www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
Marsh MusingsMarsh MusingsMarsh Musings Autumn Edition Volume 0313
The Darby-Cobbs Creek Watershed Sustains a Strong
Connection Between People and Wildlife
Newsletter of the Friends of Heinz Refuge at Tinicum
The storied Darby-Cobbs Water-
shed provides boundless recreational
enjoyment in hiking, photography,
canoeing, kayaking, birding, fishing
and more. This blue-greenway corri-
dor also serves as an expansive
outdoor classroom, facilitating envi-
ronmental education opportunities to
study stream ecology, riverine habi-
tats, sediment impacts, macroinverte-
brates, and many other study
subjects. The watershed contributes
to clean air and water, with riverside
foliage absorbing pollutants.
Stormwater management is among
the most important roles of the
Darby-Cobbs Watershed system.
The streams capture and direct
stormwater surges downstream,
away from homes and businesses.
High density development puts in-
creasing pressure on streams’ abili-
ties to handle water that is not
absorbed by impervious surfaces.
The watershed area of Heinz
Refuge is significantly cleaner now
than it was 200 years ago, when pol-
lutants flowed unchecked through
Philadelphia’s rivers and lands
during the peak of industrial revolu-
tionary times. Increased public
awareness spurred environmental
regulations to clean up polluted areas
and implement sustainable develop-
ment practices and policies.
Modern society brings new chal-
lenges to maintaining and enhancing
urban watersheds, including Darby
and Cobbs Creeks. Balancing
economic development with ecologi-
cal sustainability is a delicate task,
requiring equitable participation
from a variety of stakeholders.
Friends of Heinz Refuge, Eastwick
Friends & Neighbors Coalition,
Darby Creek Valley Association and
other regional organizations are
actively working to maintain and
enhance the natural and cultural
assets of the Darby-Cobbs Water-
shed. We believe this is essential to
sustain the quality of life for existing
and future generations. Truly,
water sustains life for everyone! Debbie Beer
Encompassing 135 linear stream
miles in 4 counties, the Darby-Cobbs
Creek Watershed has provided
important environmental, economic
and cultural resources to people and
wildlife for millennia, and continues
to impact urban existence today.
The Darby-Cobbs Watershed con-
nects a variety of historical and
diverse neighborhoods, as it flows
through 31 municipalities in Chester,
Delaware, Montgomery and Phila-
delphia Counties. As a whole,
nearly half-a-million people reside in
the watershed, with the highest
population density in and near the
City of Philadelphia.
Draining nearly 80 square miles,
the Watershed flows south into the
mouth of Darby Creek before empty-
ing into the Delaware River south of
the Airport. John Heinz National
Wildlife Refuge lies at the lower end
of the watershed, where Darby
Creek’s tidal waters rise and fall
twice-daily, expanding over the larg-
est freshwater marsh in the state.
These Tinicum wetlands are the last
remnant of what was once an 8,000-
acre marsh that covered a vast area
in southeastern PA. With the
appearance of the first European
settlers, the land was steadily diked,
dammed and drained to make way
for agriculture, farming, homes, in-
dustry, highways and an airport.
The overall health of the Darby-Cobbs
Creek watershed directly impacts the
health and viability of the Heinz
Refuge, located at its downstream end.
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www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
A quarterly publication of the Friends of
Heinz Refuge at Tinicum
Board of Directors Denis Brennan, President
Ron Miller, Vice President
Joe Pugh, Treasurer
Fran Miller, Secretary
Annemarie Rapp, Store Mgr.
Jean Diehl, Newsletter Editor
Jesse Smith, Webmaster
Debbie Beer
Hank Hox
Chuck Lafferty
Ned Levi
Stanley Rapp
Tom Reeves
The Friends of Heinz Refuge at Tinicum is a non-profit
cooperating association founded in 1997 to assist the U. S. Fish &
Wildlife Service in carrying out its educational, interpretive, and
public use missions on the refuge.
8601 Lindbergh Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19153
Contact email address:
Also find us on Facebook!!
Marsh MusingsMarsh MusingsMarsh Musings
The official registration and financial information of the Friends of the Heinz Refuge at Tinicum may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999.
This summer, the Friends of Heinz
Refuge began the process of devel-
oping a new strategic plan to guide
the group and shape its work over
the next three years.
Facilitated in part by funding from
a grant from the William Penn Foundation, FOHR has contracted
with the NonProfit Center at LaSalle University’s School of Business to hire highly skilled
strategic planning consultant, Ellen Greenberg, to help us chart a path
that will build upon and expand our
successful support of the Heinz
Refuge.
Ellen is working closely with board
members but will also be reaching
out to our stakeholders including
FOHR’s membership, Refuge staff,
nature walk leaders, former board
members, and photo group members,
to solicit additional input which will
help us identify our current
strengths, as well as our growth
potential.
We ask that all of FOHR’s mem-
bers be on the lookout for, and will
respond to our online survey that we
will be sending out this fall, so that
we can include your input as the new
strategic plan is developed.
When completed and adopted, our comprehensive strategic plan will strengthen FOHR and allow it to even better serve the Refuge, especially at a time when seques-tration cuts have strained Refuge resources.
Facilitated by a William Penn Foundation Grant, FOHR Has Hired the LaSalle NonProfit Center to Oversee Development of a New Strategic Plan
A REMINDER It is important that current
and former Friends members review their membership status within the next month or so. If any questions contact Friends email address listed above.
Only Friends members in good standing will receive invitations to our November Annual Membership meeting.
The principal goals of the strategic
plan will be to provide FOHR with
sound strategies for increasing
membership, successful fundraising,
and improving our educational and
outreach endeavors.
This in turn will enable FOHR to
achieve higher levels of support for
the refuge, including an increased
ability to assist with habitat improve-
ment and facility maintenance, in-
crease the scope of our environ-
mental education efforts, facilitate
new and exciting supporting part-
nerships, and to develop a stronger
cadre of volunteers.
