Administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wheeler NWR was established in 1938 as a wintering spot for thousands of migratory birds such as ducks, geese and other waterfowl.  Covering close to 35,000 acres, the WNWR provide habitats and nesting sites for seasonally migrating songbirds as well as waterfowl.  The area is made up of a great variety of habitat types such as hardwood bottomland, pine uplands, wetlands, backwater embayments, and riparian woodlands.  These habitats provide excellent shelter, feeding, and roosting sites.  The refuge manages and protects the habitat for ten endangered or threatened species that reside there.  The WNWR hosts 47 species of mammals,  74 species of amphibians and reptiles, 285 species of songbirds, and 115 species of fish.

Photos by C.Daniels unless noted otherwise

TEACHER ACTIVITIES:

• The teachers will first visit the Visitors Center where they will see the displays of the wildlife in the preserve.

• They will receive information about the Wildlife events that may be happening there.  The type of wildlife activity they will observe will depend on the time of year, the weather and the fluctuating levels of the water.  A review of the climatology and the types of habitats found in the area will be covered.  The area is within the humid subtropical climate region (Cfa) which results in an average annual precipitation of 62 inches (National Weather Service, Birmingham).

• There is also an observatory within the Visitors Center.  In January, the waterfowl numbers are at their peak.  Canada and snow geese, and many species of ducks are most abundant.  Wildflowers are at their peak in April along with nesting migrant songbirds.   Migrating blu-winged teal, warblers, vireos and other birds come and go north towards their summer grounds.  The broods of mallards, wood and black ducks appear in May.    In July the waterfowl activity is at its lowest for the year, but songbirds are common at this time.  In September, teal migration peaks as they come and go south to their winter homes.

• There are several trails for the teachers to go through to observe the wildlife, the climatology and habitats of the area.

• Along the trail, teachers should be able to observe the different type of habitat and the associated wildlife in each habitat.  They will be able to compare and contrast among the wetlands, the  riparian woodlands, bottomland with hardwoods, backwater embayments, and pine uplands.  They will even see agricultural fields side by side with these habitats.  There is a share agreement with local farmers who are cultivating 3500 acres of the refuge.  They must leave a third of their harvest in the field as a food source for the wildlife.

• A guided tour will be provided by Daphne Moland of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and by  Mr. Bob Archibald, a retired engineer, who volunteers at the WNWR.

• They will also discuss the management techniques on the refuge.  Besides sharing with the farmers to ensure adequate food for wintering geese and other waterfowl, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service also control water levels in the refuge.  Control structures are used in wet areas to control water levels.  They also monitor nesting success by banding ducks and other birds.  Information on harvest numbers, migration routes, and general conditions of the birds are continually gathered.

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