Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve

Fall News   

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Camping Games
for Kids

Flashlight Tag

Love the game of tag? Flashlight tag is like the fun classic game, except players tag each other with beams of light, instead of hands.  

Start playing flash tag just by stepping outside at night with your flashlights and the kids.  In no time, the kids will be flashing their flashlights and chasing each other.
So, how do you keep track of the kids in the dark? Be specific with them about where they can play and it's always a good idea to stay and play a round with them.  You may find it is a good source of exercise for you as well! 

 

   

 

 

Fire Tender

One child sits blindfolded with lots of sticks around him and is called the fire tender. The rest of the children, one or two at a time, attempt to creep up and steal a stick from the fire tender and return safely to their original spot. If the fire tender hears a noise, he points in that direction.  If the fire tender is correct in pointing out the thief, then that player is out of the game.
If you have a large group of children, is good to split them two teams and then one from each group goes up at a time to attempt to steal a stick. When all the sticks are gone, you can count them up for each team and declare a winner.

 

Meet My Friend

 Players are taken on a short hike during which time each person collects something from the natural environment (nothing may be broken or picked from any living thing). The item has to be either lying on the ground or resting on another object (e.g. stump or log). Everyone keeps his object hidden from all other players. 

 

Following the hike, each person is given the opportunity to build a small home for his 'friend'. He is also asked to give his friend a name, and to think of one way in which he could take care of his friend, if it was still out in its natural environment.

When all in the group is ready, everyone tours the small homes that have been created, and meets each special friend.  

 

An example of this a "friend" description would be as follows: "This is my friend Twiggy. He is a small branch that I found lying on the ground. I've built him a house from soft leaves and moss that I found on the ground. If he was still on a tree, I could take care of him by protecting him from the wind. I could build a fence so the wind wouldn't snap him off from his tree. I could also make sure he doesn't catch diseases -I could check for termites and insects that might harm him."

 

The friends that are made offer refreshing dialogue and will spark creativity which allows participants a chance to discover a friend in nature.  

 

  

Greetings!   ,  

 

This summer has been fantastic at Magnolia Branch.  We are improving our campground and increasing the number of fun activities at the park.  This year we added the zip line and the Blob.  We are currently working to enlarge our lake system for even bigger water adventures next year. 
We've added more pull-thru RV spots and built additional bathroom facilities.  We are excited to bring even more amenities and adventurous fun to Magnolia Branch to ensure we make even more awesome memories on your next visit. 
Summer is giving way to fall, but we still have a lot to offer at the park such as canoeing, kayaking, horse and hiking trails or you can enjoy the birds migrating South for the winter.  So regardless of your style of fun, we are sure to keep you entertained during your stay.  So hurry up and pack up the family for a weekend get-a-way to Magnolia Branch and enjoy just being together without all the distractions.  Hope to see you soon!

  

Sincerely,

 

The Magnolia Branch Staff  

 

 

 

                 


Birdwatching at Magnolia

Our fall weather in Alabama is some of the most enjoyable in the Southeast.  The humidity is falling, but our temperature are sticking in the mid to low 80's.

These comfy temps make it perfect for hiking around our park in search of the 420 bird species that comprise the official Alabama Ornithological Society (AOS) state list.

Additionally, there are 174 species who regularly winter in Alabama and another 80 species who migrate through Alabama on their journeys to and from their mating grounds.   

It is a wonderful time of year to see the myriad of wildlife we boast at Magnolia Branch. So grab your binoculars, a good pair of hiking boots and your bird watching wish list and head out to spend some time at Magnolia Branch.   

 

For a listing of winter time birds you can expect to see in Alabama, click here.

 

King Fisher

This animal, for good reason, is called a kingfisher. This bird showcases great fishing ability. They fly fast and low over water, and hunt fish from riverside perches. When they catch stickleback fish, they take them back to their perch and hit them to kill them before eating them. This is so the spines of the fish don't hurt the birds' throats. When kingfishers dive in the water they close their eyes and open their beaks.  

Kingfishers can have many colors and are common in all seasons and regions. They are usually found along wooded rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and in marshes.   

 


 



Think hiking is just for warm weather? Think again. Winter hiking can be just as fun. Enjoy the cooler weather and pack up the family (including the dog
and get a closer look at the natural beauty and awe inspiring wildlife at Magnolia Branch.