Friends of Heinz Refuge Marsh Musings Fall 2013

www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013

Marsh MusingsMarsh MusingsMarsh Musings Autumn Edition Volume 0313

The Darby-Cobbs Creek Watershed Sustains a Strong

Connection Between People and Wildlife

Newsletter of the Friends of Heinz Refuge at Tinicum

The storied Darby-Cobbs Water-

shed provides boundless recreational

enjoyment in hiking, photography,

canoeing, kayaking, birding, fishing

and more. This blue-greenway corri-

dor also serves as an expansive

outdoor classroom, facilitating envi-

ronmental education opportunities to

study stream ecology, riverine habi-

tats, sediment impacts, macroinverte-

brates, and many other study

subjects. The watershed contributes

to clean air and water, with riverside

foliage absorbing pollutants.

Stormwater management is among

the most important roles of the

Darby-Cobbs Watershed system.

The streams capture and direct

stormwater surges downstream,

away from homes and businesses.

High density development puts in-

creasing pressure on streams’ abili-

ties to handle water that is not

absorbed by impervious surfaces.

The watershed area of Heinz

Refuge is significantly cleaner now

than it was 200 years ago, when pol-

lutants flowed unchecked through

Philadelphia’s rivers and lands

during the peak of industrial revolu-

tionary times. Increased public

awareness spurred environmental

regulations to clean up polluted areas

and implement sustainable develop-

ment practices and policies.

Modern society brings new chal-

lenges to maintaining and enhancing

urban watersheds, including Darby

and Cobbs Creeks. Balancing

economic development with ecologi-

cal sustainability is a delicate task,

requiring equitable participation

from a variety of stakeholders.

Friends of Heinz Refuge, Eastwick

Friends & Neighbors Coalition,

Darby Creek Valley Association and

other regional organizations are

actively working to maintain and

enhance the natural and cultural

assets of the Darby-Cobbs Water-

shed. We believe this is essential to

sustain the quality of life for existing

and future generations. Truly,

water sustains life for everyone! Debbie Beer

Encompassing 135 linear stream

miles in 4 counties, the Darby-Cobbs

Creek Watershed has provided

important environmental, economic

and cultural resources to people and

wildlife for millennia, and continues

to impact urban existence today.

The Darby-Cobbs Watershed con-

nects a variety of historical and

diverse neighborhoods, as it flows

through 31 municipalities in Chester,

Delaware, Montgomery and Phila-

delphia Counties. As a whole,

nearly half-a-million people reside in

the watershed, with the highest

population density in and near the

City of Philadelphia.

Draining nearly 80 square miles,

the Watershed flows south into the

mouth of Darby Creek before empty-

ing into the Delaware River south of

the Airport. John Heinz National

Wildlife Refuge lies at the lower end

of the watershed, where Darby

Creek’s tidal waters rise and fall

twice-daily, expanding over the larg-

est freshwater marsh in the state.

These Tinicum wetlands are the last

remnant of what was once an 8,000-

acre marsh that covered a vast area

in southeastern PA. With the

appearance of the first European

settlers, the land was steadily diked,

dammed and drained to make way

for agriculture, farming, homes, in-

dustry, highways and an airport.

The overall health of the Darby-Cobbs

Creek watershed directly impacts the

health and viability of the Heinz

Refuge, located at its downstream end.

2


A quarterly publication of the Friends of

Heinz Refuge at Tinicum

Board of Directors Denis Brennan, President

Ron Miller, Vice President

Joe Pugh, Treasurer

Fran Miller, Secretary

Annemarie Rapp, Store Mgr.

Jean Diehl, Newsletter Editor

Jesse Smith, Webmaster

Debbie Beer

Hank Hox

Chuck Lafferty

Ned Levi

Stanley Rapp

Tom Reeves

The Friends of Heinz Refuge at Tinicum is a non-profit

cooperating association founded in 1997 to assist the U. S. Fish &

Wildlife Service in carrying out its educational, interpretive, and

public use missions on the refuge.

8601 Lindbergh Boulevard

Philadelphia, PA 19153

Contact email address:

[email protected]

Also find us on Facebook!!

Marsh MusingsMarsh MusingsMarsh Musings

The official registration and financial information of the Friends of the Heinz Refuge at Tinicum may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999.

This summer, the Friends of Heinz

Refuge began the process of devel-

oping a new strategic plan to guide

the group and shape its work over

the next three years.

Facilitated in part by funding from

a grant from the William Penn Foundation, FOHR has contracted

with the NonProfit Center at LaSalle University’s School of Business to hire highly skilled

strategic planning consultant, Ellen Greenberg, to help us chart a path

that will build upon and expand our

successful support of the Heinz

Refuge.

Ellen is working closely with board

members but will also be reaching

out to our stakeholders including

FOHR’s membership, Refuge staff,

nature walk leaders, former board

members, and photo group members,

to solicit additional input which will

help us identify our current

strengths, as well as our growth

potential.

We ask that all of FOHR’s mem-

bers be on the lookout for, and will

respond to our online survey that we

will be sending out this fall, so that

we can include your input as the new

strategic plan is developed.

When completed and adopted, our comprehensive strategic plan will strengthen FOHR and allow it to even better serve the Refuge, especially at a time when seques-tration cuts have strained Refuge resources.

Facilitated by a William Penn Foundation Grant, FOHR Has Hired the LaSalle NonProfit Center to Oversee Development of a New Strategic Plan

A REMINDER It is important that current

and former Friends members review their membership status within the next month or so. If any questions contact Friends email address listed above.

Only Friends members in good standing will receive invitations to our November Annual Membership meeting.

The principal goals of the strategic

plan will be to provide FOHR with

sound strategies for increasing

membership, successful fundraising,

and improving our educational and

outreach endeavors.

This in turn will enable FOHR to

achieve higher levels of support for

the refuge, including an increased

ability to assist with habitat improve-

ment and facility maintenance, in-

crease the scope of our environ-

mental education efforts, facilitate

new and exciting supporting part-

nerships, and to develop a stronger

cadre of volunteers.

