Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary is perched on the steep slopes of Bougher Hill with scenic views of the Delaware River. Closed Mondays.
Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary is open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. The 200-acre Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary and Wilderness Trust is perched on the steep slopes of Bougher Hill overlooking the scenic Delaware River. Hiking trails lead visitors through a variety of forest types and meadow areas that are home to abundant wildflowers and wildlife. Mariton is managed by non-profit conservation organization Natural Lands. Learn more at www.natlands.org.
06/22/2026
The Coral Hairstreak is the only butterfly in its genus (Satyrium) that entirely lacks "tails" on its hindwings. While most hairstreaks have delicate, hair-like tail streamers used to confuse predators, the Coral Hairstreak relies entirely on a distinct row of vivid, coral-red spots on the underside of its hindwing for flair.
📸: Bill Moses
06/15/2026
Did you know that every box turtle's shell markings are unique? Just like fingerprints. Learn more: https://www.natlands.org/news/thinking-outside-the-box/
📸: Zane Miller
06/01/2026
A songbird like the Wood Thrush requires 10 to 15 times as much calcium to lay a clutch of eggs as a similar size mammal needs to nurture its young. That makes calcium-rich food supplements like snail shells crucial to successful breeding. These are rare in soils subject to acid rain, which may help explain patterns of population decline in the Wood Thrush.
📸: David Brandes
05/25/2026
On its breeding ground, the Ovenbird divides up the forest environment with the other warblers of the forest floor. The Ovenbird uses the uplands and moderately sloped areas, the Worm-eating Warbler uses the steep slopes, and the Louisiana Waterthrush and the Kentucky Warbler use the low-lying areas.
📸: David Brandes
05/18/2026
Just snoozin'.
📸: Zane Miller
05/11/2026
As their name indicates, trilliums have three leaves, three petals, and three sepals. Each plant can live up to 25 years, but they are incredibly slow to grow, taking up to 10 years to flower from seed.
📸: David Brandes
05/04/2026
Who else thinks Barn Owls look a little like the Porgs from "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"? May the Fourth be with you.
📸: Steve Eisenhauer
04/30/2026
Trilliums are extremely fragile: if you pick the flower no other trillium will grow in its place, even if the rhizome is left undisturbed. (Please don't pick any plants you see at Natural Lands' properties!)
Red trillium 📸 David Brandes
White trillium 📸 Carole Mebus
04/23/2026
“Don’t you know what that is? It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want—oh, you don’t quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
~ Mark Twain, "Tom Sawyer"
📸: Zane Miller
04/16/2026
What spring ephemerals have you spotted so far this season?
Hepatica 📸 Zane Miller
Dutchman's breeches 📸 Tim Burris