Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge
About the refuge:
Refuge
Facts
Established: 1960.
Size: 8,219 acres
(North Carolina and Virginia).
Located in Currituck
Co., NC and the city of Virginia Beach, VA.
Location: the refuge
office is located in North Carolina, one mile south of the Virginia
state line on NC Route 615. To reach the refuge, take the
free Currituck Sound Ferry in Currituck, NC on Route 168. The ferry lands
at NC Route 615 at the south end of Knotts Island. Travel approximately
8.1 miles north to the refuge office.
Natural History
Found in the northern
portion of Currituck Sound and the southern portion of Back Bay on a
peninsula/island which juts into the Sound. Habitat
ranges from freshwater and brackish marsh to upland and lowland eastern
pine hardwood forest.
Concentrations of
snow and Canada geese, ducks, osprey and other raptors, wading birds,
and shorebirds. An active wood duck breeding population
is present, along with one active bald eagle nest and many osprey nests.
Wetlands 6,420 acres;
Woodlands 1,460 acres; Croplands 258 acres.
Several shorebird nesting areas and wading bird rookeries are located
on the refuge.
Endangered and threatened
species include: peregrine falcons and American bald eagles (active nesting
pair).
Financial Impact of the Refuge
5-person staff.
75,000 visitors annually.
Current budget (FY 06) $470,000
Refuge Objectives
Manage Existing refuge
and neighboring wetlands to gain optimum waterfowl, wading bird, and
shorebird use.
Restore Indian Creek Basin
to its pre-Mackay Island Road (early 1920's) state.
Pursue, through
state and local partnerships, the returning the natural flow of water
north and south across the Great Marsh.
Pursue an active
public use program with the communities of southeastern Virginia and
Northeastern North Carolina.
Pursue the development
of a "Friends" group related to preservation/restoration
of the Currituck Sound.
Provide habitat
and protection for endangered and threatened species.
Provide opportunities
for public enjoyment of wildlife and wildlands resources. Public use
programs focus on interpretation, environmental
education, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and fishing.
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