FOHR plans to complete its new

strategic plan this winter. Look for

updates in future Marsh Musings

newsletters, on our Facebook page,

or in our e-bulletins and website—

www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org.

Jesse Smith

3


Engagement and Information Empowers

The Community address these challenges. Visioning

must include “outside-the-box” ideas

to contribute to a strong future for

Eastwick, one that preserves ecologi-

cal integrity alongside economic op-

portunity.

On June 25, EFNC organized a

public community meeting attended

by more than 100 people, including

The Eastwick Friends & Neighbors

Coalition (EFNC), including Friends

of Heinz Refuge as a founding

partner, forges ahead with its com-

mitment for an environmentally,

economically and socially sustain-

able future for the local community.

Amid political uncertainty, EFNC is

tackling formidable challenges,

including flooding, urban redevelop-

ment policies, educational attain-

ment, environmental burdens, and

economic development.

Community engagement and

visioning is a crucial component of

the process. To effectively meet

these challenges, all involved need to

be educated about the issues, to de-

velop alternative strategies to ad-

dress them, and to be empowered

through this process to make deci-

sions about definitive strategies that

the Refuge for science lessons – the

only official public education pro-

gram that did not utilize any vehicu-

lar transportation to get there! On

site, students learned about habitats,

wildlife conservation, endangered

species, and water ecology. They

went on nature hikes, boardwalk

explorations and bird counts.

For most of the students from the

underserved local community, their

lessons at Heinz Refuge marked the

first time they had walked in the

woods, or observed animals

up-close. This fact added to the

motivation of the many people who

provided a most memorable environ-

mental education program to

Pepper’s students, including Heinz

Refuge staff, Friends of Heinz Ref-

uge, PA Young Birders, ArtSphere,

Great Blue Herons and Great

Horned Owls, solar energy and soda

bottle bird feeders, fishing with

Coach Todd and painting Junior

Duck Stamps. These are just a few

of the highlights experienced by

Pepper Middle School students at

Heinz Refuge this year.

Twice a month, 40 5th grade boys

and girls walked several blocks to

Pepper Pride at Heinz Refuge

More than 100 people attend a commu-

nity meeting sponsored by EFNC.

Photo by: Ned Connelly

representatives from FEMA, EPA,

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson’s of-

fice, Heinz Refuge, Eastwick busi-

nesses and residents. Updates were

provided and stakeholders asked to

complete a community assessment

survey to get feedback on key issues.

EFNC continues discussions with

FEMA to understand flooding and

flood insurance.

Coordinating with Darby Creek

Valley Association (DCVA), EFNC

advocates for safe, effective

remediation of Clearview Landfill

Superfund Site, and participated in a

public information session hosted by

the EPA on July 18, to discuss the

Lower Darby Creek Superfund Site.

We appreciate your support and

involvement in developing the future

of Eastwick, including Heinz Ref-

u g e . C h e c k w e b s i t e www.EastwickFriends.wordpress.com

for ongoing information.

Debbie Beer

Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers and

many volunteers – we thank you all

for your deep dedication and spirit.

For all of the students, we’re sure

these experiences left a lasting im-

pression about the beauty, excite-

ment and importance of our natural

resources. We think Nigel, age 10,

summed it up best: “Together we can save the ecosystem and become guardians of the planet.”

Story and Photos by: Debbie Beer

http://www.EastwickFriends.wordpress.com

4


employees in the greater Philadel-

phia area for 6 weeks each and to-

tally funded with outside partner-

ships. This is an awesome way for

today’s urban youth to gain direct

firsthand experience working in the

field of conservation and also pro-

vides a very positive influence on

their future education and careers.

In addition, our refuge education

staff and interns ran 3 week long

youth camps funded by the Friend of

Heinz Refuge (FOHR), to connect

more kids with nature in fun envi-

ronmental education activities.

The refuge’s very important and

growing partnerships with YMCA

fishing camps, Philadelphia Zoo, Wagner Free Institute, Schuylkill Center, Academy of Natural Sci-ences, PA SeaGrant, and PA Young Birders also led hundreds of

other youth through the refuge this

summer as we work to build the next

generation of conservation minded

citizens. Special thanks to the

Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition for all their incredible

work to help protect the important

128 acres of open space adjacent to

the refuge that provides unique urban

habitat for PA endangered leopard

frogs, American woodcock, wild

turkey, red fox and other species that

depend on these last treasured

remnants of available habitat.

Thanks go out to this year’s won-

derful interns including Frankie, Er-

ica, Janelle and Meghan as well as

our SJU turtle researchers Dave and

Maria for a very productive field

season. Congratulations to our SCEP

student Tajuan, who recently gradu-

ated from Middle Tennessee State

University as an engineer and was

placed at Cape May NWR.

Refuge Construction Continues On the construction side of things,

thank you to Friends of Heinz

Refuge for funding the paving of the

last section of the Universal Access

Nature Trail which allows wheel-

chairs and baby strollers a complete

6/10 mile loop (including the 580’

boardwalk).

Work is now underway in the

design phase of the 55 acre restora-

tion area at the west end of the ref-

uge along the Darby Creek Trail.

The design phase is to be completed

in the spring of 2014, after which we

will issue a second contract for the

actual dirt moving.

Hopes remain high for funding of

the 200 foot marsh boardwalk that is

now “shovel ready” in both engi-

neering and permitting. Work is also

planned for this fall to repair

damaged wood siding of the main

visitor center building as well as

connecting the new above ground

fuel tank for maintenance shop and

removing the old underground tank.

Remember to bring your friends

and families on out to enjoy the

Refuge’s many free programs

offered every weekend and discover

new ways to connect back with

nature on your National Wildlife

Refuge System…. where wildlife

comes naturally.

After another hot, humid summer

that many scientists link to long term

human caused influences on global

climate change, some cooling fall

weather will make it a great time of

year to spend outdoors. By the time

this issue of Marsh Musings goes to

press, the first neotropical fall mi-

grants will be heading south while

turtle hatchlings will be digging their

way out of the ground.

