Sharp-tailed Grouse Survey 2012
April 1st to 22nd
The sight and sound of sharp-tailed grouse dancing on a lek (dancing/breeding ground) is one of nature's true spectacles. Males stomp their feet as fast as they can, causing their tails to rattle. At the same time they inflate purple neck sacks, called gular, which produce a unique sound. Meanwhile the females sit back and watch carefully to select their mate. The romance is fleeting and the hen will be left to raise the young on her own. Couple this show with the early morning light of dawn and you have the backdrop for a wonderful and unforgettable morning.
As a citizen scientist you will be asked to hike one mile at first light to make it to the blind by dawn. Like the saying goes "The early bird gets the ..." well in the grouse world we are going to have to say hen. After reaching the blind you will take weather readings then rest for a bit before you begin to count. For one hour you will count the dancing grouse and the non-dancing grouse for one minute every ten minutes. The rest of the time is yours to watch, photograph, or video tape the grouse. Stay as long as you like before you hike out again.
Pre-registration and an hour long class is required to participate in this study. Classes will be held on March 22nd at 7pm and March 26th at 3pm or by request if you are unable to make either date. Because of the nature of the study, we will try to pair people up into teams if you do not have a partner. For more information or to sign up contact Sara Giles by email: Sara_Hollerich@fws.gov or call (906) 586-9851 x10.
Volunteer Orientation
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012
Lean about wildlife and meet new people. Be a part of something fun!
9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center. Lunch is provided. Current volunteers are encouraged to attend, as well as anyone interested in volunteering at the Refuge.
Email Jennifer_McDonough@fws.gov or call (906) 586-9851 x16 if you want to learn more or register for orientation.
Volunteer Bus Tour
Thursday, May 10th, 2012
The tour will take volunteers on the backcountry roads throughout the Refuge as a way of sharing the different habitat types and answering questions.
Twilight Tour
Thursdays, May 24th and 31st, 2012
Use your ears not just your eyes on these special nighttime tours of Seney National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is closed from dusk to dawn so this tour is a rare opportunity to experience the twilight and early evening hours when many animals are active. We will be searching for secretive marshbirds like the yellow rail, Virginia rail and sora. This is also an excellent chance to hear spring peepers, gray treefrogs, green frogs, and American toads. Will you see one? Its highly unlikely but chances are very good you will hear their calls.
The tour involves several stops where we will get out of the bus, stand and listen for any types of wildlife that may be calling. Tours will start at 9:00pm and end between around 12am. Meet at the visitor center, which will reopen at 8:30, and come prepared to do battle with mosquitoes and black flies. Head nets, pants, long sleeves, and closed shoes are recommended. Dress in layers as some nights can be quite chilly. We will go even if there is a light rain, so plan accordingly.
Here are some highlights from past tours. We heard sora, Virginia rails, spring peepers, gray treefrogs, American toads, American woodcock, Wilson's snipe, and green frogs. Saw trumpeter swans, common loons, sandhill cranes, ring-necked ducks, and many other species. The refuge truly is different at night. Pre-registration is required & space is limited - call 906.586.9851 ext 10.
Amateur Photo Tours
Most Thursdays June - September, 7 - 11am
Join other amateur photographers to explore the Refuge, look for great shots, and share photos and skills. You should have a working knowledge of your equipment and come prepared for a variety of weather and bug conditions. Preregister by noon the previous day by calling (906) 586-9851 x15 or at the Visitor Center.
Wildlife Wednesdays
7-9:30 p.m. June, July, and August
Join us for a casual, guided auto tour. Tours take you onto part of the Marshland Wildlife Drive, Fishing Loop, and into the backcountry. This is a great chance to view wildlife, enjoy the scenery, and ask questions. We will be on the lookout for a variety of wildlife, while sharing refuge history and management practices.
Children's Fishing Day
Saturday, June 23rd, 2012
Annual Children's Fishing Day- Catch the Excitement! Saturday, June 23rd, 2012 the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with the Seney Natural History Association, invites you to participate in the 23rd Annual Children’s Fishing Day. On the day of the event young anglers are required to register at the Visitor Center before fishing. Fish entries will be accepted between 9:00am and 2:00pm at the Visitor Center. Fishing stations will be set up along the Refuge’s Fishing Loop. A limited amount of fishing poles and bait are available for participants to use at these stations. Fishing is allowed from the shore along designated fishing pools and show pools. Lead sinkers are not allowed.
