Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge is a stop for migratory waterfowl flying between Canada and Mexico. The refuge includes several intermittent salt lakes, some of which have been modified to extend their wet periods. Paul's Lake, on the east side of Highway 214, is spring-fed, and hosts wildlife during times when the other lakes are dry. If sufficient water is present during the winter, the refuge hosts tens of thousands of sandhill cranes. The largest number of cranes ever recorded was 250,000, during February, 1981.
Other wildlife includes wood warblers, meadowlarks, raptors, burrowing owls, black-tailed prairie dogs, jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, coyotes, black-footed ferrets, spotted chorus frogs, and badgers.
The prairie ecosystem includes plant life such as wildflowers, grasses, yucca, cacti, and mesquite. Rangeland management techniques include controlled burning and grazing.
Northeast of White Lake is a small area of white gypsum dunes, similar to those found at White Sands National Park in New Mexico, though these are much less expansive.
-
Entrance to Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge
-
Sandhill cranes in flight, Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge
-
Upper Goose Lake, Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge
-
Official map of refuge
See also
- Grulla National Wildlife Refuge
- Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Blackwater Draw
- Llano Estacado
References
- ^ Lively, Jeanne F. "Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
- ^ "Proclamation 2416". Wikisource. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
- ^ "National Natural Landmarks - National Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
Year designated: 1980
- ^ Webber, Tammy (September 9, 2021). "Farmers restore native grasslands as groundwater disappears". AP News. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
External links
- Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge Official Site
- Handbook of Texas Online: Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge
- Public domain images of the Llano Estacado