Beautiful wetlands, cold-water streams, lovely salt-marshes, pretty woodlands, and serene wilderness areas. Wildlife Refuges and Sanctuaries offer these features and so much more. Without them, there would be no systemized way to protect and restore fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats. Take a virtual walk with us through ten, East Coast refuges and sanctuaries in the U.S. When you are through, you may just want to plan a trip to visit one of these important spots for migratory birds and other wildlife.
Rachel Carson
National Wildlife Refuge
A list of important refuges would not be complete without The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. The site was named after the world-renowned marine biologist, environmentalist, and author. It consists of eleven divisions between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Habitats in the refuge include barrier beach/dune, beautiful coastal meadows, tidal salt marsh, rocky coast, and forested upland. The property was established to protect salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds. A good portion of the endangered, Maine piping plovers nest on or near the refuge. The main entrance is located in Wells, Maine.
Photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Willard Pond
Wildlife Sanctuary
When you travel to New Hampshire, be sure to visit the Willard Pond Wildlife Sanctuary. The site is NH Audubon’s largest property. The 1700-acre sanctuary allows visitors to enjoy its scenic vistas, find solace in pond views, or gain exercise on its six trails. Willard Pond is home to loons, Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers. Take the trail to the lovely pond, where you’ll spot granite boulders dotting the path. Or, take the Tamposi Trail to the majestic Bald Mountain. On the latter, you’ll find good views for spring hawk watching.
Photo: Phil Brown, NH Audubon
Monomoy National
Wildlife Refuge
Originally established to provide a habitat for migratory birds, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is a nature-lovers paradise located in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Refuge Headquarters is siuated on acreage found on Morris Island, and features a visitor center, beach, and trail system. The saltmarsh and sandflat habitat attracts gulls and shorebirds including the threatened piping plover, roseate tern, and American oystercatcher. Stop at the visitor center and borrow a pair of binoculars! Note: visitors must usually take a private boat to see the seals that are located on the Atlantic side of South Monomoy Island.
Photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Lewis-Dickens Farm
Wildlife Refuge
You must take a ferry to Block Island to visit the Farm Refuge. The trip is well worth it! Panoramic views of the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, and glimpses of white-tail deer, Barn Owl, Peregrine Falcon, and Pheasant await. Hikers will enjoy the trails above the bluffs and through coastal meadows on the property. The 120-acre site also preserves some of Rhode Island’s farming history. Note: Audubon maintains approximately 9,500 acres of natural habitat across Rhode Island and neigboring Massachusetts.
Photo: Mike Tucker, Audubon Society Of R.I.
Chincoteague National
Wildlife Refuge
The Refuge is famous for its beautiful, wild horses. Indeed, over the last ~300 years, these descendants of domestic horses have adapted to living near the Atlantic Ocean. As one of the most visited refuges in the U.S., Chincoteague also provides visitors with roughly 14,000 acres of dunes, marsh, beach, and maritime forest to explore and view.
Photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Elizabeth A. Morton
National Wildlife Refuge
The Morton Refuge is part of the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex (New York). The lovely 187-acre property features sandy and rocky beaches, wooded bluffs, fields, upland forest, salt marsh, ponds, and a lagoon. When you visit, you’ll most likely spot white-tailed deer, painted turtles, songbirds, osprey, waterfowl, terns, or maybe even piping plovers. Tip: The outstretched wings of an osprey can span over five feet across!
Photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Edwin B. Forsythe
National Wildlife Refuge
If you’re near Egg Harbor, New Jersey visit the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. If you do, you’ll be treated to splendid views of the Atlantic Ocean, open marsh, thousands of birds, and even the skyline of Atlantic City. There are wildlife viewing opportunities year-round, so check the refuge web site to discover the proper season for your favorite wildlife. You may just spot bald eagles, short-eared owls, turtles, great blue herons, egrets, ducks, beautiful buterflies, and more.
Photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Donal C. O’Brien, Jr. Sanctuary
The O’Brien Sanctuary is one of the last pieces of wild areas on the northeastern portion of the Outer Banks, North Carolina. The organization preserves 2,600 acres of upland maritime forest, marsh, sandy beaches, and a myriad of wildlife. In fact, over 600 species of flora and fauna have been identified on the property. The O’Brien Sanctuary has been hard at work crafting a master plan for the future which includes targeting quite a few bird species for protection. Photo: Coastal Kayak
St. Marks National
Wildlife Refuge
Established to provide a wintering habitat for migratory birds, the refuge is one of the oldest in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Approximately 68,000 acres cover several counties along the Gulf Coast of northwest Florida. The property features tidal creeks, coastal marshes, islands, and several estuaries. As such, the refuge is is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including the American Alligator! Photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
J.N. “Ding” Darling
National Wildlife Refuge
Also located in Florida but on Sanibel Island, the Darling Refuge occupies over 6,400 acres of trails, mangrove forests, marshes ,and seagrass beds. You can walk or bike on the trails, but you may want to consider driving your car on the four-mile wildlife drive. You might just spot alligators, crocodile, and a plethera of birds who are stopping during their southern migratory path.
Photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
References
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Photo Credits
Hannah Rusch (Cover)
Mike Tucker, Audubon Society Of Rhode Island
Phil Brown, NH Audubon