Parks and Recreation staff continue to use noisemaking devices at Celebration Park and Stacy Ridge Park. Due to recent rains, high winds and thunderstorms, the egret activity is more scattered throughout the day requiring Parks staff to adjust the use of noisemaking devices to a random schedule between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Residents are advised that the deterrence devices sound similar to fireworks or gunfire and should not be alarmed. (Listen to sample of noisemakers.) Wildlife biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department indicate that the threat of an egret nesting site remains high through mid-May. As such, the effort will continue for up to several more weeks or until Parks staff is confident the threat of nesting has passed.
Signage will be placed at both locations to alert park patrons of the noise disruptions. If necessary, the area immediately surrounding the noisemaking device may be restricted to Staff only.
If there is evidence of cattle egret activity at other city parks, staff will expand the use of the noisemaking devices to those areas.
Residents can report possible sightings of Cattle Egrets, Night Herons or other major migratory bird activity to 214.509.4700. You can read more about how to identify these birds further down on this page or contact us for more information or if you have questions.