This year marks a major milestone

in wildlife conservation with the 40

year anniversary of the Endangered

Species Act (ESA) passed by the

93rd Congress and signed into law by

President Nixon on December 28,

1973. Our very own refuge bald

eagles (a recovered federally endan-

gered species) provide living local

testimony to success of the ESA by

producing young eaglets now for

four years in a row!

Refuge Partnerships Thrive While budgets are tight this year

with projections of being tighter in

the future, through so many great

partnerships, the refuge has had a

very productive field season.

Through the Student Conserva-tion Association (SCA) the refuge

hosted 6 field crews of high school

By Gary Stolz

Baby Red Fox ~ Photo by Patrick Ryan

Painted Turtles ~ Photo by Ron Holmes

5


Summer camp season started off in

late June with our first official heat

wave. This year refuge staff decided

to make two major changes to the

camp program - First, separate the

campers out in age groups. Second -

incorporate the Youth Conservation

Award. Separating the campers out

by age group enabled us to better

tailor camp activities to their abilities

while incorporating the Youth Con-

servation Award streamlined our

focus and take home messages about

the importance of wildlife habitat.

Summer Campers Earn Refuge Youth Conservation Award!

The camp week for the 6-8 year old

group started off with the campers

determining what "Heinz" is all

about by assembling a puzzle created

by SCA intern Erica Forstater, also

on the agenda that day was a habitat

study. Campers investigated the

field, forest and impoundment

searching for animals and plants

found there. While doing field inves-

tigation, we were greeted by students

from Saint Joe's University, who are

doing a turtle study at the refuge.

They had caught some turtles and

were happy to share their knowledge

with the campers who delighted in

watching the large snapper!

For day two we focused on the

"green" building. Refuge interns,

Francesca Cook and Jenelle Gomes,

created a scavenger hunt with sam-

ples from the products used in the

construction of the building. Camp-

ers scurried about determining which

sample matched the product used in

the construction and used their past

knowledge and reasoning skills to

figure out what those items were

originally made from.

B i r d i d e n t i f i c a -

tion activities including a "migration

headache" game and a service pro-

ject removing invasive plants with

Weed Warrior volunteer Kim Sheri-

dan rounded out the week. Amaz-

ingly, campers helped removed 4

large trash bags of "mugwort" in just

over an hour from her plot in front of

the visitor center. Campers also cre-

ated a large poster of the favorite

thing they did during their week at

the refuge. The poster is hanging up

in the education wing and is quite

entertaining to look at!

Erika Scarborough, FWS

Working with SCA Intern, Erica

Forstater, campers build a puzzle to

help them visualize what the Heinz Ref-

uge is all about. Photo by: FWS

Children ages 6 to 8 enjoy learning

about an aquatic environment as

summer camp. Photo by: FWS

Refuge Welcomes SCA Campers Back

Summer is here and we were

delighted to welcome back the

Student Conservation Association (SCA). This year it consisted of six

students and their supervisor Chuck

Lafferty, who is back for the second

year. They were an enthusiastic

group with high expectations to

complete multiple projects at the

refuge. They started off well, and

completed several projects within

their first couple weeks!

As you walk the trails, you will

notice that the students have

weeded and mulched the outdoor

classroom area and it is ready for

our summer camp programs. They

also focused their efforts on the

woodland trail located near Route

420. They cleared vegetation,

pruned trees, leveled out the top of

the trail, and constructed a 5x16'

section of boardwalk. (made out of

recycled trex material) which will

connect the hiking trail to the pipe-

line trail. Additional projects they

completed included pruning trees

along trails, constructing and in-

stalling new Tree Swallow boxes,

wood-chipping the trail leading to

the fishing platform at Hoy's Pond,

and adding 3/4 inch stone around

the foundation of the maintenance

building. I think you will agree that

we owe a warm vote of thanks to

these the campers for all the work

they have done to improve the

refuge. Mike McMenamin, FWS

Photo By: Chuck Lafferty

6


Program Descriptions

Bird Walks Last 2—3 hours and are suitable

for all levels of birders. Weather

dependent. Binoculars are avail-

able at front desk.

Story Time Best for children age 4 to 7.

Nature Explorers

Includes a short program and

walk. This program is best for

children 8 to 12.

Photo Walks Learn nature photography from an

expert. Beginners to advanced

photographers welcome. Lasts 2-3

hours. Bring your own camera.

Holiday Closings

Refuge Visitor Center will be

closed on the following dates:

September 2, Labor Day

October 14, Columbus Day

November 11, Veterans Day

November 28, Thanksgiving

However, The grounds are

open from sunrise to sunset

every day.

*Call 215 365-3118 to register.

# Register for Tree Tenders Class online—see note Pg 7.

September

7 Bird Walk With Valley Forge Audubon 9am Debbie Beer

Society—all welcome

8 Bombay Hook NWR Guided Auto Tour 8:30am More on page 7

Nature Explorers - Trees 2pm Staff

14 Crisp Fall Birding 9am Mary Ellen Krober

15 Birding by Ear 9am Gregg Gorton

17 Tree Tenders # 6-9pm PA Horticultural Society

21 Photo Walk 8am Ned Levi

Fall Migration Walk 9am Lynn Roman

Story Time - Trees 1pm Staff

22 Tinicum’s Fall Migrants 9am Robert Confer


28 Nat’l Public Lands Day Nature Walk 3pm Debbie Beer

October


5 Crisp Weather Birding 9am Lynn Roman

6 Mid-Fall Birds 9am Edie Parnum

12 Fall for Birding 9am Cliff Hence

13 Nat’l Wildlife Refuge Week Walk 9am Staff

Big Sit –Observation Tower 7am to dusk (more on pg 13) Nature Explorers – Wildlife Refuges 2pm Staff

