The refuge was established because of the bountiful marsh habitat that drew peak populations of 80,000 migrating Canada geese and 75,000 ducks. “I hate to say it," said refuge biological technician Bill Giese, "but now we don't really want much more than about 40,000 geese." His comment reflects the marsh loss that continues to occur despite refuge protection. The refuge bird list contains over 250 species, including 20 species of ducks alone.
Northern loons, great crested cormorants, and pied-bill grebes arrive after ice breaks up. Ospreys, great blue herons, little blue herons, great egrets, snowy egrets, black-crowned night herons, willets, and glossy ibis all nest at Blackwater. Spring drawdowns of the impoundments attract dowitchers, dunlins, semi-palmated plovers and sandpipers, yellowlegs, killdeer, and sandpipers. The list of birds as well as that of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians found on the refuge are available at the Visitor Center.
The first stop for visitors is usually the Visitor Center, the first right turn off Key Wallace Drive. In addition to exhibits, a video program on the refuge and large windows for viewing wildlife, the center has a book and gift store operated by The Friends of Blackwater and staffed by volunteers.
Martin National Wildlife Refuge
The Blackwater staff is also responsible for the 4400-acre Martin NWR located on Smith Island in the middle of Chesapeake Bay, a gift to the refuge system from Maryland industrialist Glenn L. Martin in 1954. The salt-marsh refuge supports a variety of water birds including peregrine falcons that produced seven young in 1995 and a heron rookery that regularly produces 150 young each year.
Elaine Johnson is manager of Martin (and also assistant manager in charge of maintenance operations at Blackwater). She is grateful for the many services of a retired Chesapeake Bay waterman and native Smith Islander who attends to most refuge functions. He loves to tell school groups and others who visit the refuge contact station on the island about the refuge and its wildlife.
The current underfunding of the refuge system would have been more destructive to past investments in the system were it not for the private dollars that have provided a measure of relief. Perhaps not the best way nor the most reliable way, but partner financing may be the only way as long as Congressional priorities do not favor refuges.
Although Carowan has to devote much of his time to chasing funds, Blackwater NWR has been a prime benefactor. Some say that this will be the way of refuge management of the future.
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