Photo: USFWS waterfowl biologist Clayton Ferrell bands a wood duck while a young boy patiently waits for his duck’s turn. Once banded the youth will have the opportunity to release the bird back into the refuge.
Springville, Tenn.–The Friends of the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge announce a unique event for all ages. The public is invited to come assist refuge staff with banding wood ducks.
This event, held annually on the Duck River Bottoms area of the refuge south of New Johnsonville will be on Friday, July 26th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. The refuge has one of the largest wood duck banding stations in the nation often banding from 800 – 1,000 wood ducks annually. It is not uncommon to catch several hundred wood ducks in one evening’s banding, so lots of help is needed.
The event is a Friends member only event designed to attract new members as well as informing the community about the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge and some of its operations. However, It is cheap and easy to become a Friends of the refuge member at https://friendstnwr.org/ or you can become a member at the Blue Heron Bookstore or by cash or check at the event itself.
This family friendly event will be held at the Duck River Bottoms area located at 550 Refuge Lane in New Johnsonville. Once through the entrance gate, you will need to follow the paved road that leads to the refuge office. Sometimes it can be a bit warm for this outdoor event, so bringing water is suggested. Participants may want to wear something for being outdoors and possibly getting a little dirty, as this is a hands-on event. There is no need to RSVP, just come!
Whereas wood ducks will be the main attraction during the evening, there is a good chance of catching sight of other wildlife that frequent the refuge as well. Once on the refuge, it is common to see great blue herons, great egrets, green herons, double-crested cormorants, osprey, turtles, raccoons, and white-tailed deer.
For more information, please call 731-642-2091.