19 Mid Fall Birds 9am Mary Ellen Krober

Story Time – Wildlife Refuges 1pm Staff

20 Birding by Ear 9am Gregg Gorton

26 Fall for Birding 9am Cliff Hence

Volunteer Training * 1-3pm

27 Autumn Avian Delights Bird Walk 9am Debbie Beer

November 3 Late Fall Birds 9am Edie Parnum

9 Tinicum’s Migrant Birds 9am Mary Ellen Krober

10 Nature Explorers - Seasons 2pm Staff

FOHR Annual Members Meeting ** 12-2pm (see pg 7 for more)

FOHR Photo Contest Ceremony ** 2-4pm (see pgs 7 & 11 for more)

16 Later Fall Birding 9am Cliff Hence

Story Time - Seasons 1pm Staff

17 Fall Birding 9am Debbie Beer

24 Later Fall Migrants 9am Gregg Gorton

30 Later Fall Birding 9am Cliff Hence All programs begin at the visitor center unless otherwise noted.

Autumn 2013 Events Schedule

7


* For the Following Program Events, Please

Call 215-365-3118 For More Information

or to Register

* Volunteer Training Saturday, October 26th

1-3pm

Program Development

Interested in developing and

leading your own program? Join

us for this class and learn the

basics to create your own

program.

Special FOHR Guided Birding Auto Tour at Bombay Hook NWR

When: Sunday, September 8th 8:30am - 12:00 noon

Join Debbie Beer, and Friends of

Bombay Hook NWR, to experi-

ence migrating shorebirds,

waders, and songbirds along

Delaware Bay coastal habitat!!

NOTE: Meet at Bombay Hook

Visitor’s Center parking lot, not

Heinz Refuge. Vehicle Entrance

Fees apply; Free with valid

Federal Duck Stamp.

Bring your own lunch.

For Directions, see website: www.friendsofbombayhook.org

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is offering its 9-hour course

teaching citizens how to restore and care for neighborhood trees.

Where: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

When: September 17, September 24, and October 1st

Time: 6pm - 9pm - Each Session

The course is three sessions and you must attend all three.

Register at www.pennhort.net; the cost is $25.00

For more information, contact Barley Van Clief at 215 988-8793.

When: Sunday, November 10 ~ From Noon till 2 pm Where: Heinz Refuge Visitors Center

FOHR members in good standing are invited to enjoy lunch while

making new friends and catching up with old ones;

Refuge Manager, Gary Stolz will present a “State of the Refuge”

Report;

FOHR will present an Annual Report—highlighting last year’s ac-

tivities and a look ahead at what’s on next year’s drawing board;

Members will elect a slate of new or incumbent candidates to the

board.

NOTE: FOHR members can expect to receive “snail mail” invitations

to the annual meeting. The invitations will also include an introduction

to this year’s slate of board candidates and their qualifications.

Always remember “Together we can make good things happen.”

# New Class at the Refuge!!

Tree Tenders Basic Training

** FOHR Annual Members Luncheon Meeting

** FOHR Photo Contest Awards Ceremony

Friends, volunteers and other refuge visitors are invited to view and vote

on the outstanding wildlife and nature photography that has been

submitted by this year’s contestants.

When: Sunday, November 10 ~ From 2 till 4 pm Where: Heinz Refuge Visitors Center

For additional information see pages 8 and 11.

http://www.pennhort.net

8


After some revisions, the Friends

of Heinz Refuge Photo Group

announces its 13th Annual Nature

Photography Contest. Images may

be of any nature subject, from any

location, including landscapes,

wildlife, flora, and the Refuge itself.

As in the past, no images of domestic

animals, pets, or ornamental flora

will be accepted.

2013 Photo Contest Details Entries may be dropped off at the

Refuge Visitor Center, with an entry

form, between 8:30am and 3:45pm

on days the Visitor Center is open.

Entries may also be mailed to the

Refuge. The deadline for submis-

sions is Sunday, October 12, 2013 at

3:30pm for all entries; mailed, sent

by courier, or personally dropped

off. Late, damaged, or previous win-

ning photographs will not be ac-

cepted. Improperly sized or mounted

photos will not be accepted.

Full details of the contest, includ-

ing all entry requirements are ex-

plained on the entry form, and are

the only official details of the con-

test. The entry categories and a de-

scription of the contest prizes are

also detailed on the entry form which

may be picked up at the refuge visi-

tor’s center, or downloaded from the

FOHR website.

While submitting an entry consti-

tutes permission to the Photo Group

to display and use the image, as well

as the photographer’s name and like-

ness for publicity purposes, the pho-

tographer will retain all rights to

their images.

Photo Contest Awards Reception Planned

The Photo Contest will culminate

on November 10th at a reception in

the Refuge’s auditorium. A new

award, named after the Photo

Group’s founding member, the Bill

Buchanan Award, will be chosen

from the winners.

New This Year ~ People’s Choice Award

Visitors to the contest reception

will, for the first time in our long

history, be able to vote for a

“People’s Choice Award” which will

be given out at the end of the award

ceremony.

Contest entries will be on display

through December 10th in a Photo

Contest Exhibition at the Refuge.

Wildlife Photography Walks Are Popular Events

This year, the Photo Group has

been running a series of Wildlife

Photography Walks at the Refuge.

The walks led by Photo Group mem-

bers have been well received. We

have had at least a dozen photogra-

phers for each walk. The next walk

is at 8am on Saturday, September

21st. A winter Photo Walk is

planned. Regular photo walks will

resume in early spring, 2014.

Photo Group News Compiled by Ned Levi

All Photography Enthusiasts Welcome

Photographers of all skill

levels who are also members of

FOHR, are welcomed to join the

Photo Group, which meets

quarterly on the 3rd Sunday of

January, April, July, and

October, at 10am, in the Visitor

Center at the Refuge.

Besides having fun, Photo

Group members also provide

both service and educational

functions on the refuge.

