Seney Refugewildlife
At Seney National Wildlife Refuge, the timing for wildlife comes in 2 separate phases, each its own display, neither a peak: Wildlife with young, June – Aug. to see wildlife with young; and Snapping turtles nesting along the roadsides, early June when snapping turtles nest along the roadsides. Its usual window for this year has passed.
- June–AugustWildlife with youngJune – Aug. to see wildlife with young
- JuneSnapping turtles nesting along the roadsidesearly June when snapping turtles nest along the roadsides
Right now at Seney Refuge
Right now in Seney Refuge · September
- Best months for fall migratory birds, September and October · Sep–Oct
- Marshland Wildlife Drive open, May 15 to October 20 · May–Oct
- Least buggy months, July to October · Jul–Oct
Next 7 days at Seney Refuge
- TodayChance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy71° / 56°54% rain
- ThuMostly Cloudy69° / 40°6% rain
- FriMostly Sunny62° / 30°3% rain
- SatWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny64° / 38°40% rain
- SunChance Rain Showers62° / 31°40% rain
- MonWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny58° / 32°6% rain
Heads up: Freezing night (low 30°F): Friday Night, Sunday Night, Monday Night.
Today: sunrise 7:42 a.m., sunset 7:28 p.m., light until 7:58 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Marshland Wildlife DriveA seven-mile, one-way drive through wetlands and forests, open May 15 to October 20 from dawn to dusk, with three observation decks that all have spotting scopes; loons, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and osprey are common sights. No vehicles over 28 feet long, 9 feet wide or 11 feet tall
- Fishing LoopAn optional 3.5-mile add-on to the Marshland Wildlife Drive, open May 15 to September 30, good for painted and snapping turtles, beaver, sandhill cranes and secretive marsh birds such as American bitterns, soras and Virginia rails; closed to cars and walkers in October so migrating birds can rest
Nearby
- Sleeping Bear Dunes97 mi2 separate phases, from From late April through Early June
- Necedah Refuge253 mi3 separate phases, from late MaySatMostly Sunny
- Upper Mississippi River Refuge314 mifrom April to August
- Rice Lake Refuge349 miJune through August
- Sherburne Refuge375 mi2 separate phases, from June – AugustSatChance Rain Showers
- Cuyahoga Valley408 mi5 separate phases, from late February or early MarchSatSlight Chance Rain Showers
The year at Seney Refuge
- Marshland Wildlife Drive open, May 15 to October 20NowMay–Oct
- May: Warblers, late May (spring's best month for migratory birds is May)May
- May: Listen for the calls of rails, late MayMay
- Best months to see wildlife with young, June to AugustJun–Aug
- Jun: Snapping turtles nest along the roadsides, early JuneJun
- Least buggy months, July to OctoberNowJul–Oct
- Best months for fall migratory birds, September and OctoberNowSep–Oct
- Oct: Fishing Loop closed to cars and walkers in October so migrating birds can restOct
- Oct: Best weeks for fall color, usually the first two weeks of OctoberOct
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Seney National Wildlife Refuge?
In 2 separate phases, each at its own spot: Wildlife with young, June – Aug. to see wildlife with young and Snapping turtles nesting along the roadsides, early June when snapping turtles nest along the roadsides. They're separate displays, not one long season, and neither is a peak.
Is it the season at Seney National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: Wildlife with young, June – Aug. to see wildlife with young.
How bad are the bugs in summer?
Biting insects (black flies, deer flies, mosquitoes) and ticks come out in summer; July to October are the least buggy months. Bring bug spray, a head net, long sleeves and pants, and check for ticks when you leave.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How do I watch without scaring the animals?
Use your car as a blind: animals may flee if you open the door and get out. Drive or walk slowly, stop often, and come near dawn and dusk.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Which families might I see?
Trumpeter swans with cygnets and common loon families on the pools, plus ospreys fishing, otters playing and beavers building dams.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are there orchids?
Yes: in summer, rare orchids bloom in the bogs, if you're willing to brave the bugs.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I borrow binoculars?
Yes. The visitor center lends binoculars, field guides and fishing equipment; bring them back by the close of business.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Seney National Wildlife Refuge?
Marshland Wildlife Drive: a seven-mile, one-way drive through wetlands and forests, open May 15 to October 20 from dawn to dusk, with three observation decks that all have spotting scopes; loons, trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles and osprey are common sights. No vehicles over 28 feet long, 9 feet wide or 11 feet tall; Fishing Loop: an optional 3.5-mile add-on to the Marshland Wildlife Drive, open May 15 to September 30, good for painted and snapping turtles, beaver, sandhill cranes and secretive marsh birds such as American bitterns, soras and Virginia rails; closed to cars and walkers in October so migrating birds can rest.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Seney National Wildlife Refuge?
Fishing Loop closed to cars and walkers in October so migrating birds can rest (Oct).
What is Seney National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Warblers, late May (spring's best month for migratory birds is May) (May), Listen for the calls of rails, late May (May), Best months to see wildlife with young, June to August (Jun–Aug), Best months for fall migratory birds, September and October (Sep–Oct), Marshland Wildlife Drive open, May 15 to October 20 (May–Oct), Fishing Loop closed to cars and walkers in October so migrating birds can rest (Oct), Best weeks for fall color, usually the first two weeks of October (Oct), Least buggy months, July to October (Jul–Oct) and Snapping turtles nest along the roadsides, early June (Jun).
How we know · Sources (4)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seney NWR: Auto Tour (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)