Activities and games for the whole family begin at 12:00pm in the Visitor Center and include arts and crafts, games, and much more. Certificates will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners for largest perch and pike in four age categories. Prizes, provided by local businesses, will be awarded by random drawing. A complimentary fish dinner for all participants and their families will be held at 3:00pm, followed by the awards ceremony.
Junior Duck Stamp Art Exhibit
July 9am to 5pm Daily
Community members and visitors alike should mark their calendars for this exhibition of original art work by kids from across the country. The first place winners from each state and U.S. territory will be on display.
Discover Seney
Wednesday, August 15th from 9am - 3pm
Limited to the first 50 participants, Discover Seney is a way for adults to learn more about the Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System. Activities and presentation will take place throughout the day. Preregistration and a $5 registration fee are required. Lunch will be provided.
Nature Programs
Various Dates and Time
Staff and interns will present programs and tours on a variety of topics. Check back monthly for an updated list of programs, times, dates and locations.
Seney NWR Amateur Photo Contest!
Last Day to Enter is August 31st.
You’re invited to participate in Seney National Wildlife Refuge’s Amateur Photo Contest. The sole purpose of the contest is to encourage you to visit and enjoy the Refuge. Up to five entries (total) per person may be submitted - no more than three per category. Youth photographers may submit up to five photos. The" Special Assignment" will change each year. Photos may depict any of the following categories:
- Wildlife (Mammals, Birds, Reptiles & Amphibians, Spiders, Insects, etc.)
- Public Use/Recreation
- Landscape
- Plants/Plant Like Organisms (Wildflowers, Lichens, Mushrooms, Liverworts, etc.)
- Special Assignment 2012: Macro: Take time to notice the small thing.
- Youth (18 and under): Any subject but the photographer must be 13 to 18 years old.
The photos will be displayed at the Visitor Center in September and October and on Seney Natural History Association's Flickr page (www.flickr.com/seneynwr). Credit will be given to each of the contestants once the voting is completed. The public will vote for their favorites in each of the categories. Voting will take place at the visitor center or you can cast your vote online. Voting for 2012 will begin in early September. To vote online check out the photos on the Flickr website then follow the special instructions which will be posted as soon as voting is allowed. Certificates, ribbons and prizes will be awarded. All entries will remain on display at the Visitor Center until October 15th and on the internet.
Monarch Madness
Sunday, September 2nd 9am to 1pm
Would you like to participate in collecting and tagging monarch butterflies? Join us for this morning of Monarch education and citizen science. We will start with an orientation session and then head to the field for about 3 hours.
Youth in the Outdoors
For elementary age boys & girls
Saturday, September 29th
A variety of activity stations will be available to introduce youth to outdoor related topics, some will fulfill scout badge requirements. Preregistration is required. See the website or call for details and registration forms.
Fall Color Float - In Celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week
Sunday, October 7th, 2012 at 11am - 4pm
Join refuge staff for a 4-5 hour canoe/kayak trip down the Manistique River. Early October is a beautiful time to visit the Refuge as the leaves will be changing color. Pack a lunch, dress for the weather (could be warm or cool), and remember to pre-register so we know that you're coming. Bring your own boat or rent one from one of the local outfitters. Call Sara Giles for more details (906) 586-9851 x10. If inclement weather strikes on October 7th we will reschedule the Fall Color Float to Thursday, October 11th. There are local outfitters in Germfask who offer canoe and kayak rentals as well as shuttle service.
National Wildlife Refuge Week
Week of October 7 - 13, 2012
Come out to your Wildlife Refuge and see what it has to offer. We are going to keep the visitor center and Marshland Wildlife Drive open through October 15th. The Visitor Center is open from 9am-5pm.
Science and Seney Series
May 23rd, June 14th, July 12th, August 2nd, August 23rd, September 11th (dates are tentative)
7 to 9pm
This series of evening presentations will cover a variety of topics including an overview of research and monitoring projects occurring at the Refuge. A detailed presentation scheduled will be available at the Visitor Center and on the website.
Winter Film Festival
Tuesday Evenings in February at 7:00pm
Get out of your living room and join us and other community members at the Refuge Visitor Center for a series of free films. Better yet....come to the Refuge early to go for a ski or snowshoe outing and then warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and a good movie. The Seney Natural History association will provide the hot chocolate and cookies, please bring your own mug. Films will start promptly at 7pm.
Films Shown at the 2012 Film Festival
- Great Migrations - The Science of Great Migrations
- Lake Invaders: The Fight for Lake Huron
- Great Migrations: Race to Survive
- Elsa's Legacy
- Forever Wild: Celebrating America's Wilderness
- Division Street
- A Simple Question - the Story of STRAW
- The Animal House
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