See Alabama with Bargain Mom: 5 Tips for visiting Wheeler National Refuge with kids

Have you ever seen more than 1,000

birds fishing together?

Yesterday we stopped by, along with serious birders and nature photographers all craning for a chance to see magnificent feathered creatures such as Whooping Cranes, herrings, Bald Eagles and more. The best time to see migratory birds in Alabama is between December and February.

Birds at Wheeler National Refuge.

The visitor center is a great place to start your visit.  Filled with displays, facts about migrating birds, birds of prey and other wildlife, the center if full of information to start your journey through the refuge.

There is a 9 minute film playing in the theater that provides a glimpse of what visitors can see, learn and experience during their visit.

So what about the kids?

Here are five tips for visiting the refuge with kids:

1. Junior Ranger program --

Free Junior Ranger manuals are available at the visitor center. If you are going on the weekend call during the week and ask for Ranger Daphne. Tell her you are planning to visit and want to participate.  The volunteers aren't familiar with the program.

Dedman kids working on Jr. Ranger manuals.

The ranger booklets are designed for kids ages 5 to 12.  We love the National Junior Ranger program because it immerses children in the park or site in an engaging and educational manner.

Once they complete the selected sections you'll return to the desk and get a certificate and badge.

We also took a bird identification book just in case.

2.  Take a picnic -

There are a number of flat spots for a blanket or drive through the refuge and look for picnic areas.  You can watch the birds while you eat, although they enforce rules of not feeding the animals.

3.  Hiking --

A small hike to the bird observation house is 200 yards from the visitor center and worth the stroll.  Remind the kids to be quiet, you'll see more wildlife.

4. Take kid friendly binoculars --

Once you're in the observation house there are three binocular stands which are usually crowded.  If you take your own, the kids will enjoy watching the birds through the giant windows.

Dedman kids spotting birds.

5.  Souvenirs  --

There is a tiny gift shop at the center.  The cheapest items are polished stones or arrowheads for 25 cents.  You can also get a free post card at the service desk.  Ask for a Passport stamp which you can stamp on the card.

The refuge visitor center is located at 3121 Visitor Center Road, Decatur, AL 35603.  For additional visitor information, contact us by phone at 256-350-6639 or by email at

Our ranger booklets, badges & certificates.

Reader submitted tip:

Sandra Reeder Duncan

It is a great place to see the ducks, cranes and geese. One thing I would mention is that while we were there some men were working on the roof of the observatory (they took a long lunch break) and the ducks all flew away when the noise started. So go around lunch time.

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