FOHR plans to complete its new
strategic plan this winter. Look for
updates in future Marsh Musings
newsletters, on our Facebook page,
or in our e-bulletins and website—
www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org.
Jesse Smith
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www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
Engagement and Information Empowers
The Community address these challenges. Visioning
must include “outside-the-box” ideas
to contribute to a strong future for
Eastwick, one that preserves ecologi-
cal integrity alongside economic op-
portunity.
On June 25, EFNC organized a
public community meeting attended
by more than 100 people, including
The Eastwick Friends & Neighbors
Coalition (EFNC), including Friends
of Heinz Refuge as a founding
partner, forges ahead with its com-
mitment for an environmentally,
economically and socially sustain-
able future for the local community.
Amid political uncertainty, EFNC is
tackling formidable challenges,
including flooding, urban redevelop-
ment policies, educational attain-
ment, environmental burdens, and
economic development.
Community engagement and
visioning is a crucial component of
the process. To effectively meet
these challenges, all involved need to
be educated about the issues, to de-
velop alternative strategies to ad-
dress them, and to be empowered
through this process to make deci-
sions about definitive strategies that
the Refuge for science lessons – the
only official public education pro-
gram that did not utilize any vehicu-
lar transportation to get there! On
site, students learned about habitats,
wildlife conservation, endangered
species, and water ecology. They
went on nature hikes, boardwalk
explorations and bird counts.
For most of the students from the
underserved local community, their
lessons at Heinz Refuge marked the
first time they had walked in the
woods, or observed animals
up-close. This fact added to the
motivation of the many people who
provided a most memorable environ-
mental education program to
Pepper’s students, including Heinz
Refuge staff, Friends of Heinz Ref-
uge, PA Young Birders, ArtSphere,
Great Blue Herons and Great
Horned Owls, solar energy and soda
bottle bird feeders, fishing with
Coach Todd and painting Junior
Duck Stamps. These are just a few
of the highlights experienced by
Pepper Middle School students at
Heinz Refuge this year.
Twice a month, 40 5th grade boys
and girls walked several blocks to
Pepper Pride at Heinz Refuge
More than 100 people attend a commu-
nity meeting sponsored by EFNC.
Photo by: Ned Connelly
representatives from FEMA, EPA,
Councilman Kenyatta Johnson’s of-
fice, Heinz Refuge, Eastwick busi-
nesses and residents. Updates were
provided and stakeholders asked to
complete a community assessment
survey to get feedback on key issues.
EFNC continues discussions with
FEMA to understand flooding and
flood insurance.
Coordinating with Darby Creek
Valley Association (DCVA), EFNC
advocates for safe, effective
remediation of Clearview Landfill
Superfund Site, and participated in a
public information session hosted by
the EPA on July 18, to discuss the
Lower Darby Creek Superfund Site.
We appreciate your support and
involvement in developing the future
of Eastwick, including Heinz Ref-
u g e . C h e c k w e b s i t e www.EastwickFriends.wordpress.com
for ongoing information.
Debbie Beer
Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers and
many volunteers – we thank you all
for your deep dedication and spirit.
For all of the students, we’re sure
these experiences left a lasting im-
pression about the beauty, excite-
ment and importance of our natural
resources. We think Nigel, age 10,
summed it up best: “Together we can save the ecosystem and become guardians of the planet.”
Story and Photos by: Debbie Beer
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www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
employees in the greater Philadel-
phia area for 6 weeks each and to-
tally funded with outside partner-
ships. This is an awesome way for
today’s urban youth to gain direct
firsthand experience working in the
field of conservation and also pro-
vides a very positive influence on
their future education and careers.
In addition, our refuge education
staff and interns ran 3 week long
youth camps funded by the Friend of
Heinz Refuge (FOHR), to connect
more kids with nature in fun envi-
ronmental education activities.
The refuge’s very important and
growing partnerships with YMCA
fishing camps, Philadelphia Zoo, Wagner Free Institute, Schuylkill Center, Academy of Natural Sci-ences, PA SeaGrant, and PA Young Birders also led hundreds of
other youth through the refuge this
summer as we work to build the next
generation of conservation minded
citizens. Special thanks to the
Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition for all their incredible
work to help protect the important
128 acres of open space adjacent to
the refuge that provides unique urban
habitat for PA endangered leopard
frogs, American woodcock, wild
turkey, red fox and other species that
depend on these last treasured
remnants of available habitat.
Thanks go out to this year’s won-
derful interns including Frankie, Er-
ica, Janelle and Meghan as well as
our SJU turtle researchers Dave and
Maria for a very productive field
season. Congratulations to our SCEP
student Tajuan, who recently gradu-
ated from Middle Tennessee State
University as an engineer and was
placed at Cape May NWR.
Refuge Construction Continues On the construction side of things,
thank you to Friends of Heinz
Refuge for funding the paving of the
last section of the Universal Access
Nature Trail which allows wheel-
chairs and baby strollers a complete
6/10 mile loop (including the 580’
boardwalk).
Work is now underway in the
design phase of the 55 acre restora-
tion area at the west end of the ref-
uge along the Darby Creek Trail.
The design phase is to be completed
in the spring of 2014, after which we
will issue a second contract for the
actual dirt moving.
Hopes remain high for funding of
the 200 foot marsh boardwalk that is
now “shovel ready” in both engi-
neering and permitting. Work is also
planned for this fall to repair
damaged wood siding of the main
visitor center building as well as
connecting the new above ground
fuel tank for maintenance shop and
removing the old underground tank.
Remember to bring your friends
and families on out to enjoy the
Refuge’s many free programs
offered every weekend and discover
new ways to connect back with
nature on your National Wildlife
Refuge System…. where wildlife
comes naturally.
After another hot, humid summer
that many scientists link to long term
human caused influences on global
climate change, some cooling fall
weather will make it a great time of
year to spend outdoors. By the time
this issue of Marsh Musings goes to
press, the first neotropical fall mi-
grants will be heading south while
turtle hatchlings will be digging their
way out of the ground.
