OCTOBER, 2020 NEWSLETTER - FRIENDS OF ST. MARKS WILDLIFE REFUGE
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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.
The editor
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Due to the ongoing pandemic and the need to follow CDC guidelines regarding large public gatherings, the annual Monarch Festival has been cancelled this year.
However, the Refuge has made every effort to accommodate the public, both virtually and on Facebook, to coincide with the Monarch migration. Daily activities will be posted on the St. Marks and St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuges' FB page through October 31. This virtual series of activities is being called, "Live Your Wild at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge". Here are the activities that are planned:
- Oct. 15th - Throwback Thursday: FB virtual tour of the historic St. Marks Lighthouse
- Oct. 16th - Friendship Friday: Special thank you to our Friends, Volunteers and Supporters!
- Oct. 17th - Family Fun Day: Make sure to visit our website, https://www.fws.gov/refuge/st_marks/ or stop by the toll booth to get your paper copy of the refuge scavenger hunt.
- Oct. 18th - Learn about Milkweeds and Monarchs: virtual FB lesson.
- Oct. 19th - Virtual butterfly hike
- Oct. 20th - Live Your Wild, Nature Journaling: reserve your nature journal at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sign-up-to-save-your-nature-journal-now-tickets-123066472131, then join us on Facebook for the prompt of the day.
- Oct. 21st - Facebook Challenge: Join us on FB at 6 am to get your challenge today.
- Oct 22nd - Virtual Butterfly craft: Join on FB for instructions
- Oct. 23rd: - Nature Journaling: Join us on FB for the prompt of the day.
- Oct 24th - Virtual Monarch Tagging: Join us on FB
- Oct. 25th - Virtual Butterfly Craft: Join us on Facebook to make a fun butterfly craft.
- Oct 26th - Virtual Paint Class: Join us on FB for the second day of paint classes.
- Oct 27th - Butterfly Bingo: Go to our website or FB to get bingo sheet then see if you can get a butterfly bingo!
- Oct 28th - Virtual Lighthouse Adventure
- Oct 29th - Bat Craft: Join us on Facebook to learn how to make your Balancing Bat. Materials can be picked up at the refuge, times will be posted
- Oct 30th - Virtual Butterfly Study: Join us as we talk with Jaap de Roode, Professor of Biology, Emory University to learn more about the plight of the Monarch.
- Oct. 31st - Happy Birthday: to the refuge, Join us for a virtual bat activity
Text, Lori Nicholson, Refuge Staff; Photo, the editor
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Friends' Board Announcements
There has been an officer change on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors recently. President Billy Clutter has left the Board.  He's done a great job of leading the Friends' Board, and we wish him well. Phillip Pollock (right) will be serving as the Interim President.
Also, the Friends' work is often driven by several important committees. Presently, the Board is searching for volunteers who may like to assist on the Membership Committee, the Governance Committee, and the Communications Committee. If you feel as if YOU have the interest and/or expertise to assist in any of these areas, don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
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Pink Birds
Rule the Roost at the Refuge
Over the past ten or so days, the color pink seems to be the popular feathered dress code as migration continues to swell. Our, seemingly, resident flamingo returned after a several month absence, and Spoonbills appear to be growing in numbers. Their colors are so vivid, and both birds are magnificent. Enjoy
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Intern and Friends' Board of Directors member, Preston Earley, loves to get out in remote areas of the Refuge. Recently, he's videotaped special areas at the Refuge and beyond, and he's noted wildlife along the way. Now the Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge invite you to hike with him by visiting the Refuge Rambles area of our website.
There are four recently added rambles that Preston narrates.
- Looking for Taxodium Ascendens
- Finding Taxodium Ascendens
- Epiphytic Orchids
- Mastodons at St. Marks
All four of these blogs are very instructive. You will want to tag along.
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Bird Checklist Available on
Nature Store Online
The Friends of St. Marks Wildlife Refuge Nature Store Online is offering Don Morrow's "Checklist, The Birds of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge." It's just in time to catch the remainder of the fall bird migration. You'll find it very useful (see description below). Cost is $3 with free shipping.
The editor
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Birding Surveys Assist Our 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. 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 see them, check out their sightings on our website. Go there now.
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"Impressions - The Refuge and Me"
Quilt in the Making
 The Refuge has been contacting volunteers recently to find quilters who would be interested in creating squares to complete a Refuge quilt. After several hard weeks of work, the squares have been handed in and will be stitched together very soon. The "when" and "where" of an unveiling will be announced when the quilt is completed. The idea for the Refuge quilt was the brain-child of Ranger Constance Clineman. Constance says that all the quilt squares " will become part of the never ending story of how the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge has touched the lives of thousands upon thousands of people. Our quilt will continue to be a reminder to all who see it at events and festivals that, midst the long leaf pines and coastal estuaries, all things flourish". 
The quilt squares shown here are the work of two former Board of Directors members plus one current member. Susan Cason (recent, former Board President) created the Salt Marsh at Low Tide (top) and Butterfly on a Windy Day (center). Melissa Jacoby (also recent Board Secretary) and Rita LeBlanc (current Board member) submitted the Area-X design (Bottom).
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Reading an Old Book is Relaxing
 Birds in Florida is a Work Projects Administration (WPA) publication that was compiled by the Workers of the Writers' Project in Florida. The WPA was one of many federal New Deal programs that helped bolster employment during the Depression. Though there is no publication date in this book, it was probably printed in the late 1930s.
Interestingly, the first paragraph of the introduction indicates that it is "designed for the youth, and made available in numbers through public and school libraries, the book may be utilized effectively in the classroom and in club study, scout, and campfire work". Old school? Maybe. But, it would be nice to see birds return to the classroom again one day.
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When you are visiting
the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge,
Distance
Yourself
Responsibly
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NOTE: Lighthouse Light Extinguished Due to
Fall Bird Migration
Fall migration is on the wing so to prevent the possibility of birds hitting the lighthouse, the light was extinguished Saturday, August 15. The light will return on November 1 until spring migration begins.
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All tours, classes and events are canceled until further notice.
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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
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