The next meeting of the Photo

Group will be held on October

20, 2013. If you’re interested in

joining the Photo Group, need

information about the group and

its activities, or wish to ask

questions about our upcoming

Wildlife Photo Walks, please

c o n t a c t u s a t : [email protected].

Wildlife Photography Tip:

Photographing insects can be

difficult, even with macro lenses,

because these creatures are very

small, and often fast moving. In

addition, it’s better to keep your

distance from some insects, such

as wasps and bees. Use a

telephoto lens, or zoom your

point and shoot camera’s lens to

obtain “close-up” images of

these amazing critters.

Hummingbird Moth ~ By Ned Levi

Wildlife Photography Walks have been

well accepted and will continue as long

as there is an interest.

Photo by Ned Levi

9


A Photo Essay of the Heinz Refuge

Portrayed by Scott Kemper

I am an appliance repairman by trade, and have lived most of my life in Dela-

ware County. My grandfather was an avid birder and photographer and through

him I began to appreciate both nature and photography. I began visiting the

Heinz Refuge in 2009, now average 3 to 4 visits a month, and really enjoy the

challenges provided by the technical aspects of photography.

I feel that the Heinz refuge offers urban visitors a rare opportunity to explore the

beauty of the natural world, and I am pleased to have met so many helpful people

since I began visiting the refuge on a regular basis. It is incredible to be able to

watch the cycle of nature though the seasons and to have the opportunity to find

so many species of wildlife to capture with my camera. I really hadn't paid much

attention to the migration of birds and the way the plant life changes over the

course of a year until I started coming to the Refuge on a regular basis.

A Male Red-winged Blackbird Soars A Graceful Gathering of Great Egrets in the Refuge Impoundment

Asian Carp Spawning

Great Blue Heron With a Carp Dinner

A Male Red-bellied Woodpecker Monarch Butterfly on Purple Loosestrife

10


Musings of a Refuge “Eagle Watcher”

Fortunately for the participants in

the 2nd NABA Butterfly Count at

Tinicum on Saturday, July 20th,

there was a small break in this

week’s heat wave. With temps only

in the low 90’s the count ended up

with a total of 19 species, which was

off by three from last year’s count.

We were however, excited to

include in our count, one new

species, the Cloudless Sulphur, a

southern migrant which may usu-

ally be found later in the season.

Overall numbers of butterflies

were down, except of course, for the

ubiquitous Cabbage White. No

Monarchs were observed flying

during the count. But several eggs

and caterpillars were found on the

local milkweed to confirm their pres-

ence at some time in the area.

I’d like to thank the 12 participants

who braved the heat and humidity to

help out on the count.

Among the species tabulated were: Eastern Tiger Swallowtails (9),

Spicebush Swallowtails (3), Cab-

bage Whites (75), Clouded Sulphurs

Second Annual NABA Butterfly Count Held at Refuge

I’ve been sitting here more or less

quietly for over an hour now, man-

ning the refuge “eagles watch” spot-

ting scope. Weather permitting, I‘ve

been coming to this same spot along

the trail, every Monday afternoon for

almost three months now-- since the

baby eagle chicks first hatched back

in mid-March. Bald eagles are still

rare enough in this corner of Phila-

delphia, that nests and chicks draw a

lot of attention. So the refuge has set

up this spotting scope a safe distance

from the nest, but still with a perfect

view. We’ve watched mom and dad

being wonderful parents-- one al-

ways on the nest, even after the eggs

hatched. Only after the chicks were

able to thermal regulate did mom

and dad fly off together to hunt and

fish for their offspring. Three

months later the chicks are now al-

most the same size as their par-

ents. Recently-- very recently, they

finally ventured out of the nest onto

adjoining branches, and just within

the past week they have begun

testing their wings with actual

flights. Any given moment now the

nest may be entirely empty, but as of

the this writing (early July) the

chicks are still returning.

During my weekly visits to the

spotting scope site, I sit on a beach

chair and offer the scope to passing

birders, joggers, fishermen and

nature lovers. What this has done is

to force me to stay in one place for a

couple hours at a time. And in so

doing, I’ve learned on a practical

level, what I always knew intellectu-

ally. The best way to see (and in my

case photograph) animals is to just

stay still. It’s not something that

comes easily to me, but this “eagles

watch” gig has forced me to do

so. And oh have I been rewarded!! Larry Stier

Ned Levi

(4), Orange Sulphurs (7), Cloudless

Sulphurs (2), Eastern Tailed Blues

(22), Snout (1), Pearl Crescents (9),

Comma (1), Red Admirals (5),

Viceroy (1), Silver Spotted Skippers

(6), Wild Indigo Dusky Wings (3),

Least Skippers (22), Pecks Skippers

(8), Zabulon Skippers (3), and

Broadwing Skippers (12).

Story and Photos by: Cliff Hence

11


Phillips at the Refuge (215-365-

3118) for more information and/or to

register to attend a training session

which will be held at the refuge in

the spring.

Spring training will involve a 4

hour session during which you will

be given an orientation to the refuge,

introduced to the program’s objec-

tives, taught how to recognize some

invasive species plants, and how to

safely remove them. The training

will also include some practical

experience in the field so you can get

a real look at the various plants and

get some hands on training.

Upon completion of the class you

will be eligible to adopt a plot that

you feel you can care for in the time

you have available to volunteer.

Weed Warriors are folks who are

volunteering their time, energy, and

passion to help remove the many

invasive plant species found on the

refuge which have little food value

for wildlife, and replace them with

native plants which provide food,

shelter and nesting habitat.

Because some of our Weed Warri-

ors have been anxious to keep the

program going during the winter

months we developed a “volunteer

strike team” which found it easier to

cut back invasive vines and thickets

when they were dormant and without

leaf cover. The “strike team” has

done a fantastic job and given new

life to many trees that were being

engulfed and strangled by invasive

vines, such as the mile-a-minute.

Want to be a Weed Warrior? To become a Weed Warrior, folks

c a n g o o n l i n e a t h t t p : / /

www.friendsoftinicummarsh.org/

weedwarriors/intro.html, to familiar-

ize themselves with the concepts of

habitat restoration, and characteris-

tics of invasive vs. native plants.