This year marks a major milestone
in wildlife conservation with the 40
year anniversary of the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) passed by the
93rd Congress and signed into law by
President Nixon on December 28,
1973. Our very own refuge bald
eagles (a recovered federally endan-
gered species) provide living local
testimony to success of the ESA by
producing young eaglets now for
four years in a row!
Refuge Partnerships Thrive While budgets are tight this year
with projections of being tighter in
the future, through so many great
partnerships, the refuge has had a
very productive field season.
Through the Student Conserva-tion Association (SCA) the refuge
hosted 6 field crews of high school
By Gary Stolz
Baby Red Fox ~ Photo by Patrick Ryan
Painted Turtles ~ Photo by Ron Holmes
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www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
Summer camp season started off in
late June with our first official heat
wave. This year refuge staff decided
to make two major changes to the
camp program - First, separate the
campers out in age groups. Second -
incorporate the Youth Conservation
Award. Separating the campers out
by age group enabled us to better
tailor camp activities to their abilities
while incorporating the Youth Con-
servation Award streamlined our
focus and take home messages about
the importance of wildlife habitat.
Summer Campers Earn Refuge Youth Conservation Award!
The camp week for the 6-8 year old
group started off with the campers
determining what "Heinz" is all
about by assembling a puzzle created
by SCA intern Erica Forstater, also
on the agenda that day was a habitat
study. Campers investigated the
field, forest and impoundment
searching for animals and plants
found there. While doing field inves-
tigation, we were greeted by students
from Saint Joe's University, who are
doing a turtle study at the refuge.
They had caught some turtles and
were happy to share their knowledge
with the campers who delighted in
watching the large snapper!
For day two we focused on the
"green" building. Refuge interns,
Francesca Cook and Jenelle Gomes,
created a scavenger hunt with sam-
ples from the products used in the
construction of the building. Camp-
ers scurried about determining which
sample matched the product used in
the construction and used their past
knowledge and reasoning skills to
figure out what those items were
originally made from.
B i r d i d e n t i f i c a -
tion activities including a "migration
headache" game and a service pro-
ject removing invasive plants with
Weed Warrior volunteer Kim Sheri-
dan rounded out the week. Amaz-
ingly, campers helped removed 4
large trash bags of "mugwort" in just
over an hour from her plot in front of
the visitor center. Campers also cre-
ated a large poster of the favorite
thing they did during their week at
the refuge. The poster is hanging up
in the education wing and is quite
entertaining to look at!
Erika Scarborough, FWS
Working with SCA Intern, Erica
Forstater, campers build a puzzle to
help them visualize what the Heinz Ref-
uge is all about. Photo by: FWS
Children ages 6 to 8 enjoy learning
about an aquatic environment as
summer camp. Photo by: FWS
Refuge Welcomes SCA Campers Back
Summer is here and we were
delighted to welcome back the
Student Conservation Association (SCA). This year it consisted of six
students and their supervisor Chuck
Lafferty, who is back for the second
year. They were an enthusiastic
group with high expectations to
complete multiple projects at the
refuge. They started off well, and
completed several projects within
their first couple weeks!
As you walk the trails, you will
notice that the students have
weeded and mulched the outdoor
classroom area and it is ready for
our summer camp programs. They
also focused their efforts on the
woodland trail located near Route
420. They cleared vegetation,
pruned trees, leveled out the top of
the trail, and constructed a 5x16'
section of boardwalk. (made out of
recycled trex material) which will
connect the hiking trail to the pipe-
line trail. Additional projects they
completed included pruning trees
along trails, constructing and in-
stalling new Tree Swallow boxes,
wood-chipping the trail leading to
the fishing platform at Hoy's Pond,
and adding 3/4 inch stone around
the foundation of the maintenance
building. I think you will agree that
we owe a warm vote of thanks to
these the campers for all the work
they have done to improve the
refuge. Mike McMenamin, FWS
Photo By: Chuck Lafferty
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www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
Program Descriptions
Bird Walks Last 2—3 hours and are suitable
for all levels of birders. Weather
dependent. Binoculars are avail-
able at front desk.
Story Time Best for children age 4 to 7.
Nature Explorers
Includes a short program and
walk. This program is best for
children 8 to 12.
Photo Walks Learn nature photography from an
expert. Beginners to advanced
photographers welcome. Lasts 2-3
hours. Bring your own camera.
Holiday Closings
Refuge Visitor Center will be
closed on the following dates:
September 2, Labor Day
October 14, Columbus Day
November 11, Veterans Day
November 28, Thanksgiving
However, The grounds are
open from sunrise to sunset
every day.
*Call 215 365-3118 to register.
# Register for Tree Tenders Class online—see note Pg 7.
September
7 Bird Walk With Valley Forge Audubon 9am Debbie Beer
Society—all welcome
8 Bombay Hook NWR Guided Auto Tour 8:30am More on page 7
Nature Explorers - Trees 2pm Staff
14 Crisp Fall Birding 9am Mary Ellen Krober
15 Birding by Ear 9am Gregg Gorton
17 Tree Tenders # 6-9pm PA Horticultural Society
21 Photo Walk 8am Ned Levi
Fall Migration Walk 9am Lynn Roman
Story Time - Trees 1pm Staff
22 Tinicum’s Fall Migrants 9am Robert Confer
24 Tree Tenders # 6-9pm PA Horticultural Society
28 Nat’l Public Lands Day Nature Walk 3pm Debbie Beer
October
1 Tree Tenders # 6-9pm PA Horticultural Society
5 Crisp Weather Birding 9am Lynn Roman
6 Mid-Fall Birds 9am Edie Parnum
12 Fall for Birding 9am Cliff Hence
13 Nat’l Wildlife Refuge Week Walk 9am Staff
Big Sit –Observation Tower 7am to dusk (more on pg 13) Nature Explorers – Wildlife Refuges 2pm Staff
19 Mid Fall Birds 9am Mary Ellen Krober
Story Time – Wildlife Refuges 1pm Staff
20 Birding by Ear 9am Gregg Gorton
26 Fall for Birding 9am Cliff Hence
Volunteer Training * 1-3pm
27 Autumn Avian Delights Bird Walk 9am Debbie Beer
November 3 Late Fall Birds 9am Edie Parnum
9 Tinicum’s Migrant Birds 9am Mary Ellen Krober
10 Nature Explorers - Seasons 2pm Staff
FOHR Annual Members Meeting ** 12-2pm (see pg 7 for more)
FOHR Photo Contest Ceremony ** 2-4pm (see pgs 7 & 11 for more)
