The Boat-tailed Grackle at St. Marks NWR

Visitors to the Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge often ask “What is that black bird?” when they see a Boat-tailed Grackle. Most people think it is a crow. They are also surprised to learn that the female grackle is a small brown bird that doesn’t look much like the male.

Many people are not impressed by the grackles and think that they are not very attractive. The Boat-tailed Grackle is actually a beautiful bird but it must be seen under the right conditions. Continue reading “The Boat-tailed Grackle at St. Marks NWR”

2016 Monarch Butterfly Festival at St. Marks NWR

The Monarch Butterfly Festival is held every year on the 4th Saturday of October. The festival is always enjoyable with many exhibits, vendors, and educational activities for the whole family.

The mission of the St. Marks NWR Monarch butterfly festival is “Create awareness and action to conserve habitat for pollinators, especially the Monarch Butterfly”

One of the great joys of attending the festival is to see the excitement of children as they visit the Monarch tagging table.  At the tagging station  visitors of all ages can watch a  biologist demonstrate the tagging procedure. Visitors have the opportunity to touch a Monarch under the supervision of the biologist.

Continue reading “2016 Monarch Butterfly Festival at St. Marks NWR”