Okefenokee.com

February Wildlife Notes

jo — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 01:34:35 +0000

The rites of spring start arriving to the swamp as Ospreys begin nesting, you can observe aerial courtship displays of red-tailed hawks, Southern Leopard Frogs can be heard calling. Ferns raise new fiddleheads, early blooming wildflowers, such as Neverwet, Arrowhead … Continue reading →

February Birding Notes

jo — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 01:32:25 +0000

Sheila’s Birding Notes for February

Barred owl courtship is well underway, while osprey, sandhill crane, and brown-headed nuthatch are just beginning theirs. Pine warblers are heard trilling in the treetops. Wood duck are in pairs. During the last few weeks, sandhill crane migration begins, as those which overwinter gradually leave the area. Sedge wrens still hide in the wet grasses, while yellow-bellied sapsuckers continue to peck out their feeding stations in tree trunks.

*Sheila Willis is a Native American Naturalist who grew up around the Okefenokee Swamp and is currently writing a Birding Guide to the Greater Okefenokee Area. Sheila was kind enough to share her Birding Calendar with us.

January Wildlife Notes

jo — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 01:19:23 +0000

Big numbers of birds winter throughout the swamp you will find Sandhill Crane and Ibis particularly abundant near the junction of Grand and Chesser prairies and in the vicinity of Gannet Lake. Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, and teal can be seen amid the prairies and backwaters. Tree Swallows and American Robins form large flocks, and gray Catbirds disperse among the thickets. Alligators are harder to see but like to sun in the middle of the day

January Birding Notes

jo — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 01:15:33 +0000

Sheila Willis is a Native American naturalist who grew up around the Okefenokee Swamp and is currently writing a Birding Guide to the Greater Okefenokee Area. Sheila was kind enough to share here Birding Calendar with us.

Cabins still available during the weekend of January 11, 12 & 13

jo — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 23:45:35 +0000

We still have cabins and camping available for the weekend of the Winter Photography Workshop presented at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Email or call 912-496-4472 Tues thru Sat 2 to 6 pm and make your reservation.

December Wildlife Notes

jo — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:35:23 +0000

River Otters are more conspicuous in the lakes and prairies as alligators cease feeding.

December Birding Notes

jo — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:32:51 +0000

Wading birds and ducks are typical bird-types encountered in the wet areas. Gray catbirds call from thickets, and ruby-crowned kinglets fuss from the trees. A vermillion flycatcher may be here for one of its irregular Winter vacations. American kestrels are stationed at their territories in the surrounding countryside. Common yellowthroats provide a dash of color. Late weeks have American robins being the most numerous area bird.

Bug & Heat Report for Fall and into Winter

jo — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 01:50:08 +0000

We are now into our Fall and Winter season here at the Okefenokee. Weather here this time of year is mostly super beautiful. Bugs are not too bad right now but a few blood sucking fiends are around in certain spots and at certain times.

THE HEAT, BUG & COMFORT REPORT for Fall into Winter 2012-13

The heat and bug comfort factor average is around a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Comfort scale explained

#1 = is the most comfortable — ranging up to – #10 = is the least comfortable.

HEAT = 3

BUGS = 5

During the summer and through early fall, numbers can get up there. As winter arrives numbers ease on down.

Please keep in mind that cold weather comfort or discomfort is not really factored into this information. The report is oriented mostly to day use activities in and around the East side or the Headquarters Entrance of the Okefenokee including some nearby recreational areas close to or part of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

The USFWS’s overnight wilderness paddle trail system of camping platforms that crisscross the swamp may have some higher or lower values at certain spots but should generally average out pretty close. Real time variations in climate and temperature always influence the average and seasonal day to day conditions reported.

Most of the time around Okefenokee the seriously blood thirsty bugs seem worse at the water’s edge or in the dry brushy upland areas, rather than actually out on the water. The exception on the water is around twilight and the early evening times and possibly sometimes at special areas in the early mornings.

Be advised that a moving target (like a boat going through the water) seems to get hit less frequently than a stationary one.

The current HEAT and BUG COMFORT SCALE

HEAT = 3

BUGS = 5

These numbers should hold pretty real until around early or mid Spring then they will start to move some more points.

The comfort scale is put together by personal non professional observations, experiences and estimations and actually has no scientific authority or status. Our scale is intended for use only as a very general guideline and informational tool not as solid scientific fact. Please be aware that cold weather and some other weather conditions may not be factored into the comfort equations.

2012-13 Water Levels at Okefenokee Swamp

steve — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 23:04:56 +0000

Changing water levels seem to vary the favorable habitats for many types of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and the vegetation. Do not miss out on the opportunity for some excellent Okefenokee plant and wildlife observations during those unusual times.

As time goes by after a fire, the new growth will entice more and more birds and other wildlife into much of the previously burned areas. Water levels at any given time do seriously influence many species of wading birds and their feeding habits.

Extreme weather conditions foster wildlife migrations that are evident and underway throughout the 700 square mile swamp, whether it’s an alligator crossing a road in search of a better wetland, or Sandhill Cranes and their young moving throughout the prairies or even coming face to face with a pair of very large Black Bears foraging for food in the prairies. Lower water plus rising and falling fluctuations mean that there are usually interesting animal behaviors to observe in the Okefenokee but be aware, it can all change very quickly.

Currently water levels are at or near a more normal water level measurement. Recent consistent rainfall measurements have been closer to norm and average in amounts. We are no longer in a drought or a drought like situation here at Okefenokee. Okefenokee Swamp water levels and moisture indexes are overall much closer to where they should be. Some substantial fall/winter rain events could change this some more but the prediction is for more average like rainfall amounts and weather heading through the Winter and into Spring of 2013.

We can only hope things will stabilize for a while but around here when it does let go it is usually like turning the faucet on full blast.

Sometimes it is better to enjoy whatever it is you have, because you might just get more than you wished for.

October Birding Notes

jo — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:40:23 +0000

The month to be out in Autumn. Migration is at its peak, with American redstarts appearing routinely. other warblers seen include worm-eating, prairie, and blackthroated blue. Swainson’s thrushes come in as well, and Northern harriers might be observied hunting. Later weeks have Winter species such as yellow-rumped warbler, palm warbler, and swamp sparrow as a common sight. Wild turkeys go on a search for fallen acorns.