16 Later Fall Birding 9am Cliff Hence
Story Time - Seasons 1pm Staff
17 Fall Birding 9am Debbie Beer
24 Later Fall Migrants 9am Gregg Gorton
30 Later Fall Birding 9am Cliff Hence All programs begin at the visitor center unless otherwise noted.
Autumn 2013 Events Schedule
7
www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
* For the Following Program Events, Please
Call 215-365-3118 For More Information
or to Register
* Volunteer Training Saturday, October 26th
1-3pm
Program Development
Interested in developing and
leading your own program? Join
us for this class and learn the
basics to create your own
program.
Special FOHR Guided Birding Auto Tour at Bombay Hook NWR
When: Sunday, September 8th 8:30am - 12:00 noon
Join Debbie Beer, and Friends of
Bombay Hook NWR, to experi-
ence migrating shorebirds,
waders, and songbirds along
Delaware Bay coastal habitat!!
NOTE: Meet at Bombay Hook
Visitor’s Center parking lot, not
Heinz Refuge. Vehicle Entrance
Fees apply; Free with valid
Federal Duck Stamp.
Bring your own lunch.
For Directions, see website: www.friendsofbombayhook.org
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is offering its 9-hour course
teaching citizens how to restore and care for neighborhood trees.
Where: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
When: September 17, September 24, and October 1st
Time: 6pm - 9pm - Each Session
The course is three sessions and you must attend all three.
Register at www.pennhort.net; the cost is $25.00
For more information, contact Barley Van Clief at 215 988-8793.
When: Sunday, November 10 ~ From Noon till 2 pm Where: Heinz Refuge Visitors Center
FOHR members in good standing are invited to enjoy lunch while
making new friends and catching up with old ones;
Refuge Manager, Gary Stolz will present a “State of the Refuge”
Report;
FOHR will present an Annual Report—highlighting last year’s ac-
tivities and a look ahead at what’s on next year’s drawing board;
Members will elect a slate of new or incumbent candidates to the
board.
NOTE: FOHR members can expect to receive “snail mail” invitations
to the annual meeting. The invitations will also include an introduction
to this year’s slate of board candidates and their qualifications.
Always remember “Together we can make good things happen.”
# New Class at the Refuge!!
Tree Tenders Basic Training
** FOHR Annual Members Luncheon Meeting
** FOHR Photo Contest Awards Ceremony
Friends, volunteers and other refuge visitors are invited to view and vote
on the outstanding wildlife and nature photography that has been
submitted by this year’s contestants.
When: Sunday, November 10 ~ From 2 till 4 pm Where: Heinz Refuge Visitors Center
For additional information see pages 8 and 11.
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www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
After some revisions, the Friends
of Heinz Refuge Photo Group
announces its 13th Annual Nature
Photography Contest. Images may
be of any nature subject, from any
location, including landscapes,
wildlife, flora, and the Refuge itself.
As in the past, no images of domestic
animals, pets, or ornamental flora
will be accepted.
2013 Photo Contest Details Entries may be dropped off at the
Refuge Visitor Center, with an entry
form, between 8:30am and 3:45pm
on days the Visitor Center is open.
Entries may also be mailed to the
Refuge. The deadline for submis-
sions is Sunday, October 12, 2013 at
3:30pm for all entries; mailed, sent
by courier, or personally dropped
off. Late, damaged, or previous win-
ning photographs will not be ac-
cepted. Improperly sized or mounted
photos will not be accepted.
Full details of the contest, includ-
ing all entry requirements are ex-
plained on the entry form, and are
the only official details of the con-
test. The entry categories and a de-
scription of the contest prizes are
also detailed on the entry form which
may be picked up at the refuge visi-
tor’s center, or downloaded from the
FOHR website.
While submitting an entry consti-
tutes permission to the Photo Group
to display and use the image, as well
as the photographer’s name and like-
ness for publicity purposes, the pho-
tographer will retain all rights to
their images.
Photo Contest Awards Reception Planned
The Photo Contest will culminate
on November 10th at a reception in
the Refuge’s auditorium. A new
award, named after the Photo
Group’s founding member, the Bill
Buchanan Award, will be chosen
from the winners.
New This Year ~ People’s Choice Award
Visitors to the contest reception
will, for the first time in our long
history, be able to vote for a
“People’s Choice Award” which will
be given out at the end of the award
ceremony.
Contest entries will be on display
through December 10th in a Photo
Contest Exhibition at the Refuge.
Wildlife Photography Walks Are Popular Events
This year, the Photo Group has
been running a series of Wildlife
Photography Walks at the Refuge.
The walks led by Photo Group mem-
bers have been well received. We
have had at least a dozen photogra-
phers for each walk. The next walk
is at 8am on Saturday, September
21st. A winter Photo Walk is
planned. Regular photo walks will
resume in early spring, 2014.
Photo Group News Compiled by Ned Levi
All Photography Enthusiasts Welcome
Photographers of all skill
levels who are also members of
FOHR, are welcomed to join the
Photo Group, which meets
quarterly on the 3rd Sunday of
January, April, July, and
October, at 10am, in the Visitor
Center at the Refuge.
Besides having fun, Photo
Group members also provide
both service and educational
functions on the refuge.
