of Contents Executive Summary Introduction The Hill Country Today The Hill Country in 2030 Strategic Considerations Reference Land Development and Provision of Utilities in Texas (a primer) Organizational Resources Materials Reviewed During Project End Notes Methodology The HCA wishes to thank members of its board and review team for assistance with this project, and the authors and contributors to the many documents and studies that were reviewed. September 2008 4 Growth of the Hill Country The Setting The population of the 17-County Hill Country region grew from approximately 800,000 in 1950 (after the last drought on record) to 2.6 million in 2000.
  • THE LIONS of WEST TEXAS Photo by Jeff Parker/Explore in Focus.Com

    THE LIONS of WEST TEXAS Photo by Jeff Parker/Explore in Focus.Com

    STUDYING THE LIONS OF WEST TEXAS Photo by Jeff Parker/Explore in Focus.com Studies show that apex predators, such as mountain lions, play a role in preserving biodiversity through top-down regulation of other species. 8 TEXAS WILDLIFE JULY 2016 STUDYING THE LIONS OF WEST TEXAS Article by MARY O. PARKER umans have long been fascinated by Texas’ largest felines. Ancient rock art in Seminole Canyon State Park provides glimpses into this allure. There, in the park’sH Panther Cave, rock art estimated to have been created in 7,000 B.C. tells of a unique relationship between mountain lions and man. Drawings depict interactions between the felines and medicine men, while other images show humans donning cat- like ears. We don’t know what those ancient artists called the cats, but these days Puma concolor goes by many names—cougar, panther, puma, painter and, especially in Texas, mountain lion. No matter what you call them, we’re still just as interested in them today as were those prehistoric people long ago. Now, however, we use cameras and GPS technology to document both the mountain lions’ world and our own. Two modern-day researchers, TWA members Dr. Patricia Moody Harveson and Dr. Louis Harveson, director of Sul Ross State University’s Borderlands Research Institute, have been fascinated by the felines for years. In 2011, they began what’s casually known as The Davis Mountains Study. The project, generously funded by private donors, focuses on mountain lion ecology and predator-prey dynamics on private lands within the Davis Mountains. WWW.TEXAS-WILDLIFE.ORG 9 STUDYING THE LIONS OF WEST TEXAS Of 27 species captured by Davis Mountains game cameras, feral hogs appeared twice as often as deer which were the second most abundant species photographed.
  • Bears in Oklahoma

    Bears in Oklahoma

    April 2010 Bears in Oklahoma Our speaker for the April 19 meeting of the Oklahoma City Audubon Society will be Jeremy Dixon, wildlife biologist at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. His presentation is titled “The Strange But True History of Bears in Oklahoma.” For many years Jeremy was a biologist in Florida where he studied the interactions between black bears and humans. His master’s research was on the Conservation Genetics of the Florida Black Bear. Jeremy moved to Lawton in 2009 to experience life out here in the middle of the continent. Our grass prairie and ancient granite mountains are a new living environment for him. However, the black bears are coming back across Oklahoma from the east presenting birders an experience with a new and large predator to which we are unaccustomed. With an education from Jeremy, hopefully we can learn how to watch the birds while not feeding the bears ourselves. Come out for bear-hugging good time at bird club and bring a friend. County Birding: Kingfisher Jimmy Woodard On March 11, the group of 7 birders entered Kingfisher County in the far southeast corner. We located several small lakes with waterfowl: Canada Geese, Gadwall, Mallard, Green- Winged Teal and Ruddy Duck. We also found an adult Bald Eagle, the first of two found during the trip. Driving the back roads, we observed Great Horned Owl, Phoebe, King- fisher, and a bunch of sparrows – Harris, White Crowned, Song, Savannah, & Lincoln’s. We visited fields along the Cimarron River southeast of Dover. Carla Brueggen & her hus- band lease fields in this area.
  • Canvasback Aythya Valisineria

