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Wild Turkey Nest
Nesting Habitat for Rio Grande Wild Turkeys
By: Kory Perlichek, Wildlife Biologist - Mason & McCulloch Counties
In the Texas Hill Country, data suggests the Rio Grande wild turkey population has declined in recent years, with habitat loss being the #1 factor. There are many factors that are associated with habitat loss such as land fragmentation, urban sprawl, degradation of riparian areas, flood events, drought, ungulate (native & exotic) over-browsing, domestic livestock overgrazing, lack of prescribed fire, feral hog damage, and others. Lack of quality habitat poses a serious threat to the Rio Grande population.
Rio Grande wild turkeys require interspersion of wooded and open areas; therefore, ideal Rio habitat should have at least 50% open areas with well interspersed mottes of trees and shrubs. Nest sites are selected for their concealing cover and their proximity to permanent water since researchers found that 85% of nests in the Edwards Plateau were within ¼ mile of a water source. Rio Grande wild turkeys nest on the ground typically within tall grass clumps or low-growing shrubs of at least 18 inches in height which provides optimal lateral screening cover. Research shows a positive relationship between turkey reproductive success and herbaceous cover; therefore, nesting habitat is crucial because nesting cover is related to nesting success! However, nesting cover is often a limiting factor in the Hill Country. Management practices that can help promote nesting cover for wild turkeys includes prescribed fire, brush management, and grassland restoration, among others.
Click here to learn more about Rio Grande wild turkeys.
Up-Coming Events & Workshops:
Chemical Brush Treatment
By: Cody Stricker, Wildlife Biologist - Kendall & Blanco Counties
Herbicide, when used properly, is an important tool when it comes to managing plant communities. Herbicide can be looked at as a modern take on the “Ax” and can be used to achieve goals of removing certain plants as deemed necessary from the landscape. It allows managers to directly manipulate the distribution, structure, or composition of vegetative communities to influence what food and cover are available for wildlife. It can offer an additional solution to brush management, especially when dealing with plant species that resprout from the roots when cut to the ground. It can also be used in conjunction with other management practices such as burning, grazing, or disking to create a well-rounded approach when dealing with hard to manage species such as old-world bluestems. Herbicides can be utilized in a variety of situations ranging from treating non-native invasive species such as Chinaberry to treating native species that have become overabundant on a site such as mesquite.
There are many types of herbicides: some are species specific, and others are indiscriminate. They may be designed to be sprayed on the whole plant, on specific parts of the plant such as the stem, on the stump of a plant that has been cut down or are pelletized and broadcast on the site to be soaked into the root systems.
Application methods will vary depending on the situation and project goals. If the goal is to restore native plant diversity on a degraded field with a high abundance of invasive species it may be necessary to use a broadscale application of an indiscriminate herbicide with multiple treatments over the course of a growing season. This method depletes the seed bank of invasives providing a clean slate when reseeding native grasses and forbs. Another application option is individual plant treatments (IPT) where singular plants, a specific species, or certain groups of plants are targeted individually without harming other plants around it. These forms of applications are not exclusive of each other and often can be used in conjunction to complement one another. For example, in a restoration scenario after planting native seeds it is rare for invasive species not to grow back; therefore, IPT becomes useful as a follow up spot treatment to prevent reestablishment of invasive species.
Equipment needed for applying herbicide varies depending on the project and may be as small as a handheld spray bottle, but can also include backpack sprayers, vehicle mounted sprayers, and even sprayers from airplanes or helicopters. It is important to think about what your goals are when selecting an herbicide treatment and how they fit into your wildlife management plan for the property.
With so many variables to account for, it is recommended to use a good herbicide guide such as Agrilife’s “Brushbusters” webpage which can be viewed as kind of cookbook to make sure you are using the right herbicide at the correct rate and under the appropriate conditions to achieve the desired effect on the treatment area.
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Photo Points as a Habitat Management Tool
By: Joyce Moore, Senior Wildlife Biologist - western Edwards Plateau
Photo points serve as invaluable monitoring tools used to track vegetative changes in plant communities over time. Combined with other methods, photo point images allow a visual representation of long-term range recovery.
Select Appropriate Locations—Choose locations that are reasonably accessible and representative of all unique habitat types. Locations could include areas with diverse vegetation or key features such as eroding creekbanks or wildfire recovery areas where subtle changes will be readily captured.
Establishing Protocols—Develop standardized protocols for capturing photos including frequency of monitoring visits, photo angle, and direction. Visit each photo point annually, seasonally, or monthly to capture images of the habitat. Consistency is crucial for ensuring data accuracy and reliability across monitoring seasons. Aim to replicate camera angle and photo framing.
Setting up Photo points—Permanently identify photo point locations using metal t-posts, ground stakes, or stacked rock cairns. Use visible landmarks to allow replication. Identify each by GPS location on a map or aerial photograph. Create plot signs to attach to marker posts to visually identify each location. Plot signs should be included in photographs. Consider factors such as lighting, background clutter, and potential obstructions.
Analyzing Data & Interpreting Results—Periodically review captured images to assess changes in plant structure, vegetative composition, and other relevant factors. Use digital software or manual methods to catalog and compare images.
