THE REFUGE RAPID RESPONDER

Reelfoot Lake NewsJ A N U A R Y – M A R C H  2 0 2 2

Official Newsletter of the Friends of West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuges

The most significant recent geological event responsible for the present-day landscape of the Reelfoot Lake area was a series of earthquakes that struck the region between December 1811 and February 1812. The most significant tremors to hit the continental United States in recorded history caused an area as much as 30 miles long and 10 miles wide to sink up to 50 feet, creating a sunken forest and forming the present-day Reelfoot Lake.

Providing habitat for migratory birds, most notably waterfowl, was the purpose for which the Reelfoot NWR was established. Thus, the refuge’s management priorities are directed toward providing quality wetland areas that are attractive to migratory birds, including dabbling ducks, diving ducks, and geese.

Download the January-March 2022 issue or the Refuge Rapid Responder here.

Samburg 5th Annual Memorial Day Celebration May 25th at Reelfoot Lake

Reelfoot Lake Samburg Memorial Day 2019

Car Show – Noon – 4:00 PM

Veterans Salute and Color Guard Starts at 2:00 PM in Spicer Park

Music 12:00 – 4:00 PM

Pontoon Firework Cruises by Reelfoot Lake State Park (Call 731-253-9652 for Reservations)

Eagle Presentation by Reelfoot Lake State Park 2:00 PM

Fireworks at 9:00 pm

 

Eagles Soar Memorial Day 5K at Reelfoot Lake

5K Reelfoot Lake Eagles Soar

MEMORIAL DAY 5K REELFOOT LAKE STATE PARK

SATURDAY, MAY 25TH

Be ready to soar at 9:00 a.m.

South Campground to Boat House Restaurant

EARLY BIRD PRICING

$30 PER PARTICIPANT

Price includes T-Shirt

Price Increases to $35 on 5/20 at 10 a.m.

Packet pick-up and day-of registration starting at 7:30 a.m. in the South Campground

 

Join us afterward for a car show, great food, music and evening fireworks at the Samburg Memorial Day Event in partnership with Samburg Tourism.

For more information, call (731) 253-9652.

Free guided canoe trips

canoe trips at Reelfoot LakeEach year the Reelfoot NWR offers free guided canoe trips as part of their “Winding Through the Wetland” series.  These canoe trips are offered once a month from April-October, and allows you to explore remote areas of the refuge.  From open water, to cypress swamps, to narrow trails, these canoe trips offer a variety of sights and opportunities for photographs!  Animals commonly seen during canoe trips are waterfowl, eagles, tree frogs, great blue herons, great egrets, etc.  Check their website to find out more; https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Reelfoot/

 

MainStreet – “Reelfoot Wildlife Refuge”

Reelfoot Lake in Western Kentucky is home to thousands of birds, and the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge. Winter is one of the best seasons to see hundreds of thousands of birds that use the sanctuary as a stopping off point for their migratory journey. Drew Wirwa, the Wildlife Manager, gave us a glimpse of those birds and the beautiful place called Reelfoot Lake.

Thousands of Geese Take Flight Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge

Thousands of migratory geese take flight simultaneously at Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge. Reelfoot Lake, located in Tennessee was created by the strongest series of earthquakes in the recorded history of the United States during 1811-1812. The refuge was created in 1941 and serves as a wintering ground for migratory waterfowl and bald eagles.