Cape Charles in Northampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fisherman Island NWR
Protection Fisherman Island contains sensitive habitats critical for specific animals and plants. The Island is closed to the public, although guided tours are offered from October into March. Contact the Refuge for details.
Nesting Accessible food, protective shrubs and thickets and lack of human disturbance create ideal nesting areas for migratory birds. Brown Pelicans, Royal Terns, and American Oystercatchers nest in the dunes and on the beach. Thickets of black cherry and sassafras support rookeries of egrets, herons and ibis.
Vegetation Habitat succession has produced communities of vegetation that can survive the island’s harsh weather. Dunes, swales, and shrub thickets include black cherry, sassafras, wax myrtle and bayberry.
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(upper right) Island beaches and dunes provide nesting grounds for Brown Pelicans.
(lower right) Coastal shrubs provide habitat for migratory birds.
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Visitor Center
To learn more about Fisherman Island and Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuges, stop by the Refuge’s Visitor Center located a mile north of here. Take a moment to explore our exhibits, hike a trail, visit former military bunkers and earn a Junior Refuge Manager’s patch. Remember to watch for wildlife along the way!
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.
Location. 37° 7.253′ N, 75° 58.169′ W. Marker is in Cape Charles, Virginia, in Northampton County. Marker is on Lucius J. Kellam Jr. Bridge-Tunnel (U.S. 13) 1.3 miles south of Wise Point Lane, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located on a pull off just north of Fisherman's Island. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape Charles VA 23310, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (approx. 0.8 miles away); A Good Start (approx. 3.3 miles away); Concrete Ships (approx. 3.3 miles away); Farm to Market (approx. 3.4 miles away); Maritime Highway (approx. 3.4 miles away); The Dunes (approx. 3.4 miles away); Chesapeake Bay (approx. 3.4 miles away); Mansion Site (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Charles.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2021
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 17, 2021
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 319 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 7, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.