National Wildlife Refuges along the Gulf of Mexico were hit hard by hurricanes this September, according to the Wildlife Management Institute. The 20-foot storm surge that hit the Texas Coast in front of Hurricane Ike inundated wetlands in the Texas Chenier Plain National Wildlife Refuge Complex with saltwater that killed vegetation and littered the ground with debris.

Two of the refuges in the complex, Anahuac and McFaddin, also are contending with oil spills from drilling equipment in the Gulf. Beyond ecological damage, the four refuges in the Complex (Anahuac, Texas Point, Moody and McFaddin) had almost all facilities demolished.

The destruction could have significant impacts to waterfowl, with early migrants, such as blue-winged teal, arriving to find limited forage and cover. More than 27 species of ducks, including teal, gadwall, shovelers and northern pintail, and as many as 80,000 snow geese flock to the area from October to March. While historically, the birds could move to other wetland areas along the coast, development and impacts from other Gulf storms has resulted in limited habitat. In addition, wetland conservation projects by groups that have protected large areas of private lands in the area also were wiped out by storm surges.

Rainfall in the coming weeks and months are needed to flush the systems and allow the vegetation to recover. If the area receives enough precipitation, waterfowl arriving later this month hopefully will find a more hospitable place to winter. (jas)