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Download the Spring 2012 edition of Marsh Musings
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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: BALD EAGLE WALK AND LEARN
On Sunday, May 20, 8 a.m. to noon, PA Young Birders at Heinz Refuge welcomes birders, families, and all visitors on a guided walk to see the Refuge's nesting Bald Eagles and their fast-growing offspring.
Join the guided walk to learn how these iconic raptors have made a remarkable recovery from decades ago, when the species was listed as a federally endangered species. See our adult-size eaglet stretching and flapping its wings, in preparation for fledging in a few short weeks! We'll look for the attentive adult eagles on some of their favorite perches, or perhaps hunting over the impoundment. We'll walk approximately two miles round-trip to reach the best viewing location to see the nest. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring a water bottle.
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF HEINZ REFUGE: REFLECTION 13 OF 40
In 1981, Refuge staff led a six-hour marsh ecology canoe trip for 11 teachers from Philadelphia and Delaware counties, accompanied by CARP members Jean Diehl and Charles Eastler. Canoeing down Darby Creek gives a unique perspective of the largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. Freshwater tidal marshes provide food, water, and shelter for many animals. Pressure to fill these wetlands for coastal development has led to significant and ongoing losses of tidal marshes. Pollution, especially near urban areas, also remains a serious threat to these ecosystems.
Heinz Refuge celebrates its 40th anniversary with a collection of articles, stories, and images from the Refuge archives. We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane featuring 40 years of collaborative efforts to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. Read more reflections in our archive. If you have a memory or story to share, please email it to info(at)friendsofheinzrefuge.org. We'll be gathering as many as we can for a special retrospect. And please join us at Heinz Refuge on Saturday, June 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. for a festive celebration.
UPDATE: EAGLET STRETCHES ITS WINGS
The resident Bald Eagles at Heinz Refuge remain focused on raising a strong, healthy chick in their Oak Island nest. The chick hatched around March 5, and now, at around six weeks old, it sports dark brown feathers and long wings that it stretches and flaps to strengthen. The adult eagles hunt for fish in the impoundment to feed their offspring, who will grow quickly. The chick will soon be adult-size, though it will remain dependent on its parents for food and protection until it fledges around early June.
This is the third consecutive season that Bald Eagles have nested at Heinz Refuge. There is also an active Bald Eagle nest in Pennypack on the Delaware in northern Philadelphia, with three lively chicks that hatched around the same time as our Heinz eaglet. This marks the first time in over a century that two pairs of Bald Eagles are breeding at the same time in the city of Philadelphia. Check the FOHR Facebook page for timely reports and photos of the most famous eagles in Philadelphia — the flying kind!
REFUGE STAFF UPDATE: THE LITTLE BOARDWALK IS BACK
Construction on the Dike Trail will continue into the spring season as the Refuge continues work to improve the dike to reduce flooding effects. While the major work of building the dike up has been completed, heavy equipment will still occasionally be in use in the area to install asphalt millings to create a path. Visitors are welcome to walk the Dike Trail when construction is NOT in progress. All public entry into active work areas will be prohibited. 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.
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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
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