By foot or by boat, Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge reveals its secrets slowly and quietly. Almost 80 percent of Supawna Meadows is tidal brackish marsh, which means it combines fresh and saltwater. And that is a recipe for some very interesting plant such as cordgrass, cattails and wild rice. There are also forested uplands, shrublands and grasslands which add a wide diversity of flora to the environment.

As for wildlife, eagle-eyed visitors can spot a pair of bald eagles that have a nest on a tower in the Marsh. You are most likely to spot them from the boat ramp in Elsinboro. And while the bald eagles, which have recently been upgraded from the Endangered List to the Threatened List, might be the stars at Supawna, there are 14 other species of state-listed birds that live in the habitat. During the summer months and the migration season, warblers, sparrows and other migratory birds use the upland areas as resting and feeding areas. Thousands of tree swallows forage on the refuge in the late summer. Ospreys, bald eagle, northern harrier, short-eared owl and barn owl nest on the refuge.

Lace up your hiking shoes and head to the two walking trails where you can find all kinds of wildlife. From late winter through summer, listen for singing frogs on both trails. You can expect to hear spring peepers, chorus frogs, and southern leopard frogs from both trails. You are more likely to hear northern cricket frogs from the forest habitat trail. Also, keep your eyes open for turtles on both trails. While walking through the forest keep your ears open for the flute-like song of the hermit or wood thrush. On the grassland trail, listen for the sweet melody of the Eastern meadowlark and scan the sky for a Northern harrier (marsh hawk).