Wildlife
Wildlife in The Woodlands
Life in The Woodlands brings the discovery and adventure of nature to our back door. The 1,800-acre George Mitchell Nature Preserve and more than 3,000 acres of open space reserves provide habitat for a diverse wildlife population. Many local species, like opossums, armadillos and hummingbirds, are unique to the Americas.
Nature photography, critter watching and butterfly gardening provide countless hours of recreation to residents of all ages. The diversity of birds, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, attracts birdwatchers from around the globe.
Wildlife are the native inhabitants of The Woodlands and perform a vital role in our environment. Living in harmony with foraging wildlife requires a little planning and sound property management.
Important Wildlife Phone Numbers
The Woodlands Township provides a list of important phone numbers for local agencies as a resource to community members who need assistance with wildlife issues and inquiries.Nature Lecture Series
Want to lean more about the unique species that inhabit our community? Join the Environmental Services Department for the Walk in the Woods Nature Lecture Series which features guest speakers presenting various topics ranging from bats and owls to hummingbirds and habitat gardening.
More than butterflies or hummingbirds, bees are the number one animal pollinator of food crops, wildflowers and ornamental plants. The Woodlands provides abundant habitat not only for colony dwelling, European honey bees, but also for innumerable species of solitary native bees.
Occasionally sighted in spring, a honey bee swarm signals that a queen has left the hive with a large number of workers to establish a new hive. When scouting for a site, the swarm may rest on a tree or side of a building. While alarming, swarming bees are generally not aggressive and will usually move on if left alone.
Due to pressures, honey bees and native pollinators are in decline. Planting to attract pollinators is a growing trend in gardening. Due to our comparatively mild winters, The Woodlands provides a year round home for honey bees as well as solitary native bees and bumble bees. Visit the links below to learn more about pollinators and pollinator gardens:
Occasionally sighted in spring, a honey bee swarm signals that a queen has left the hive with a large number of workers to establish a new hive. When scouting for a site, the swarm may rest on a tree or side of a building. While alarming, swarming bees are generally not aggressive and will usually move on if left alone.
Things to Remember
- Always use necessary safety precautions when around a swarm or hive.
- Swarming bees may form a large “ball” with the queen in the middle.
- The swarm is seeking a new home.
- Aggressive behavior is generally associated with defense of a hive. Swarming bees have not established a hive yet; there are no eggs or larvae to protect.
- Distinguishing between a bee and a wasp can be tricky; wasps can sting repeatedly as opposed to some bees that lose their stinger once it is used.
- Bees may build a hive in the hollow of a tree or in the eaves, behind loose boards in a wall or under the roof of a house or structure if they can gain access.
- Less than one percent of the population is allergic to bee stings. However, it is always better to be safe.
Bee Removal and Beekeeping Resources
- 3 Bee Guys: (844) 323-3489
- The Woodlands Bee Removal: (936) 523-0135
- GKW Farms: (281) 768-9900; (281) 593-5067
- The Bee Rustler: (936) 537-7126
- The Bee Wrangler: (832) 248-8313
- Bee Removal Source
- Montgomery County Beekeepers Association
- Urban Harvest
Pollinators
Due to pressures, honey bees and native pollinators are in decline. Planting to attract pollinators is a growing trend in gardening. Due to our comparatively mild winters, The Woodlands provides a year round home for honey bees as well as solitary native bees and bumble bees. Visit the links below to learn more about pollinators and pollinator gardens:
Graceful, long-legged water birds, egrets and herons nest communally in colonies called rookeries or heronries. Hundreds to tens of thousands of individuals representing three to five species come together during nesting season from late winter through mid summer. Despite abundant natural habitat, colonial nesting waterbirds have created a rookery in the Wedgewood Forest area. When wildlife loses its innate fear and adapts to close contact with humans, problems arise.
Egret Problem and Solution
Despite abundant natural habitat, colonial nesting waterbirds have created a rookery in the Wedgewood Forest area. When wildlife loses its innate fear and adapts to close contact with humans, problems arise.
Before egg laying, birds can be persuaded to move. In consultation with wildlife biologists, Parks and Recreation Department developed an Action Plan:
What You Can Do
It is impossible to predict where the egrets and herons will go. Residents should monitor tall trees, particularly at dawn and dusk. To persuade birds to move, try these techniques: making loud noises (banging pots and pans, drums, etc); using light and movement (strobe or laser lights, tennis balls tossed in air); using water (high pressure water hose, motion activated sprinklers).
NOTE: Once birds nest, they must be left alone. Protected by the Federal Migratory Birds Treaty Act, nesting birds, their young, eggs and active nests cannot be disturbed in any way under penalty of law.
Egret Problem and Solution
Despite abundant natural habitat, colonial nesting waterbirds have created a rookery in the Wedgewood Forest area. When wildlife loses its innate fear and adapts to close contact with humans, problems arise.
- In 2008, the colony had over 100 nests and an estimated 500 birds.
- Noise and odor from the volume of guano, regurgitated food and fallen nestlings are a nuisance and may pose a health concern.
- In December, birds begin nesting in tall trees, usually returning to a previous site with growing numbers each year.
Before egg laying, birds can be persuaded to move. In consultation with wildlife biologists, Parks and Recreation Department developed an Action Plan:
- Old nests were removed and trees were pruned at Wedgewood Park. Residents were advised to do likewise.
- When birds arrive, a combination of low-impact methods in a highly randomized pattern will be used to make the area undesirable to them.
- Broadcasting distress and predator calls, laser lights and water may be used to discourage nesting in the residential area.
- Some noise is unavoidable.
It is impossible to predict where the egrets and herons will go. Residents should monitor tall trees, particularly at dawn and dusk. To persuade birds to move, try these techniques: making loud noises (banging pots and pans, drums, etc); using light and movement (strobe or laser lights, tennis balls tossed in air); using water (high pressure water hose, motion activated sprinklers).
NOTE: Once birds nest, they must be left alone. Protected by the Federal Migratory Birds Treaty Act, nesting birds, their young, eggs and active nests cannot be disturbed in any way under penalty of law.