|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Download the Winter 2011 edition of Marsh Musings
|
Friends of Heinz Refuge (FOHR) is engaged in a wide diversity of projects, programs, and services which serve to raise awareness of and support for John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, as well as the National Wildlife Refuge System and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
UPCOMING: GROUNDHOG DAY FAMILY FESTIVAL AND ART CONTEST
Gather the kids to celebrate Groundhog Day at Heinz Refuge on Saturday, January 28! Our Family Festival and Art Contest (PDF) offer a great reason to visit in winter. Join a guided Groundhog Walk at 9 a.m., followed by indoor fun from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. including live music, groundhog games and activities, kids crafts, costumed characters, live animals from the Philadelphia Zoo, and light refreshments. Kids will enjoy a parade to Tinicum Tim's Burrow to see how long winter may last! Review the flyer above for details on the Art and Drawing Contest; submissions are due to the Refuge by January 24. Winners to be announced at the Festival.
WILDLIFE WATCH: SHRIKE, SNIPE, AND MORE
Wildlife abounds at Heinz Refuge, even as days grow shorter, mornings become frostier, and trees shed their last leaves. Birders, photographers, and nature lovers enjoy sightings of a dozen Wilson's Snipe at the horseshoe, an American Bittern hiding amongst reeds, Rusty Blackbirds amongst flocks of Red-wing's, and increasing numbers of waterfowl.
On Thanksgiving morning, Refuge volunteer Adrian Binns found a Northern Shrike perched atop a tree along the dike road near the big boardwalk. The bird flew back and forth across the creek, and between the boardwalk and the fishing pier. The Northern Shrike breeds in the northern reaches of our continent and is an uncommon visitor to the northern United States. Philadelphia and Delaware County have very few records of this species; the last at Heinz Refuge was recorded more than 50 years ago. Visitors hurried to Heinz over the holiday weekend to see this unusual sighting and enjoy the fine weather.
NEWS: HEINZ REFUGE EAGLES SCOPE OUT NEST SITE TERRITORY
The Refuge's resident Bald Eagles are now exploring their nest site on Oak Island in preparation for their third consecutive breeding season at Heinz. Just five months ago, two healthy juvenile eaglets fledged the nest and occasionally are seen flying over the impoundment. Their parents are already thinking about the next cycle, when hopefully they will raise more chicks for Philadelphians to watch and enjoy. Keep your eyes up while walking around the Refuge this fall and winter and you may see Bald Eagles soaring overhead!
REFUGE STAFF UPDATE: STORM DAMAGE AND TRAIL CLOSURES
Hurricane Irene's high winds and heavy rains damaged the little boardwalk that connects the .6-mile accessible trail with the Pipeline and Haul Road Trails; this boardwalk is currently closed for public safety concerns. Refuge staff are working to replace it as soon as possible. While repairs are being made, try hiking to Hoys Pond, which is located approximately 1.5 miles from the Visitors Center along the Impoundment Loop Trail.
In addition, there will be closures to the Dike Road and Trail at various times throughout the winter as the Refuge works to improve the dike to reduce flooding effects. All public entry to work areas will be prohibited during these closures. Any persons found within the closed areas will be subject to fines and or imprisonment. For daily closure information, please call the Refuge the day of your visit at 215-365-3118. A map of the impacted area is available for download. |
||||||
|
FOHR mailing address: PO Box 333,
Folcroft PA 19032-0333.
Heinz Refuge address: 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia PA 19153.
Telephone: (215) 365-3118
Email:
Info@friendsofheinzrefuge.org
|