2023 Bioblitz planning
We have lots of really amazing Texas (and Oklahoma) locations in the planning stages for 2023 and on into 2024.
This Google map documents location of past, planned, and potential bioblitz gatherings:
Date(s) to avoid:
- Apr 28-May 1: City Nature Challenge
- Oct 12-15: Master Naturalist conference in McAllen
2023 event locations in the planning stages (that I'm aware of):
- May 19-21: Powderhorn WMA
- May 27-28: Robert Walker Ranch, near Glen Rose (hosted by Rio Brazos Master Naturalists). Email host if planning to attend for liability form. Detailed info here.
- May 27: Old Camp Leroy Shuman in Lake Worth
- June 24 weekend: Timberlake Field Station
- September 15-17: Independence Creek and Diamond Y (Nature Conservancy properties)
Kommentit
Replying so I can keep up with planning...
Great map, Russell!
These are great! Thanks for scouting out locations that aren't 9 hours away from Lubbock.
all the named places sound awesome to me. I can't commit at this time though.
already on your map, but I'll just plug Independence Creek Preserve and Davis Mountains Preserve. Both are Nature Conservancy properties so we'd have to get permission, but they look awesome. Haven't been to either (except for the publicly accessible part of Davis Mountains Preserve which is great). Both are probably farther for most though. I've also heard Clymer Meadows is cool, but never been
Love the ideas!
One place that's really cool and has camping is Davis Mountain Preserve - Nature Conservancy. They might entertain a special group event.
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/davis-mountains-preserve/#link02
No one has to twist my arm to go to SW Texas. LOVE the Davis Mts. I did my own little bioblitz of a 6000 acre property in Iraan, just north of the Independence Creek Preserve back in June of 2019. So much cool stuff out there! Would love to go again. Maybe we could hit this area in the fall?
Kudos on the map, Russell!
I'm interested in Davis also. Never been.
I'm a herp guy so the Davis mountains would be fantastic. Lodging in the general area is a bit tight (and the hotel at the state park is closed for 2023 apparently).
👀 I'll be watching... Need to put a REAL bioblitz on my calendar before I start twitching and gasping for air.
Does anyone have any connections at The Nature Conservancy? I just sent an email to the lady in charge of Davis Mountains Preserve to see if it's possible, but would help if we had any connections.
@devinpedraza @isaaceastland @gwaithir @abbyh09 @madisonruther @immortalwhat @brandonmeadows
@knightericm I have a couple of contacts. Once we know more info, I can reach out and include Russell on the email.
Charlotte Reemts would be the person I would contact as well as Kaylee.
Also, the Texas Society for Ecological Restoration is tossing around the idea of having the next annual meeting in Alpine next November. That may be an excellent overlap for a lot of us.
Oh cool, thanks Jamie. I emailed Kaylee so hopefully that gets the message across. I'll keep you posted.
FYI @rlhardin @eric_keith
Davis Mountains and or that area is a primary interest in an area that I want to visit. Or even further west/south like around Big Bend Ranch State Park. Especially since I missed the Elephant Mountain gathering.
Love @kimberlietx comment: "Need to put a REAL bioblitz on my calendar before I start twitching and gasping for air."!
I was at Davis Mtns Preserve (the public part) in August. I was hoping to see about planning a spring event there. It's pretty bleak out there in the fall. If we do Powderhorn this spring, I was thinking next spring for Davis Mtns.
Is there any planning for a post-monsoon rains date at Davis? Or is it too unpredictable?
I doubt anything weather related is predictable now-a-days....but hopefully the folks at Davis Mtns Preserve could give us a better idea--if they're interested in hosting us. We'll see what @baxter-slye's contacts say.
@inhat83
I would think October would be a good time in Davis Mountains. Big Bend is usually great after the rains around that time.
Kaylee at TNC Davis Mountains Preserve seems intrigued and said she's going to ask some others if a bioblitz would be ok. Likely won't hear until after the holidays.
No ideas but I'm itching to get back to Texas!
