In case you haven't heard about it yet, Amazon Smile is a great way for you to help Friends of Ottawa NWR, just by purchasing as usual on amazon.com! Give it a try- it is one of the easiest ways to help!

• Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
• AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
• Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com.

Make sure it says Amazon Smile in the logo on the left hand side of your screen. We only get donations when you are shopping from smile.amazon.com.

​You've seen it in the news- Pokémon Go. For those of us who had no idea what this newest craze was, let me explain what I know, as relayed to me by our on-top-of-things Nature Store Manager, Catherine.

Pokémon Go is an augmented reality game, meaning that the app makes Pokémon appear in the real world through your smart phone.  As you move around, more Pokémon appear.  While it creeps some of us out that there may be invisible things floating around the Visitor Center, the game is showing some signs of being well-intended, as it is convincing people to move when they would be otherwise stationary. 

There is something called a Pokéstop at the main entrance sign.  Please, please, please, DO NOT stop on Route 2 to access the Pokéstop. Please catch your Pokémon at Ohio's only National Wildlife Refuge, but please play responsibly.  Park in the circle near the brochures and walk to the sign.

Stay safe out there, folks. I'm going to try to not have nightmares of these things.

Have you heard of Woodie's Roost? This little traveled trail is most easily accessible from Magee Marsh Wildlife Area. Park in the Sportsmen's Migratory Bird Center parking lot and walk across the road to reach the trail head.  This is a 1.6 mile loop and takes you through a variety of habitats- from marsh to woodlands. 

For those looking for wood ducks, this is one of the best spots. The combined habitat is perfect for this unique species. Come at dawn or dusk for your best chance at seeing a wood duck.

We have been checking this spot for monarch butterflies as well.  The trail is loaded with common milkweed, providing ample food for both adults and caterpillars.