Where to See Bald Eagles | Growing Mountain Laurel | Choose the Right Nest Box | Become a Master Naturalist | Conservation Hero | and More!





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Where To See Bald Eagles and Their Nests
Bald eagle taking stick to its nest, video link [ [link removed] ]

January through March is the perfect time to look for the iconic bald eagle [ [link removed] ]. It's their nesting season, which means there's a lot of activity. Bald eagles reuse the same giant nest year after year, which makes it easier for you to find them.

To locate eagles nearby, use iNaturalist bald eagle observations [ [link removed] ], where you can also report your own sighting. Help biologists keep track of active nests with Texas Nature Trackers [ [link removed] ] project Texas Eagle Nests [ [link removed] ].  

Bald eagles were on the endangered species list from 1966-2006 due to pesticide poisoning. A conservation success story, they're now thriving. Take the time to see these magnificent birds in the wild, and share your observations. 

Tree for Wildlife: Texas Mountain Laurel
Tiger Swallowtail on mountain laurel, video link [ [link removed] ]

You may have smelled a mountain laurel [ [link removed] ] before you saw one. In spring these little trees are covered with long clusters of purple flowers that smell like grape bubblegum – and butterflies find it irresistible. Once established, mountain laurels endure heat, freezes and drought, so they're grown in Texas from the southeast to the Davis Mountains.

A mountain laurel transplanted from the wild rarely survives, so get yours from a reputable garden center or raise your own from seed [ [link removed] ]. Be patient – they take a few years to bloom. Find out more in the video Texas Mountain Laurel | Plant of the Month [ [link removed] ]. 

Great Texas Birding Classic ad, with link [ [link removed] ]


*Tips for a Successful Nest Box *



Nest box installation, video link [ [link removed] ]

Many birds will nest in birdhouses (nest boxes) made by people, but most insist on specific shapes and sizes. Where you mount the nest box and the direction it faces can also affect its success. 

Find the right fit and placement for your box with the Right Bird, Right House [ [link removed] ] interactive tool (region is Southwest). 



Purple martin house with purple martin [ [link removed] ]

The tool offers downloadable plans for houses, shows construction difficulty, range of the bird species and more – see the American robin [ [link removed] ] example.

Learn to install a nest box on a freestanding pole with a predator guard by watching the video How to Install a Nest Box [ [link removed] ]. 





*Give Back to Nature – Join Master Naturalists*



Master Naturalists with net, video link [ [link removed] ]

If your New Year's resolution is to give back to nature, or if you want to help your community learn about our natural resources, become a Texas Master Naturalist [ [link removed] ] (TMN).

To become a TMN, you'll receive training in wildlife and natural resource management by experts in the field. 



Master Naturalists in wildflower field [ [link removed] ]

Find a chapter near you [ [link removed] ] and register for the next training session.

Once you finish training, you can provide your community with nature-related activities, demonstrations and other projects. Have a positive effect on the world around you – become a Texas Master Naturalist.





Join the Worldwide Great Backyard Bird Count
A variety of birds on a branch, video link [ [link removed] ]

Birds are found worldwide, including near you. So participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count [ [link removed] ] *Feb. 17 to 20* and celebrate birds with people around the world. 

If you want to bring more birds to your backyard, check out the list of birds, what they eat and where they like to eat it [ [link removed] ]. If you think you've spotted a sick bird, refer to What Do I Do if I See a Sick Bird? [ [link removed] ]

Mark your calendar now and join the world in the Great Backyard Bird Count! It's free and fun to take part, and your observations are important. Find out more by watching the video Join Us for the Annual Great Backyard Bird Count [ [link removed] ].

Roadrunner license plate, with link [ [link removed] ]
*Texas Conservation Hero David Bamberger*

David Bamberger outside with dog, video link [ [link removed] ]

David Bamberger's [ [link removed] ] mother gave him a book by Louis Bromfield called Pleasant Valley, and it inspired him to purchase 5,500 acres of waterless, eroded scrubland and bring it back to life. 

The result of his effort is the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve. It's a haven for wildlife, lush and full of natural springs and biodiversity. Bamberger is considered a visionary, and his restoration methods are now used by many others. See the results of his work yourself by taking a public tour [ [link removed] ], and watch the video Selah, Water from Stone [ [link removed] ]. 

One person's action can have a tremendous, ongoing impact. Gift someone a book about conservation or write one, volunteer, become a Master Naturalist or a biologist, or buy some abused land and revive it. Conserving our natural world is worth the effort. 



Did You Know?
striped skunk in grass

February is when skunks wander around looking for mates. They’re nocturnal, so keep an eye out when you’re driving at night to avoid hitting them. Find out more in the "Texas Parks & Wildlife" magazine story, Love Stinks [ [link removed] ].

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