Otter Comeback | Hawk Watching Tips | Pollinator Bioblitz | Pocket Prairie Planting | and More!

Otters Expand Their Range

River otters are a "sentinel species" because they're very sensitive to pollution. By the 1970s poor water quality, unregulated hunting and habitat loss had reduced them to a small number in East Texas. Now they're being seen as far west as the Hill Country – watch otters frolicking in this video shot in Austin.

Look for otters on Texas Paddling Trails and around natural waterbodies. Check this iNaturalist map to see where otters have been spotted. If you see one, add it to the map to help us track their range. Remember, always keep a safe distance between yourself and wildlife!

Find out more about these cute critters in our video River Otters in Texas.

Hawks and Ospreys and Falcons, Oh My!

Red-tailed hawk pair in flight, video link

Thousands of raptors, including hawks, ospreys and falcons, are currently migrating south into Texas. You may have seen hawks circling overhead in large groups called kettles.

Visit a Texas hawk watch site in fall or spring for your best chance to see big groups of raptors. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park has hawk watch events through Oct. 31.

Check out New to Hawkwatching? for tips, and use the hawk guide (PDF) for I.D. help.

Find out more about the Hawk Watch citizen science program in the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine story Texas Trailblazers: The Hawk Watcher.

See what it's like to go hawk watching in our video Hawk Watcher.

Don't Miss This Weekend's Pollinator Bioblitz

Buckeye butterfly on mistflower, video link

If you need an excuse to go outside and hang out with butterflies and other pollinators, join us in the annual Texas Pollinator Bioblitz this weekend. It's fun and free!

Take part by snapping photos of pollinators and posting them on social media or iNaturalist with #TxPollinators. There are other ways to participate – sign up for emailed photo prompts or join events. This year's Bioblitz ends on Sun., Oct. 26. We'll see you out there!

25th anniversary of conservation license plate, link

Plant for Wildlife: Pocket Prairies

You can create a "pocket prairie" to support pollinators and other wildlife with just a small space in your yard. Choose plants native to your region, they have the best chance of surviving Texas heat and drought.

The time to plant is now, fall to early winter. Try Audubon’s native plants database to find bird-friendly plants for your specific area. Get tips for creating your own pocket prairie with wildflower seeds and perennials in our video Planting Pocket Prairies.

Listen Now: Texas Wild – Deluxe Edition

Ready for a Texas-sized serenade? As an encore to the original Texas Wild, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) has released Texas Wild – Deluxe Edition.

Including two bonus cuts, “Pretty Woman” by Ruthie Foster and The Texas Gentlemen, and “You’re Gonna Miss Me” by Zella Day, the vinyl package includes four interchangeable covers by Texas illustrator Mishka Westell, plus a 24-page companion book spotlighting the songs and inspiration behind the album.

The digital album also includes two more bonus tracks: "Irreplaceable" by Max Frost, and “All My Exes Live in Texas” by Jonathan Terrell. Order your copy today! Proceeds benefit TPWF and its mission to keep Texas wild.

ORDER TEXAS WILD – DELUXE EDITION

Messages from Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine advertisers:

Our Wild Texas is made possible in part by the generous support of Toyota.

Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe now ⁠— it's free!

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department · 4200 Smith School Road · Austin, TX 78744 · 800-792-1112