 Roseate Spoonbills
Fall weather gets wildlife moving. Butterflies and birds are migrating here or passing through on their way south, and you're likely to see more of local mammals and reptiles now that the heavy heat has ended.
This bonanza is even better around water, and boardwalks make it easy for you to go wildlife watching in wetlands and bayous. They're like sidewalks over the water! See some of our favorite boardwalks below, and find more in the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine story Top 10 Texas Boardwalks for Viewing Wildlife.
Birds of the Laguna Madre video
 Eastern Fox Squirrel
Native oak trees are a keystone species. They support more life forms than any other native tree genus in North America. Many bird species come to Texas in spring to feast on caterpillars in oaks. Their acorns are food for songbirds, turkeys, deer and others. They also provide nesting material and sites, shelter and more.
Lucky for us, many different oaks grow well in the Lone Star State, so consider adding one (or another one) to your property. Check out the native Texas oaks in the Texas A&M Texas Tree Planting Guide. To find which ones grow best in your area, cross-reference your choices with our Wildscapes: Plant Guidance by Ecoregion.
Defintions: Keystone Species
A keystone species has an unusually large effect on its natural environment. It acts like a keystone in a Roman arch — the crucial piece that holds everything together. An ecosystem typically collapses if its keystone species is removed.
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