B egin monitoring occupancy and nesting success of cavity nesting species in nest boxes in Juneand continue periodically throughout the summer months. Nest box usage by waterfowl shouldbe completed by mid to late June. Thedesired conditions involve saturated soil with little or no standing water. In July and August, monitor playas and other wetlands for botulism outbreaks. Notify TPWDpersonnel if disease problems are discovered.
M anaging roadsides or open areas is an easy way to provide valuable wildlife openings.
Mowing,disking, and fertilizing native vegetation along alternate lengths of roadside will often provide awide diversity of nutritious native forage at low cost. Mowing should be done on both sides ofthe road in late July and then again on only one side in March to protect nesting habitat. Lightlydisking and fertilizing different strips here and there in May and September will add to plantspecies diversity and vegetative cover. Cattle should be rotated out of pastures in time to allow for development of seedheads andvegetation which are important to quail as food items and cover during the coming winter ornesting cover next year. If a controlled burn for late winter is planned, cattle should be kept offthe pasture during the growing season to allow for development of adequate fuel.