Vann's Marsh is a 50-acre wetland that was completed in 1989 by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Nongame Wildlife and Duck Stamp Programs with the help of numerous volunteers. Development of the wetland entailed construction of a dike, nearly a mile in length, to retain water from runoff or water pumped from the river during dry periods. A trail along the dike and an observation tower in the west-center of the marsh increase opportunities for vistors to observe wetland plants and wildlife.
This pamphlet contains information about wildlife and plants that occur in the area as well as information regarding the wetland's ecosystem and management. Many wildlife species are not present year-round on the area and may be observed only during certain periods - e.g. shorebirds during spring and fall migrations.
Each number in the following list corresponds to a station number along the trail. The trail's starting point is about 100 yards north of the wildlife office on old Highway 69. It continues north, follows the dike around the marsh, and loops back to the roadway. The length is about 1 1/4 mile.
Vann's Marsh is open throughout the year. During weekdays (except holidays) from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., visitors may drive to the trail head. At other times, cars can be parked at the gate.
Vann's Marsh is one of more than 100 watchable areas described in the Oklahoma Wildlife Viewing Guide published by the Wildlife Department's Nongame Wildlife Program.
Vann's Marsh Self-Guided Trail
1. What is a Marsh - A marsh is a wetland dominated by herbaceous (non-woody) plants. The plant species growing in low-lying areas here are adapted to water-logged soils and periodic flooding. Some of the plants, like smartweeds, provide seeds that are important food sources for waterfowl and other birds. Marshes and other wetlands provide services valuable to people such as helping to control flooding and filtering nutrients and pollutants from the water.
2. Marsh Management - Vann's Marsh, about 50 acres in size, is composed of two wetland units. It was created by building dikes around the area to retain water. At certain times of the year, depending upon rainfall, water from the river is pumped in to flood much of the area enclosed by the dike. The combination of water, mud flats and herbaceous and woody plants that occur here attracts a large variety of game and nongame wildlife.
3. Songbirds - A diversity of songbirds can be seen here. Some, like the cardinal, tufted titmouse, Carolina chickadee and eastern bluebird, are year-round residents. Others, like the prothonotary warbler, barn swallow, eastern phoebe, eastern kingbird and northern oriole, can be found only during the spring and summer months.
4. Wading Birds - The abundance of food (insects, small fish and amphibians) found in the shallow waters of this area attracts several species of herons and egrets during the spring and summer. Some of the species you may observe include great, snowy and cattle egrets, great blue, little blue and green herons and American bitterns.
5. Bluebird Nestbox - The eastern bluebird, one of our native songbirds, nests in cavities and benefits from the placement of nestboxes in suitable habitats. Other native cavity nesters which may also use this nestbox include Bewick's wren, Carolina chickadee and prothonotary warbler. Nestbox kits and plans can be obtained from the Wildlife Department.
6. Moist Soil Food Plants - Several plants growing in the wetland untis are managed as important food sources for waterfowl. These include wild millet, annual smartweeds and bidens. The abundance of aquatic insects sheltered by these and other plants are an important food source for birds.
7. Amphibians - Although difficult to detect during much of the year, many amphibians live in this area. Amphibians are cold-blooded animals that lack scales and spend a portion of their lives in water. This group includes salamanders, frogs and toads. The calls of frogs and toads vary by species and can be used to identify them during the mating season.
8. Beavers - Can you spot signs of beavers in the marsh? Look for their teeth marks on stumps and cuttings, drag trails, scent marks and lodges. The beaver is the largest rodent in Oklahoma with adults weighing between 35 and 70 pounds. The habitat they create benefits wood ducks, muskrats, raccoons and other wildlife species. Drags and paths over the dikes from the marsh to the river are created by beavers.
9. Pumping Pad - This is the site for the pump used to move water from the river into the marsh. During dry weather approximately 60 acre feet of water are needed to flood the area. Three to five days are required to pump this quantity of water.
10. Aquatic Plants - Classified by growth form, there are three main groups of aquatic plants. Submerged plants such as pondweed grow entirely underwater. Floating plants such as duckweed occur on the surface where roots extract nutrients directly from the water. Emergent plants such as cattails are rooted in the soil underwater but a portion of the plant grows above the surface. Wetland animals from protozoa to waterfowl depend upon plants, directly or indirectly, for nutrients and energy. The diversity of animal species occurring in a wetland (or other habitat) is dependent upon the diversity of plants found there.
11. Reptiles - This group of animals, which includes snakes, lizards and turtles, are cold-blooded, have scales and lay eggs on land. They are not dependent upon water for reproduction as are amphibians. Reptiles you may spot here are common garter snakes, diamondback water snakes, red-eared turtles and ornate box turtles.
12. Water Control Structures - The water level of the marsh can be lowered or the area drained by raising the gate on these structures. By draining the area at certain times of the year, a greater diversity of plants can be maintained than if the area was constantly flooded. Lowering the water level to expose mud flats also attracts shorebirds during migration.
13. Giant Canada Goose Establishment Project- A captive flock of 200 geese was previously established on the site in 1982. Today this refuge is maintained for use primarily by free-flying nesting geese and as a molting and wintering site. The Department has released nearly 15,000 giant Canada geese throughout Oklahoma since 1980.
14. Snags - Dead trees (snags) provide valuable wildlife habitat. They are used as look-out perches by kingfishers and flycatchers (such as the great-crested) and singing perches by mockingbirds and other species. Woodpeckers excavate nesting cavities in snags. These cavities are later available for use by secondary cavity nesters such as chickadees and bluebirds.
15. Goose Nesting Structures - Artificial nesting structures were previously placed in the marsh for nesting Canada geese. These structures deter nest predators such as bobcats, raccoons and coyotes.
16. Dragonflies - Some of the most conspicuous insects of late summer are the dragonflies. These insects are characterized by their long, slender abdomen and four membranous wings, which are held horizontal at rest. The adults are fast-flying, voracious predators which capture mosquitoes and other small flying insects in a "catching basket" formed with their six bent legs. During their developmental period young dragonflies, or nymphs, live in water and prey on aquatic insects and other small animals.
17. Waterfowl - Other than giant Canada geese, wood ducks and mallards, the waterfowl observed on the marsh are migrating or wintering species. This area is used as a nesting, feeding and roosting site during fall, winter and spring.
