Parker River National WildlifeRefuge

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge6 Plum Island TurnpikeNewburyport, Massachusetts 01950978/465 5753978/465 2807 Faxe-mail: FW5RW_PRNWR@FWS.GOVhttp://www.fws.gov/northeast/parkerriver

Federal Relay Service for the deaf and hard-of-hearing1 800/877 8339

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Servicehttp://www.fws.gov1 800/344 WILD

January 2008

U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceRegulations have been established toprotect refuge resources and toprovide for your safety. The followingare incompatible with refugemanagement objectives and/or aredeemed as inappropriate on a nationalwildlife refuge and are thusPROHIBITED:

alcoholic beverages • camping •collecting, disturbing, or feedingwildlife • collecting or disturbingplants • collecting or removingbeached lobster pots or buoys •collecting or removing sand or anyother inorganic materials (human-generated litter excepted) • collectingor removing cultural resources • dogs,horses, and other domestic animals(seeing eye dogs and others that assistthe physically impaired excepted) •firearms (hunters contact refugeheadquarters for exceptions) • fires(small, contained, gas cooking fires onocean beach excepted) • fireworks •kite flying • launching or landingwatercraft (waterfowl hunters andmotorless boaters contact refugeheadquarters for exceptions) • metaldetector use • model airplane flying •nudity • parking outside designatedareas • pit digging • releasing wild ordomestic animals • roller-blading,roller-skating, roller-skiing •skateboarding • snowmobiling •tenting • use of lights (includingvehicle headlights) to locate wildlife.

To reduce disturbance to wildlife andfor your safety, public use is restrictedto designated areas. All other areas,including the dunes, are closed.

Refuge regulations and conditions aresubject to change. Please contactrefuge headquarters prior to your visitfor the most current information.

Parker River National Wildlife Refugeis one of over 500 refuges in theNational Wildlife Refuge Systemadministered by the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service. This system is anetwork of lands and waters managedspecifically to protect wildlife andwildlife habitat. It represents the mostcomprehensive wildlife managementprogram in the world. Units of thesystem stretch across the UnitedStates from northern Alaska to theFlorida Keys and include small islandsin the Caribbean and South Pacific.The character of each refuge is asdiverse as the nation itself.

The Service also manages nationalfish hatcheries, and provides federalleadership in habitat protection, fishand wildlife research, technicalassistance, and the conservation andprotection of migratory birds, certainmarine mammals, and threatened andendangered species.

The future of our nation’s refuges andwildlife depends in part upon yourawareness and assistance. Whilevisiting a national wildlife refuge,observe all regulations and report anyviolations you witness. Communicate agood stewardship message to others.Take advantage of opportunities tolearn about wildlife and share yourknowledge. Talk to a refuge volunteercoordinator about donating some ofyour time and talents. Buy a federalDuck Stamp, available at mostnational wildlife refuges and U.S. postoffices or by phoning 1 800/DUCK499. Duck Stamp dollars are used topurchase wetland habitat for inclusionin the National Wildlife RefugeSystem. Required of all waterfowlhunters 16 years of age and over, italso serves as an entrance pass to allnational wildlife refuges and is avaluable collector’s item. For additional information on theFederal Duck Stamp Program phone 1 877/887 5508 or visit the web athttp://duckstamps.fws.gov/.

Regulations

The NationalWildlife RefugeSystem

Refuges andWildlife NeedYour Help!

The yellow warbler is among the more than 80 species ofbirds that have nested on the refuge.

© Charles Bush

Migratory BirdHunting andConservationStamp, alsoknown as theDuck Stamp

Located in an area ofdense and expandinghuman population and development,Parker River NationalWildlife Refuge hasspecial significanceand value to migratorybirds, other wildlife,and people.

Bill Byrne/Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

refuge you may see evidence of someof these procedures described below.

Portions of refuge lands are mowed tomaintain open habitats, providing foodand cover for such migratory birdspecies as American woodcock andbobolink.

Freshwater marshes and othergrasslands are burned to returnnutrients to the soil and to promotenew growth by reducing decomposingvegetation.

Invasive pest plants diminish thewildlife food and protective covervalues of refuge habitats by displacingnative plant species. These weeds arecontrolled in part through theapplication of herbicides and therelease of non-native insects that feedspecifically on these plants.

Impoundment water levels arelowered to expose mud flat feedingand resting areas for migratoryshorebirds and to promote the growthof certain wetland food plants favoredby various species of ducks. Thistechnique may also benefit herons,river otter, and other wildlife by

Mowing

Through mowing and other means, refuge habitats aresometimes manipulated for the benefit of wildlife.

