Fauna of the Refuge

 

Birds
Flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds feeding, eagles nesting, Osprey mating, Red-tailed Hawks soaring, egrets migrating, Great Blue Herons wading, and thousands of Tree Swallows diving to gobble up mosquitoes, are just a few of the over 296 species of birds that have been recorded at the refuge. Duck "hunting" (with a camera) is encouraged. Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, and Green-winged Teal make their fall migratory stops at the refuge impoundment. It may be cold outside, but winter is the best time to see the refuge's owls. Great Horned Owls nest under I-95, heedless to the booming traffic!
 
 

Frogs, Butterflies, and Turtles
In the spring, the sounds of thousands of Tree Frogs, Spring Peepers, Southern Leopard Frogs, and Bullfrogs fill the air in southwest Philadephia with their calls for a mate. The frogs sing in orchestral harmony in the summertime and many species of turtles can be seen sunbathing. Threatened Red-bellied Turtles can be found along the shores of Darby Creek. Butterflies come in abundance to feast in the refuge fields and along roadsides.
 
Mammals
Fall is a good time to spot deer, muskrats, and foxes with binoculars or a camera as the refuge resident mammals prepare for winter.