We ate lunch at Wendy’s in Athens. Hubby ordered the four-dollar deal, cheeseburger, fries, chicken nuggets, and drink. I ordered a junior cheeseburger, small chocolate frosty.
Then we rode to the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge via I-65 to Decatur to see 1,000s of Cranes and other waterfowl. We saw hundreds of Mallards Ducks and thousands of Cranes with only three white cranes.
It was cold and wet as we walked to the enclosed overlook. There were three people there one with a telescope and the other two with nice cameras. The young man with the telescope was traveling through Atlanta Georgia to Nevada. He said he was ready for a change in his life. Sounded like he was walking away from personal problems.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0IOByY22r3aPiByiwftvwdvQ_pvaK4D_99aJXIDFDjKdF2wLVdLksgK35c-1Eo0L6Sy2cf8wrQoVOkv5Y_Oop6qIan6HU36iLgE8RVwlDbgD8J5Z7FwnDQnmLIV50e8ZIeolJSt0WsY/s320/DSC_9837.jpg) |
Mallard Ducks |
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Cranes |
Some signs read: U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, National Refuge System, & the do’s and don’t’s on the Tennessee River & Decatur and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.
We were invited to come back Saturday for their workshop.
We stopped at Flint Creek Trail which is part of the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge.
Several men were fishing in the frozen Flint Creek. I was standing on the pier, and I heard something crackling below me. It was the frozen ice breaking up. There were several birds and cranes in the shallow water and along the banks.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAE78Zqy8rWq-jw3nOc1ZMmlEmWzhX-RB_hXoHP_Aze5CfW2tHF8pCLAtE9nWQyOxaBxOQdRY1f8c9VqRDAHs06WP1YBr7xjJeIa4gNuP9rNWUaK1qI4V1bLdgM7lZ1bJ9W6VOOUTHuE/s320/DSC_9896.jpg) |
Wildlife
Y.O.U M.A.Y S.E.E
Watching wildlife can be a lot of fun. Many wildlife creatures are elusive and wary so you will need to move slowly and quietly. Early morning and later afternoon are usually the best time to see wildlife. A pair of binoculars is helpful.
Even if you do not see the animal you may see signs of its presence such as tracks, scat (droppings), or feathers. And Listen...in nature you can hear a symphony of sounds.
Gray Squirrel, Eastern Box Turtle, Downy Woodpecker, Wood Duck, Eastern Gartner Snake, Cooper's Hawk, White-tailed Deer, Common Five-lined Skink |
I saw a sign that read: Alligators May live here. This is something you never want to run across while bird-watching.
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Alligators may live here
Be Gator Safe:
do not approach, Feed or Harass Alligators
Warning: it is UNLAWFUL to feed alligators!
Feeding, harassing, or the unlawful killing or taking of alligators can result in substantial fines and or jail time. |
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Men Fishing in the icy water |
Some signs read: U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Our History, 1838, 1934, 1938, 1950, 1933 & Present; how can you Help? Flint Creek, Fishing, and Land, Watershed Project; Living in the Water Fresh, Water & Wildlife You may see.
We also stopped at the Wheeler Wildlife Complex where we saw signs that read: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Hunting, Fishing; Water level management and farming; map of the refuge and boating.
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Wheeler Wildlife Complex |
We rode thru Decatur turning on the road that once housed the Paper Mill. Hubby said to me we might see a hawk or Bald Eagle. We looked in every tree and on every power line. We were nearing the Paul Bunyan power line and I ask hubby what was that thing on the power pole. We turned around to see a sitting up on top of a Bald Eagle. He gave me a wink as if to say, I am on the watch out for food.
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Bald Eagle |
We stopped at Wheeler Dam, which is another great place to see lots of birds. The power lines sitting in the river and the island were covered in white and blackbirds. There were waterfowl swimming, fishing, and flying over the Tennessee River.
A bird was sitting on most of the light poles, as we crossed the dam
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Wheeler Dam and Birds |
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Powerline and Island full of waterfowl |
Ate dinner at Walton’s Restaurant, and hubby ordered a New York strip, salad 🥗 and baked potato 🥔.
I ordered a Ribeye steak salad and iced tea
It rained on us on our way to Decatur and it was cloudy all day not the best day for taking pictures. We still had a great day and before we arrived home it was dark.
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for protecting and conserving our country's wild birds, mammals, and fish for the enjoyment of all people. Cooperating with the states and other countries, the Fish and Wildlife Service carries out several programs to preserve our priceless wildlife heritage.
Refuges
Migratory Birds
Fisheries
Federal Aid
Law Enforcement
Ecological Services
U. S. Department of the Interior
Established in 1938, Wheeler Wild Life Refuge protects and manages 35,000 acres of wetlands and forests for wildlife and provides a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors.
Waterfowl and wildlife
Each fall thousands of migratory waterfowl, including 26 species of ducks and four species of geese, arrive at the refuge to overwinter. Sandhill cranes, numbering in the thousands, also winter here.
More than 500 species of wildlife, including songbirds, wading birds, hawks, deer, turtles, and snakes, inhabit the refuge. Twelve of these species are federally listed as threatened or endangered.
Habitat
Wheeler Wild Life Refuge is comprised of diverse habitat types including bottomland hardwoods, wetlands, pine uplands, shoreline or riparian woodlands, agricultural fields, and backwater embayments. These habitats provide excellent feeding, resting, and roosting sites for wintering waterfowl and Sandhill cranes, as well as nesting sites for migratory songbirds and many species of resident wildlife.
Wildlife Management
Several thousand acres of cropland are cultivated by local farmers on a share agreement. During harvest, a portion of the crop is left in the field as a food source for waterfowl and other wildlife. Each fall the refuge provides green browse for wintering geese by planting wheat.
Water control structures are used in wet areas to change water levels in a controlled manner. This type of management provides food for waterfowl by encouraging the growth of native plants in moist areas.
Refuge Lands Within Redstone Arsenal
Highways
Secondary Roads
Refuge Boundary
Visitor Center
Wildlife Observation
Boating
Flint Creek Environmental Area & Universally Accessible Fishing Pier
Recreational Opportunity
The Visitor Center offers wildlife exhibits, a gift shop, a large auditorium, two walking trails, special events, and refuge information.
The Wildlife Observation Building, located a short walk from the Visitor Center, offers a unique setting for viewing wildlife. December through February, when large concentrations of waterfowl and Sandhill cranes are in the area, is a good time for viewing, especially just before sunset.
Fishing is a very popular activity on the refuge. Six improved boat launch area provides access to miles of water in Wheeler Reservoir and adjacent creeks where bass, crappie, bream, and catfish are often caught.
Hunting for deer, squirrel, rabbit, opossum, raccoon, feral hog, and quail is allowed on Wheeler NWR. Special regulations apply and a refuge hunting permit is required. Waterfowl hunting is not permitted on the refuge.
Wildlife Photography is encouraged on the refuge. There is one, fully enclosed, permanent bend near the observation pond that may be reserved for a special use permit.
Environmental Education/Interpretation is a very important program at Wheeler NWR. Organized groups may reserve dates for presentations, wildlife tours, and outdoor classroom activities.
Nature Trails, ranging in lengths from 200 yards to 3 miles provide opportunities to observe birds and other wildlife. Maps and additional information may be obtained at the Visitor Center.
The Visitor Center is open daily, October thru February, 9AM-5PM. From March thru September, the hours are 9-4PM, Tuesday thru Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday
Phone:256-350-6639
Website: www.fws.gov/wheeler