Texas Parks and Wildlife officials are again urging anglers and boaters to avoid islands covered with large congregations of nesting birds to help prevent further population declines.
Known as rookery islands, these small islands provide breeding homes for thousands of coastal birds each season, including brown pelicans, roseate spoonbills, reddish egrets, and other species in Texas bays.
“When approached too closely by boaters or people wading nearby, birds are frightened off their nests, leaving eggs and chicks exposed to the summer sun, which can cause them to overheat,” said Trey Barron, a diversity biologist with TPWD.
The Texas Colonial Waterbird Society, a large partnership of federal and state agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations, recommends that people fish, swim, and play at least 50 yards from rookery islands to minimize unintentional disturbances.
In addition, TPWD issued a reminder to properly dispose of fishing lines, tackle, and other waste to ensure birds, turtles, and other wildlife do not become entangled, injured, or killed.
