USF & W Northeast Wildlife Refuge Directory at woodenbirdcarvings.com

The National Wildlife Refuge System came into being on March 14, 1903, when President Theodore Roosevelt established the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida.

There are currently 548 national wildlife refuges managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, encompassing some 96,373,969 total acres. Every state in the nation maintains at least one refuge, while most states have several.

The primary objective for the establishment and maintaining of most of these refuges is to provide a suitable habitat and sanctuary for migratory and / or endangered species of wildlife.

While some of these are not open or accessible to the public, most of these refuges are available for recreational use. In fact, according to a recent survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, recreational usage of the national refuges generates almost $2 Billion annually in total economic activity.

On these pages, we are providing links and very brief descriptions of each of these refuges. These will be organized by Region with sub-divisions by State. There are currently seven regions – Pacific, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, Mountain-Prairie, and Alaska.

This directory of the United States Fish & Wildlife Refuges is a work in progress. We are researching and documenting each refuge and attempting to make sure the information is both current and accurate. Since the Southeast region (USF & W Region 4) is our home, we began this project with that region.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Northeast Region Refuges

With this page, we have added the information pertaing to the Northeast Region, which is made up of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. It is our intention to complete this directory as quickly as possible. We invite you to check back often to check on our progress.

If you want to see many of the birds that we have for sale in their natural habitat, you are sure to find your next excursion destination on these pages. Enjoy!

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Northeast Region Refuges

Connecticut
Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge
The Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972 along seventy miles of the Connecticut coastline. Consisting of ten different units and a total of 800 acres, the refuge is situated in the Atlantic Flyway where it serves as an important resting and feeding place for many species of wading birds, shorebirds, songbirds and terns, including the endangered Roseate Tern. Waters adjacent to the refuge provide a wintertime habitat for Brant, Scoters, American Black Duck and other waterfowl.

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Delaware
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
The Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 and consists of 15,978 acres and is Located just 10 miles from the state capital of Dover in Delaware. Roughly 80 percent of the refuge acreage is tidal salt water marsh. Established primarily to protect and assist migratory waterfowl, the refuge annually hosts large numbers of migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, waders and songbirds. Some of the nesting species include Wood ducks, Bluebirds, Purple Martins, Barn Owls and Eastern Screech Owls and Bald Eagles.

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
The Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 and consists of 10,000 acres of the best wetland habitat areas along the Atlantic Coast. The refuge is located 22 miles southeast of Dover, Delaware, near the western shore of Delaware Bay in the Atlantic Flyway. Endangered species which can be found here include nesting American Bald Eagles and migrating Peregrine Falcons. Several species of migrating neotropical birds also make use of the refuge's diverse habitat opportunities.

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Maine
Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge
The Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1998 on 4,700 acres which was formerly part of the Loring Air Force Base, in Limestone, Maine. Additionally, the refuge manages administers another 2,400 acres of wetland easement area. The refuge provides habitat and sanctuary for declining populations of the American Woodcock as well as several species waterfowl, including the American Black Duck and many species of Neotropical Migratory Birds.

Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area
The Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area was established in 1966 on 1,055 acres located in the town of Troy in Waldo County, Maine. The refuge is a very significant peat bog and pond nesting habitat for the endangered Black Tern. To this date, 33 different bird species have been identified on the Carlton Pond WPA, including Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers and Common Goldeneyes.

Cross Island National Wildlife Refuge
The Cross Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1980 and consists of six islands (Cross, Scotch, Outer Double Head Shot, Inner Double Head Shot, Mink, and Old Man Islands) that encompasses 1,700 acres in the town of Cutler, Maine. The refuge provides sanctuary for bald eagles, ospreys, and song birds and resting and feeding habitat for thousands of migrating waterfowl, songbirds, shorebirds and raptors. The refuge is also one of only four nesting sites for Razorbills in the Gulf of Maine.

Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge
The Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1973. The twelve acre island refuge is in Muscongus Bay, about six miles from Friendship, Maine. The refuge is home to nesting gulls, Eiders, Black-crowned Night Herons, Leach's Storm Petrels, and Ospreys.

Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge
The Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established between 1972 and 1980 and contains 49 offshore islands and three coastal parcels, totaling more than 8,100 acres. The primary objective of the refuge is to restore and protect the habitat for nesting seabirds. Habitat residents include Common, Arctic, and endangered Roseate Terns, Atlantic puffins, Razorbills, Black Guillemots, Leach's Storm-petrels, Laughing Gulls and Common Eiders.

Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge
The Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 and consists of two divisions for a total acreage of 28,751 acres in Washington county, southwest of Calais, Maine in the northern portion of the Atlantic Flyway. The refuge provides important resting and feeding habitat for a wide variety of bird species, including waterfowl, wading bird, shorebird, upland game birds, songbirds and birds of prey. Some of the birds that can be spotted here include Black ducks, Wood Ducks, Ring-necked Ducks, Canada geese, and Common Loons.

Pond Island National Wildlife Refuge
The Pond Island National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1973, encompasses a 10-acre island located in the mouth of the Kennebec River in the Town of Phippsburg, Sagadahoc County, Maine, adjacent to Popham Beach, Maine. The treeless nature and shrub cover of the refuge provides an excellent habitat for nesting seabirds. As a result of a successful breeding and restoration program for the Common Tern, the refuge currently supports about 135 pairs of nesting Common Terns as well as a substantial population of nesting Common Eiders.

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 and when the planned acquisitions are completed will contain approximately 9,125 acres spread out along 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties in Maine. The refuge is an important wintertime resting and feeding habitat for migrating waterfowl. In addition, the refuge provides nesting sanctuary for Piping Plover, Least Terns, Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles and other federally protected bird species.

Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge
The Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972 and consists of 65 acres, located 21 miles off the coast of Rockland Maine on an old U.S. Navy practice bombing range. The refuge provides habitat and sanctuary for colonial nesting seabirds, including, Arctic and Common Terns, Eiders, Guillemots, and Atlantic Puffins.

Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
The Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1988 to ensure the ecological integrity of the Sunkhaze Meadows peat bog and preserve and protect the associated wetlands. The refuge consists of 9,337 acres of boglands, streams, and marshes and is located in the Town of Milford, Penobscot County, Maine, approximately 14 miles north of Bangor. Over 200 species of birds have been confirmed on the ridge including the endangered Black Terns, Canada Geese, Wood Ducks, American Black Duck, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Ducks, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Osprey and several species of birds or prey.

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Maryland
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1933 and is located in Dorchester County, on the Eastern shore of Maryland. The refuge includes over 27,000 acres of mainly tidal marsh lands. Established as a sanctuary for migrating ducks and geese along the Atlantic Flyway, The refuge also is a haven and protected breeding place for several endangered species including the American Bald Eagle and the Peregrine Falcon.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
The Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1962 and consists of a 2,286-acre island located at the confluence of the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay. The refuge provides sanctuary for over 240 bird species, including the American Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcons and Tundra Swans.

Martin National Wildlife Refuge
The Martin National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1954 and currently consists of 4,548 acres located on Smith Island and Watts Island in the Chesapeake Bay. Both islands are almost entirely salt marsh lands. The refuge provides wintering habitat for a number of migrating species such as Black Ducks, Pintail Ducks, Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks and Tundra Swans. Other abundant year-round refuge residents include a large population Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons, black ducks, mallards, gadwall and green-winged teal. Also at least ten different species of waterbirds are known to nest on the refuge including Herons, Egrets, and Glossy Ibis.

Patuxent Research Refuge
The Patuxent Research Refuge was established in 1936 and currently encompasses 12,841 acres in the area around Patuxent and Little Patuxent Rivers between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. This refuge is the only one in the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge system which was established to support wildlife research. Scientists working at the Patuxent facility are credited with several important advances in resource conservation, wetland and habitat management, endangered species restoration and related areas.

Susquehanna River National Wildlife Refuge
Susquehanna River National Wildlife Refuge is a small 1.5 acre island at the mouth of the Susquehanna River in Harford County, Maryland. The island is all that remains of the original 13,363 acres which made up the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge. The drastic downsizing of what was once an important Waterfowl production area, was due to a combination of factors which caused dramatic changes in the quality and quantity of water in the area. Prior to the 1960's, as many 700,000 to 800,000 ducks and American Wigeon were produced here. Today, only a few thousand geese are known to winter on the refuge.

