Dr. Ray Buchanan
Master Gardener, Master Naturalist
A Natural Resource Treasure On The Colorado River
The Highland Lake Master Naturalists proclaimed January to be “Eagle Month” in celebration of the Eagle as a natural resource treasure on the Colorado River. At their monthly meeting Charles Tischler, Eagle Count Coordinator from Austin, explained that the 23 mile corridor along the Colorado River between the Colorado Bend State Park and Garret Island sustains one of the most significant habitats in Texas for wintering American Bald Eagles.
After leaving their nesting areas in the north, Eagles bring their young to such areas where fish are available in waters surrounded by rugged cliffs and thick forests. The Master Naturalists verified the value of this river habitat during the Ultimate Eagle Count on Saturday, 12 January where at least 6 young eagles were sighted. After a count of 10 on the next Saturday, about 55 members of the organization spotted another half-dozen young and mature eagles during an outing on Wednesday the 23rd.
Whether or not the natural habitat on both sides of the river can be sustained in the face of pressure from developers (particularly after the sale of huge areas of land from the Goodrich Ranch) has become a challenge to all who live along the Colorado River corridor which contains one of our most valuable resource treasurers.
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