Turnbull springs to life with new visitor features

The welcome mat is out at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

Critters are the guests of honor during the dazzle of spring green-up and migrations, but wildlife-watching humans are finding the refuge more user-friendly than ever.

Tundra swans, pintails, widgeon and other waterfowl have joined bluebirds, red-winged blackbirds and other migrants to liven the refuge with song and color.

And if you haven’t been to Turnbull’s visitor area lately, you’ll find new activities, accessible trails, shelters, wildlife observation platforms, photography blinds and restrooms.

Public use is confined to about 2,300 acres within the 16,000-acre refuge. More than 200 wetlands are flush with more than 3,000 acres of water this year in the pine forest and scabland habitat that’s also home to year-round residents, including quail and muskrats as well as elk and moose.

In addition to the 44 mammal species and 208 bird species documented at the refuge, visitors will find a bounty of wildflowers starting this month and peaking in mid-May. Arrowleaf balsamroot, camas, prairie star and lomatium are just a few standout examples.

Turnbull was established in 1937 to provide breeding and nesting grounds for migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge staff is working on a comprehensive management plan to accommodate the changing conditions.

One of the proposals in the plan would allow limited hunting.

Regulated waterfowl hunting in a small portion of the refuge might be allowed to encourage more wetland habitat development in the area, said Nancy Curry, refuge manager. “Much of the wetlands outside the refuge have been drained,” she said. “Anything that might encourage partnerships with landowners to get more wetlands restoration would ultimately produce more birds.”

Limited elk hunting also is being considered. “We definitely need to do something about the elk,” Curry said. “The herd has grown to the point of becoming a problem for us as well as our neighbors. A hunt is probably the most cost effective and efficient way to reduce the herd.”

The draft plan is being reviewed by Department of Interior officials in Washington, D.C., she said.

Seeing Turnbull

•Drive, walk or bicycle the 5.5-mile auto tour route where most waterfowl and other wildlife can be observed.

•Short hiking trails, and two new wheelchair accessible trails are available in the visitor use area.

•Pine Lake Loop Trail has two new stationary binoculars purchased by the Friends of Turnbull NWR.

•Columbia Plateau Trail borders the west side of the refuge for nearly 5 miles. Visitors are required to stay on the trail.

•A new volunteer-built environmental education shelter and wildlife observation blind is available on the refuge’s Kepple Peninsula Interpretive Trail.

Events and activities

•Environmental Education Spring Field Trip Program for schools. Note: the schedule is already nearly full.

Contact: Refuge office, 235-4723.

•Wild plant identification course, April 22 followed by May 20 field session, sponsored by Washington Native Plant Society. Cost: $10 donation for one session, $15 for both. Preregister.

Contact: Ken Swedberg, 235-4979

•International Migratory Bird Week celebration, May 13. Activities include community work party to restore riparian habitat, birding walks, photography workshop, plant and biological drawing classes and a railroad history bike trip. Pre-register.

Contact: Bob Quinn, 359-7050.

•Birding walk, 9 a.m.-noon, May 27, starting from refuge headquarters with Friends of Turnbull. For birdwatchers of all levels. Preregister.

Contact: Marian Frobe, 328-0621 or Bob Quinn, 359-7050.