The next meeting of the Photo
Group will be held on October
20, 2013. If you’re interested in
joining the Photo Group, need
information about the group and
its activities, or wish to ask
questions about our upcoming
Wildlife Photo Walks, please
c o n t a c t u s a t : [email protected].
Wildlife Photography Tip:
Photographing insects can be
difficult, even with macro lenses,
because these creatures are very
small, and often fast moving. In
addition, it’s better to keep your
distance from some insects, such
as wasps and bees. Use a
telephoto lens, or zoom your
point and shoot camera’s lens to
obtain “close-up” images of
these amazing critters.
Hummingbird Moth ~ By Ned Levi
Wildlife Photography Walks have been
well accepted and will continue as long
as there is an interest.
Photo by Ned Levi
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www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
A Photo Essay of the Heinz Refuge
Portrayed by Scott Kemper
I am an appliance repairman by trade, and have lived most of my life in Dela-
ware County. My grandfather was an avid birder and photographer and through
him I began to appreciate both nature and photography. I began visiting the
Heinz Refuge in 2009, now average 3 to 4 visits a month, and really enjoy the
challenges provided by the technical aspects of photography.
I feel that the Heinz refuge offers urban visitors a rare opportunity to explore the
beauty of the natural world, and I am pleased to have met so many helpful people
since I began visiting the refuge on a regular basis. It is incredible to be able to
watch the cycle of nature though the seasons and to have the opportunity to find
so many species of wildlife to capture with my camera. I really hadn't paid much
attention to the migration of birds and the way the plant life changes over the
course of a year until I started coming to the Refuge on a regular basis.
A Male Red-winged Blackbird Soars A Graceful Gathering of Great Egrets in the Refuge Impoundment
Asian Carp Spawning
Great Blue Heron With a Carp Dinner
A Male Red-bellied Woodpecker Monarch Butterfly on Purple Loosestrife
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www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
Musings of a Refuge “Eagle Watcher”
Fortunately for the participants in
the 2nd NABA Butterfly Count at
Tinicum on Saturday, July 20th,
there was a small break in this
week’s heat wave. With temps only
in the low 90’s the count ended up
with a total of 19 species, which was
off by three from last year’s count.
We were however, excited to
include in our count, one new
species, the Cloudless Sulphur, a
southern migrant which may usu-
ally be found later in the season.
Overall numbers of butterflies
were down, except of course, for the
ubiquitous Cabbage White. No
Monarchs were observed flying
during the count. But several eggs
and caterpillars were found on the
local milkweed to confirm their pres-
ence at some time in the area.
I’d like to thank the 12 participants
who braved the heat and humidity to
help out on the count.
Among the species tabulated were: Eastern Tiger Swallowtails (9),
Spicebush Swallowtails (3), Cab-
bage Whites (75), Clouded Sulphurs
Second Annual NABA Butterfly Count Held at Refuge
I’ve been sitting here more or less
quietly for over an hour now, man-
ning the refuge “eagles watch” spot-
ting scope. Weather permitting, I‘ve
been coming to this same spot along
the trail, every Monday afternoon for
almost three months now-- since the
baby eagle chicks first hatched back
in mid-March. Bald eagles are still
rare enough in this corner of Phila-
delphia, that nests and chicks draw a
lot of attention. So the refuge has set
up this spotting scope a safe distance
from the nest, but still with a perfect
view. We’ve watched mom and dad
being wonderful parents-- one al-
ways on the nest, even after the eggs
hatched. Only after the chicks were
able to thermal regulate did mom
and dad fly off together to hunt and
fish for their offspring. Three
months later the chicks are now al-
most the same size as their par-
ents. Recently-- very recently, they
finally ventured out of the nest onto
adjoining branches, and just within
the past week they have begun
testing their wings with actual
flights. Any given moment now the
nest may be entirely empty, but as of
the this writing (early July) the
chicks are still returning.
During my weekly visits to the
spotting scope site, I sit on a beach
chair and offer the scope to passing
birders, joggers, fishermen and
nature lovers. What this has done is
to force me to stay in one place for a
couple hours at a time. And in so
doing, I’ve learned on a practical
level, what I always knew intellectu-
ally. The best way to see (and in my
case photograph) animals is to just
stay still. It’s not something that
comes easily to me, but this “eagles
watch” gig has forced me to do
so. And oh have I been rewarded!! Larry Stier
Ned Levi
(4), Orange Sulphurs (7), Cloudless
Sulphurs (2), Eastern Tailed Blues
(22), Snout (1), Pearl Crescents (9),
Comma (1), Red Admirals (5),
Viceroy (1), Silver Spotted Skippers
(6), Wild Indigo Dusky Wings (3),
Least Skippers (22), Pecks Skippers
(8), Zabulon Skippers (3), and
Broadwing Skippers (12).
Story and Photos by: Cliff Hence
11
www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
Phillips at the Refuge (215-365-
3118) for more information and/or to
register to attend a training session
which will be held at the refuge in
the spring.
Spring training will involve a 4
hour session during which you will
be given an orientation to the refuge,
introduced to the program’s objec-
tives, taught how to recognize some
invasive species plants, and how to
safely remove them. The training
will also include some practical
experience in the field so you can get
a real look at the various plants and
get some hands on training.
Upon completion of the class you
will be eligible to adopt a plot that
you feel you can care for in the time
you have available to volunteer.
Weed Warriors are folks who are
volunteering their time, energy, and
passion to help remove the many
invasive plant species found on the
refuge which have little food value
for wildlife, and replace them with
native plants which provide food,
shelter and nesting habitat.
Because some of our Weed Warri-
ors have been anxious to keep the
program going during the winter
months we developed a “volunteer
strike team” which found it easier to
cut back invasive vines and thickets
when they were dormant and without
leaf cover. The “strike team” has
done a fantastic job and given new
life to many trees that were being
engulfed and strangled by invasive
vines, such as the mile-a-minute.