@rkostecke
Welp, the Davis Mountains Preserve contact said they've already had extensive biological surveys done for the preserve so they weren't that interested, BUT they said it might be possible to do a bioblitz at one of their less surveyed preserves such as Dolan Falls (on Devil's River) or Marathon Grasslands Preserve (never heard of this one but she says it's 2700 acres). Thoughts?
Thanks @knightericm!
Marathon Grasslands info here:
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/marathon-grasslands-preserve/
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=30.337635435246067&nelng=-103.10376700332695&place_id=any&subview=map&swlat=30.280282765000187&swlng=-103.16642340591484
Dolan Falls here:
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/dolan-falls-preserve/
And a PDF map showing both here:
https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/Trans_Pecos_Map.pdf
And here's a link to a straw poll survey where you can vote. This would likely be for fall 2023 (early October):
https://forms.gle/7VxTM2aQZ8qD1tNU6
Wow! Those both look very interesting. Dolan Falls might be more diverse, but very far from resources and lodging for those who aren't camping. They are both closed to the public, which is cool!
@pfau_tarleton I'm also asking her about potential for Independence Creek Preserve and Diamond Y Springs Preserves. We'll see what she says.
Also worth mentioning, the Davis Mountains Preserve has several open weekends in 2023 that require no reservations. So we wouldn't get any special treatment, but still an option I guess: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/volunteer-and-attend-events/find-local-events-and-opportunities/tx-davis-mountains-open-days/
2023 Open Events:
No reservation required! All dates are Open Weekend Events with overnight camping available from 8:00am Friday – 5:00pm Sunday:
March 17-19, 2023
June 2-4, 2023
August 25-27, 2023
October 20-22, 2023
They weren't that interested in US? Do they know who we are???
FWIW, the master naturalist conference this year is Oct 12-15th in McAllen. (So it doesn't conflict with the Davis Mts October date if we go that direction)
haha, @bosqueaaron clearly not. my marketing skills are subpar so if someone else wants to take a crack at it, feel free :)
Good one, @bosqueaaron ! 😂
I second Old Sabine Bottom. It's a great fishing place.
This state ain't big enough for us! So we're Oklahoma-bound! Hickory Creek WMA/State Game Management Area, to be specific. It's just across the Red River east of I-35.
They just completed a controlled burn, so this spring would be ideal time.
Sounds great! If we're expanding our horizons interstate, I've got connections at the Ouachita Mountains Biological Station near Mena, AR and the Wallace Lake BS a little south of Shreveport to throw into the hat for sometime in the future.
http://www.theombs.org/index.htm
Pending dates I can probably make Hickory Creek. Looks like Marietta nearby has some lodging
Hickory Creek looks good. Should be able to go unless we have a workday planned.
@bosqueaaron Sounds great! I live an hour away from Shreveport, so Wallace Lake sounds good.
Help? Planning my spring. Is there anything definitely set up for us to meet in the near future?
What I've seen so far is CNC April 28-May 1 and Powderhorn May 19, 20, 21.
There's also a River Cleanup/camping/mothing/talks and hikes Robert Walker's ranch just southeast of Glen Rose all of Memorial Day weekend. If anyone wants more info on that, message me.
Following.
Powderhorn is a "go"...journal post here: https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/pfau_tarleton/74880
nice! FYI, TNC is still considering whether Diamond Y Springs or Independence Creek would be open to us for a bioblitz. I'll keep y'all posted.
Well great news to report. TNC has added Diamond Y Springs and Independence Creek Preserves to options for our Bioblitz on the condition that no aquatic surveying or sampling occur due to endangered species and the fact that the aquatic resources of both have been thoroughly researched already. But sounds like we would have permission on the rest of the properties. Thoughts?
They also relayed that the TNC freshwater team said specifically they’d love to hear about the adult Odonates present at Diamond Y if anyone studies them. @jcochran706 that would be you right? @pfau_tarleton not sure where this fits in on the schedule, but let me know what i should reply with. TNC will just need to know which location we're interested in out of Diamond Y, Independence Creek, Dolan Falls, or Marathon Grasslands. My vote would be either Diamond Y or Independence Creek for what it's worth. We can also do them all at separate times I would assume.
@knightericm Sounds like excellent news! Both places, DY and IC, look great for exploring. I really enjoy the odonates, and often focus on those wherever I go, but @brentano may already have some odonate experience in that part of the state, too.