A black-throatedgreen warblerrests and refuelsduring a migratorystopover periodat the refuge.

Burning

ApplyingHerbicides andReleasingNon-nativeInsects

ControllingWater Levels

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviceinvites you to visit Parker RiverNational Wildlife Refuge, nearNewburyport, Massachusetts. Therefuge occupies in part, the southernthree-fourths of Plum Island, an 8mile (12.9 kilometer) barrier island.The refuge offers excellent wildlife-oriented recreational and educationalopportunities with visitor facilities and programs provided to enhanceyour experience.

Parker River National Wildlife Refugewas established in 1942 primarily toprovide feeding, resting, and nestinghabitat for migratory birds. Locatedalong the Atlantic Flyway, the refugeis of vital stopover significance towaterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirdsduring pre- and postbreedingmigratory periods.

The refuge consists of 4,662 acres ofdiverse upland and wetland habitatsincluding sandy beach and dune,shrub/thicket, bog, swamp, freshwatermarsh, salt marsh and associatedcreek, river, mud flat, and salt panne.These and other refuge habitatssupport varied and abundantpopulations of resident and migratorywildlife including more than 300species of birds and additional speciesof mammals, reptiles, amphibians,insects, and plants.

A variety of management practicesare in use at the refuge to enhance itsvalue to wildlife. While visiting the

This blue goose,designed by J. N.“Ding” Darling,has become thesymbol of theNational WildlifeRefuge System.

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Welcome

A Refuge forBirds

Diverse HabitatsSupport DiverseWildlife

Managing forWildlife

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concentrating fish and other prey inshallow pools.

Nest boxes are erected andmaintained for purple martin andother cavity-nesting birds. Elevatednesting platforms are situated nearrefuge water bodies to attract osprey.

The refuge, conservationorganizations, and universities conducton-site biological investigations tofurther human understanding ofwildlife and their habitats. Examplesinclude bird banding studies andwildlife population surveys.Information gained by this research isput to practical use at the refuge.

The following information will assistyou in planning a safe and enjoyablerefuge visit.

The refuge headquarters and visitorcenter is located off island at thecorner of Rolfe’s Lane/Ocean Ave. andthe Plum Island Turnpike directlyacross from the MA Audubonbuilding. The administrative officesare open Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4 pm, and the visitor centeris open daily 11 am - 4 pm.

The refuge is open daily from sunriseto sunset but is subject to temporaryclosures. Closures that routinely occurare discussed below.

During the warmer months, the PlumIsland section of the refuge sometimes fills to capacity. Publicentry is then restricted typically forseveral hours. Plan on arriving earlyin the morning to avoid thisinconvenience.

Each year the entire 6.3 miles (10.1kilometers) of refuge beach is closedto all public entry beginning April 1 toprovide undisturbed nesting and

RefugeHeadquarters/Visitor Center

Refuge Hoursand Closures

Erecting NestStructures

A purple martinreturns to itsrefuge nest house.

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A great blue heron retires in a refuge freshwater marsh.

Planning YourVisit

Annual passes are available at refugeheadquarters and the entrancegatehouse when staffed.

Rest rooms are located in parking lots1 (seasonal) and 4 (year-round) as wellas at the refuge maintenance area andare wheelchair accessible.

The Plum Island section of the refugeis accessible by way of a 6.5 mile (10.5kilometer) roadway. The first 3.5 miles(5.6 kilometers) is of an asphaltsurface while the remainder is ofgravel. Designed for scenic travel, thisroadway meanders by shrub/thicket,dune, salt marsh, and other habitatsand provides outstanding wildlandscenery. For your safety, roadsideparking is prohibited and a 25 mph (40 kmph) speed limit is in effect.

The Nelson Island section of therefuge is accessible by foot only via a0.8 mile (1.3 kilometer) gravel trail.

During the warmer months at therefuge, mosquitoes and other bitinginsects can be very bothersome.Greenheads are aggressive, bloodfeeding horse flies that occur in largenumbers from July through mid-August.

Ticks are common on the refuge andcan transmit Lyme disease and otherserious human infections. They can beactive year-round with some as smallas the period at the end of thissentence. Wearing a hat, long-sleevedshirt, and long-legged pants will offersome protection as will the use of tickrepellent according to label directions.Check yourself carefully for ticksduring and after your visit. Light-colored clothing will allow you todetect a tick more easily.