Want to be a Weed Warrior? To become a Weed Warrior, folks
c a n g o o n l i n e a t h t t p : / /
www.friendsoftinicummarsh.org/
weedwarriors/intro.html, to familiar-
ize themselves with the concepts of
habitat restoration, and characteris-
tics of invasive vs. native plants.
Once the online portion is com-
pleted, you can contact Brendalee
The Friends of Heinz Refuge (FOHR) Photo Group is excited to announce its 13th Annual Nature
Photography Contest! The contest is open to photographers of all ages and divided into the following
categories: Children up to age 12, Teens up to age 18, and adults. Each person may submit up to 3 entries, which must
be submitted by Sunday, October 12th at 3:30pm.
Only color or black and white prints, including reasonably altered prints from digital files will be accepted. All
images should have a title, and be mounted and matted. Prints should be 8x10 with 11x14 mats. No larger sizes will
be accepted, and no framed images will be accepted. Species identification should be included of any plants, and/or
animals depicted in the images. Additional contest specifications may be found on official entry forms which may be
either picked up at the visitor center information desk, or downloaded from www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org. Entry fees vary. Children may submit their entries FREE, while teens and adults will be required to pay an entry fee
of $5.00 per entry. Proceeds will benefit FOHR projects on the refuge. Gift certificates to Tinicum Treasures Gift
Shop will be awarded to winners in the children category. Cash prizes will be awarded to teens and adults.
All photographs not claimed by December 30, 2013 will become the property of FOHR and will be discarded.
Refuge’s Weed Warriors Log In Over 900 Hours Some plots are near the visitor’s
center, some are down a bit further
near the southeastern end of the im-
poundment, and some are farther out
in the refuge at one of the restoration
sites which were completed in 2007.
We plan to hold a Vine Workshop
this fall or early winter to learn about
the vine species and proper ways to
remove them. The date/time of this
workshop is yet to be announced, so
if you are interested, please contact
the refuge (Phone number above) to
put your name on the list.
We hope you will join us helping
wildlife and habitat while making
friends and enjoying the great
outdoors. Brendalee Phillips, FWS
Since the start of the group
just 2 years ago, members have
logged over 900 hours, cleared
approximately 160 acres of
invasive plants, and planted
over 1,080 native grasses, herbs,
shrubs, and trees in the cleared
areas. Amazing!
Highly invasive - “Mile-a-Minute”
Vine . Photo by: FWS
13th Annual FOHR Photo Contest Announced
12
www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
It all started in 1976, at age 35,
when I noticed a Blue Jay on a
fence, and heard a mockingbird sing-
ing at night. It sounded magical, and
I had to see it for myself. I bought a
$25 pair of binoculars from Kmart,
and went out to look for birds. For
many years, I didn’t know there
were others like me, who liked to go
birding, though I guess I should have
realized it since, after all, I was able
to get a pocket field guide to help
identify species.
Nearly four decades have passed
since I heard my first mockingbird,
but I still bird just about every day in
Philadelphia. I go to Heinz Refuge
at least once a week, or more when
shorebirds invade the mudflats in
summer, or warblers move through
the woods in migration. I went there
for so many years before it was
called John Heinz - I’ll always call it
“Tinicum.”
Tinicum was different back then,
more pristine in some ways, but also
loaded with purple loosestrife and
other invasives. (The Refuge has
done a good job getting rid of the
loosestrife, and planting cattails and
wild rice, which is good for birds).
In the early 1980’s, visitors practi-
cally tripped over Common Moor-
hens (now called Common Galli-
nules)… they were everywhere.
There was a rookery of Black-
crowned Night-Herons on the island
in front of the eagle bench, with
birds squawking throughout spring
and summer. I recall going to
Tinicum at dusk, waiting for Barn
Owls to fly into Hoy’s Pond from
their roosting spots underneath the
I-95 bridge. After Great Horned
Owls moved in, the Barn Owls were
gone, and are now scarce in south-
eastern Pennsylvania.
Why is Heinz Refuge the best
place to go birding in Philadelphia?
It’s the marsh, and the variety of
habitats that host a wide array of
raptors, waders, warblers, sparrows,
ducks and more. No other location
could yield such a high number of
species on any given day as Heinz
Refuge, though there are many other
great birding spots in the metro area.
I’m a keen “lister,” and every year
I do a “big year” in Philadelphia,
looking for the most number of bird
species possible within the city
limits. When the calendar rolls to
January 1, I’m out before dawn to
start my new list, hoping each year
will exceed the previous one. More
often than not, I spend part of that
day at Heinz Refuge, ticking-off
ducks, grebes, sparrows, hawks,
owls, Rusty Blackbird, Winter Wren,
etc.
In 2007 I made an especially big
“big year” effort, soliciting friends
and strangers to call me day or night
to report rare birds, which I raced
out to see. (Every retiree should have
a hobby!). Heinz figured hugely into
that effort, producing Painted Bun-
ting, Rough-legged Hawk, Common
Gallinule, Wilson’s and Red-necked
Phalaropes, Dunlin, Black Scoter,
Northern Saw-whet Owl and many
more of the 233 species tallied by
year’s end. That year I was certainly
visiting Heinz Refuge more than once
a week… sometimes more than once
a day!
I recall many special sightings at
Heinz Refuge over the years – a
Purple Gallinule in June 1982, a Ruff
in October 1986, and the King Rail
seen just a few months ago, on May
29, 2013.
There are a few disappointments
too… I’ve managed to miss every
Orange-crowned Warbler that’s ever
been reported there! In all my years
of birding and listing, I’ve recorded
245 cumulative species at Tinicum,
and look forward to adding more to
the list.
Advice for new birders? Go bird-
ing! And don’t just go on guided
walks – though there are great walk
leaders at Heinz – go out alone with a
field guide, and learn to study and
identify the birds yourself. It will
improve your I.D. skills immensely,
and you’ll enjoy birding that much
more. Visit Heinz Refuge as often as
you can – there is always something
new and exciting to experience there!