Once the online portion is com-

pleted, you can contact Brendalee

The Friends of Heinz Refuge (FOHR) Photo Group is excited to announce its 13th Annual Nature

Photography Contest! The contest is open to photographers of all ages and divided into the following

categories: Children up to age 12, Teens up to age 18, and adults. Each person may submit up to 3 entries, which must

be submitted by Sunday, October 12th at 3:30pm.

Only color or black and white prints, including reasonably altered prints from digital files will be accepted. All

images should have a title, and be mounted and matted. Prints should be 8x10 with 11x14 mats. No larger sizes will

be accepted, and no framed images will be accepted. Species identification should be included of any plants, and/or

animals depicted in the images. Additional contest specifications may be found on official entry forms which may be

either picked up at the visitor center information desk, or downloaded from www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org. Entry fees vary. Children may submit their entries FREE, while teens and adults will be required to pay an entry fee

of $5.00 per entry. Proceeds will benefit FOHR projects on the refuge. Gift certificates to Tinicum Treasures Gift

Shop will be awarded to winners in the children category. Cash prizes will be awarded to teens and adults.

All photographs not claimed by December 30, 2013 will become the property of FOHR and will be discarded.

Refuge’s Weed Warriors Log In Over 900 Hours Some plots are near the visitor’s

center, some are down a bit further

near the southeastern end of the im-

poundment, and some are farther out

in the refuge at one of the restoration

sites which were completed in 2007.

We plan to hold a Vine Workshop

this fall or early winter to learn about

the vine species and proper ways to

remove them. The date/time of this

workshop is yet to be announced, so

if you are interested, please contact

the refuge (Phone number above) to

put your name on the list.

We hope you will join us helping

wildlife and habitat while making

friends and enjoying the great

outdoors. Brendalee Phillips, FWS

Since the start of the group

just 2 years ago, members have

logged over 900 hours, cleared

approximately 160 acres of

invasive plants, and planted

over 1,080 native grasses, herbs,

shrubs, and trees in the cleared

areas. Amazing!

Highly invasive - “Mile-a-Minute”

Vine . Photo by: FWS

13th Annual FOHR Photo Contest Announced

12


It all started in 1976, at age 35,

when I noticed a Blue Jay on a

fence, and heard a mockingbird sing-

ing at night. It sounded magical, and

I had to see it for myself. I bought a

$25 pair of binoculars from Kmart,

and went out to look for birds. For

many years, I didn’t know there

were others like me, who liked to go

birding, though I guess I should have

realized it since, after all, I was able

to get a pocket field guide to help

identify species.

Nearly four decades have passed

since I heard my first mockingbird,

but I still bird just about every day in

Philadelphia. I go to Heinz Refuge

at least once a week, or more when

shorebirds invade the mudflats in

summer, or warblers move through

the woods in migration. I went there

for so many years before it was

called John Heinz - I’ll always call it

“Tinicum.”

Tinicum was different back then,

more pristine in some ways, but also

loaded with purple loosestrife and

other invasives. (The Refuge has

done a good job getting rid of the

loosestrife, and planting cattails and

wild rice, which is good for birds).

In the early 1980’s, visitors practi-

cally tripped over Common Moor-

hens (now called Common Galli-

nules)… they were everywhere.

There was a rookery of Black-

crowned Night-Herons on the island

in front of the eagle bench, with

birds squawking throughout spring

and summer. I recall going to

Tinicum at dusk, waiting for Barn

Owls to fly into Hoy’s Pond from

their roosting spots underneath the

I-95 bridge. After Great Horned

Owls moved in, the Barn Owls were

gone, and are now scarce in south-

eastern Pennsylvania.

Why is Heinz Refuge the best

place to go birding in Philadelphia?

It’s the marsh, and the variety of

habitats that host a wide array of

raptors, waders, warblers, sparrows,

ducks and more. No other location

could yield such a high number of

species on any given day as Heinz

Refuge, though there are many other

great birding spots in the metro area.

I’m a keen “lister,” and every year

I do a “big year” in Philadelphia,

looking for the most number of bird

species possible within the city

limits. When the calendar rolls to

January 1, I’m out before dawn to

start my new list, hoping each year

will exceed the previous one. More

often than not, I spend part of that

day at Heinz Refuge, ticking-off

ducks, grebes, sparrows, hawks,

owls, Rusty Blackbird, Winter Wren,

etc.

In 2007 I made an especially big

“big year” effort, soliciting friends

and strangers to call me day or night

to report rare birds, which I raced

out to see. (Every retiree should have

a hobby!). Heinz figured hugely into

that effort, producing Painted Bun-

ting, Rough-legged Hawk, Common

Gallinule, Wilson’s and Red-necked

Phalaropes, Dunlin, Black Scoter,

Northern Saw-whet Owl and many

more of the 233 species tallied by

year’s end. That year I was certainly

visiting Heinz Refuge more than once

a week… sometimes more than once

a day!

I recall many special sightings at

Heinz Refuge over the years – a

Purple Gallinule in June 1982, a Ruff

in October 1986, and the King Rail

seen just a few months ago, on May

29, 2013.

There are a few disappointments

too… I’ve managed to miss every

Orange-crowned Warbler that’s ever

been reported there! In all my years

of birding and listing, I’ve recorded

245 cumulative species at Tinicum,

and look forward to adding more to

the list.

Advice for new birders? Go bird-

ing! And don’t just go on guided

walks – though there are great walk

leaders at Heinz – go out alone with a

field guide, and learn to study and

identify the birds yourself. It will

improve your I.D. skills immensely,

and you’ll enjoy birding that much

more. Visit Heinz Refuge as often as

you can – there is always something

new and exciting to experience there!

