Bird Watching
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, located in the Tennessee River Valley with headquarters in Decatur, was established in 1938 as a wintering area for ducks, geese and other migratory birds.  The refuge's great diversity of habitat includes deep river channels, tributary creeks, swamps, backwater embayments, bottomland hardwoods, pine uplands, and agricultural fields.  The diversity makes the refuge fertile grounds for enjoying the great activity of bird watching, animal observation and nature photography.
A complete checklist of birds, both common and rare, that can be found at Wheeler Wildlife Refuge is available at the Interstate 65 at Exit 334.  This checklist includes 285 species on observations by refuge personnel and ornithologists.
Near the Interpretive Center is a large glass enclosed observatory overlooking an 18-acre pond where waterfowl can be studied during their winter migration.
Bird species found in the area include loons, grebes, pelicans and their allies, herons ,egrets, ibises, spoonbill, stork, waterfowl, vultures, hawks, quail, turkey, rails, gallinules, coots, cranes, shorebirds, pigeons, doves, cuckoos, owls, nightjars, swifts, kingfishers, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, sparrows and finches.
Events are regularly scheduled by the North Alabama Bird watchers Society.  For current events, call (256) 883-9288 or (256) 883-8487.
Although the refuge's management has been aimed primarily at providing winter habitat for waterfowl, it does support an interesting variety (some 121) species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians that have been identified at the refuge.  They may be observed, and photographed, in a bottomland hardwoods, and caves.