Spring hours begin at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama announced that the refuge visitor contact station will be open on weekends through May from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. This is in addition to its regular business hours of Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Flyway Nature Shop, operated by the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Inc., will also operate during these hours.

Spring is nesting season for hundreds of species of bird species. During this time the refuge reminds visitors that most areas of the refuge are closed to protect nesting areas and to provide safe, resting and staging areas for migrants. Two nature trails, Onondaga and Kanyoo, as well as the Feeder Road and four overlooks will remain open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, for walking and wildlife watching. Fishing will be limited to Oak Orchard Creek and Ringneck Marsh. Contact the refuge at 585-948-5445 or visit our web site at http://iroquoisnwr.fws.gov for information.

Iroquois Observations is back with its series of nature programs presented by the Buffalo Audubon Society offering nature walks, kid activities and driving tours to popular birding spots. There will also be spotting scopes at Cayuga Overlook from noon to 4 p.m. with experts to help identify birds in the area. The "Focus on ..." series will feature a different subject and guest speaker each week. For a complete schedule contact the refuge office or log on to: www.wildeyes.com/iroquois/schedule.htm.