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Massachusetts
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
The Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2000 on 2,230 acres within the towns of Hudson, Massachusetts Stow and Sudbury which was formerly part of the U.S. Army Fort Devens. The primary objective of the refuge is to provide a resting and feeding place for migratory birds. The refuge was opened to the public beginning in 2005, following its transformation into a welcoming sanctuary for the many species of migrating birds which pass through this area. There are currently well over ten miles of trails which have been opened on the refuge for public wildlife observation and study.

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
The Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1947 and encompasses 3,600 acres of predominantly freshwater wetlands that stretch along about twelve miles of the Concord and Sudbury Rivers about twenty miles west of Boston, Massachusetts. The great diversity of habitat on the refuge makes it ideal habitat for providing safe, feeding and resting area for migrating bird life. Nesting residents on the refuge include several species of waterfowl, including Mallards, Black Ducks, Wood Ducks, and Blue-winged Teal.

Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge
The Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1995 in the towns of Mashpee and Falmouth in Eastern Massachusetts. When all refuge acquisitions are complete, it will encompass an estimated 5,871 acres consisting of salt marshes, cranberry bogs, Atlantic white cedar swamps, freshwater marshes, and a vernal pool. Some of the primary objectives of the Mashpee Refuge include maintaining habitat suitable for feeding, resting, and nesting by waterfowl, shorebirds, osprey and a variety of migratory songbirds and several species of migratory birds.

Massasoit National Wildlife Refuge
The Massasoit National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1983 and encompasses two parcels totaling 195 acres in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The refuge is located within a 3,269-acre area designated as critical habitat for the Plymouth Redbelly Turtle.

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
The Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1944 and consists of 7,600 acres just off of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The habitat provides resting and nesting sanctuary for several species of migratory birds. Shorebirds which can be identified on the refuge during the fall migration months include Turnstones, Sanderlings, Least and Semi-Palmated Sandpipers, Black-bellied and Semi-palmated Plovers, Dowitchers, Red Knots, Dunlin, Roseate Terns, American Oystercatchers and Whimbrels. Other birds which can also be seen at this time include several species of song birds as well as birds of prey, including Northern Harriers, Great Horned Owls, Peregrine Falcons, Merlins, Sharp-shinned Hawks and Bald Eagles.

Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge
The Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1973 and encompasses 24 acres of barrier beach on the Northeastern tip of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The refuge is an important sanctuary for several species of migratory birds, including the threatened Piping Plover and Least Tern.

Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge
The Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1997 and consists of a 640 acre island off the coast of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. The primary purpose in establishing the refuge was to provide suitable habitat for migrating birds. Nesting summer residents on the island refuge include Leach's Storm-petrels, Double-crested Cormorants, Terns and several species of shorebirds. Other species also found on the refuge in quantities include Virginia Rails, and migrating songbirds and raptors.

Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
The Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1974 and is made up of about 1,667 acres of freshwater marsh, oxbow wetlands and upland habitat on the Nashua River about 35 miles northwest of Boston, Massachusetts. The refuge provides habitat for several bird species including migratory and upland birds such as American Woodcock, Turkey and the Pied-billed Grebe.

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1942 and consists of 4,662 acres along the Atlantic Flyway near Newburyport, Massachusetts. The refuge is a very important resting and feeding habitat for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds. Among the more than 300 species of birds which can be found on the habitat are Piping Plover, Least Tern, Sandpipers, Black-bellied Plovers, and Ruddy Turnstones and other migrating shorebirds.

Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge
The Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge was established in 1997 and charged with conserving and protecting several of the wildlife habitats found throughout the Connecticut River watershed which covers large areas of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. To date, 180,000 acres of the watershed have been identified for special focus and attention. The list of birds which use the refuge habitats includes 27 different species of ducks, geese and swans, 15 species of shore birds and 24 other water dependent species such as rails, grebes and herons. Additionally, 181 passerine and raptor species can be identified here.

Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge
The Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972 and consists of a 22 acre portion of Thacher Island located approximately one mile off the coast of Rockport, Massachusetts. The refuge provides permanent nesting habitat for both Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls in addition to being an important resting and feeding site for migrating songbirds and shorebirds. Other bird species which can be found on the island include waterfowl, Loons, Grebes, Cormorants and Alcids.

