Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge 50th Anniversary

In 2020, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its renaming in honor of the world-renowned marine biologist, author, environmentalist and former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee, Rachel Carson.

The refuge's year-long celebration marks the formal dedication of the renaming, which took place on June 27, 1970. The 50th anniversary celebration will include an array of virtual and remote events.

During the 50th anniversary celebration, the refuge will be highlighting dozens of opportunities to explore its wealth of wildlife, habitat and natural resources, as well as Rachel Carson’s legacy.

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1966 as the Coastal Maine National Wildlife Refuge, is comprised of 11 divisions, which span 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties, from Kittery to Cape Elizabeth.

Currently at 5,690 acres, the refuge will contain approximately 14,683 acres of various wildlife habitats when land acquisition is complete.

In addition to sheltering wildlife and protecting natural resources, Rachel Carson NWR offers a variety of experiences on public lands.

The refuge contains three main nature trails and many wildlife observation stations featuring every habitat type found on the refuge, hunting and fishing opportunities, interpretive and educational programs, a visitor information center, volunteering opportunities, and other recreational activities.

Anglers can access a variety of tidal fishing spots on the refuge. The fishing season is open year round for saltwater fishing to the head of tide.

Chauncey Creek, Brave Boat Tidal Creek, Ogunquit River, Stevens Brook, Webhannet River, Merriland River/Skinner Mill, Mousam River, Goosefare Brook, and Spurwink River were incorporated into the previous Refuge Fish Plan in 2000.

The 2020 Recreational Fishing Plan expands fishing opportunities available to the public by opening the Little River at Timber Point.

Rachel Carson was a world-renowned marine biologist, author and environmentalist who served as an aquatic biologist and editor-in-chief for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. She has been credited with launching the contemporary environmental movement and awakening the concern of Americans for the environment.

In her writings, Rachel Carson displayed a unique ability to simultaneously engage her own sense of wonder as well as that of her readers through eloquent prose and investigation of natural phenomena and biological processes. Her work helped connect people to nature and inspire environmental stewardship.

Carson regularly summered on Southport Island, where she studied its beach and tide pools to research The Edge of the Sea (1955). Through tireless investigation for her greatest work, Silent Spring (1962), she linked the unrestrained use of post-World War II chemical pesticides with fearsome, biological consequences.

Overcoming industry and government pressure to abandon her research, Carson alerted generations to use chemicals with utmost caution, warning that their improper use would have devastating effects on public health and the environment.

As fitting recognition of Carson’s contributions to conservation after her death in 1964, the refuge was renamed in her honor.

source: USFWS

Wildlife in New England

Moose | credit: USFWS

Some of North America's most iconic wildlife can be found in the New England Region.

Its mountains and forests are inhabited by black bear, moose, deer, beaver, marten, weasels, rabbits, hares, foxes, bobcat, lynx, eagles, hawks, owls, turkey, grouse, songbirds, and others.

Along the coast and out at sea, there are whales, porpoises, seals, sea turtles, waterfowl, sea birds, and other marine life.

Maine

With an abundance of sparsely populated woodlands and miles of rugged coasts, Maine is one of the best states for wildlife watching.

The moose is the largest of Maine's land animals and one of its most popular wildlife attractions. Other mammals seen in backwoods Maine include white-tailed deer, black bear, red fox, bobcats, beaver, and others. Maine is one of the few U.S. states where Canada lynx and American marten can be seen in the wild.

Winding through wilderness areas, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail offers miles of areas for wildlife watching. In the Highlands Region, Moosehead Lake is a popular destination for wildlife watching and other recreational activities.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is known for its rugged mountains and extensive woodlands, where human populations are not a major stress on wildlife. While exploring the state's wild areas, visitors may encounter moose, white-tailed deer, black bear, red fox, bobcats, and others.

Vermont

Spruce Grouse | credit: USFWS

Vermont is home to a variety of wildlife. Many species can be observed along the state's designated byways as they wind through mountains, valleys, forests, farmland, and other habitats.

Vermont's extensive forests are home to an array of birds. Woodland birdwatchers encounter ruffed grouse, American woodcock, gray jay, woodpeckers, chickadees, thrushes, flycatchers, numerous warblers, hawks, wood ducks, cedar waxwings, pine siskin, and other forest-dwelling birds.

