Drift Fence Survey- Four 50 meter drift fence arrays have been set up to determine if any long-term impact occurs to small mammals, amphibians and reptiles during prescribed fire or roller chopping. So far, only baseline data of species presence, absence and relative abundance has been collected. Species found in drift fences include frogs, toads, mice, snakes, lizards, skinks, shrews, and gophers.

Malformation Survey of Frogs and Toads- The dual lifestyle that frogs and toads live make them the ideal indicators of both aquatic and terrestrial environment health. Hundreds of metamorphic frogs and toads have been intercepted by the drift fence arrays. All intercepted metamorps were examined and any malformations were identified and documented. Some malformations found were retained tail, missing an eye, or missing a forelimb. While retained tails have been identified by the North American Center for Amphibian Malformations as a true malformation, there is still some debate on the issue. The other two malformations could have been the result of predation.

Turtle Patrol- To determine if nesting was occurring on Matagorda Island, the Refuge implemented a program to survey the beach on Matagorda Island twice daily during peak nesting periods. Staff members and Texas Master Naturalists completed turtle training at Padre Island National Seashore. In June, these volunteers and staff begin a daily 50 mile turtle nesting patrol route on the Island. The patrols continue until the end of July. Volunteers and staff commit over 600 hours of time and over 2300 patrol miles to this intensive project but worthwhile project. Along with a few turtle nests, valuable data is also collected on stranded turtles and beached dolphins.

Photospy Project- Motion and heat sensor cameras are strategically placed throughout the Refuge in an attempt to document the presence of rare cats and other nocturnal mammals. Baited scent posts and attraction devices are placed near the cameras. Motion and infrared cameras have been successful in documenting presence and to a limited degree relative abundance of several species. Many common and uncommon mammals have been documented by this system. In 2003, a picture of a ringtail, Bassariscus astutus, was recovered from an infrared camera set at the edge of a large old growth motte on the eastern side of the Refuge. This picture documented the first record of this species on the Refuge and the first record for the species in Aransas County.

Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count also takes place in December of each year.