Poison ivy is common on the refugeand is contagious during all seasons.To avoid this and other hazards, stayon established trails.

Access

SafetyPrecautions

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feeding habitat for the piping plover, ashorebird species threatened withextinction. Portions of the beach notbeing used by the birds may bereopened beginning July 1. Typicallyall sections are reopened by mid-lateAugust.

During the fall, a controlled deer huntmay be conducted on the Plum Islandportion of the refuge. For your safetyand to reduce user conflict, this refugesection is closed to all other publicentry at this time.

The Nelson Island section of therefuge is closed Monday – Saturdaygenerally from early September –early February (commercial clammerpermittees and waterfowl huntersduring state seasons excepted) but isopen daily during the remainder of the year.

A daily entrance fee is in effect year-round at the Plum Island section ofthe refuge. When the refuge entrancegatehouse is not staffed envelopes and an “iron ranger” pipe safe are available for fee deposition.

Rest Rooms

Entrance Fees

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This juvenilepiping ploverwill soon departthe refuge beachfor winteringareas south.

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Unspoiled scenery adds to the pleasure of a refuge visit.

The white-taileddeer can beobserved on therefuge year-round.

snow. Windy conditions are commonthroughout the year and have asignificant cooling effect.

Information on nearby lodging,restaurants, and other amenities isavailable from the GreaterNewburyport Chamber of Commerceand Industry, 38R Merrimac Street,Newburyport, MA 01950. Telephone:978/462 6680. The MassachusettsDepartment of Conservation andRecreation, offers both tent and RVcamping at nearby Salisbury BeachState Reservation. Telephone: 978/462 4481.

Dial 911 or contact a refuge officer,refuge headquarters (978/465 5753) orthe entrance gatehouse when staffed.

Wildlife can be dangerous. Enjoythem from a safe distance. Usebinoculars or a spotting scope toenhance your view. Dead animalsshould not be handled due to the riskof disease transmission.

When the refuge beach is open, oceanswimming is generally permitted.However, treacherous undertows,currents, and heavy surf may bepresent and lifeguards are notprovided. When in the water orwalking the beach, always keepchildren within reach and never turnyour back on the ocean!

The refuge road and its shoulders aregenerally narrow with limited sightclearance. Be alert for othermotorists, bicyclists, and pedestriansand obey all traffic laws.

Loss of or damage to personalbelongings can ruin an otherwisememorable outing. Valuables shouldnot be left unattended. Carry themwith you or leave them at home.Report any suspicious or criminalactivity immediately.

The refuge has established a CarryIn – Carry Out policy. Please properlydispose of all your trash, and any litteryou remove, off the refuge.

Typical of New England coastal sites,the refuge experiences a wide range ofmeteorological conditions withweather best described as changeable.Springs (March – May) are generallycool with snow storms occasionallyinto April. Summers (June – August)are usually warm with periodic heatwaves and thunderstorms. Falls(September – November) typicallybegin warm and stable then turn coolto cold, and winters (December –February) can be mild to severe withbitterly low temperatures and much

Emergencies

Carry In – Carry Out Refuse Policy

ClimaticConditions

Protecting YourValuables

AreaInformation

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A greater yellowlegs takes advantage of lowered refugeimpoundment water levels to search exposed mud flatsfor food.

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Hunting

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Recreational andEducational Opportunities

A checklist of refuge birds is availablefrom refuge headquarters and theentrance gatehouse when staffed.

Waterfowl hunting opportunities areavailable in designated salt marshareas of the refuge during stateseasons. Also, a controlled deer huntmay be conducted on the Plum Islandportion of the refuge with hunterschosen by lottery. All refuge, federal,and state hunting regulations apply.

In cooperation with the League ofEssex County Sportsmen’s Clubs, therefuge conducts a Youth WaterfowlerTraining Program each fall. Thisprogram includes an all-day seminarand a supervised hunt on a reservedsection of the refuge.

The refuge offers some of the area’sfinest surf fishing. In season you maycatch striped bass, bluefish, andseveral other species. A state license isnot required for fishing from therefuge beach. A refuge permit isrequired for night fishing and vehicleaccess to the beach. All refuge,federal, and state fishing regulationsapply.

At Parker River National WildlifeRefuge, wildlife come first. Wildlife-dependent recreational andeducational opportunities areavailable. These opportunities,deemed appropriate and compatiblewith the refuge’s primary objectives,include wildlife observation andphotography, hunting, fishing,shellfishing, environmental educationand interpretation. Additionalinformation concerning these activitiesis included below. Refer to the map forthe location of available facilities.

