Waterfowl research

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with the USGS and the University of Georgia in conducting waterfowl research, primarily on blue winged teal.  During the next 3 weeks crews will be attempting to capture blue winged teal in TX and LA.  Capture days in this area will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Capture sites will be varying each day between Beaumont and Anahuac NWR.  The remaining days of the week, crews will be at other locations in Louisiana.  Birds will be aged, sexed, banded, and sampled for various avian diseases.  Crews will attempting to capture birds using rocket nets and volunteers are welcome to come and assist.  Sites will be muddy and water could be as deep as 2 feet, so dress and plan accordingly.  If capture attempts are successful, volunteers can help with removing birds from the nets, holding birds while banding and sampling occurs, and releasing birds.  We will attempt to capture birds anytime they cooperate between 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM.  If capture times shift for the following days, an email will be sent out.  

Emails will be sent out each night with directions as to where the crews will be banding the following day.  

Assembly sites are:

Beaumont @ Tyrrell Park - Drive to the back of the park and crews will be waiting at the Cattail marsh parking lot.

Link with Directions http://www.beaumontcvb.com/listings/index.cfm?action=display&listingID=7&menuID=381&hit=1

Anahuac Refuge - Assembly location will be Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge Entrance on FM 1985.  

Any further questions should be directed to Stephanie Martinez, Volunteer Coordinator @stephanie_martinez@fws.gov.  I will not be available for email because I will be in the field most days.   

Thank you

-- 

Patrick Walther

Wildlife Biologist

Texas Chenier Plain Refuge Complex

Anahuac, McFaddin, Texas Point, & Moody