NWRA Flyer Spotlights
Friends of Great Swamp

Read the article in the December issue of the National Wildlife Refuge Association newsletter.

Refuge Rambles — a New Series

We call them Refuge Rambles — a new series of one-hour informal guided walks at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Held on the first Sunday of every month, these walks are led by refuge staff or interpretive volunteers.

Dave Sagan, Visitor Services Specialist at Great Swamp, has led the first two Refuge Rambles. He says he doesn’t decide where to take the group until he sees what the day is like and who comes for the walk. The first walk on November 6 covered the Bockoven Trail loop. Visitors learned about wood ducks and wood duck boxes, identified trees along the trail, turned over logs looking for salamanders, observed a vernal pool, and identified several birds on the wing.

On Sunday, December 4, Dave led the group down Pleasant Plains Road to North Gate, explaining refuge habitat management practices as we walked beside the mowed fields and wetland areas. Although we identified 14 species of birds as we walked along, the highlight was at the deep pond at North Gate where a dozen hooded mergansers swam and dived in full view of the group. The males were putting on an amazing display for the females and we could hear them vocalizing as we stood entranced. It was an amazing sight for everyone.

Each walk will be unique, reflecting the season and seasonal sightings and taking advantage of whatever we find along the way.

Join us for the next Refuge Ramble on January 1, 2012 — a great way to start the New Year! Refuge Rambles meet at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center at 1:30 on the first Sunday of every month. Get outdoors and enjoy a leisurely walk. Learn more about the refuge, its wildlife and its habitat. Experience the thrill of the unexpected at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

Staff News at the Refuge

Dorothy Fecske has been hired as the new Wildlife Biologist, replacing Craig Bitler. Dorothy has an impressive background in wildlife biology and a lot of enthusiasm for opportunities at Great Swamp.

Mike McMenamin has been hired as the new law enforcement officer replacing Tric. Mike will be starting early next year.

You may also see Jack Masson around the Visitor Center. Jack is a senior from Madison High School and is volunteering 10 hours a week throughout the school year. Be sure to say “hi” and “thank you”.

Gwen Vilade, a student from East Stroudsburg University, is doing her practicum at Great Swamp as part of her college requirements in the Recreation and Leisure Services Program this semester. In addition to learning about the Refuge and Refuge System, Gwen will be reviewing options for making the loop trail at the Visitor Center handicapped-accessible.

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