Adaptive Management Strategies—Use insights gained from photo point monitoring to adjust management practices as needed. By following these simple steps, land managers can effectively utilize photo points as a tool for monitoring wildlife habitat and guiding future conservation efforts.
Photo Point Example
Exotic Grass Explosion
By: Mark Mitchell, Wildlife Biologist - Mason Mountain WMA
If you have traveled through Texas much in the last month you may have noticed that roadsides are thick with grass and if you slow down enough you may notice that some are actually exotic grasses such as Wilmans’ Lovegrass, Lehmans’ Lovegrass, Johnsongrass, Bermuda grass, and KR Bluestem. Many of these species have been increasing for years despite our efforts to reduce them. So, what exactly causes this boom of these exotic grasses?
The key is timing of rainfall events. During an average month there should be vegetation covering the ground that is in its’ beginning, middle, or ending yearly cycle. It is not normal for well managed rangeland in Texas to be denuded of vegetation. When rains occur the established perennials and the new seedlings don’t have much competition for sunlight, moisture, or nutrients. But because of the impending dry months they don’t have much time to grow, mature and seed out.
So how does this help exotic grasses that have found their way to the Texas Hill Country? On an average year they must compete with natives for resources: space, sunlight, moisture, and nutrients. And since we have a lot of forbs that put out rosettes in November – January and then bust open with flowers and growth in early spring, exotics rarely get a clean slate come mid and late summer. During average rainfall years exotics can make headway because they are typically less palatable and nutritious, and livestock are chasing the natives. But, during average rainfall they must compete with native grass that have been growing through early summer waiting for the warm nights of mid-summer.
In 2022 and 2023, hardly any rain in the winter or spring resulted in an almost total absence of forbs and cool season grasses. Livestock and wildlife removed much of the previous year’s ground cover exposing the exotics to full sunlight and moisture when it came. Much of the nutrients that would have otherwise been tied up in spring plants was available for late summer grasses.
Normal rainfall patterns produce the most rain in the spring, followed by winter, then summer. The rainfall pattern we experienced in 2022 and 2023, although lower in total amount, was very similar to what is average in Southern Africa, where some of these plants came from. So once again, as land managers, we are humbled and reminded that our efforts, though well intentioned and scientifically supported, are futile without rain.
From the WMA:
Monitoring Nest Boxes
By: Jeff Forman, Wildlife Technician - Mason Mountain WMA
When is it ok to look inside nest boxes?
If you have built a nest box and placed it in a location that looks promising, you need to know this: Nesting birds are so determined to raise their young that they will tolerate moderate disturbances from humans. Periodically looking in the boxes is how we monitor our nesting birds’ progress on Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area. We have been keeping records since 2017, and over those years the same questions arise from landowners that want to duplicate our success. Here is a list of our frequently asked questions.
When do I need to set up my nest boxes?
Have them in place by the end of December, start looking inside them the last week of February. Keep the box free of wasp nests.
When do the birds lay their eggs?
Some species start laying in February, but most birds will start in March or April. If the weather is good, they may continue through July.
How long does it take a pair of birds to raise their young?
The nest building process can take 3-7 days. Females will lay typically 1 egg per day, totaling 3-5 eggs. The incubation period starts 1-3 days later and lasts for 12-15 days. The baby birds hatch and mature over the next 14-17 days, leaving the nest but still cared for by at least one parent for another two weeks. It is ok during this 6-week period to look in the nest boxes several times.
Click here for more information on nest boxes!
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Spotlight Animal
Plight of the Prairie Dog
By: Ryan Schmit, District 4 Leader
Black-tailed prairie dogs are smallish animals in the rodent family that live entirely underground. They weigh 1-3 pounds, measure ~16 inches, and are brown in color to match the ground. Whether in a city or a pasture, across the northwestern quarter of the state, these “dogs” are rarely seen. Prairie dogs are highly communicable and have a complex set whistles, yips and barks to ward off intruders or alert to dangers. They are extremely sociable, using a kiss to one other to renew bonds among town mates. The life cycle of prairie dogs begins in winter when breeding occurs. They produce 4-6 pups with a 50% survival rate, which is considered high among rodents. Females stay with the town while males either find a new town or parish.
Prairie dog towns are essential to a healthy prairie ecosystem and are considered a keystone species to these systems. Prairie dogs provide a variety of ecosystem services including a diet of grasses and forbs that keeps the vegetation growing and tender, their continuous grazing of woody species around the colony reduces brush cover, and soil disturbance from burrowing increases plant diversity. These activities benefit a diversity of wildlife species. The loss of prairie dogs on the landscape can cause severe changes to the Plains ecosystem.
Even though the species is considered a nuisance the benefits outweigh the negatives. This ionic species not only is a pleasure to see but you can also enjoy the fascinating ecosystem surrounding their towns. Currently TPWD is exploring restoration on former ranges that once had prairie dogs, and these efforts look promising. Hopefully more land will have prairie dogs reintroduced in the future adding a once plentiful species back to the Texas hill country.
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