Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge
Reflections Newsletter, December, 2021
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What a Crazy, Great Idea!
It did seem kind of wacky when volunteers Cyndi Johnstone and Yvonne Zola suggested selling Nature Store stuff in the Visitor Center parking lot. But, hey, why not try it? Thus was born “Nature Store in the Parking Lot.”
Our first trial event on Saturday 11/27 was amazingly successful and we realized that it really was a great idea! Since then, we’ve held the pop-up stores on Black Friday, on December 5th, and on December 11th— each one greatly exceeding any comparable day in the “before times” of 2019.
Don’t feel bad if you missed any of these events. You’ve got another opportunity. Come see us this Saturday, December 18th from 10-3 for the final “Nature Store in the Parking Lot” of the year. Take a ride to the Refuge, enjoy the peaceful beauty of this wonderful place, and pay a visit to the Nature Store you’ve been missing. Sounds like a great Saturday outing, right?
Thanks to the dedicated volunteers who make these events successful and really fun. We also appreciate the enthusiastic support of Refuge management and staff. A special thank you to Ranger Lori Nicholson who offered the canopy, chairs, table, and cart that help create the pop-up store. Finally, we’re so grateful to all the wonderful visitors who stop by to chat and shop and make all the effort worthwhile.
The Nature Store is a project of the Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, and all proceeds go to fund Refuge priorities. And remember, the Online Nature Store is always open for your shopping pleasure. ( It is closed ONLY during the hours of the parking lot events described above.) In fact, you can shop right now by following this link!
Text courtesy Nature Store Manager and Board member Rita LeBlanc, Photo courtesy Board member Phillip Pollock
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Biological Interns Trace
Salamander Movement Over Recent Months
Since we are far past the breeding season for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, we have only done some banding and completed surveying of the St. Marks unit. We found that 8 of 10 of our summer fledglings were still in their family groups on the unit, and we are hoping that the two juvenile females we did not see are dispersing to find mates (as this is the time of year that birds move to new groups.) We have also been banding the unbanded adults we discovered over the summer and fixing other birds' bands. Our fall interns were able to help us resight, catch, and band our Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.
The biological team began running traps around our two Frosted Flatwoods Salamander research ponds on October 25th. Since then, we have captured 32 adults. Seven of these were recaptured salamanders (meaning we captured them in a previous season in either the fall or spring), seven were gravid females (had eggs developing), and several more were questionably gravid females. While this is not an overwhelmingly spectacular number of adults at two research ponds, it is certainly more than the 12 individuals caught from October to February of last fall.
There were also two findings of note: a few individuals that were recaptured were pre-Hurricane Michael captures. The other finding was that two of our head-started salamanders returned to the drift fence as adults for the first time since the beginning of our head start program a few years ago. Both were females, and despite weighing only two to three grams when released in May, they now weigh in at about five and six grams and were questionably gravid. One salamander was from the pond it was released in, but the other was a translocated salamander to help improve genetic diversity of the pond's population.
We have also been staying busy by maintaining our traps and getting our tanks ready for new salamander larvae to be head-started in the spring. The biological team searches for eggs and freshly-hatched larvae to be raised in tanks full of food and free from predators and the threat of water drying up before the young salamanders are ready to undergo metamorphosis to their land-dwelling adult stage. With the help of two new USGS technicians and three spring interns, we hope to keep monitoring the ponds and catch many salamanders to raise.
Through the continued generosity of Friends Dr. Ed and Hilda Carney (Red-cockaded Woodpeckers) and Jeff VanderMeer (Frosted Flatwoods Salamanders), funding for the interns is made available each year. The Friends and the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge thank these donors for their contributions.
Captions: Elusive gravid female frosted flatwoods salamander migrating during a rainy day (below), and Madie (at left) and Holly swabbing, measuring, and marking salamanders in top photo.
Text and photos courtesy Chloë Dubben, Biological Technician at the Refuge
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Mark Your Favorite Books with the
Bird Bookmarks Set 2
at the Online Nature Store Now
The Friends of St. Marks (NWR) Online Nature Store have created brilliant gift packaging for the Bird Bookmark Set 2 . . . just in time for some holiday giving. These attractive bookmarks (four to a set) were created from original watercolors by Friends Board member Phillip Pollock. Set 2 features our, seemingly, resident American Flamingo, along with a Great Blue Heron, American Goldfinch, and Cedar Waxwing - all birds that can be seen at the Refuge throughout the year.
The bookmarks are printed locally by Harvest Printing on medium weight watercolor paper with bird species and artist information on the back. The Friends are excited to be able to offer these reproductions of Phillip's distinctive paintings. Remember that all proceeds go to the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
Shop on the Wild Side!
Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge Nature Store
Text courtesy Friends Board of Directors member and Store Manager Rita LeBlanc, Photo Phillip Pollock.
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Friends Group of the Year Award
for 2021 Award
On November 16, the Friends of St Marks Wildlife Refuge were honored by receiving the Friends Group of the Year for 2021. This distinguished award was given by the National Wildlife Refuge Association during a virtual ceremony held in Washington DC.
Congratulations to the Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. Thank you to the current and past members of the Board of Directors, Refuge Manager Terry Peacock and current and previous staff, all volunteers and Friends, and certainly the National Wildlife Refuge Association for giving us this great honor and recognition.
Text courtesy Phillip Pollock
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The Friends' Board of Directors Step Away From Zoom Environment and Get Outdoors
Since the spring of 2020, the Friends Board of Directors have been meeting monthly and right on schedule via the Zoom environment. It has been such a long period of time that several newer board members had never had the chance to meet other longer-standing members during.
But on Saturday, November 30, Friends Board members met at the Refuge with two goals: see our colleagues in person and help clean up some roadside trash for the Refuge.
It was a beautiful day to meet, and it was a huge success. One of the best ways to encourage others to not litter is to display the behavior you want others to mimic.
Above, Board members Myrtle Bailey, Rita LeBlanc and Preston Earley stop long enough for a quick photo. Thanks also to Board members Myrtle Bailey, Rusty Ennemoser and Nancy Mullen Brand who were off in different directions and not photographed here. Meet all of our Board members by following this link. Enjoy your Refuge, and please make sure only your footprint is what you leave behind.
Text and photo courtesy Phillip Pollock
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A Day on the St. Marks Unit Primitive Trails
On a misty, foggy, chilly, and eerily quiet morning in December, my friend Lon Sweat and I set out from the Tram Road trailhead just beyond the Visitor Center at the Refuge. The sign there (at right) signifies that this old logging road leads you to the Stoney Bayou Trail (6.5 miles in length) and the Deep Creek Trail (12 miles in length). These trails are popular with bird watchers, day hikers (as well as Florida Scenic Trail hikers), cyclists, and as a work area for Refuge personnel. The Friends website identifying trails was so helpful in planning and avoiding taking a wrong turn (follow this link). There’s also a Friends QR code on the main sign that tells you more about where you are.
Our favorite way to experience the Deep Creek trail is by cycling on our hybrid bikes, always carrying a spare tube or two as well as an air pump. This trail is known for sand spurs that puncture even the toughest tires! Equipped with harnessed binoculars, plenty of hydration, lunch in an insulated bike bag, our bird app loaded phone (also for emergencies and quick pics), as well as fishing rods (secured in homemade pvc pipe rod holders), we were ready for whatever the day presented. Remembering to listen, observe, smell, and experience the flora and fauna that live and change there with the seasons was foremost in our mind. We have come upon sunning gators on this Refuge dirt road (which we carefully skirt). Red-Cockaded Woodpecker trees are marked by horizontal white paint stripes as well as vertical scrapings. Queen Butterflies flitted between the few remaining flowers. Annoyed Great Blue Herons flew from one long leaf pine tree to another as did many warblers and other small birds hiding in the shrubs and small trees. December is a wonderful month for experiencing the seasonal changes in North Florida (see Tram Road Trail photo below).
As we turned onto the Deep Creek Trail, we stopped to chat with Travis Pollard, a Refuge fire crew employee, as he shared details about working on the Florida Trail as well as the Florida Scenic Trail. Gators were basking in what little sun was streaming through the trees. Belted Kingfishers chittered as they announced their territory and dared us to take their pictures. Our curiosity was piqued as we observed various berry and fur-laden scat piles. What animal left it? What did they eat? Numerous shore birds (Dunlin, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Willets, Short-billed Dowitchers, and Western Sandpipers) were observed along with the usual suspects - Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, Anhinga, and a few Roseate Spoonbills. Newly arriving ducks like the Pied-billed Grebes seemed unaware of lurking gators. While I was keeping a record of bird observations on eBird, we also made great observations of the Eastern Phoebe’s behavior while playing its calls on iBirdPro. The Merlin Bird ID was also helpful for identification when taking a picture or recording a bird’s call.
As we are novices at identifying flora and fauna on the refuge, our favorite lightweight references to take along are laminated waterproof folding guides “Butterflies of the Southern Coastal Plain,” the “Birds of Florida’s Gulf Coast,” and Don Morrow’s “Checklist of the Birds of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Florida.” These can be purchased online from the Friends Online Nature Store. There is also a free U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service publication “St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Bird List" that you can usually find in the Visitor’s Center (call 850-925-6121 and pick one up when you visit).