“WINGS OVER THE CITY”

Avian Insights by Frank Windfelder, edited by Debbie Beer

Black Crowned Night Heron

Photo by Karen McCunney

Northern Saw Whet Owl

Photo by Frank Windfelder

CANADA GOOSE WOOD DUCK GADWALL AMERICAN WIGEON BLACK DUCK MALLARD BLUE-

WINGED TEAL NORTHERN SHOVELER NORTHERN PINTAIL GREEN-WINGED TEAL RUDDY

DUCK PIED-BILLED GREBE DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT GREAT BLUE HERON GREAT

EGRET SNOWY EGRET GREEN HERON BLACK VULTURE TURKEY VULTURE OSPREY BALD

EAGLE NORTHERN HARRIER SHARP-SHINNED HAWK COOPER’S HAWK RED-SHOULDERED

HAWK BROAD-WINGED HAWK RED-TAILED HAWK AMERICAN KESTREL MERLIN PEREGRINE

FALCON KILLDEER SPOTTED SANDPIPER SOLITARY SANDPIPER GREATER YELLOWLEGS

LESSER YELLOWLEGS LEAST SANDPIPER PECTORAL SANDPIPER LAUGHING GULL RING-

BILLED GULL HERRING GULL GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL CASPIAN TERN FORSTER’S TERN

ROCK PIGEON MOURNING DOVE GREAT-HORNED OWL COMMON NIGHTHAWK CHIMNEY

SWIFT BELTED KINGFISHER RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER DOWNY WOODPECKER NORTHERN

FLICKER EASTERN PHOEBE BLUE JAY AMERICAN CROW TREE SWALLOW NORTHERN

ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW BARN SWALLOW CAROLINA CHICKADEE TUFTED TITMOUSE RED-

BREASTED NUTHATCH WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH CAROLINA WREN MARSH WREN

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET AMERICAN ROBIN GRAY CATBIRD

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD BROWN THRASHER EUROPEAN STARLING CEDAR WAXWING

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH COMMON YELLOWTHROAT NORTHERN PARULA BLACKPOLL

WARBLER BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER PALM WARBLER YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER EASTERN TOWHEE FIELD SPARROW SAVANNAH

SPARROW SONG SPARROW SWAMP SPARROW WHITE-THROATED SPARROW WHITE-

CROWNED SPARROW NORTHERN CARDINAL INDIGO BUNTING RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD

RUSTY BLACKBIRD COMMON GRACKLE BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD HOUSE FINCH

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH CANADA GOOSE WOOD DUCK GADWALL AMERICAN WIGEON BLACK

DUCK MALLARD BLUE-WINGED TEAL NORTHERN SHOVELER NORTHERN PINTAIL GREEN-

WINGED TEAL RUDDY DUCK PIED-BILLED GREBE DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT GREAT

BLUE HERON GREAT EGRET SNOWY EGRET GREEN HERON BLACK VULTURE TURKEY

VULTURE OSPREY BALD EAGLE NORTHERN HARRIER SHARP-SHINNED HAWK COOPER’S

HAWK RED-SHOULDERED HAWK BROAD-WINGED HAWK RED-TAILED HAWK AMERICAN

KESTREL MERLIN PEREGRINE FALCON KILLDEER SPOTTED SANDPIPER SOLITARY

SANDPIPER GREATER YELLOWLEGS LESSER YELLOWLEGS LEAST SANDPIPER PECTORAL

SANDPIPER LAUGHING GULL RING-BILLED GULL HERRING GULL GREAT BLACK-BACKED

GULL CASPIAN TERN FORSTER’S TERN ROCK PIGEON MOURNING DOVE GREAT-HORNED

OWL COMMON NIGHTHAWK CHIMNEY SWIFT BELTED KINGFISHER RED-BELLIED

WOODPECKER DOWNY WOODPECKER NORTHERN FLICKER EASTERN PHOEBE BLUE JAY

AMERICAN CROW TREE SWALLOW NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW BARN SWALLOW

CAROLINA CHICKADEE TUFTED TITMOUSE RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH WHITE-BREASTED

NUTHATCH CAROLINA WREN MARSH WREN GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET RUBY-CROWNED

KINGLET AMERICAN ROBIN GRAY CATBIRD NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD BROWN THRASHER

EUROPEAN STARLING CEDAR WAXWING NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH COMMON

YELLOWTHROAT NORTHERN PARULA BLACKPOLL WARBLER BLACK-THROATED BLUE

Join Heinz Refuge “Big Sittas” on Sunday, October 13, as we spend the day counting birds as part of the annual, international BIG SIT event!

Spend an hour, 10 minutes, or all day, as we scan for species from the Observation Tower, one of the most scenic locations on Heinz Refuge.

At last year’s BIG SIT, the Heinz Refuge team found 77 species, highlighting the rich variety of birds that depend upon Refuge resources – EAGLES, HAWKS, DUCKS, WARBLERS, SPARROWS and more.

Our BIG SIT raises funds to support Friends of Heinz Refuge programs such as Weed Warriors, Winter Bird Count for Kids, Pollinator Garden, Guided Nature Walks, Summer Camps, Environmental

Education, Groundhog Day Family Festival, and Eastwick Community Coalition.

We appreciate your generous pledge in support of Friends of Heinz Refuge. You can pledge based on the number of species we find at the BIG SIT, or make a single contribution.

Mail-in this pledge form, or bring it with you on October 13. You can also contribute via Paypal from our website www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org (click “Join”).

Yes, I support the Friends of Heinz Refuge (FOHR) efforts to identify as many bird species as possible during the BIG SIT, a fun, friendly event, and an important fundraiser for FOHR.

Name: __________________________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________

City / State / Zip Code: ______________________________________________________________

Email:____________________________________________________________________________

*Pledge per species $: _________________ OR Single Contribution $: ____________________

*We hope to find ~75 bird species. If you pledge $.50 each, and we find 75, you will contribute $37.50.

Mail this bottom half to: Friends of Heinz Refuge-The Big Sit, P.O. Box 333, Folcroft, PA 19032. Donations are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Check our Website and Facebook after October 13 to find out our total. We’ll send you a pledge reminder.

