TEXAS WILDLIFE NEWS

How do birds know when to migrate? Or when to build their nests and lay their eggs? How do sea turtles remember which beach they hatched on? And how in the world do our backyard bugs know when to “wake up” from their winter slumber? Maybe it’s magic, maybe it’s not. All I know is, everything we know about the natural world is changing, and it’s changing fast. The planet is heating up faster than it ever has before, and humans have played an undeniably large role in this drastic change.

So many of us in the Houston area are still assessing property and landscaping damage from the “February 2021 Freeze”. While many trees and plants are beginning to bloom again, some generally zone-hardy plants succumbed to the storms and hard freeze over several days.

We all know the story of Rocky Balboa, right? The underdog who had little to no chance of winning? And he didn’t win, not at first. But neither did he give up. And neither did the people who cared about him. In the face of setbacks and disappointments, he finally triumphed. Defying all expectations, he beat the odds and became a champion. No, we're not talking about Sylvester Stallone's fictional movie character. We're talking about the journey of a tiny baby opossum during a worldwide pandemic.

Around 5:30 pm on Sunday February 21, Nick M. of the West University area of Houston, witnessed a baby squirrel fall from a nest... A story of how one caring rescuer reunited a mother with her baby squirrel.

February, the shortest month of the year. But that speaks nothing to its extraordinary qualities. Many of us look forward to the last month of winter, when the sun rises a little higher in the sky each day, when signs of springtime begin to grow, and when love spreads like pollen through the air. What better way to celebrate this month, and Valentine’s Day, than a glimpse at some of Mother Nature’s most extraordinary, lifetime “lovebirds”?

Nutria: large, web-footed rodents often mistaken for beavers or otters. Brought to the United States during the fur trade, these large, semi-aquatic rodents quickly spread and have become one of the most ecologically harmful species to date. How do you identify a nutria? Where do they live? Why are they so harmful to the ecosystem? And how can we control them?

It’s a brand-new year! For many of us this is a chance to start fresh, create a new routine, or just simply, be better. At TWRC Wildlife Center, we are always looking for ways to be better, especially when it involves our wild friends. Join us this year in our resolution to help wildlife by choosing sustainable, wildlife-friendly options.

One of America’s most well-loved songbirds for many reasons, Purple Martins (Progne subis) are the largest swallows in North America. Their chattering song, aerial acrobatics, and insect-eating habits make them a cute and fun backyard spectacle for new and experienced birders. They can be found nesting almost exclusively in human-supplied housing and have become very dependent on us for their survival.

When one mentions raptors, there are a few species that people are very familiar with like owls, eagles and hawks. The osprey, however, isn’t a familiar species to most people even though it is one of the most widespread raptors in the world. The osprey is a great fisherman, successfully catching a fish one out of 4 tries. They are amazing to watch as they glide over water looking for a fish. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the great fisherman! Learn about where you can spot them and just how fascinating these raptors are.

Have you ever spotted a critter that seemed out of place, somewhere it’s not normally found? If so, more than likely it was a bird. But why birds? Birds are much more mobile than other animals, with many of them being migratory. So, it’s no surprise that they might easily find themselves out of their normal ranges. It is not known precisely why lone individuals end up hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles away from home... Truly a fun and entertaining read! Find out which birds have been spotted in odd places, and what could be causing it.

Who isn’t in awe at the sight of the majestic symbol of our country soaring overhead? The bald eagle is indeed a majestic creature, awe-inspiring due, in part, to its rarity. Although, not so rare anymore is the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Read about their population decline in the 1960s, their impressive comeback since then, and where you can find them around Houston!

Believe it or not, the holidays are almost upon us, bringing winter along with them. This means wildlife will be trying to find ways to keep warm and scrounge for food. As a result, you may find them venturing closer to human residences. Wildlife will be looking for a place to spend the cold winter.

Unless you suffer from ornithophobia (a fear of birds) or anatidaephobia (the fear that you are being watched by a duck), you probably enjoy watching ducks.

The mourning dove is native to Texas and gets its name from the soft, sad-sounding coo that usually only the male makes.

A pair of beautiful bald eagles are now calling Tomball, Texas, home and they’ve become quite the attraction.

Most people assume that the animal they are seeing in area lakes and streams is a beaver but it could be a river otter.

 Actually, yes, they are. For most people, the only thing they know about skunks is that they stink but they are very beneficial to farmers and homeowners. They eat garden and agricultural pests in large numbers. They feed on larvae, worms, fruit, eggs, reptiles, small mammals, bees, wasps, and fish. So are Skunks good for anything? YES!

We’ve all been in parking lots where we feel we’re being stalked by big black birds just waiting for us to drop a morsel of food. What are they? Ravens, Crows, Grackles? If you said Grackles, you’d be correct.