Are there any iNaturalist projects established for these sites? I didn't find any with a search.
This spring is filling up with events pretty rapidly, so we'll need to contemplate the timing--one major trip in spring and one in fall is about all most folks can accomodate.
Here's a map of Diamond Y Springs Preserve and general location of Independence Creek (~100 mi apart):
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1a3L_QOsZVHhN23IVojiZIYTNRXUmfhg&usp=sharing
And a link to iNat observations:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?locale=en&nelat=31.04344120770996&nelng=-102.88489835655918&place_id=any&preferred_place_id=1&subview=map&swlat=30.994746791572016&swlng=-102.93090360558261
And to Nature Conservancy website:
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/diamond-y-spring-preserve/#link01
Independence Creek Preserve is a neat place, but has a lot more iNat observations than DY. We should plan to visit both, eventually.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?locale=en&nelat=30.51878129817451&nelng=-101.69838558040186&place_id=any&preferred_place_id=1&subview=map&swlat=30.409550021240783&swlng=-101.85575044161963
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/independence-creek-preserve/#link01
Boy, there are some really cool herps at those places!
I vote Diamond Y maybe 2nd or 3rd week of Sep.
Yes, I think we're settling in on Diamond Y for fall (or try to squeeze in both as many folks will be passing more or less near the other en route). We also want to visit both at some point in the future in the spring season.
2nd or 3rd weekend of september should work for me too.
I should make Diamond Y on the third weekend of Sep, but the second weekend is a bit too close to a moth festival for me. I'm helping the National Butterfly Center with their inaugural Texas moth festival, a bit similar to the Texas Butterfly Festival, only for moths. Sep 1-4. Publicity should be available by end of Feb, but if anybody is interested in preliminary details they can contact me via iNat or at jcochran706@comcast.net Definitely would be interested in input from this community on that event.
If we do Diamond Y is there any problem with staying at a hotel in Ft Stockton?
@williampaulwhite17 That's what I was planning to do.
FYI, @gcwarbler has two events planned in March. Please see his journal post to RSVP for those:
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/gcwarbler/75230-a-couple-of-upcoming-march-2023-activities
@alisonnorthup, @amzapp, @aprilsee, @arnanthescout, @bacchusrock, @baxter-slye, @benjamindurrington, @birdsandbugs27, @butterflies4fun, @centratex, @charley, @clairesorenson, @cmeckerman, @cosmiccat, @currenfrasch, @elytrid, @eaneubauer, @gwaithir, @inhat83, @k_mccormack, @k8thegr8, @knightericm, @landoniousmonk, @lorimalloy, @lovebirder, @megachile, @melissa_duron, @nanofishology, @oddfitz, @pynklynx, @rkostecke, @rlhardin, @rymcdaniel, @squaylei2000, @tadamcochran, @wildcarrot, @williampaulwhite17
I went out to SW Texas last spring including the Ft. Davis area, it was a good trip. It was a bit dry which was unfortunate, so picking places that have surface water would be a good idea if it's dry this year. Looking forward to whatever though.
I am familiar with all of the TNC properties mentioned. Diamond Y is most interesting aquatically and has a few rare plants. There could be some ode surprises there. Terrestrially, it is mostly creosote flats with the draw where the springs are located adding some structural diversity. It is not far from Fort Stockton, so that would be the logical jumping off point. There used to be a house on the property, but I am not sure what state it is in and there might not be any water or electricity on site. Independence Creek is awesome. I have done extensive work out there. Incredibly diverse. Insects and other invertebrates would be the least sampled groups there. Aquatics, mammals, birds, and herps have received quite a bit of attention (from researchers, college classes, etc.). Independence Creek has a bunkhouse and some other lodging and there would be access to showers, kitchen, fridge, etc. It has the added bonus of some nice swimming holes. Marathon Grasslands is another cool place at the foot of the Glass Mountains. It has a big prairie dog town which attracts a lot of raptors including burrowing owls, pronghorn, etc. Other than birds to some extent, it really has not been inventoried. The town of Marathon is not far, so that could be a jumping off point. There is a house on site that could likely at least provide access to a kitchen and shower depending on what state it is in. Dolan Falls on the Devils River is absolutely incredible! Quite diverse. The only place I have ever experiences a moth-nado! They have facilities there, mostly screened in bunk houses with cots, but there is a communal, fully equipped kitchen. The trick with Dolan Falls is that you need high clearance at minimum to get in (have to cross the river) and depending on conditions 4WD could be necessary. Since the preserve borders the State Natural Area, it might be possible to use their bunk facilities as well. Davis Mountains is great, and I would argue way bleaker in spring than in fall based on my field work experience out there (I have done extensive bird surveys). Some of the most incredible mothing I have experienced was out there last fall. But, it is an extremely popular site (the demand for access is extremely high) and there has been extensive research and inventory across the board out there. Anyway, depending on the dates, I assume this would be a fall event. If I can be present, then as a former long-time TNC employee who has worked on many of these properties, my presence might facilitate access. And my familiarity with most of these properties could help point folks in the right direction.
