St. Marks Refugespring migration
Warbler and shorebird migration peaks early in April, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: usually early in the month (April). Its usual window for this year has passed.
Right now at St. Marks Refuge
Right now in St. Marks Refuge · September
- Boats allowed in refuge pools March 15 through October 15 (non-motorized or electric only) · Mar–Oct
- Autumn wildflowers, with sulfur, swallowtail and skipper butterflies along the roadsides (September) · Sep
- Flint Rock (Newport Hunt Area) open for general hunting season, September to April · Sep–Apr
Next 7 days at St. Marks Refuge
- TodaySunny89° / 70°7% rain
- ThuSunny89° / 73°17% rain
- FriChance Showers And Thunderstorms88° / 72°44% rain
- SatChance Showers And Thunderstorms88° / 72°52% rain
- SunChance Showers And Thunderstorms85° / 70°63% rain
- MonShowers And Thunderstorms Likely84° / 66°67% rain
- TueChance Rain Showers80° / 63°49% rain
Today: sunrise 7:30 a.m., sunset 7:25 p.m., light until 7:49 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- St. Marks Lighthouse and Lighthouse Levee TrailAt the end of Lighthouse Road; the Lighthouse Levee Trail (under half a mile) starts to the right of the parking lot and is open on foot, by bike and on horseback
- Tower Pond Trail5 miles south of the visitor center, with parking next to the restrooms; the short Headquarters Pond Trail and its observation deck are across the road
Nearby
- Wheeler Refuge345 miApril: Teal migration is at its peak.SatShowers And Thunderstorms Likely
- Pee Dee Refuge413 miMarch, April, and MaySatShowers And Thunderstorms Likely
- National Key Deer Refuge415 miMarch and AprilSatChance Showers And Thunderstorms
- Atchafalaya Refuge452 miVisit in April or May for the best birding.SatShowers And Thunderstorms
- Dahomey Refuge466 miMarch – JuneSatRain Showers Likely
- Mingo Refuge584 miApril and May are the best monthsSatChance Rain Showers
The year at St. Marks Refuge
- Boats allowed in refuge pools March 15 through October 15 (non-motorized or electric only)NowMar–Oct
- Mar: Spring migration begins: ibis and white pelicans pass through as the ducks head north (March)Mar
- Apr: Warbler and shorebird migration peaks early in AprilApr
- Apr: Mississippi and swallow-tailed kites along the roads and pools (April)Apr
- May: Larger groups of West Indian manatees in the lighthouse waters (May)May
- Jul: Large flocks of white ibis, eastern kingbirds and purple martins along Lighthouse Road (July)Jul
- Aug: Baby alligators hatching; blue-winged teal arrive, the start of the fall migration (August)Aug
- Sep: Autumn wildflowers, with sulfur, swallowtail and skipper butterflies along the roadsides (September)NowSep
- Flint Rock (Newport Hunt Area) open for general hunting season, September to AprilNowSep–Apr
- Oct: Migrating monarch butterflies arrive in OctoberOct
- Waterfowl peak between Thanksgiving and ChristmasNov–Dec
St. Marks Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see spring migration at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge?
Warbler and shorebird migration peaks early in April, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: early in the month (April). That's the usual peak in the source's own words, not a forecast.
Is spring migration under way at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual spring migration window for this year has passed. Next time: early in the month (April), usually.
What else is going on in April?
Ospreys and red-cockaded woodpeckers are nesting, eaglets begin to fly, and Mississippi and swallow-tailed kites can be seen along the roads and pools.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can roads or levees be closed when I visit?
Yes. Administrative roads and levees may close during prescribed burns and peak wildlife events, especially around eagle nests and shorebird and waterfowl areas. Check with the visitor center (850-925-6121) for the latest closures.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Which migrations peak in early April?
Warblers and shorebirds. That's separate from the winter waterfowl peak.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What's worth looking for in May?
Purple gallinules may be in East River Pool or Plum Orchard Pond, and wood storks are sometimes seen in Headquarters Pond.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Do any birds return before March?
Yes: the February calendar lists ospreys coming back.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St. Marks NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge?
St. Marks Lighthouse and Lighthouse Levee Trail: at the end of Lighthouse Road; the Lighthouse Levee Trail (under half a mile) starts to the right of the parking lot and is open on foot, by bike and on horseback; Tower Pond Trail: 5 miles south of the visitor center, with parking next to the restrooms; the short Headquarters Pond Trail and its observation deck are across the road.
What is St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Waterfowl peak between Thanksgiving and Christmas (Nov–Dec), Migrating monarch butterflies arrive in October (Oct), Warbler and shorebird migration peaks early in April (Apr), Boats allowed in refuge pools March 15 through October 15 (non-motorized or electric only) (Mar–Oct), Spring migration begins: ibis and white pelicans pass through as the ducks head north (March) (Mar), Mississippi and swallow-tailed kites along the roads and pools (April) (Apr), Autumn wildflowers, with sulfur, swallowtail and skipper butterflies along the roadsides (September) (Sep), Larger groups of West Indian manatees in the lighthouse waters (May) (May), Large flocks of white ibis, eastern kingbirds and purple martins along Lighthouse Road (July) (Jul), Baby alligators hatching; blue-winged teal arrive, the start of the fall migration (August) (Aug) and Flint Rock (Newport Hunt Area) open for general hunting season, September to April (Sep–Apr).