Lake Barkley Naturalist and Recreation Blog

Start the New Year off right by joining us for the first hike of the season. Lake Barkley is taking part in a national effort to get people outdoors and hiking on the first day of the New Year.

At 10a.m. on January 1st, meet at the fitness center to take part in a free naturalist guided 2 mile hike along our Blue Springs Trail in search of winter wildlife like deer, turkeys, and Bald Eagles. The Fitness Center will also be open on the 1st and will offer free admission. Sign up for year fitness membership that day and get one month free!

Contact the fitness center for more information.
270-924-1131 EXT. 593

Venomous mammals are very rare, but western Kentucky is home to one of these unique creatures, the Least Shrew Cryptotis parva. The Least Shrew's saliva contains a toxin used to paralyze prey and store it for future feedings. Some of its favorite prey items include millipedes (see Nature Sightings post), centipedes, earthworms, and small insects. It relies on its sence of smell and touch to locate prey. The Least Shrew is also one of our smallest mammals, growing up to 3 inches. In the correct habitat (prairies, meadows, and fields) the Least Shrew can be quite abundant and in the winter time can be found living in groups of up to 30 individuals. However most have never seen this creature because it is most active at night and spends most of it's time in underground tunnels.

Photo credits: ASM Mammal Image Library

Looking for that unique gift for your loved ones? Look no further than Lake Barkley State Resort Park. Our gift store carries a selection of Kentucky made and Kentucky proud products. Or purchase a Kentucky State Park gift card good for lodging, golfing, meals at Window's on the Water restaurant, or special events. Lake Barkley has some great events upcoming. The Barkley Bash is our New Year's Eve dance and all inclusive packages are still available. Eagle Weekend tours also make a unique gift, and we still have availability on both boat and van tours January 27-29th. Contact the park for more information 270-924-1131.

Gift cards can be purchased online, in person of over the phone. Click here for more information

The Friends of Lake Barkley State Resort Park, a nonprofit group of volunteers dedicated to the betterment of the park have launched a new website. Visit them at www.friendsoflakebarkley.wikispaces.com
or follow the link to the left. The Friends of Lake Barkley have been busy over the last few weeks, clearing trails, writing grants, and creating decorations for the upcoming Barkley Bash. If you would like more information on becoming a Friend of the park, visit their website or join us for the next meeting January 12th, 6p.m. in the Elizabeth Hooks Room at Lake Barkley Lodge.

A misty walk into work this morning was filled with chattering woodpeckers and a few interesting sightings. White tail deer have been abundant in the morning and evening hours, plenty of Ring-billed Gulls and Bonaparte’s Gulls fishing Little River in front of the lodge, one adult Bald Eagle flying towards Cottage Loop Road, and a large millipede, Narceus Americana. The millipede was one of the more interesting finds and often a misunderstood creature.

Pictured is the millipede spotted this morning, one of the more common millipedes found in this area, the North American Millipede, Narceus Americana.

Although the name millipede suggests 1,000 legs, most millipede species have between 36 and 400 legs. Millipedes are primarily nocturnal and found in woods, fields, and other areas that are generally dark and moist (that’s why we sometimes find them in basements). Read More