SECURITY NOTICE
A smash-and-grab thief is targeting vehicles parked at the Woodland Trail & Lighthouse Trail parking lots, during daylight hours. Refuge officials report a couple of incidents have occurred in recent months. Be sure to remove all valuables from plain sight and lock your vehicle when leaving to hike the trail. Immediately report any suspicious activity. You can call 911 or in the case of a non-emergency call us at (757) 336-6122, between 9am-4pm. Outside of those hours you can call the Chincoteague Police Department at (757) 336-3155. Measures are being taken to catch the thief and improve visitor safety.
For Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge spring heralds the return of migratory birds such as piping plovers, American oystercatchers and least terns. Many of the birds who spend summers here also nest on the beach or in the marshes. Some of these bird populations are also declining in numbers and are federally protected, for instance the threatened piping plover. To give these birds a chance at survival we create nesting sanctuaries by closing Toms Cove Hook and Assawoman Island. From March 15 to September 15 we ask that you help us protect nesting shorebirds by staying out of these sensitive areas.
Learn more about piping plovers.