Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
and Assateague National Seashore
Chincoteague Island bird watchers have 2 excellent resources in Assateague National Sea Shore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Both areas converge on Assateague Island and extend northward into Maryland as well.
The refuge covers over 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and forest habitat. The majority of the refuge is located in Virginia although 418 acres are on Maryland soil. The refuge also entails Morris Island, Marsh on the northern tip of Chincoteague Island. The refuge extends southward, encompassing all or parts of Assawoman, Metompkin, and Cedar Islands.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most popular refuges in the United States, especially among bird watchers. The refuge is either home to or a stop over point for a array of birds and other wildlife. Ducks, geese, swans, egrets, herons, and dozens of other shorebirds visit or live on the islands.
Upon entering the refuge, wildlife is not hard to spot, even on the main causeway to the beach. Birdwatchers can check in at the visitors center, then make the short drive to the beach, explore the seashore and hike the many trails.
Of particular interest to birders is the Wildlife Loop. The area is open to hiking all day and vehicles are allowed from 3pm to Dusk. The Wildlife Loop meanders thru forest, marsh, and back across the lagoon, allowing visitors to see a wide variety of bird species.
The refuge is also very important the economy of Chincoteague Island and Virginia overall. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reported that Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge reported the most recreational visits of roughly 80 national wildlife refuges during 2006. The refuge had about 7.5 million visitors for the year. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge held the number one spot for jobs at 3,766, economic return, at $315.4 million. Economic benefit was number one among the nations refuges with $155.42 returned for every $1 budgeted expenditures.
Visit the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and and Assateague National Seashore websites for more information.
Items bearing images of the spectacular array of wildlife seen at Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge are featured at our Outdoors USA store.
Submitted by: cin
