Wild Texas Newsletter -- January 1998

*** Central Texas Coast -- Birding

The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail once again lived up to its name. Justin and I returned yesterday from a three and a half day birding trip to Corpus Christi. We are still comparing notes from the trip, but we identified approximately 58 bird species during our stay. In addition, several new species made it to our life lists, including Northern harrier hawk, bufflehead duck, common loon, green- and blue-winged teals.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is the big news-maker right now, with a record number of endangered whooping cranes wintering there until April. The latest census of the cranes yielded 152 adults and 29 juveniles, a total of 181 birds. For a species whose TOTAL worldwide population (captive and wild combined) numbers less than 360 individuals, these numbers are encouraging. We did not view any whooping cranes from the observation tower within the refuge, but one whooper family had been observed in the days prior to our visit.

Stay tuned to the Wild Texas Trip Reports area at http://www.wildtexas.com/travels/ for a full report on our latest Central Texas Coast birding adventure. The report should be online within a couple days. To learn more about the endangered whooping crane, visit our Wildlife Viewing & Identification Guide at: http://www.wildtexas.com/wildguides/

*** Wintering Bald Eagles

Speaking of birds, the bald eagles are wintering in Texas once again. One of the best ways to view them is to take a ride on the Vanishing Texas River Cruise in Lake Buchanan. Visit their web site for reservations and more information.

*** Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities abound in our state and national parks, and in other conservation and outdoor recreation organizations. While volunteer positions in the most popular areas are difficult to obtain, many equally wonderful opportunities go virtually unnoticed. If you are searching for a way to give something back or learn something new, consider the following opportunities. Please do not contact me, however, as I am simply passing this information along:

*Volunteer Services
*Texas State Aquarium
2710 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78402

Telephone: (512)881-1248

In particular, they are looking for certified SCUBA divers to assist in their daily dive shows and weekly tank cleanings.

*Friends of Aransas & Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuges
P.O. Box 74
Austwell, TX 77950

Donations are accepted and will make you eligible to receive their newsletter. Interested parties should inquire in writing as to available volunteer opportunities. Include your name, address, home & work telephone, and email address.

*** Clubs & Organizations

If you are in the habit of putting on bulky boots and a loaded pack, and trudging through the brush to a secluded campsite, you are not alone. The same holds true if you prefer peering through binoculars or a spotting scope in the misty morning light, in hopes of adding a new bird to your life list. Numerous clubs and organizations exist full of people JUST like you! Don't believe us? Visit our comprehensive Texas Web Guide and choose the category that interests you. The directory is accessible at: http://wildtexas.com/guide/.

*** Coming Soon...

A profile of Goliad State Historical Park will be added to our Parks Directory within the coming weeks. We are also hard at work to expand the Wildlife Viewing & Identification area. If you have a favorite bird or animal you would like to see added, send us email.

*** About the Newsletter

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