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Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (HNWR), a haven for migratory birds and other wildlife, lies in northwestern Grayson County, Texas, on the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma, on the Red River between Oklahoma and Texas. This National Wildlife Refuge is made up of water, marsh, and upland habitat. Visitors can hike, observe wildlife, hunt, and fish throughout the year. The main focus at HNWR is providing a winter home for thousands of waterfowl. The Canada goose is the predominant species; the population of this species can exceed 7,500 during fall, winter and spring. Other species include the greater white-fronted and snow goose, with a scattering of the smaller Ross's goose. ==Wildlife and habitat== HNWR is located in a transitional zone between two major vegetational areas known as blackland prairies and Eastern Cross Timbers. The blackland prairies, consisting of black, waxy, clay soils are found to the east and south of HNWR, while the sandy soils of the Eastern Cross Timbers are located west of the refuge. Of the that make up them, approximately are classified as wetlands and are uplands. Of the uplands, are grasslands, are woodlands, and are croplands with as administrative lands. Management of their habitats involves a variety of techniques to control and enhance habitat conditions. The primary objective of habitat management is to provide wildlife species with diverse habitats to meet a variety of requirements for resting, feeding and nesting. Habitat is fundamental for self-sustaining populations of wildlife and plants as well as for functional ecosystems. The goal of HNWR is to conserve wildlife species by protecting and restoring the habitat on which they depend. HNWR supports a diversity of plants and animals of the Red River Basin. These species, including plants, game and nongame vertebrates, and invertebrates, are important contributors to the overall biodiversity at them. Conservation of migratory birds is often considered the central connecting theme of the refuge system. Approximately 50 species of waterfowl and other migratory game birds have been priorities since the 1930s. It was established to provide habitat for "migratory birds and other wildlife," such as ducks, shorebirds, geese and cranes. Species that depend on them, especially during the winter or as migratory bird stopover habitats include bald eagles, snow geese, Ross’ geese, Canada geese and white-fronted geese. They have documented 316 species of birds, 34 species of mammals, 65 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 62 species of fish. Management of many of these species remains a collaborative effort with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Its rich mixture of tallgrass prairie, riverine bottomland hardwood forest, and wetland habitats also support other rare and declining migratory birds, particularly neotropical songbirds and federally listed species. They also represents the largest tract of contiguous native habitat in Grayson County. HNWR is located within the Central Flyway, a route traveled annually by numerous species of waterfowl and other migratory birds. The refuge enjoys a reputation as a premier bird watching destination in North Texas. Although a total of 316 bird species have been recorded on the refuge since it was established in 1946, recent surveys show 273 different bird species are regularly found at HNWR, of which 80 species nest and 193 are migratory. Painted buntings, cardinals, scissor-tailed flycatchers, blue grosbeaks, eastern meadowlarks, northern mockingbirds, blue jays, and red-bellied woodpeckers are common nesting birds. Neotropical migrants such as warblers, tyrant flycatchers, tanagers, orioles, sparrows, and others pass through them each spring and fall with many of these species remaining to nest. Game birds on the refuge include the mourning dove, northern bobwhite and wild turkey. Many declining species either occasionally or commonly occur on the refuge including the American golden plover, prothonotary warbler, painted bunting and Hudsonian godwit. The refuge attracts 15 species of raptors during the fall and spring migration period including the osprey, rough-legged buzzard and Swainson's hawk, hen harrier, sharp-shinned hawk and Cooper's hawk. The refuge provides excellent wintering habitat for bald eagles, particularly along Lake Texoma. Nesting raptors include the red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, hen harrier, Mississippi kite, American kestrel, and the broad-winged hawk. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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