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New Hampshire
Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1992 in the town of Newington on the eastern shore of New Hampshire's Great Bay. Authorized to acquire and transfer over 1,000 acres of relatively undeveloped Air Force Land, the refuge maintains seven miles of undisturbed shoreline along Great Bay estuary. The refuge is an important winter habitat for many protected or endangered bird species including the American Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Osprey, Common Tern, Northern Harrier and Upland Sandpiper. The refuge is also the major wintering habitat for Black Ducks in the state of New Hampshire. Other migrating species of note that are known to use the refuge include Greater and Lesser Scaup, Red-breasted Mergansers, Canadian Geese, Goldeneye, Brant and Oldsquaw.

John Hay National Wildlife Refuge
The John Hay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1987 and consists of a total of 164 acres along the banks of the Sunapee Lake, which was formerly the estate of John Hay, private secretary to Abraham Lincoln. The refuge provides sanctuary for migrating birds and other resident wildlife.

Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge
The Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1992 in Coos County New Hampshire and Oxford County Maine and protects over 20,500 acres of wetland and forested upland habitat along Umbagog Lake. Umbagog Lake hosts one of the largest nesting concentration of common loons in New Hampshire. The refuge provides habitat for large numbers of Black Ducks, Ring-necked Ducks, Goldeneye and many species of songbirds, including 24 varieties of warblers. Resident nesters include Wood Ducks, Hooded and Common Mergansers, and Mallards. Gray jay, Spruce Grouse, Boreal Chickadee, Black-backed and Northern Three-toed Woodpeckers can be found using habitats around bogs and other boreal habitats here.

Wapack National Wildlife Refuge
The Wapack National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972 and consists of 1,672 acres about 20 miles west of Nashua, New Hampshire. The refuge is an important hawk migration area and provides nesting habitat for numerous migratory songbirds such as the Tree Sparrow, Swainson's Thrush, Magnolia Warbler, Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks and White-throated Sparrow.

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New York
Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge
The Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1968 on 36 acres of the south fork of Long Island, New York. The primary objectives of the refuge involve protecting the natural dune and beach habitat of Long Island. During the winter, Long-tailed Ducks, White-ringed Scoter, Common Loon and the Horned Grebe can be found just offshore of the refuge. Other bird species which can be spotted on the refuge include Piping Plover, both the Common and Least Terns, Sandpiper, Ipswich Sparrow, Rough-legged Hawk, Short Eared Owl, Merlin, Cooper's Hawk, Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Peregrine Falcon plus numerous songbirds and shorebirds.

Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge
The Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1971 on 60 acres in the Town of North Sea, New York on the north shore of Long Island's south fork. The refuge objectives include preserving and protecting the widely, varied habitats found there. The waterfowl species on the refuge are primarily Black Ducks and Bufflehead. Other birds here include the Grasshopper Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Savannah Sparrow, Bobolink plus many varieties of migratory songbirds, shorebirds and raptors.

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge
The Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1954 on 187 acres of beautifully diverse habitat on Long Island, New York. The refuge shoreline provides habitat for several species including Nesting Piping Plovers, Roseate Terns, Least Terns, Common Terns, and several different shorebirds. Wintertime migratory guests normally include Long-tailed ducks, White-winged Scoter, Goldeneye and Black Ducks.

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1958 and encompasses 10,818 acres in the area of rural, Western New York known locally as the Alabama Swamps. The water levels in the refuge pools and marshes are controlled and regulated to provide the most ideal habitats for the assortment of migrating and nesting birds found here, including Black Tern, Black Ducks, Osprey, American Woodcock, Peregrine Falcons and Bald Eagles.

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 8,000 acres and is located at the north end of Cayuga Lake, in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. The refuge is an important resting and feeding spot for migrating waterfowl and other species including Canada Geese, Snow Geese, Mallards and American Black Ducks. It also provides permanent nesting sanctuary for a variety of bird species including Bald Eagles, Osprey, Black Terns, Black-crowned Night Herons and Great Blue Herons.

Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1968 and encompasses over 3,000 acres of primarily subtidal habitats, located on the north shore of Long Island, New York. The refuge is a very important habitat for many species of waterfowl and other waterbirds. Wintertime migratory waterfowl guests include Black Ducks, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Canvasback and Long-tailed Ducks, Terns and Cormorants.

Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge
The Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1968 and is made up of 196 acres on the south shore of Long Island, New York. The refuge areas are about one-half tidal marsh lands and one-half is made up of old fields, brush and woodlands. Located in the midst of a heavily developed urban area, the refuge is an important resting place for many species of migratory birds, waterfowl, songbirds and raptors. Commonly spotted species include nesting Osprey, Peregrine Falcons and several species of waterfowl including Black Ducks. The refuge is an important stopping and feeding point for several species of raptors, including Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Screech Owl and Great Horned Owls.

Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge
The Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1999 on 566 acres that was formerly the U.S. military's Galeville Military Airport. Located in the valley below the Shawangunk Mountains in Ulster County, New York, the refuge's primary objectives are to preserve and restore the habitat area that was formerly home to several species including Bobolink. Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Northern Harrier and Short-eared Owl.

Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge
The Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1967 and encompasses 80 acres located on the north shore of Long Island, New York. The refuge consists primarily of mature oak forest areas and provides habitat for a number of migratory songbird species, particularly warblers. Permanent residents include nesting Bank Swallows, Piping Plover, Least Tern, and Common Tern.

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge
The Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1993 and currently encompasses over 2,500 areas on the south shore of Long Island, New York. The refuge acreage is about one-half saltmarsh and swamp lands and one-half uplands containing pine, oak, shrub and grasslands. The initial primary objectives for the refuge were to preserve and protect the Carmans River Estuary for migratory birds. The large wintertime waterfowl population is predominantly Black Ducks. Other species in quantity include Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Gadwall and Greater Scaup, Pine Warbler, Northern Bobwhite, Northern Flicker, Eastern Towhee, Carolina Wren, Blue Jay, different owl species and about 25 kinds of shorebirds including the Belted Kingfisher, Loon, Cormorants, Terns, Gulls, and Grebes.

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New Jersey
Cape May National Wildlife Refuge
The Cape May National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1989 on 90 acres and is currently over 11,000 acres in size. Ultimately, the refuge is expected to encompass approximately 21,200 acres in New Jersey's Cape May Peninsula. Located in the Atlantic Flyway, the refuge is an important resting and feeding place for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds every year. Just a few of the species that can be spotted here include various shorebirds such as the Red Knot, Sanderling and Ruddy Turnstone, large numbers and of different waterfowl, marsh birds, raptors and songbirds including a variety of warblers, including Prothonotary and Pine Warblers, Wood Thrush, Bald Eagles, wintering Short-eared, Long-eared and Northern Saw-whet Owls. Wintertime visitors include the American Black Duck, Northern Pintail, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Snowy Egret, Dunlin, Sanderling and the Semipalmated Plover.

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1984 when two former USF & W refuges, the Brigantine Refuge (established 1939) and the Barnegat Refuge (established 1967), were merged to create one. The 46,000 acre complex is located ten miles north of Atlantic City, New Jersey. An important migratory location located in the Atlantic Flyway, the refuge is primarily composed of tidal salt meadow and marsh, interspersed with shallow coves and bays. While the predominant wintertime guests on these coastal wetlands are the Atlantic Brant and the American Black Duck, the refuge also provides sanctuary to a wide variety of migrating waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds.

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1960 and consists of 7,600 acres located Morris County, New Jersey, about 26 miles west of Manhattan's Times Square. The refuge has been known to provide habitat for over 244 species of birds. Waterfowl inhabitants include Wood Ducks, Mallards, Canada Geese, Black Ducks, Pintail, Widgeon and Teal. Other species which are known to nest on the refuge include the Eastern Bluebird and Pileated Woodpeckers as well as several species of raptors.

Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
The Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Delaware River estuary in Cape May Court House, New Jersey approximately 35 miles south of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. The refuge includes the area formerly called The Killcohook Migratory Bird Refuge which was established in 1934. The refuge size is currently at about 3,000 acres with an authorized growth to 4,600 acres, about 80 percent of which is composed of brackish, tidal marshes. Winter migratory guests include Black Ducks, Mallards and Northern Pintails while year-round residents include Sandpipers and other shorebirds, warblers, woodcocks, sparrows, Tree Swallows, Ospreys, Bald Eagles, Northern Harrier, King Rails, Short-eared Owls and Barn Owls.

Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge
The Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 and currently encompasses approximately 5,100 acres in Sussex County, New Jersey and Orange County, New York. The overall refuge objectives focus on preserving and protecting Federally-listed endangered and threatened species, migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, nesting and wintering grassland birds, and forest-dwelling birds. Several conservation and water control measures have been implemented which will enable the refuge to be managed as seasonally flooded wetlands for migrating waterfowl. During the summer months, songbirds such as the beautiful indigo bunting, bobolink, scarlet tanager, Baltimore oriole, grasshopper sparrow, savannah sparrow, cedar waxwing, and chestnut-sided warbler bring color and melody to the refuge. It also provides breeding habitat for Kestrels, Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, Wood Ducks< Mallards, Black Ducks, Shorebirds and several different species of raptors.

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Pennsylvania
Erie National Wildlife Refuge
The Erie National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1959 and is located 35 miles south of the city of Erie and Lake Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania. The refuge consists of two different divisions with a combined total size of approximately 8,800 acres. The three distinctly different types of habitat found within the refuge areas, Forests, fields and water's edge support 237 species of birds. Migrant visitors to the refuge include Canada Geese, Wood Ducks, Mallards, Blue-winged Teal, Hooded Mergansers, Pintail, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Scaup, Bufflehead, Golden-eye, Ring-necked Ducks, and Black Ducks. Nesting residents also include Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels. Shorebirds and marsh birds which are often spotted here include Sandpipers, Yellowlegs, and Great Blue Herons.

John Heinz at Tinicum National Wildlife Refuge
The John Heinz at Tinicum National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972 in Southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established initially to protect the last 200 acres of freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania, when authorized acquisitions are completed, the refuge will encompass an estimated 1,200 acres. The refuge provides habitat for over 300 species of birds, of which 80 are known to nest on the refuge lands. Migrating species which can be spotted include warblers, egrets, sandpipers, and a large variety of ducks.

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Rhode Island
Block Island National Wildlife Refuge
The Block Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1973 on 28 acres of former U.S. Coast Guard property and has a current size 127 acres on the North End of Block Island near the Town of New Shoreham, Rhode Island. The refuge is well known for the large numbers (over 70 different species) of migrating songbirds which use the refuge every year. The refuge is home to five species of threatened birds, including the Piping Plover and has the largest gull colony in the state of Rhode Island. The Block Island NWR is widely known to be home to 15 rare or endangered bird species. The refuge is one of only two places in the world where barn owls nest in sea cliffs rather than in man-made structures or inland cliffs.

John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge
The John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge was originally established in 1988 under the name of the Pettaquamscutt Cove National Wildlife Refuge and was renamed in 1999 in honor of the late Senator Chafee who was well known for his support of conservation and wildlife refuges. The refuge encompasses 317 acres within the Narrow River on the Southern Coast of Rhode Island. The refuge is an important habitat and sanctuary for the largest black duck population in the state of Rhode Island. The saltmarsh habitat areas on the refuge also support numerous species of wildlife including Great Egrets, Herons, and several species of Plovers and other shorebirds. The refuge is for the most part inaccessible by road and requires a canoe or kayak to visit.

Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
The Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge was originally established in 1970 on 27.5 acres of U.S. Navy airfield lands and has grown to its present size of approximately 900 acres. The refuge is on the Southern Coast of Rhode Island in the Town of Charlestown, Washington County, Rhode Island. Formerly used during World War II as a U.S. Naval Auxiliary landing field, the refuge lands are being restored to the native grasslands and wetlands. Bird species which are frequently spotted here include the threatened Piping Plover, Osprey, Harriers, Kestrels, Bluebirds and Woodcock. During the wintertime, large numbers of Black Ducks, Canada Geese and diving ducks make use of the habitats found on the refuge.

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
The Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1970 and encompasses approximately 242 acres in Middletown, Rhode Island. The refuge boasts the largest wintertime population of Harlequin Ducks found on the East Coast. Permanent residents on the refuge include over 150 different bird species. The refuge lands whose past usage has ranged from horse racing areas to a communications site for U.S. Navy are being slowly returned to their native vegetation and shrub life at the rate of about forty acres per year.