As Stoney Bayou came into sight, we had to stop and catch our breath (top banner photo). The view is one of the most magnificent on the Refuge as you look east, south, and west across the marsh toward meandering creeks, the winding Stoney Bayou, and ultimately the Apalachee Bay. Two fishing boats were spotted nearby in Stoney Bayou, and we decided that it was time to drop a line as well at the paddler’s primitive campsite. Lon used a gold spoon and I tried a popping cork. It didn’t take long for me to pull in a 22” Speckled Sea Trout.
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Since it was a catch and release day for us, we quickly put it back into the rushing incoming tide. As there are benches there, we enjoyed our lunch (but not the bugs). A perched Bald Eagle did not seem bothered by us as we continued along the trail to eventually fish at the flood gates between pools. Here a fly fishing angler was catching Flounder, while young, 4"-6" Mullet swam nearby avoiding a gator near shore. Obviously, this gator had been fed by humans and traces of trash were seen (and picked up) near favorite fishing holes. A nearby snag held a Northern Harrier that was observing the scene.
Nearing the end of our adventure (and back on Lighthouse Road) having seen few people on the trail (one pair inquiring about Pinky, the Flamingo) and only 3 other cyclists, we relished in our day.
It was good for our souls. Being out in nature any way possible reminds us that we are part of “other inhabitants'” world. What is your favorite way of experiencing the Refuge?
Text and Photos courtesy Nancy Mullen Brand, Secretary, Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge Board of Directors
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After a Year's Absence, a Lone Lady Vermilion Flycatcher Visits the Refuge
After skipping last year, a female Vermilion Flycatcher is here this winter. Over the previous three or four years, we've been fortunate to have a much more colorful male (or two) with us. But it either skipped us last year or decided to find a different wintering spot. The life span of a small bird is not that long, so it's also possible that it died of natural causes or was preyed upon.
Currently, this more drab gender-variant flycatcher has been seen foraging near the “Sensitive Wildlife” sign out in the water at the Mounds Pool I area. As you will note from Karen's in-flight photo across the banner, you may know you're making a correct ID on this bird by noting the missing wing feathers. This may be due to the bird going through a molting phase.
There is always excitement this time of year in the avian world, so bundle up and enjoy the Refuge.
Photos courtesy Karen Willes (top) and Phillip Pollock (right)
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We Encourage our Friends to SHARE!
As almost all of you know, the Friends give 100% of their support to the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. An important way for you increase that support is to share our message. Therefore, when you get this newsletter, we encourage you to send it on to a friend. You can share it via email or through various other social media. Here's the link to the Friends Newsletter page. Scroll to the "current" entry and copy the link.
Phillip Pollock
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Bird Reports Assist Visitors
Don Morrow and Matt Johnstone, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge volunteers and expert birders, lead in-depth bird tours at the Refuge frequently throughout the year. Their tours are currently on hold until the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deems it is safe for groups to gather. However, both Don and Matt keep us up-to-date on what we can see from week-to-week. To see what THEY see, so that YOU can as well, check out their sightings on our website.
Keep in mind that just a week ago from this newsletter publication, Migratory Bird Day was celebrated nationally. This brilliant Yellow Warbler is one of the migrants that has been ushered in at the Refuge, along with other birds that pass through the St. Marks region. Keep your eyes open. You never know what you may see on your next visit.
Art and text, Phillip Pollock
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Refuge COVID-19 Virus Update
As most of you are undoubtedly aware, the concerns about COVID-19 have changed almost all of our day-to-day activities that we normally take for granted. Therefore, for the foreseeable future, there are no tours, classes or other events scheduled at the Refuge.
Visitors are NOT allowed access to the Visitor Center at this time. However, at the VC parking area, a phone number is posted to call (850-925-6121) regarding entrance fees and passes. A staff person will then meet you at the VC ramp entrance to assist. For any payments, we suggest credit card use to avoid contact with cash.
Restrooms at the VC are therefore not open as well. However, the Mounds' restrooms are still open, and there is a portalet in the VC parking lot as well as at the salt water boat ramp. Thank you.
For a more complete Refuge report and to stay updated about the federal government message about activities at the Refuge, please visit the Refuge Public Health Update. |
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Have you considered including the Refuge in your will? We would appreciate hearing from you if so. The Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge can provide information and guide you through the process. Just call the Refuge at 850-925-6121, and ask to be contacted by the Friends' Development Committee, or email us. |
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Reflections newsletter is a benefit of membership for Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge.
It also serves as an important supplement to
Both the newsletter and the web site provide members and the public information about volunteer activities and events at the Refuge.
Reflections editor: Phillip M. Pollock
Reflections Editor, Phillip M. Pollock
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