I can't do anything in March but I'm down for any of that in September depending on family issues that are ongoing. Dolan falls may be challenging logistically given what you're saying about the need for high clearance AWD though
I've already pulled loose a car battery cable bumping around Devil's River. I will gladly attend anything else that doesn't require off-road capabilities. =)
I'll also be at the butterfly gathering in the first week of September.
Thanks @rkostecke, we're communicating with TNC staff now to arrange for Independence Creek with a day excursion to Diamond Y. Will announce when finalized.
The dates have been set for the fall West Texas bioblitz at Independence Creek and Diamond Y!
Journal post here:
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/pfau_tarleton/76482
@prairie_rambler
@jellyfishmambo
@melindawpajak
I've been adjusting the way I do things ahead of this season. I'll continue to do daylight photography, but will add collecting in the dark. My goals are to reliably get better Lycosid photos, especially ventral views, and at the same time have less impact on the ecosystem. Expect to see some little numbered flags around so I can get the spiders back exactly where I found them. Does it really matter? Don't know. An observation made with the help of some redesigned photo aids:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153164856
This is one of several species that I can field ID this year that I couldn't last year.
I haven't heard of anything scheduled for June, so I've been contemplating inviting folks to Timberlake Field Station the weekend of June 24th. We now have two brand new (air conditioned) bunkhouses which sleep 12 each, in addition to the cabin that was there originally.
Yes, please!
I was contemplating a trip up to San Saba already since there's Pardosa vadosa in the river there, so I'll just postpone for a while. It will be interesting to see what's along the Colorado River, too. I never made it to Colorado Bend State Park either.
Yes, that would be great!
@pfau_tarleton It is on my calendar! Been hoping for another trip that way. Especially if I can reserve my "suite".
Interested
Sounds good, Russell!
I plan on going to Old Camp Leroy Shuman in Lake Worth, but am interested in Roger Fawcett WMA if the date aligns with my schedule. A couple of the other ones interest me as well, but I’ll be traveling for work. 🤨
@pfau_tarleton I might go to that one
June 24th is a go for me. Is there a signup place for that one?
@currenfrasch
I still have Timberlake Field Station the weekend of June 24th penciled in on my calendar.
Is there any info on the Walker Ranch bioblitz next week? Do we need to register, show up at a particular time and place, etc?
@bosqueaaron, is there a journal post with info about the Robert Walker Ranch event?
@pfau_tarleton, @observerjosh
There wasn't one that I knew of, so I made one really quick with the basic info.
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/bosqueaaron/80234-little-l-ranch-walker-ranch-bioblitz-and-river-cleanup-info
Here are some events coming up in Dallas/Fort Worth in June/July! :) All are open to anyone!
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/sambiology/80251-events-and-gatherings-in-near-dfw-in-june-and-july
Details about 23-25 June at Timberlake Biological Field Station are posted here:
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/pfau_tarleton/80697
If anyone is interested in coming out to Clifton for a Moth Week event, let me know on this journal post!
https://www.inaturalist.org/posts/81650-national-moth-week-july-22-30#activity_comment_beed95ae-32f0-4dce-a6ec-4aa5f8ea9657
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