Golden-cheeked Warbler

The endangered golden-cheeked warbler breeds in central Texas and will only make its nest out of the bark of the Ashe juniper.  USGS research by Jeff Hatfield and William Link analyzing growth rates of Ashe juniper shows that trees of the necessary size for nest building at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge are at least 50-100 years old and many are much older.  This implies that mature juniper-oak forest should be preserved in central Texas to the extent possible, as restoration of early-successional habitat may take a long time.