HAS Predator Control of Colonial

Waterbird Rookery Islands

Project Description: The purpose of this agreement is to provide funding to support the management of waterbird colonies on the Texas Gulf Coast. Funds will be used to increase productivity of waterbird colonies on the Texas Coast by removing predators from colonial waterbird colonies and taking active management measures on islands as necessary.  Funds will be used to monitor Texas coastal waterbird colonies for predators and remove predators using appropriate management techniques when necessary.  Efforts will be focused on island sanctuaries all along the coast, including: North Deer Island, Rollover Bay, Smith Point Islands in Galveston Bay, Sundown Island in Matagorda Bay, and Green Island on the South Coast.  Unfortunately, erosion and subsidence have greatly reduced the number of islands in our bays and colonial waterbird populations are now concentrated on just a few islands.  Too often, mammalian predators are able to swim out to these islands and greatly reduce nesting success or cause colonial waterbirds to abandon the site entirely.  The requested funds will be used to monitor the colonial waterbird colonies during the breeding season, and initiate management practices identified..

Audubon is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which now leases more than 14,000 acres and manages the major breeding colonies in each bay system along the Texas coast.  Audubon’s coastal sanctuaries host the largest Reddish Egret and Roseate Spoonbill colonies in the world, along with ninety-eight percent of Texas’ endangered Brown Pelicans.  The majority of Texas’ colonial waterbirds depend on sanctuary islands for their survival. 

Partners:  Texas Audubon, & the Texas Coastal Program

Total Contribution of all Partners:    $ 10,000