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Great Bay
National Wildlife Refuge
100 Merrimac Drive
Newington, NH   03801 - 2903
E-mail: FW5RW_PRNWR@fws.gov
Phone Number: 978-465-5753
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatbay
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  Overview
Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1992 and is located along the eastern shore of New Hampshire's Great Bay in the town of Newington. A variety of rich wildlife habitats from uplands to open waters can be found throughout the refuge. With its open coastal water and abundant prey, the refuge plays a significant role as migration and wintering habitat for the federally protected bald eagle. The bay area also provides prime migration habitat for the peregrine falcon. Many state protected species use the refuge including the common loon, pied-billed grebe, osprey, common tern, northern harrier and upland sandpiper. The bay area also serves as New Hampshire's major wintering area for black ducks. Both Great Bay NWR, and the Karner blue butterfly easement in Concord, New Hampshire which protects important habitat for this federally endangered species, are managed by the Parker River NWR in Newburyport, MA.


Getting There . . .
Take exit 1 off Route 16 or Spaulding Turnpike and turn onto Pease Blvd. heading into Pease International Tradeport. Go through one stoplight to a stop sign and turn right on Arboretum Drive. Follow refuge signs for 3 miles to refuge parking lot and trails.

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     Recreation and Education Opportunities
Hunting
Photography
Wildlife Observation
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Managment Activities

Habitat management focuses on grassland, wetland, shrub and forest maintenance and restoration activities. Grasslands are maintained and enhanced by prescribed burning and mowing. Wetlands are managed for migratory birds by manipulating water levels to encourage growth of aquatic vegetation. Shrub habitat is maintained by occasional mowing and thinning larger trees from certain areas. Forest management includes selective thinning of undesirable species such as black locust.

The refuge conducts several annual and intermittent wildlife surveys including waterfowl, shorebird, land bird, breeding bird, frog, vernal pool and aquatic vegetation surveys. These surveys provide baseline information that will guide the refuge in future management decisions.