Winter Wildlife Watching

Try wildlife watching in winter, when you can spot small mammals, birds that are only here in winter, and nesting birds. The bonus is trees are bare – giving you a clear view. Use iNaturalist to find where to look for your favorites and these 5 winter winners: 

1. Thousands of sandhill cranes overwinter at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge.
2. A variety of waterfowl is all over Texas, including at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. 
3. Bald eagles nest in winter – report nest sightings.
4. Great blue herons nest in winter. Watch for trees on waterways with multiple nests, and see our short video Urban Nests.
5. Endangered whooping cranes spend winter in Texas – report sightings.

When you report wildlife sightings, you support conservation as a citizen scientist. Find out more in the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine story Citizen Scientists Are an Essential Part of Research in Texas.