National Wildlife Refuge Week by offering a
Family Nature Scavenger Photograph Search Challenge

Bombay Hook NWR in Smyrna, Delaware invites families to explore the outdoors by participating in a nature scavenger photograph search from October 15 – November 12, 2009.  Families will have 10 clues about wildlife and habitat designations located on the refuge.  When you find the designated area, take a photograph of your family at the area.  This will be proof that your family has completed all 10 clues.  When you complete the scavenger photograph search, turn in your photographs at Bombay Hook’s Visitor Center or email your digital photos (low resolution) to tina_watson@fws.gov on or before November 12, 2009.  Up to 50 families that hand in their completed search photographs will receive an entrance pass to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (valid for 1 year).

Remember – Take time to enjoy the sights!  Take your binoculars.  Is your family up to the challenge?

Clue 1:   As you enter the refuge, look for refuge name on a sign which also indicates the federal organization responsible for the 540 plus refuges in the United States.  Take a family picture in front of the sign. Notice the native plants around the sign!

Clue 2:   Walk a trail that has a boardwalk over the salt marsh.  As you walk along Raymond Gut (a waterway along the boardwalk) you will see a sign with a crab that has one large claw and one small claw.  Take a family picture next to the sign.  Smell the salt marsh!

Clue 3:   At the end of a trail you will find steps to climb, and at the top you will find out how an impoundment is managed for the different seasons of the year. Take a family picture in front of the sign.  Look at the different colored leaves!

Clue 4:   At the end of one trail you will find a floating dock and will be able to look through an eye piece that makes the birds look larger.  Take a family picture in front of the scope.  Look for ducks!

Clue 5:   As you drive through the refuge look for birds in their natural habitat.  Take a family picture in front of a habitat with geese, ducks, egrets, herons, or any bird will do.  Look for snow geese! 

Clue 6:   As you drive the auto-tour route look for a structure that used to hold corn. Now it provides safe nesting places for owls.  Take a family picture in front of the structure.  Look for a fox!

Clue 7:   The Finis fresh water area of the refuge provides a habitat for many animals.  Look for a sign that explains the importance of diverse wildlife and plant communities.  Take a family picture in front of the sign.  Look for the secretive wood ducks!

Clue 8:   As you drive through the refuge you will see a brick house (behind a row of trees) built in 1753.  The gate will be locked near the house.  Walk to the other side of the gate and in front of the house.  Take a family picture with the house in the background.  Look for eagles soaring!

Clue 9:   Stop at the building open to visitors and look for some mounted animals.  Find an animal that lives in the fresh water and likes to slide down mud banks, has fur on his tail, and is 33 inches tall.  Take a family picture in front of the animal.  Look for birds at the feeders around the building!

Clue 10:  As you exit the Refuge gate, look for a small white sign with a blue goose.  Don’t go beyond the sign!  Take a family picture in front of the sign.  Look for deer in the fields!

 For more information contact Tina Watson, 302-653-6872

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