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge
The Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1987 with 365 acre private donation and currently includes over 800 acres on the Southern Coast of Rhode Island. The authorized growth plan for the refuge includes an additional 1,280 acres. Containing Rhode Island's only undeveloped salt pond, Trustom Pond, the refuge provides habitat for over 300 bird species including Piping Plover, Osprey and Least Tern. During migratory periods, large numbers of waterfowl and songbirds utilize the refuge.

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Vermont
Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
The Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1943 and encompasses 6,642 acres of Missisquoi River delta on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain near the Canadian border in Franklin County, Vermont. Located in the Atlantic Flyway, the refuge is an important resting and feeding spot for migratory waterfowl and other birds. It is also home for the largest colony of Great Blue Herons in the State of Vermont. A few of the refuge conservation and management efforts which are being done include manipulating water levels in area ponds to encourage the growth of waterfowl food and cover plants and the construction of nesting structures throughout the refuge to help Wood Ducks, Common Goldeneyes, Hooded Mergansers and Black Ducks increase their nesting results.

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Virginia
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 and is located around Back Bay at the southern end of Sandpiper Road near Virginia Beach, Virginia. The refuge currently contains over 9,000 acres made up of beach, dunes, woodland, farm fields, and marshlands. During the fall migration periods, over 10,000 Snow Geese, Canada Geese, Tundra Swan and a large variety of ducks make use of the refuge sanctuary. The refuge is also some to a number of threatened and endangered species including Piping Plovers, Peregrine Falcons, and Bald Eagles.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1943 and consists of more than 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest, most of which is located on the Virginia end of Assateague Island. The refuge is an important resting and feeding location for migrating birds on the Atlantic Flyway. Originally established with primary focus on conservation of Greater Snow Geese, today the refuge provides habitat and sanctuary to over 320 species of waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, raptors and song birds. The refuge is home to several endangered species of wildlife including the Piping Plover and Peregrine Falcon.

Eastern Shore Of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
The Eastern Shore Of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1984 on 1,393 acres located at the tip of the Delmarva Peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay. One of the most important bird migration rest and re-fueling stops in North America, literally millions of songbirds and thousands of raptors converge at the tip of the peninsula each year on their journey south. Hawks, falcons, and songbirds are plentiful on the refuge in the fall months and the refuge also supports Osprey platforms and nesting structures for Barn Owls, Bluebirds, and Wood Ducks. Year-round residents include Carolina Chickadees, Great Horned Owls, Eastern Screech Owls, Carolina Wrens, and several species of woodpeckers and warblers.

Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge
The Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1969 and consists of 2,277 acres of oak-hickory forest, freshwater marshes, and contains 4.4 miles of shoreline in northern Virginia. This refuge was the first federal refuge established specifically for protection and restoration of the American Bald eagle. Home to over 200 species of birds, the refuge also boasts the largest Great Blue Heron rookery in the Mid-Atlantic region with over 1400 nests. A few of the large number of neotropical birds which migrate through the refuge each year include Wood Thrush, Ovenbirds, Scarlet Tanagers, Northern Parula Warblers and Prothonotary Warblers. The refuge is also host to large numbers of waterfowl, Marsh Wrens, Green Herons and Great Egrets.

Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge
The Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge was initially established in 1970 on 164 acres of land about 22 miles south of Washington D.C. at the confluence of Neabsco Creek and the Potomac River. It has since grown to encompass 325 acres of tidal marsh and riparian wetlands with mature oaks, tulip poplars and red maples. The refuge provides habitat and sanctuary for a large number of bird species including Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Barred Owls and Prothonotary Warblers and has hosted nesting Bald Eagles for several years. Currently closed to the public, the refuge provides habitat for several neotropical migrants, waterfowl, and Ospreys.

Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge
The Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1984 and currently sized at 1,850 acres, the refuge is the southern most barrier island, separated from the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge by approximately one-half mile. This refuge is one of only 17 sites in the United States classified as a "A Wetland of International Importance." Herons, egrets, ibis, songbirds, osprey, and shorebirds all make their homes here while thousands of other species utilize the refuge for resting and feeding on their migration journeys. Brown Pelicans and American Oystercatchers can readily be seen on the dunes and beaches of the refuge.

