Wildlife and water ways

Looking out across the neighborhoods, retail centers and business areas of Valley Ranch, it’s hard to envision a time in which our part of Irving looked dramatically different.

Last fall, we kicked off the second year of IFCD 3’s WaterWays blog with a historic snapshot of the development of Valley Ranch. While focused more on what led to the development of the flood control district, it helps provide context to the largely untouched land prior to the creation of the Valley Ranch we know today.

A part of Valley Ranch’s heritage includes a somewhat unique connection with wildlife. Like many relationships, it’s a mix of appreciation for natural beauty and its supporting habitat to recognition of some uncontrollable inconveniences and conflicts.

Nearly a decade ago, the community and District became aware of what appeared to be an increasing number of turtles and a decreasing number of ducklings. IFCD 3 requested that Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) investigate this situation. After an on-site meeting and review of the canal ecosystem, a TPW urban wildlife biologist delivered an assessment of the situation. Key points of the review included:

• While not pleasant, predation of ducklings by turtles is expected and normal.
• Data indicates the overall duckling survival rate in nature is low, as many animals prey on these young birds.
• Ducklings attract human interaction because of their cuteness, yet special treatment causes them to gather as a flock, making them more of a target to predation.

While the TPW professional indicated that a portion of the turtle population could be relocated, the reproductive model for these creatures would cause the number of turtles to return to the same level within a year. Turtles eat from a wide range of food sources, whether young birds, fish or plant matter.

Based on science and professionals, the bottom line to the situation is the need for nature to take its course. Attempting to intervene in the progression of nature, on behalf of either turtles or ducklings, will make the situation worse. By not intervening in altering food and other essentials within the natural setting, the turtle and duckling population will achieve balance, as it has for centuries.