Yesterday, Hubby and I went to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, an event with Joe Wheeler State Park.
There, we meet up with a group from Oak Mountain in Birmingham.
Groups were coming from several other places.
There were so many cars that the park ranger had to direct traffic. Many parked along the side of the road, and many parked across the highway. Next week is the big event for Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, and I'm glad we went today.
Hubby and I walked to the new observation building, where we saw the five Whooping Cranes with my new scope.
We also saw thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Ducks, and geese.
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| Cypress Trees |
Next, we took the Cypress Tree Trail, a walkway across a wooden bridge surrounded by Cypress Trees.
We could loudly hear Blue Jay calling out to each other. We heard White-breasted Nuthatches (what we call upside-down birds). We heard Red-winged Blackbirds, European Starlings, and Eastern Phoebe, and we saw and heard a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
We walked to another observation station and saw no cranes, but we saw several Robins hopping around looking for food.
Hubby returned to the car, and I walked to the two-story Observation building that offers a fantastic enclosed view of our winter surroundings.
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| View of Sandhill Cranes, Ducks, and Geese from the Observation building |
I met several members of a Gatlinburg photo club there. They said they would set up a booth at Gatlinburg's Wildlife Week and told me to look for them if I went that week.
I saw a small boy enjoying kicking and picking up gravel as his family walked to the Observation building.
We returned to the car and rode across the road to see more cranes.
We only saw a few but met several women from the Birmingham Area.
They were taking pictures. We did see a couple of white egrets.
Our next stop was a target to pick up a couple boxes of Skinny Popcorn.
For lunch, we stopped at Whataburger, where I ordered a #1 Hamburger with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, mustard, and pickles with fries.
It was an overcast day with rain hanging in the air.
Later that night, Hubby and I enjoyed dinner with my sisters and brother-in-law. After the meal, we girls played UNO and dominoes.
Had a wonderful day.
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 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 various recreational opportunities for visitors.
Waterfowl and wildlife
Thousands of migratory waterfowl each fall, including 26 species of ducks and four species of geese, arrive at the refuge to overwinter. Sandhill cranes are numbering in the thousands, and it is also winter here.
More than 500 wildlife species, 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 comprises 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
Local farmers cultivate several thousand acres of cropland 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 plants wheat to provide green browse for wintering geese.
Water control structures are used in wet areas to control water levels. 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 areas provide 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. One fully enclosed, permanent bend near the observation pond may be reserved for a special use permit.
Environmental Education/Interpretation is an essential program at Wheeler NWR. Organized groups may reserve dates for presentations, wildlife tours, and outdoor classroom activities.
Nature Trails, ranging in length from 200 yards to 3 miles, provide opportunities to observe birds and other wildlife. The Visitor Center has maps and additional information.
The Visitor Center is open daily, October through February, from Rufrom ary to 9 A.The hours are from March through September 9–4 P.M., Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday
Phone:256-350-6639
Website: www.fws.gov/wheeler