| Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge | |
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IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
.jpg) Cove at Martin National Wildlife Refuge | |
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| Location | Somerset County, Maryland,Accomack County, Virginia,United States |
| Nearest city | Crisfield, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 38°01′08″N76°01′06″W / 38.01901°N 76.01826°W /38.01901; -76.01826[1] |
| Area | 4,548 acres (18.41 km2) |
| Established | 1954 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge |
Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge includes the northern half ofSmith Island (inSomerset County, Maryland), which lies 11 miles (18 km) west ofCrisfield, Maryland, andWatts Island (inAccomack County, Virginia), which is located between the eastern shore ofVirginia andTangier Island. Both islands are situated in the lowerChesapeake Bay.
The refuge was established in 1954 when the lateGlenn L. Martin donated 2,569 acres (10.40 km2) to theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since then, donation and purchase has increased the size of the refuge to 4,548 acres (18.41 km2). Thetidal marsh,coves and creeks, and vegetated ridges of the refuge form an important stopover and wintering area for thousands of migratorywaterfowl and nesting habitat for various wildlife species.
Martin National Wildlife Refuge is the largest unit of the Chesapeake Islands Refuges, which also includesSpring Island,Barren Island, andBishops Head inDorchester County, Maryland. The management of the Chesapeake Islands Refuges falls under the umbrella of theChesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Located inCambridge, Maryland, the complex also managesBlackwater National Wildlife Refuge andSusquehanna River National Wildlife Refuge.
The tidal marsh,coves, creeks and ridges of the refuge provide an important rest area and winter home for thousands of migratory waterfowl and nesting habitat for a variety of wildlife that change with the seasons.
Winter residents on the refuge include black ducks, pintail, mergansers,long-tailed ducks, scoters,bufflehead,Canada geese, andtundra swans. During spring and summer, thesalt marsh grasses, abundant insects, and underwater vegetation attract black ducks,mallards,gadwall, andgreen-winged teal to nest on the refuge. Gulls, terns,black skimmers, oystercatchers, andwillets nest and feed along the marsh grasses,mudflats, and sand bars. The wooded ridges provide nest sites for several water birds. Ten different species, including herons, egrets, andglossy ibis have been seen in rookeries on the refuge. Rookeries are groups or colonies of birds that nest together. Martin NWR supports the largest colony ofbrown pelicans in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay.
A small population ofred fox,muskrat,mink, otter, voles,northern diamondback terrapin, and various nonvenomous water snakes also live in the marsh areas.Clapper rails,seaside sparrows, andmarsh wrens also depend on the protected refuge habitat.Peregrine falcons have been nesting on the refuge every year since the first peregrine nesting tower was installed in 1984. The marsh and estuary are important in the production of marine species such as crabs and oysters that help form the food chain.
This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service.
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