June 29, 2010

All eyes on the Gulf of Mexico as Alex intensifies

TPWD and other state agencies are gearing up for a possible Thursday land fall of Alex, which forecasters say likely will be a Category 1 hurricane by then. As of Tuesday morning, Alex was still just a tropical storm, but it was expected to gain strength over the warm waters of the gulf as it moves northwest. The National Weather Service’s projected storm path showed it coming in just south of Brownsville, which would put the more damaging eastern edge of the storm on the Texas side of the Rio Grande. Up to a foot of rain was considered possible for South Texas, with forecasters comparing Alex to Hurricane Dolly in 2008.  

Gov. Perry approved the activation of 2,500 Texas Army National Guard troops for possible hurricane-related duty and our Law Enforcement Division was asked to have 50 Game Wardens in Weslaco by 4 p.m. Tuesday along with 20 airboats and 30 shallow-draft vessels for possible search and rescue work. State Parks, Coastal Fisheries and Wildlife also were readying for possible evacuation of TPWD facilities.

The only good news is that it did not appear that Alex would have any major impact on the ongoing drilling of the two relief wells at the disaster site off Louisiana or the clean up efforts.

This week’s TPWD video on YouTube

This week’s video features the Texas release of Louisiana pelicans impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The brown pelicans, along with a Forrester tern, were transported to the Aransas National Wildlife refuge near Rockport. Watch their release at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvNB7xMkfVA

TPWD radio this week

Just in time for the Independence Day holiday, Passport to Texas looks at boating safety and fireworks in state parks. The department’s Passport to Texas radio series airs on about 100 Texas stations each weekday. See the series Web site to listen to this month’s episodes or find out where to hear the series (https://passporttotexas.org/).  

More spill-rehabbed brown pelicans released in Texas

As oil continues to gush from the mile-deep Deepwater Horizon spill, two more groups of rehabilitated brown pelicans have been released at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Seventy-two birds were released Sunday. Corpus Christi-based Alex Nunez, a member of the TPWD Kills and Spills Team, continues to observe and document the releases, which are being led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Andy Tirpak out of Dickinson also has been involved.

Sunday’s release brought the total to 171 pelicans that are now Texas birds.

“Was nice watching the birds leave the cages, fly off,  settle down, preen for a bit and then take off in 2’s and 3’s on to better days,” Tirpak wrote in an email to HQ staff. “Practicing the original Star Trek Vulcan ritual greeting of “Live long and prosper!” somehow seemed appropriate.”

Upcoming Events

July 4, 2010 — First Sunday Butterfly Haiku Hike — Government Canyon SNA —Take part in a special butterfly count as we immerse ourselves in the natural world and creative writing. Led by local poet Mobi Warren, it includes an introduction to haiku, a three-mile hike, and quiet time sitting along the trail to write. If you have one, you might also like to bring along a Texas butterfly guide as we'll be counting butterflies at the same time we're counting syllables for haiku. Open to ages 14 and older; no pets please; group size limited to six; wear sturdy shoes, bring at least a quart of water, a journal to write in, and, if desired, a snack. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; reservations recommended. For reservation or more information, e-mail reservations@friendsofgc.org. Include name, e-mail address or telephone number for each reservation. Subject to cancellation. (210) 688-9055, ext 291

July 17, 2010 — Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Expo — Texas Freshwater Fisheries, Athens, TX   When the 12th annual Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Expo comes to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center July 17, there will be more to do than just look at 2010’s best student-rendered artwork of fishes. For more information click here.