Author Archives: ChihuahuanDesertProtector

By Stephen Hummel, Board Member Fireflies are not an insect species commonly associated with the desert. They are typically found in humid, dark, wooded environments typically found in the eastern half of the United States and elsewhere. Relatively few fireflies can be found in the dry conditions of the western United States. One exception isContinueContinue reading “Sky Island Fireflies”

By Rick LoBello, Board Member Spring is in the air and here in El Paso one of our most vocal resident birds is busy preparing for the breeding season. If you don’t see them when you wake up in the morning you can certainly hear them and this beautiful bird has a very distinctive song.ContinueContinue reading “Meet your neighbors: who cooks for who?”

The coyote is the largest and most common apex predator in El Paso. Well known across North America from Canada to Central America, if you haven’t seen one yet don’t be surprised when you do. Their numbers in our city appear to be increasing as they move into neighborhoods looking for what we all wantContinueContinue reading “Coyotes are El Paso’s most common apex predator”

By Rick LoBello, Board Member Like in many cities, different species of wildlife have adapted to living in El Paso. Birds and squirrels are probably the most obvious.   Did you know that the most commonly seen squirrel in El Paso is the rock squirrel? Other squirrel species include antelope ground squirrels and spotted ground squirrels.ContinueContinue reading “Meet your neighbors: Rock Squirrels”

By Rick LoBello, Board Member The long-tailed weasel is one of the rarest predators living here in the Chihuahuan Desert. As a result of their nocturnal lifestyle very few people have ever seen one, but they are out there hunting for rodents and other small prey including shrews, ground squirrels, pocket gophers, woodrats, cotton rats,ContinueContinue reading “The long-tailed weasel: El Paso’s rarely seen fearless predator of the night”

By Rick LoBello, Board Member Most seed eating birds with thick bills are easy to watch and identify.  Here in El Paso one of the most commonly seen little seed eating birds is the House Finch.  If you have a bird feeder at home you may have noticed how some have reddish heads, necks andContinueContinue reading “Meet your neighbors: House Finch”

By Rick LoBello, Board member California condors used to live within an area of Texas we now call Big Bend National Park.   Bones have been found in a cave at Mule Ear’s peak.  Who is to say that these giant birds once lived all across the Chihuahuan Desert on both sides of the border.   ThisContinueContinue reading “Who will champion the return of the condor to Texas?”