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Eastern Shore
of Virginia
National Wildlife Refuge
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 Refuge Overview: Located on the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge was initially established in 1984 with a land transfer from the Air Force and later added to by land gifts from the Nature Conservancy. The recent purchase of 376 acres using Migratory Bird Conservation Funds, which include Federal Duck Stamp dollars, has brought the refuge’s total acreage up to 1,187.
USFWS Photo |
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| Wildlife and
Habitat: The refuge was established for migratory
birds and endangered species management, appealing to hundreds
of thousands of migrating songbirds, raptors, and monarch butterflies.
It is one of the most important migration funnels in the Atlantic
flyway, with favorable wind and weather patterns pushing migrating
birds into the area in waves. The area is dominated by grasslands,
shrublands, and hardwood forests of oak, hickory, maple, and
sweet gum. |
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Recreation Opportunities: The
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge is a marvelous
area for a nature walk. Miles of nature trails wind through the area,
and photography blinds nestled near ponds provide excellent opportunities
for waterfowl viewing. Big game hunting is also allowed on the refuge.
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Additional Resources
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