“WINGS OVER THE CITY”
Avian Insights by Frank Windfelder, edited by Debbie Beer
Black Crowned Night Heron
Photo by Karen McCunney
Northern Saw Whet Owl
Photo by Frank Windfelder
CANADA GOOSE WOOD DUCK GADWALL AMERICAN WIGEON BLACK DUCK MALLARD BLUE-
WINGED TEAL NORTHERN SHOVELER NORTHERN PINTAIL GREEN-WINGED TEAL RUDDY
DUCK PIED-BILLED GREBE DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT GREAT BLUE HERON GREAT
EGRET SNOWY EGRET GREEN HERON BLACK VULTURE TURKEY VULTURE OSPREY BALD
EAGLE NORTHERN HARRIER SHARP-SHINNED HAWK COOPER’S HAWK RED-SHOULDERED
HAWK BROAD-WINGED HAWK RED-TAILED HAWK AMERICAN KESTREL MERLIN PEREGRINE
FALCON KILLDEER SPOTTED SANDPIPER SOLITARY SANDPIPER GREATER YELLOWLEGS
LESSER YELLOWLEGS LEAST SANDPIPER PECTORAL SANDPIPER LAUGHING GULL RING-
BILLED GULL HERRING GULL GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL CASPIAN TERN FORSTER’S TERN
ROCK PIGEON MOURNING DOVE GREAT-HORNED OWL COMMON NIGHTHAWK CHIMNEY
SWIFT BELTED KINGFISHER RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER DOWNY WOODPECKER NORTHERN
FLICKER EASTERN PHOEBE BLUE JAY AMERICAN CROW TREE SWALLOW NORTHERN
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW BARN SWALLOW CAROLINA CHICKADEE TUFTED TITMOUSE RED-
BREASTED NUTHATCH WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH CAROLINA WREN MARSH WREN
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET AMERICAN ROBIN GRAY CATBIRD
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD BROWN THRASHER EUROPEAN STARLING CEDAR WAXWING
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH COMMON YELLOWTHROAT NORTHERN PARULA BLACKPOLL
WARBLER BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER PALM WARBLER YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER EASTERN TOWHEE FIELD SPARROW SAVANNAH
SPARROW SONG SPARROW SWAMP SPARROW WHITE-THROATED SPARROW WHITE-
CROWNED SPARROW NORTHERN CARDINAL INDIGO BUNTING RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
RUSTY BLACKBIRD COMMON GRACKLE BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD HOUSE FINCH
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH CANADA GOOSE WOOD DUCK GADWALL AMERICAN WIGEON BLACK
DUCK MALLARD BLUE-WINGED TEAL NORTHERN SHOVELER NORTHERN PINTAIL GREEN-
WINGED TEAL RUDDY DUCK PIED-BILLED GREBE DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT GREAT
BLUE HERON GREAT EGRET SNOWY EGRET GREEN HERON BLACK VULTURE TURKEY
VULTURE OSPREY BALD EAGLE NORTHERN HARRIER SHARP-SHINNED HAWK COOPER’S
HAWK RED-SHOULDERED HAWK BROAD-WINGED HAWK RED-TAILED HAWK AMERICAN
KESTREL MERLIN PEREGRINE FALCON KILLDEER SPOTTED SANDPIPER SOLITARY
SANDPIPER GREATER YELLOWLEGS LESSER YELLOWLEGS LEAST SANDPIPER PECTORAL
SANDPIPER LAUGHING GULL RING-BILLED GULL HERRING GULL GREAT BLACK-BACKED
GULL CASPIAN TERN FORSTER’S TERN ROCK PIGEON MOURNING DOVE GREAT-HORNED
OWL COMMON NIGHTHAWK CHIMNEY SWIFT BELTED KINGFISHER RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKER DOWNY WOODPECKER NORTHERN FLICKER EASTERN PHOEBE BLUE JAY
AMERICAN CROW TREE SWALLOW NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW BARN SWALLOW
CAROLINA CHICKADEE TUFTED TITMOUSE RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH WHITE-BREASTED
NUTHATCH CAROLINA WREN MARSH WREN GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET RUBY-CROWNED
KINGLET AMERICAN ROBIN GRAY CATBIRD NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD BROWN THRASHER
EUROPEAN STARLING CEDAR WAXWING NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT NORTHERN PARULA BLACKPOLL WARBLER BLACK-THROATED BLUE
Join Heinz Refuge “Big Sittas” on Sunday, October 13, as we spend the day counting birds as part of the annual, international BIG SIT event!
Spend an hour, 10 minutes, or all day, as we scan for species from the Observation Tower, one of the most scenic locations on Heinz Refuge.
At last year’s BIG SIT, the Heinz Refuge team found 77 species, highlighting the rich variety of birds that depend upon Refuge resources – EAGLES, HAWKS, DUCKS, WARBLERS, SPARROWS and more.
Our BIG SIT raises funds to support Friends of Heinz Refuge programs such as Weed Warriors, Winter Bird Count for Kids, Pollinator Garden, Guided Nature Walks, Summer Camps, Environmental
Education, Groundhog Day Family Festival, and Eastwick Community Coalition.
We appreciate your generous pledge in support of Friends of Heinz Refuge. You can pledge based on the number of species we find at the BIG SIT, or make a single contribution.
Mail-in this pledge form, or bring it with you on October 13. You can also contribute via Paypal from our website www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org (click “Join”).
Yes, I support the Friends of Heinz Refuge (FOHR) efforts to identify as many bird species as possible during the BIG SIT, a fun, friendly event, and an important fundraiser for FOHR.
Name: __________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________
City / State / Zip Code: ______________________________________________________________
Email:____________________________________________________________________________
*Pledge per species $: _________________ OR Single Contribution $: ____________________
*We hope to find ~75 bird species. If you pledge $.50 each, and we find 75, you will contribute $37.50.
Mail this bottom half to: Friends of Heinz Refuge-The Big Sit, P.O. Box 333, Folcroft, PA 19032. Donations are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Check our Website and Facebook after October 13 to find out our total. We’ll send you a pledge reminder.
