Refuge News

Summer Heats Up

Have you seen the new blue signs? They highlight one of the refuge’s most iconic species, the colorful wood duck, which relies on both wetlands and wooded uplands at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. Wood ducks use wetlands to raise their ducklings and the surrounding wooded uplands for food and nesting cover, making them a perfect symbol of the habitats the refuge works hard to protect.

Check out the signs and keep an eye out for wood ducks on your next visit! For your best chance to spot one, look for movement along tree‑lined ponds early in the morning.

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The Lupine blooms are gone but other wildflowers (spiderwort, butterfly weed and more) are rapidly taking their place.  Lots of wildlife to be seen. Colts, cygnets, and goslings all hatched and visible on the Wildlife Drive. Most resident birds are done with breeding so they are less visible and (mostly) less noisy.

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Check out the bird sightings along the Wildlife Drive using eBird - either on the app or at the "Sherburne NWR--Wildlife Drive" hotspot. ​ Check out the annual summer newsletter recently mailed to members at  PDF.
 

The Eagle's Nest Nature Store is open on Thursdays and Saturdays.  On-line orders are also still accepted for pickup.

Wildlife sanctuary is in effect from March 1st to August 31st annually and was established in an effort to limit and lessen the stressors for wildlife parents. During this six-month time frame, recreation is allowed only in designated areas and those include the Oak Savanna Learning Center, Mahnomen and Blue Hill trails, Prairie's Edge Wildlife Drive, fishing access points and the designated canoe route. Service roads, including Brande Rd, and the interior of the refuge are off-limits to the public while wildlife sanctuary is in effect.​

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Refuge Headquarters is normally open to the public Monday - Thursday from 10 am - 4 pm.  It will be closed Wednesday December 24, Thursday December 25, Wednesday December 31 and Thursday January 1.

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For event updates, please consult the following resources:

• Refuge website: fws.gov/refuge/Sherburne/

• This website on the Upcoming Events page

• Recent birds seen on the refuge (from eBird) on the Wildlife Drive

• Friends Facebook page: facebook.com/sherburnerefugefans

• Friends’ Prairie Insider E-News: To subscribe, enter email address as requested at bottom of this page

• October Newsletter in PDF form

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