Keeping the Forest Full of Life
Keeping the Forest Full of Life
Wildlife have the same basic needs humans do—food, water, shelter, and space. To make sure those needs are met, refuge staff carefully manage forest areas. They remove some trees, plant others that are beneficial to wild life, and battle insect pests. As a result, songbirds, the endangered Delmarva Peninsula for squirrel, and many other kinds of wildlife flourish.
[Inset]
Stopping insects in Their Tracks
It's hard to believe that an insect could fell a forest. But in the 1980s and 1990s, the Southern pine beetle devastated several stands of loblolly pine trees on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. To prevent the beetle's spread, staff removed infected trees and replanted the areas with hardwoods to create new homes for wildlife. Today, wildlife have returned to replanted areas and are thriving.
(Caption: Compare this stand of infested loblolly pine trees before and after replanting. Some dead trees were left standing to provide homes for woodpeckers and other wildlife.)
[Top Panel]
Ducks and Geese Galore
In the fall and winter, this wetland is transformed into a paradise for waterfowl, and you can compare the eating habits of snow geese and a variety of ducks. Look for them feeding on plants along the edges as well as on the muddy bottom.
How Many of These Fall and Winter Visitors Can You Spot?
Snow geese gather at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge by the tens of thousands. During the day, they often feed in nearby farm fields and saltmarshes.
American black ducks dabble for submerged plants. Watch how they tip their bodies to reach the bottom.
Green-winged teals gather along pond edges to munch on soft parts of plants.
Northern shovelers use the teeth-like edges of their spoon-shaped bills to scoop small plants and animals from the water. Look for them swimming in circles to stir up mud.
Northern pintails have distinctive, needle-like tails that make them easy to spot. They glean seeds from the muddy bottom.
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Location. 37° 54.204′ N, 75° 20.337′ W. Marker is near Chincoteague, Virginia, in Accomack County. It is on Wildlife Loop when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chincoteague Island VA 23336, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Assateague Lighthouse (approx. one mile away); Toms Cove Shellfishing (approx. one mile away); Coast Guard Station
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 470 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 17, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
