b'C o m m u n i t ydirectly within the Central Flyway, which is one of fourwintering, and migratory birds to include passerines major avian flyways in North America.Every year, bil- (perchingbirds),shorebirds,wadingbirds,raptors, lions of migratory birds fly 500-600 miles (26-80-hourandwaterfowl.HabitattypesintheWhitecapNa-flights) across the Gulf of Mexico as they head north.turePreservewillincludeponds,wetlands,marsh-Spring migration (March-June with peak migration ines, coastal prairies, live oak woodlands, Tamaulipan April) is also a time when climatic fronts (northers) andthornscrub woodlands, palm grove woodlands, ripar-rain force migrants to the ground. Padre and Mustangian woodlands, and coastal mixed woodlands. Islands are the first landform these migrants meet, andBirdsarenottheonlymigrantsthatmovethrough as such, serve as critical fallout sites if groundings oc- South Texas. About half-a-million Monarch butterflies cur. Migratory songbirds rely on woodlands and similarmigrate through Texas annually. Of the 732 species of habitats to protect them from the weather and frombutterflies recorded in North America (north of Mexico), predators. Once the wind and/or rain subsides, these442 have been recorded in Texas, making it the most emaciated birds must forage so they can continue ondiverse butterfly state in the nation. Over 124 species to the next leg of their journey north. Ornithologistsof butterflies and moths have been recorded in Nueces have recognized these migratory fallout or stopoverCounty alone! Special emphasis has been placed on in-habitats as being critical to their survival.corporating numerous groves of native pollinator plants Didyouknowthatthereare338speciesofNearc- into the Whitecap Nature Preserve design.tic-Neotropical migrants in North America (north ofThere is no doubt that the Whitecap Nature Preserve Mexico) and 333 (or 98%) of these migrants have beenwill provide significant conservation benefits to wild-reportedinSouth Texas?Popularmigrantsongbirdlife. This project mirrors the Texas Parks and Wildlife species include the Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting,DepartmentsTexasWildscapesplan,whichin-Baltimore Oriole, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-and-white War- volves restoring and conserving wildlife habitat in ur-bler,CommonYellowthroat,NorthernWaterthrush,ban areas by developing wildlife habitats where peo-TennesseeWarbler,OrchardOriole,ScarletTanager,ple live, work, and play. This coastal nature preserve EasternKingbird,SummerTanager,Yellow-breastedproject will provide significant conservation and edu-Chat, and so many more. cation outreach opportunities for the general public,Top: One of numerous man-made ponds at Whitecap The Whitecap Nature Preserve will focus on creatingwhile creating a sanctuary of serenity and connectionNPI that will provide new birding habitat; Above: Over a a variety of native habitats to be used by resident,to nature for residents and guests of Whitecap NPI. half-million Monarch butterflies migrate through Texas.64THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE TheCoastalBend.com'