Northern Vermont is one of the few places in the USA where birdwatchers may encounter spruce grouse. Northern Vermont is also a good area to encounter mammals such as snowshoe hare, beaver, American marten, red fox, gray fox, eastern bobcat,and others.

In Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, bogs and wetlands are prime areas for moose watching. Moose are spotted at West Mountain, Wenlock WMA, Victory Basin WMA, Conte National Wildlife Refuge, and Victory State Forest.

In southwestern and central Vermont, the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) is a popular area for wildlife watching. The forest is known for its moose and black bear, as well as smaller species of wildlife.

Massachusetts

Seals at Nantucket beach | credit: USFWS

Massachusetts is famous for its coastal habitats where enthusiasts may encounter marine mammals.

Cape Cod, one of the state's most popular areas, is known for its seals.

Off the coast, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard provide unique habitats for marine mammals, sea birds, and other wildlife.

In western Massachusetts, the Berkshire Mountains region is popular for wildlife watching and other outdoor recreation.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island has a wealth of natural resources including 400 miles of coastline, state parks, trails, and other areas where wildlife can be enjoyed.

Birdwatchers will find year round opportunities in Rhode Island. During the spring and fall migrations, the state is visited by a wide range of birds. In summer, resident birds are jointed by breeding populations of ospreys, shorebirds, and others. In winter, Rhode Island is visited by ducks, geese, bald eagles, hawks, falcons, and others.

Connecticut

Connecticut has a variety of wildlife watching areas such as the Litchfield Hills, Connecticut River Valley, Eastern Highlands, and Long Island Sound.

Hikers and wildlife watchers are sometimes surprised by a black bear encounter. According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), black bears are becoming increasingly common in Connecticut.

In the mountains, forests and backwoods of Connecticut, nature enthusiasts may also see white-tailed deer and a variety of smaller mammals.

Along the coast, seals, porpoises, whales, waterfowl, and marine birds are sometimes spotted.

Species of Concern

The New England cottontail lives in parts of New England and New York. Over the last 50 years, New England cottontail populations have declined sharply.

Loss of habitat is cited as a major factor in the decline of New England cottontails. Development has taken much land once inhabited by cottontails and other wildlife.

Currently, New England cottontails occupy less than 1/ 5th of their historical range. These unique rabbits are found in southern Maine, southern New Hampshire, and parts of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York east of the Hudson River.

For more information about New England cottontails, visit newenglandcottontail.org.

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New Hampshire Duck Banding 2019

Black Ducks

Hunters, birdwatchers, and naturalists in southern New England and along the Atlantic Flyway should be on the lookout for banded ducks this winter.

New Hampshire Fish and Game (NHFG) wildlife biologists recently attached hundreds of metal bands to ducks throughout the state.

The annual pre-hunting season banding effort is conducted in US states and Canadian provinces throughout the Atlantic Flyway in August and September.

Data from duck band sightings and recovery are used in survival-rate predictions. Along with breeding-plot data, parts collection data, and HIP (National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program) survey data, band information is included in the model used to determine annual season regulations in the spring.

Each metal band has a unique sequence of numbers, and biologists record the species, age, and sex of each duck before it is released.

At the end of the season, all the data are submitted to the Bird Banding Lab at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland.

When a hunter harvests a duck with a metal band, or a wildlife viewer reads the band through a spotting scope, they are asked to report the information to a website provided on the band (www.reportband.gov).

Bands may also be reported via traditional mail to: Bird Banding Lab, 12100 Beach Forest Road, Laurel, MD 20708.

A phone number may be inscribed on the band also, but the call center supporting the toll-free phone number has been discontinued.

This year, a total of 758 ducks were banded in New Hampshire during the pre-hunting season effort – the fifth highest total banded in the 31 years of the program. They included: 566 mallards, 175 wood ducks, 11 black ducks, and 6 mallard/black duck hybrids.

As a result of 31 consecutive years of pre-season duck banding, 12,694 ducks have now been banded in New Hampshire.

Waterfowl management is funded by Wildlife Restoration Grants administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Services, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program: Partnering to fund conservation and connect people with nature.

For more information, visit www.wildnh.com

source: New Hampshire Fish and Game