Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge -- Refuge News

REFUGE NEWS

Last updated March 16 , 2008

Special Events	Closures	General Notices

Check out our Calendar of Events (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

During certain times of the year, the refuge will be closed to the general public while staff conducts various management activities. Please check this page prior to planning your visit to the refuge.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge Announces Youth Turkey Hunt

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge in cooperation with the National Wild Turkey Federation will once again conduct a gobbler-only spring youth turkey hunt on the refuge, according to Visitor Services Specialist Cindy Heffley. The Youth Turkey Hunt will include two Saturdays during the State season, April 26 and May 17, 2008. A refuge hunt permit will be required with the number of permits issued limited to three each hunt day. The reason for limiting the number of youth hunters to three each day is to ensure that the hunt is a high quality, safe experience for the participating youths. Only youths ages 10 through 15 who were not chosen for past hunts will be eligible. Applications for permits may be obtained by contacting Visitor Services Specialist Cindy Heffley at 410-639-7056 ex.230, online at www.fws.gov/northeast/easternneck/YT or by writing to Eastern Neck NWR, 1730 Eastern Neck Road, Rock Hall, MD 21661. There is no application fee. Completed applications must be received by the refuge no later than 4:00 P.M on Monday, April 14, 2008. The drawing will be held at 3 P.M. on Tuesday, April 15, 2008.

All youths selected for the hunt must attend a safety briefing the day before their scheduled hunt. This mandatory safety briefing will be held at the refuge at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25 or Friday, May 16 at the Tundra Swan Boardwalk parking lot.

Members of the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will be guiding each of the youths selected for the hunt. The youths may be accompanied by a non-gun carrying parent or guardian. The bag limit will be one bearded turkey per youth.

All Maryland rules and regulations related to the State’s spring turkey season are applicable and will be enforced during the special hunt on Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge. Detailed refuge-specific hunt regulations will be provided to the successful applicants.

On these two hunt dates, the refuge will be closed south of the entrance gate from dawn until noon to non-hunters.

PRESCRIBED FIRE BURNING SEASON OPENS AT EASTERN NECK NWR

Chesapeake Marshland NWR Complex Project Leader Suzanne Baird announced today that refuge staff will begin prescribed fire burning activities on Eastern Neck NWR starting immediately. Burning activities will occur periodically on the refuge until April 15. Prescribed burning is being conducted to assist in the control of exotic and invasive plant species on the refuge. During the summer and fall of 2007, approximately 200 acres of marsh and forest habitats were treated with herbicides to control a variety of invasive plants. Prescribed fire will help to remove the dense layer of dead vegetation for hazard fuel reduction and promote the germination of native plants. In addition, 28 acres of grasslands will be burned to control woody shrubs that are invading the field areas. The grassland fields are maintained as a nesting and stopover area for native and migratory songbirds and butterflies.

All prescribed fires will be coordinated through the Maryland Department of Natural Resource’s Forest Service and Kent County Fire Control. Local residents who see fires and smoke associated with the prescribed burns can be assured that these burns are being conducted utilizing fire prescriptions and methods which minimize impacts to the environment and ensure public and firefighter safety. All burns will be conducted by the Blackwater NWR fire staff. It is possible that some small areas of the refuge may be closed to the public on the day of the burn due to smoke and public safety issues. Signing will be posted to advise the public of any such closures.

The use of prescribed fire as a tool in control against invasive species and for habitat management is expected to continue over the next several years as management plans for Eastern Neck NWR are completed. Additional information may be requested by contacting the Eastern Neck NWR office at 410-639-7056 or Bill Giese – Fire Control Officer at Blackwater NWR at 410-228-2692 ext. 129.

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The weekly Waterfowl Surveys have begun. Check here for results.

New exhibits in the Lodge!!

Stop by the Lodge to view the new exhibits. Step back in time to see how the island might have looked in the past. View some of the artifacts uncovered on the island. See a replica of The Reprisal ship which was commandiered by Lambert Wickes. Learn about the Cape Chester subdivision and the importance of Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System.

While you are at the Lodge, check out the new informational board at the corner wetland diorama.

Wood Duck Initiative Nesting Box Results Available Here

Volunteers needed for Invasive Species Monitoring/Control
See this flyer for more information

Volunteers needed for Marshbird Surveys on Martin NWR
See this flyer for more information

Refuge holds Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP)
Public Information Session

A public information session and open house was held Wednesday, January 17, 2007 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. We appreciate the public's participation at the sessions. Comments are still being compiled. Any additional comments are appreciated. For more information about the CCP, visit the planning web site. Updates on the release of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and additional information can be found on the site.

Friends of Eastern Neck Bookstore News

The bookstore will be operating on winter hours starting in December (11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) Volunteers are available during those hours to assist you with questions you may have about the refuge as well as show you the latest items available in the store. An assortment of free handouts are also available at the bookstore. The bookstore is located in the Lodge. Look for the sign on the left-hand side after you pass the road for the Bayview Trail.

New Interpretive Trail and Photo Blind Opens

Stop by the Lodge and check out the new trail and photo blind behind the building. This trail will take you through native meadows where you might see a variety of songbirds. As you enter the photo blind, you will be able to look out on the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding shoreline. Be sure to check out the interpretive signs along the way! Once you're done with your trip on the trail, take a rest on one of the chairs on the new deck and watch for birds visiting the feeders. For more information about the new trail and the wonderful partners and volunteers that helped make this trail a reality, check out this site.

New Water Trail Opens

Stretching approximately 10 miles, the new trail encircles the entire island comprising the refuge. It offers qualified paddlers a rich outdoor experience. The route may appear simple, but it includes long stretches of open, tidal water. Along the way, you will see abundant wildlife, natural and restored marshes, and breakwaters installed to combat erosion of the island. Pick up a waterproof guide at the Friends of Eastern Neck bookstore. Signs along the route will be installed soon!! This trail was made possible through a collaborative effort by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Friends of Easten Neck, Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, National Aquarium in Baltimore and Maryland Department of Natural Resources. For additional information about the trail, check out our trails page.

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