    Canvasback Aythya Valisineria

    Canvasback Aythya valisineria Class: Aves Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Characteristics: A large diving duck, in fact the largest in its genus, the canvasback weighs about 2.5-3 pounds. The male has a chestnut-red head, red eyes, light white-grey body and blackish breast and tail. The female has a lighter brown head and neck that gets progressively darker brown toward the back of the body. Both sexes have a blackish bill and bluish-grey legs and feet. Range & Habitat: Behavior: Breeds in prairie potholes and A wary bird that is very swift in flight. They prefer to dive in shallow water winters on ocean bays to feed and will also feed on the water surface (Audubon). Reproduction: Several males will court and display to one female. Once a female chooses the male, they will form a monogamous bond through breeding season. They build a floating nest in stands of dense vegetation above shallow water and lay 7-12 olive-grey eggs. Often redheads will lay their eggs in canvasback nests which will result in canvasbacks laying fewer eggs. The female incubates the eggs which hatch after 23-28 days. The young feed themselves and mom leads them to water within hours of hatching. Lifespan: up to 20 years in Diet: captivity, 10 years in the wild. Wild: Seeds, plant material, snails and insect larvae, they dive to eat the roots and bases of plants Special Adaptations: They go Zoo: Scratch grains, greens, waterfowl pellets from freshwater marshes in summer to saltwater ocean bays in Conservation: winter. Some say the populations are decreasing while others say they are increasing due to habitat restoration and the ban on lead shot.
  • The Davis Mountain State Park : I Have Been Engaged in Bird Watching Over the Past Several Years, and During That Time Many Memb

    The Davis Mountain State Park : I Have Been Engaged in Bird Watching Over the Past Several Years, and During That Time Many Memb

    The Davis Mountain State Park : I have been engaged in bird watching over the past several years, and during that time many members of the Audubon Society have recommended that I go and look at the beautiful birds at this or that State Park. It has been my experience that their recommendations are spot on and every visit has proven to be a fabulous birding experience. Several folks had suggested the Davis Mountain State Park and waxed eloquently about the wonderful birds to be seen there. A Lesser Goldfinch A Black Chinned Hummingbird How could there be a lot of birds in the Davis Mountains in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert? Why would the birds come to this park smack-dab in the middle of absolutely no where? I was rather skeptical and didn’t plan a visit for the longest time. That is until the spring of 2014. We were going on a visit to the McDonald Observatory to look at the big skies of Texas and look at celestial objects through fabulous huge telescopes. I decided that since we were going to the McDonald Observatory a visit to the State Park was indeed warranted. So we set aside a full day to go hiking and some bird watching at the State Park. A Black Headed Grosbeak A Ladderback Woodpecker The Davis Mountains of Texas are located in West Texas about 6 hours drive from San Antonio on I 10 west till Fort Stockton, and then due south on Hwy 17 to Fort Davis. Davis Mountains State Park is a 2,709-acre state park located in the Davis Mountains in Jeff Davis County, Texas.
  • Ecoregions of Texas

    Ecoregions of Texas

    Ecoregions of Texas 23 Arizona/New Mexico Mountains 26 Southwestern Tablelands 30 Edwards Plateau 23a Chihuahuan Desert Slopes 26a Canadian/Cimarron Breaks 30a Edwards Plateau Woodland 23b Montane Woodlands 26b Flat Tablelands and Valleys 30b Llano Uplift 24 Chihuahuan Deserts 26c Caprock Canyons, Badlands, and Breaks 30c Balcones Canyonlands 24a Chihuahuan Basins and Playas 26d Semiarid Canadian Breaks 30d Semiarid Edwards Plateau 24b Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands 27 Central Great Plains 31 Southern Texas Plains 24c Low Mountains and Bajadas 27h Red Prairie 31a Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains 24d Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands 27i Broken Red Plains 31b Semiarid Edwards Bajada 24e Stockton Plateau 27j Limestone Plains 31c Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub 25 High Plains 29 Cross Timbers 31d Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces 25b Rolling Sand Plains 29b Eastern Cross Timbers 25e Canadian/Cimarron High Plains 29c Western Cross Timbers 25i Llano Estacado 29d Grand Prairie 25j Shinnery Sands 29e Limestone Cut Plain 25k Arid Llano Estacado 29f Carbonate Cross Timbers 25b 26a 26a 25b 25e Level III ecoregion 26d 300 60 120 mi Level IV ecoregion 26a Amarillo 27h 60 0 120 240 km County boundary 26c State boundary Albers equal area projection 27h 25i 26b 25j 27h 35g 35g 26b Wichita 29b 35a 35c Lubbock 26c Falls 33d 27i 29d Sherman 35a 25j Denton 33d 35c 32a 33f 35b 25j 26b Dallas 33f 35a 35b 27h 29f Fort 35b Worth 33a 26b Abilene 32c Tyler 29b 24c 29c 35b 23a Midland 26c 30d 35a El Paso 24a 23b Odessa 35b 24a 24b 25k 27j 33f Nacogdoches 24d Waco Pecos 25j
  • Marfa Vista Ranch 710+/- Acres, Including Premier Residence Plans and Sitework