SSuunnddaayy,, OOccttoobbeerr 1133,, 22001133 SSuunnrriissee ttoo SSuunnsseett -- OObbsseerrvvaattiioonn TToowweerr

JJoohhnn HHeeiinnzz NNaattiioonnaall WWiillddlliiffee RReeffuuggee,, PPhhiillaaddeellpphhiiaa

14


Tinicum Treasure Tales As Told By Our Store Manager

Annemarie Rapp

Current members of FOHR get 10% off of their purchases (there are some exclusions) and profits

from sales are targeted for Refuge projects.

As a bonus, your FOHR membership also entitles you to a 10% discount at bookstores on all National Wildlife Refuges

located in New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Just show them your membership card!! It is that easy!!

Show Your Support For the National Wildlife Refuge System

Buy Your Federal Duck Stamp at the Heinz Refuge Today!

First Federal Duck Stamp in 1934.

Design by J.N. "Ding" Darling

2013-2014 Federal Duck Stamp. Design: Robert Steiner, San Francisco, CA

Duck Stamps Available NOW!! Federal Duck Stamps are once

again available for purchase in the

Tinicum Treasures nature shop.

With your help, we hope to surpass

our all-time high number of 40

stamps sold last year.

For those of you who do not know

about Federal Duck Stamps or why

you should purchase one, I am giv-

ing you a little history behind them:

Basics on Federal Duck Stamps Federal Migratory Bird Hunting

and Conservation Stamps, com-

monly known as “Duck Stamps,” are

pictorial stamps produced by the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They

are not valid for postage.

Originally created in 1934 as

federal licenses required for hunting

migratory waterfowl, Federal Duck

Stamps have a much larger purpose

today. Federal Duck Stamps are

vital tools for wetland conservation.

Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wild-

life Service sponsors a stamp-design

contest (usually held in the fall),

with wildlife artists from across the

nation submitting their work for

judging by a panel of artists and

wildlife experts. The winning art is

used on the following year's stamp.

Wildlife artists consider it a great

honor to be selected as the winner of

the Federal Duck Stamp Contest.

After the winning design has been

selected, the Federal Duck Stamp

Office designs and produces a stamp

that meets the needs and expecta-

tions of the public.

Why Buy Federal Duck Stamps? The Federal Duck Stamp has been

called one of the most successful

conservation programs ever initiated

and is a highly effective way to con-

serve America’s natural resources.

Birders and other visitors to na-

tional wildlife refuges buy Duck

Stamp each year to gain free admis-

sion to refuges.

Conservationists buy Duck

Stamps because they know that dol-

lar for dollar, one of the best invest-

ments one can make in the future of

America’s wetlands.

Collectors buy Duck Stamps be-

cause the beautiful stamps can gain

value over the years and are an im-

portant part of America’s outdoor

culture.

"Junior Duck Stamps - created by kids - are also available for just $5 each. Proceeds benefit youth conservation and arts programs."

“Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated by the sale of Federal Duck Stamps goes directly to purchase or lease wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System”.

15


Report Violations

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

John Heinz N.W.R. at Tinicum (215) 365-3118

Pennsylvania Game Commission

SE Region Law Enforcement

(610) 926-3136

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission SE Region Law Enforcement

(717) 626-0228

EMERGENCY 911

Refuge visitors can borrow fishing rods, reels, hooks and

other tackle at the front desk of the Visitor Center. Equip-

ment check-out procedure is similar to that found in librar-

ies. The Visitor Center hours are from 8:30am to 4:00pm.

This program is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. The program is designed to make it easy for anyone to access fishing tackle. It's hoped that those making the loans will enjoy fishing so much they are hooked for life. This equipment may also be loaned to groups conducting angler education programs in the community.

To find other sites which loan fishing tackle, go to the PA

Fish and Boat Commission’s web site at: http://

www.fish.state.pa.us/loaner.htm.

Join or Renew your Friends of Heinz Refuge Membership This is a (please check) [ ] new [ ] renewal [ ] gift membership.

Please choose your preferred membership level from the following list :

[ ] $10 Duckling (Student/senior)

[ ] $15 Heron (Individual)

[ ] $25 Monarch (Family)

[ ] $50 Red-bellied Turtle (Group)

[ ] $100 Red Fox (Contributing)

[ ] $250 Merlin (Sustaining)

[ ] $500 Osprey (Corporate)

[ ] $ __________ Donation

[ ] Notify me when newsletter is online. [ ] I wish to receive monthly e-bulletins.

[ ] Please contact me about potential volunteer opportunities. Membership supports conservation of the largest fresh water tidal marsh in Pennsylvania and entitles you to attend member

only events and a 10% discount at gift shops operated by Friends of National Wildlife Refuges in the Mid Atlantic. If you give us

your email address, we will email you (no more than monthly) with reminders of upcoming events and when the newsletter is

posted to our website. We do not share your information with any other organizations.

Make checks payable to FOHR Tinicum and mail to FOHR, PO Box 333, Folcroft PA, 19032-0333, or bring to the refuge next time you visit.

Name ______________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________

City, State, Zip _______________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________

Email ______________________________________________________

FOHR BOARD MEETINGS The public is always welcome to attend Board Meetings, which are held at 6:30 pm in the Visitor Center

on the 4th Tuesday of every month.

16


Friends of the Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum

PO Box 333

Folcroft, PA 19032-0333

Non Profit Org U.S. Postage

Paid

Permit 45 Havertown, PA 19083

Return Service Requested

Save the Dates!

The BIG SIT—October 13th Join us in Counting Bird Species From

Dawn to Dusk at the Observation Platform

FOHR Annual Membership Luncheon Meeting Sunday, November 10th ~ 12 to 2 ~ in the Refuge Visitor’s Center

FOHR Photo Group Awards Ceremony Sunday, November 10th ~ 2 to 4 ~ in the Refuge Visitor’s Center

Documents

Friends of Heinz Refuge Marsh Musings Fall 2013