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was initially established in 1973 and currently consists of over 111,000 acres of forested wetlands in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. The primary goals and objectives of the refuge involve the restoration and preservation of the natural swamp environment and ecosystem prior to human alterations. Some of the more interesting bird species which can be spotted on the refuge include Swainson's Warbler, Wayne's Warbler, Wood Duck, Barred Pileated Woodpecker, and Prothonotary Warbler.

James River National Wildlife Refuge
The James River National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1991 and consists of 4,200 acres of forest and wetland habitats in Prince George County, Virginia. Initially created to protect and preserve the American Bald Eagle, today the refuge is heavily involved with various forestry management practices to protect and preserve the population of more than 230 nesting Bald Eagles found on the refuge. The refuge is also home to large numbers of breeding warblers and other songbirds including the Hooded Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, and the Ovenbird.

Nansemond National Wildlife Refuge
The Nansemond National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1973 on 207 acres of salt marsh lands formerly the property of the U.S. Navy on the Nansemond River in Suffolk, Virginia. Today it has grown to a total of approximately 411 acres. This refuge is currently closed to the public.

Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1998 on 644 acres that was previously a military research site at the confluence of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers in northern Virginia with about 50 percent of the refuge being wetland habitats. Many of the over 220 species of birds found on the refuge are uncommon or rare. Some of the birds which can be spotted here include Woodcock, Meadowlark, Snipe, Northern Harrier, Savanna Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Orchard Oriole and Great Horned Owl.

Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
The Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge was fully established in 2003 on 3,501 acres of saltmarsh, shrub-scrub and wooded habitats on the southwestern corner of the Chesapeake Bay in the City of Poquoson, Virginia. With its position right in the middle of the Atlantic Flyway, the refuge is a strategic resting and feeding habitat for many species of migrating birds. The lands were previously used by the U.S. Department of Defense as a bombing range and consequently still contain substantial amounts of unexploded munitions, consequently parts of the refuge are currently closed to the public. Already, over one hundred species of birds have been observed on this relatively new refuge, including the Northern Harrier, Black Duck, Sedge Wren, Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Black-necked Stilts, and Little Blue Heron.

Presquile National Wildlife Refuge
The Presquile National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1953 and consists of a 1,329 acre island about 20 miles south of Richmond, Virginia. Primarily made up of a hardwood swamp, the refuge was established primarily to provide habitat and sanctuary for wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds such as Canada Geese. It is also a year-round home for a number of resting and roosting Bald Eagles, Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Bobwhite, and Grasshopper Sparrow.

Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 with an authorized growth plan to 20,000 acres of wetlands and associated uplands in the Rappahannock River Valley. Currently the refuge has acquired around 8,000 acres. Actively working to restore the native grasslands and riparian forests along the river, the refuge contains the largest wintering roost for Bald Eagles in the State of Virginia. Located in the midst of the Atlantic Flyway, the refuge is an important resting and feeding location for many species of shorebirds, neotropical migrant songbirds, raptors, and marsh birds. Some of the other more interesting species commonly spotted on the refuge include Wood Thrush, Acadian Flycatcher), Grasshopper Sparrow and Northern Bobwhite.

Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge
The Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1975 on 375 acres of land that was formerly owned by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) located east of Wattsville in Accomack County, Virginia. The refuge provides habitat and sanctuary to a large number of waterfowl and wading birds including Snow Geese, Black Ducks, Snowy Egrets, Black-crowned Night Herons, Dunlin, Dowitchers and other shorebirds. A number of raptor species are also common, such as the Northern Harrier, Osprey, and Great Horned Owl. The refuge is also host to the American Woodcock and several species of neotropical songbirds.

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West Virginia
Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1994 on 86 acres and has now grown to 16,000 acres in the Canaan Valley of Tucker County, West Virginia. The refuge is nationally known as a breeding and fall migration area for the American Woodcock. Other bird species which can commonly be found on the refuge include Barred Owls, Turkey and Ruffed Grouse.

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 and consists of 3,300 acres of land and underwater habitat along the upper Ohio river. The refuge objectives include protecting and preserving the wildlife habitats natively found along the Ohio River and its floodplain. During fall and spring migration periods, over 200 species of birds have been identified on the refuge and about 80 species use the refuge habitats for nesting. A few of the species commonly found on the refuge include Canada Geese, Wood Ducks, Mallards, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrel, Killdeer and Spotted Sandpiper.

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