    Marfa Vista Ranch 710+/- Acres, Including Premier Residence Plans and Sitework

    Marfa Vista Ranch 710+/- acres, including premier residence plans and sitework Marfa Vista Ranch 710+/- acres with premier residence plans Marfa, Presidio County, Texas Marfa Vista Ranch has a private entrance off US Highway 90 just 5 miles west of Marfa. A winding, all-weather entrance road leads to a broad hill and building site with commanding 360 degree views of the Marfa Grassland and the surrounding mountains. It is just minutes into town, but with the privacy of being on your own ranch. 710+/- acres in Presidio County, outside of Marfa, Texas Description Marfa Vista Ranch is West Texas grassland at its finest and represents some of the most ecologically diverse landscapes in the Southwest. It is part of the Marfa Plateau, a mile-high desert grassland of basin range topography between the Davis Mountains to the north and the Chinati Mountains and the Rio Grande River to the south and southwest. The views are stunning and the ranch overlooks the landscapes of the Davis Mountains, Chinati, and Sierra Vieja Mountains, as well as the great expanse of grasslands in between. The ranch is part of a protected 27,000 acre conservation ranch neighborhood with a series of conservation easements held by The Nature Conservancy protecting the views and conservation values forever. This ranch contains a building envelope, allowing for a diversity of building options in the future. Lake Flato has designed a unique compound in harmony with the natural settings and capturing the views of the region while creating an amazing series of buildings tied together with porches and native landscaping.
  • Foundation Document Big Bend National Park Texas May 2016 Foundation Document

    Foundation Document Big Bend National Park Texas May 2016 Foundation Document

    NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Foundation Document Big Bend National Park Texas May 2016 Foundation Document Unpaved road Trail Ruins S A N 385 North 0 5 10 Kilometers T Primitive road Private land within I A Rapids G 0 5 10 Miles (four-wheel-drive, park boundary O high-clearance Please observe landowner’s vehicles only) BLACK GAP rights. M WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA Persimmon Gap O U N T A Stillwell Store and RV Park Graytop I N S Visitor Center on Dog Cany Trail d o a nch R 2627 TEXAS Ra a u ng Te r l i 118 Big Bend Dagger Mountain Stairway Mountain S I National Park ROSILLOS MOUNTAINS E R R A DAGGER Camels D r Packsaddle Rosillos e FLAT S Hump E v i l L I Mountain Peak i E R a C r R c Aqua Fria A i T R B n A Mountain o A e t CORAZONES PEAKS u c lat A L ROSILLOS gger F L S Da O L O A d RANCH ld M R n G a Hen Egg U O E A d l r R i Mountain T e T O W R O CHRI N R STM I A Terlingua Ranch o S L L M O a e O d d n U LA N F a TA L r LINDA I A N T G S Grapevine o d Fossil i a Spring o Bone R R THE Exhibit e Balanced Rock s G T E L E P d PAINT GAP l H l RA O N n SOLITARIO HILLS i P N E N Y O a H EV ail C A r Slickrock H I IN r LL E T G Croton Peak S S Mountain e n Government n o i I n T y u Spring v Roys Peak e E R e le n S o p p a R i Dogie h C R E gh ra O o u G l n T Mountain o d e R R A Panther Junction O A T O S Chisos Mountains r TERLINGUA STUDY BUTTE/ e C BLACK MESA Visitor Center Basin Junction I GHOST TOWN TERLINGUA R D Castolon/ Park Headquarters T X o o E MADERAS Maverick Santa Elena Chisos Basin Road a E 118
  • Canvasback and Lesser Scaup Activities and Habitat-Use on Pool 19, Upper Mississippi River

    Canvasback and Lesser Scaup Activities and Habitat-Use on Pool 19, Upper Mississippi River

    Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science (1993), Volume 86, 1 and 2, pp. 33 - 45 Canvasback and Lesser Scaup Activities and Habitat-Use on Pool 19, Upper Mississippi River David M. Day1, Richard V. Anderson and Michael A. Romano Department of Biological Sciences Western Illinois University Macomb, IL 61455 1Current address: Illinois Department of Conservation Streams Program Aledo, IL 61231 ABSTRACT Behavior and habitat use of canvasback (Aythya valisineria) and lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) were assessed on Pool 19 of the Upper Mississippi River during the spring and fall of 1982 and the spring of 1983. Ducks were frequently observed in three sections of the study area; on the Illinois side of the river from Hamilton to Nauvoo; between Montrose and Niota; and in spring near Dallas City. Resting behavior was most prevalent, followed by diving (feeding) and loafing (sleeping). Lesser scaup dove more and spent less time loafing than canvasbacks. For all three seasons, within nonvegetated habitat, no significant seasonal or behavioral differences were found between male and female canvasbacks, but significant differences were found between the sexes of lesser scaup. Differences in activities between male and female lesser scaup did not persist when fall observations were excluded, suggesting seasonal differences in use of Pool 19. No significant seasonal or behavioral differences between species were observed in ducks using submergent vegetation during the spring periods. Activity patterns for both species, during the combined spring periods, were significantly different between submergent vegetation and nonvegetated areas. It appears these differences were due largely to changes in the distribution of diving and loafing activities between habitats.
  • Final Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan

    Final Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan

    FINAL FINAL NOVEMBER 13, 2015 BOWMAN PROJECT NO. 005520-01-001 SOUTHERN EDWARDS PLATEAU HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN PREPARED FOR COUNTY OF BEXAR INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES DEPARTMENT 233 N. PECOS, SUITE 420 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78207 PREPARED BY BOWMAN CONSULTING GROUP, LTD. 3101 BEE CAVE ROAD, SUITE 100 AUSTIN, TX 78746 WITH JACKSON WALKER LLP ZARA ENVIRONMENTAL, LLC WENDELL DAVIS AND ASSOCIATES M.E. ALLISON & ASSOCIATES FINAL SOUTHERN EDWARDS PLATEAU HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN BOWMAN © 2015 PROJECT NO. 005520-01-001 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WHAT IS THE SOUTHERN EDWARDS PLATEAU HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN? The Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan (“SEP-HCP” or the “Plan”) is a way for Bexar County and the City of San Antonio (the “Permittees”) to assist with compliance of the Endangered Species Act. These compliance issues threaten the economic growth of the greater San Antonio region. The purposes of the SEP-HCP are to: (1) Promote regional conservation; (2) Provide support for Camp Bullis; (3) Involve local stakeholders in conservation planning; (4) Streamline endangered species permitting; (5) Implement locally appropriate and cost-effective permitting and conservation strategies; and (6) Leverage available resources. Upon approval of the SEP-HCP by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the “Service”), a 30-year Incidental Take Permit (ITP) under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) would be issued. The Permit would authorize a limited amount of “incidental taking” of nine federally listed endangered species (the “Covered Species”) within the jurisdictions of Bexar County and the City of San Antonio. In return, the SEP-HCP will promote the conservation of the Covered Species and related natural resources in Bexar County and other counties of the Southern Edwards Plateau.
  • Derivation of Non-Breeding Duck

    Derivation of Non-Breeding Duck

    North American Waterfowl Management Plan Science Support Team Technical Report No. 2019–01 Derivation of Regional, Non-breeding Duck Population Abundance Objectives to Inform Conservation Planning in North America — 2019 Revision Kathy K. Fleming U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management Michael K. Mitchell Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Southern Regional Office Michael G. Brasher Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Gulf Coast Joint Venture John M. Coluccy Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Great Lakes and Atlantic Regional Office J. Dale James Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Southern Regional Office Mark J. Petrie Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Western Regional Office, Pacific Coast Joint Venture Dale D. Humburg Ducks Unlimited, Inc., National Headquarters Gregory J. Soulliere U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Upper Mississippi / Great Lakes Joint Venture ABSTRACT During the early 2000s, a methodology was developed to derive regional non-breeding population abundance objectives from continental abundance estimates (M. Koneff, USFWS, unpublished data). This information was foundational to North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) Joint Venture (JV) habitat conservation planning and implementation for non-breeding waterfowl, especially wintering ducks. The 2012 NAWMP Revision and its amended population objectives motivated JVs to begin updating their waterfowl implementation plans. Fleming et al. (2017) revisited the initial work to derive non- breeding abundance objectives and developed an updated approach. Although Fleming et al. (2017) made use of the least biased and most geographically consistent datasets, they identified outstanding issues to be resolved before the derivation technique could be effectively applied across all regions of North America. We updated the work of Fleming et al. (2017) by addressing 3 of those issues.