SSuunnddaayy,, OOccttoobbeerr 1133,, 22001133 SSuunnrriissee ttoo SSuunnsseett -- OObbsseerrvvaattiioonn TToowweerr
JJoohhnn HHeeiinnzz NNaattiioonnaall WWiillddlliiffee RReeffuuggee,, PPhhiillaaddeellpphhiiaa
14
www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
Tinicum Treasure Tales As Told By Our Store Manager
Annemarie Rapp
Current members of FOHR get 10% off of their purchases (there are some exclusions) and profits
from sales are targeted for Refuge projects.
As a bonus, your FOHR membership also entitles you to a 10% discount at bookstores on all National Wildlife Refuges
located in New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Just show them your membership card!! It is that easy!!
Show Your Support For the National Wildlife Refuge System
Buy Your Federal Duck Stamp at the Heinz Refuge Today!
First Federal Duck Stamp in 1934.
Design by J.N. "Ding" Darling
2013-2014 Federal Duck Stamp. Design: Robert Steiner, San Francisco, CA
Duck Stamps Available NOW!! Federal Duck Stamps are once
again available for purchase in the
Tinicum Treasures nature shop.
With your help, we hope to surpass
our all-time high number of 40
stamps sold last year.
For those of you who do not know
about Federal Duck Stamps or why
you should purchase one, I am giv-
ing you a little history behind them:
Basics on Federal Duck Stamps Federal Migratory Bird Hunting
and Conservation Stamps, com-
monly known as “Duck Stamps,” are
pictorial stamps produced by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They
are not valid for postage.
Originally created in 1934 as
federal licenses required for hunting
migratory waterfowl, Federal Duck
Stamps have a much larger purpose
today. Federal Duck Stamps are
vital tools for wetland conservation.
Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wild-
life Service sponsors a stamp-design
contest (usually held in the fall),
with wildlife artists from across the
nation submitting their work for
judging by a panel of artists and
wildlife experts. The winning art is
used on the following year's stamp.
Wildlife artists consider it a great
honor to be selected as the winner of
the Federal Duck Stamp Contest.
After the winning design has been
selected, the Federal Duck Stamp
Office designs and produces a stamp
that meets the needs and expecta-
tions of the public.
Why Buy Federal Duck Stamps? The Federal Duck Stamp has been
called one of the most successful
conservation programs ever initiated
and is a highly effective way to con-
serve America’s natural resources.
Birders and other visitors to na-
tional wildlife refuges buy Duck
Stamp each year to gain free admis-
sion to refuges.
Conservationists buy Duck
Stamps because they know that dol-
lar for dollar, one of the best invest-
ments one can make in the future of
America’s wetlands.
Collectors buy Duck Stamps be-
cause the beautiful stamps can gain
value over the years and are an im-
portant part of America’s outdoor
culture.
"Junior Duck Stamps - created by kids - are also available for just $5 each. Proceeds benefit youth conservation and arts programs."
“Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated by the sale of Federal Duck Stamps goes directly to purchase or lease wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System”.
15
www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
Report Violations
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
John Heinz N.W.R. at Tinicum (215) 365-3118
Pennsylvania Game Commission
SE Region Law Enforcement
(610) 926-3136
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission SE Region Law Enforcement
(717) 626-0228
EMERGENCY 911
Refuge visitors can borrow fishing rods, reels, hooks and
other tackle at the front desk of the Visitor Center. Equip-
ment check-out procedure is similar to that found in librar-
ies. The Visitor Center hours are from 8:30am to 4:00pm.
This program is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. The program is designed to make it easy for anyone to access fishing tackle. It's hoped that those making the loans will enjoy fishing so much they are hooked for life. This equipment may also be loaned to groups conducting angler education programs in the community.
To find other sites which loan fishing tackle, go to the PA
Fish and Boat Commission’s web site at: http://
www.fish.state.pa.us/loaner.htm.
Join or Renew your Friends of Heinz Refuge Membership This is a (please check) [ ] new [ ] renewal [ ] gift membership.
Please choose your preferred membership level from the following list :
[ ] $10 Duckling (Student/senior)
[ ] $15 Heron (Individual)
[ ] $25 Monarch (Family)
[ ] $50 Red-bellied Turtle (Group)
[ ] $100 Red Fox (Contributing)
[ ] $250 Merlin (Sustaining)
[ ] $500 Osprey (Corporate)
[ ] $ __________ Donation
[ ] Notify me when newsletter is online. [ ] I wish to receive monthly e-bulletins.
[ ] Please contact me about potential volunteer opportunities. Membership supports conservation of the largest fresh water tidal marsh in Pennsylvania and entitles you to attend member
only events and a 10% discount at gift shops operated by Friends of National Wildlife Refuges in the Mid Atlantic. If you give us
your email address, we will email you (no more than monthly) with reminders of upcoming events and when the newsletter is
posted to our website. We do not share your information with any other organizations.
Make checks payable to FOHR Tinicum and mail to FOHR, PO Box 333, Folcroft PA, 19032-0333, or bring to the refuge next time you visit.
Name ______________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________
City, State, Zip _______________________________________________
Phone ______________________________________________________
Email ______________________________________________________
FOHR BOARD MEETINGS The public is always welcome to attend Board Meetings, which are held at 6:30 pm in the Visitor Center
on the 4th Tuesday of every month.
16
www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013
Friends of the Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
PO Box 333
Folcroft, PA 19032-0333
Non Profit Org U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit 45 Havertown, PA 19083
Return Service Requested
Save the Dates!
The BIG SIT—October 13th Join us in Counting Bird Species From
Dawn to Dusk at the Observation Platform
FOHR Annual Membership Luncheon Meeting Sunday, November 10th ~ 12 to 2 ~ in the Refuge Visitor’s Center
FOHR Photo Group Awards Ceremony Sunday, November 10th ~ 2 to 4 ~ in the Refuge Visitor’s Center