Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Open House Sept 9 and 10

[Steve_Kahl@fws.gov]

The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Open House is this weekend (Sept 9
and 10).  All areas of the refuge are open to the public for hiking,
bicycling, and birding during daylight hours.  Stop by the refuge
headquarters between 9AM and 3PM on Saturday to pick your favorite photos
in the annual refuge photo contest.  Refuge Volunteer Kim LeBlanc will give
an hour long photography workshop at 11AM Saturday also.

Refuge Volunteer Steve Gasser and I will lead a bird walk along the
Ferguson Bayou Nature Trail at 8AM Saturday and at Evon Road on Sunday at
8AM.  Each hike will be about 5 miles and last 3-4 hours.  Wear comfortable
shoes, dress for the weather,and bring binoculars, water and bug repellant.

 Unfortunately, the self-guided auto tour is cancelled this year due to
extensive dike damage from the March flood.  Hopefully, repairs will be
made in time to permit the auto tour to resume next year.

This is one of the best times of the year for birding at the refuge.  We
are conducting a drawdown in Pool 1A (2nd pool north of Grefe Tower) which
has attracted an abundance of shorebirds and egrets.  Warbler migration is
in full swing and many waterfowl are starting to appear as well.

This event is free and open to the public.

Steven Kahl
Refuge Manager
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
6975 Mower Road
Saginaw, MI  48601-9783
P (989) 777-5930 ext 16
F (989) 777-9200
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/shiawassee/