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Showing posts with label species. Show all posts
Showing posts with label species. Show all posts
Monday, February 12, 2018
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2024 Saturday September 7, Train Trip from Chattanooga to Chickamauga, Ga
Saturday, we had to be in Scottsboro by 7AM about a 2-hour drive. Loaded onto the bus. I think there were 30 of us including the driver. W...
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Muscle Shoals, AL Theatre’s and Drive-ins Marbro Drive-In Theater (1961-1979) 1409 Woodward Avenue Muscle Shoals, AL 35660 Openin...
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The mother (Sneezy) strapped the little girl (Happy) into her car seat for a twelve-hour ride to Orlando, Florida. The van was loaded do...
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Earline in Story-Land was enjoyed by many children in the Shoals Area including myself, for over 22 years. All I remember about Earline Bur...
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