The refuge is renowned for its wildlifeobservation and photographyopportunities with facilities providingeasy access. Observation towers andplatforms afford commanding views ofthe refuge and surrounding lands andwaters. Several miles of self-guidingfoot trails meander through dune,shrub/thicket, marsh, and otherrefuge habitats. The Salt PannesWildlife Observation Area, North PoolOverlook, Bill Forward Bird Blind,Pines Trail, and the observationplatforms overlooking the beach andocean at parking lots 1 and 7 arewheelchair accessible.

Fishing andShellfishing

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Birding therefuge in Maycan result in anespecially longlist of migrants.

WildlifeObservation andPhotography

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An early morning fisherman casts a line from therefuge beach in hopes of landing a “striper.”

The latitudinal position, coastallocation, and varied habitats of therefuge contribute to the dynamicmakeup of its natural events. Whileany season can produce a memorableexperience, spring, summer, and falloffer the most diverse wildlifeobservation opportunities. Eachseason’s highlights are describedbelow.

American woodcock begins courtshipflights in March and piping plover andred-winged blackbird also return. Onwarm days mourning cloak butterfliesmay appear. In April, osprey andpurple martin first arrive and peaknumbers of migrating Americankestrels occur. In May, pearl crescent,spring azure, and many otherbutterflies are present. Also in May,flowering shadbush and beach plumdominate the landscape. Migratorybird diversity is at its height mid-latemonth and bobolink, Americanredstart, and other songbirds are infull chorus.

Songbird migration continues intoearly June and beach heather is inblossom. By early July southboundshorebird migrants begin to appearwith numbers peaking in August.Beginning mid-August largeconcentrations of migrating treeswallows gather and songbirdmigrants become apparent. Duringthe summer, fledged young of residentbirds appear and butterfly diversity is

The refuge tidal flats are open forcommercial and recreationalshellfishing but are subject to periodicclosures. Town and refuge permits arerequired and all refuge, state, andtown shellfishing regulations apply.

The refuge serves as an outdoorlaboratory for teachers and studentsfrom schools, universities, and othereducational institutions. A refugepermit may be required dependingupon the size of the group and thepurpose of the visit.

The Hellcat Interpretive Trail, locatedat Hellcat Wildlife Observation Area,offers refuge natural history andresource management learningexperiences. An illustrated guide, withnumbered narratives corresponding tonumbered posts along the trail, isavailable at the trailhead, refugeheadquarters and the entrancegatehouse when staffed.

Wildlife-oriented interpretiveprograms and special events areperiodically offered at the refuge.Many of these programs arewheelchair accessible.

Contact refuge headquarters forfurther information on these above-mentioned programs and activities.

Spring(March – May)

Seasonal WildlifeHighlights

Summer(June – August)

The sanderling(above) and thesemipalmatedplover (right)contribute to thecelebrated diversity ofrefuge shorebirdspecies.

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A gray catbird isabout to bereleased by avolunteer fromthe audience at arefuge songbirdbandingdemonstration.

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EnvironmentalEducation andInterpretation

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at its height with common woodnymph, eastern tiger swallowtail, andvarious other species present.

In September, great numbers ofmigrating monarch butterflies oftenpause to drink nectar on seasidegoldenrod and other wildflowers inbloom. Also at this time shorebirddiversity is at its height. Peregrinefalcons occur most regularly frommid-September through November.Waterfowl numbers peak in Octoberand November with many speciespresent. Alfalfa, cabbage, and cloudedsulphur butterflies most commonlylinger into November.

Loons, grebes, scoters, and otherwaterfowl winter offshore. Snowy owl,rough-legged hawk, and northernshrike are sometimes present. Tracksof white-tailed deer, coyote, and othermammals may be found in the snow.Hooded and other arctic sealssometimes haul out on the refugebeach while the more common harborseal is typically observed in oceanwaters near the shore.

Please remain an unobtrusiveobserver by viewing wildlife from anappropriate distance and stayingwithin designated public use areas.

Winter(December – February)

An adult common tern returns from an ocean foragingtrip with a fish for one of its young.

Fall(September –November)

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The monarch isamong the manybutterfly speciesthat occur on therefuge.

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Waterfowl Hunting Areaboundaries on this mapare approximate. Contactrefuge headquarters forfurther information.

Sandy Point State Reservation is administered by theMassachusetts Department ofConservation and Recreation. This 77 acre site is accessed via the refuge road and alsooffers various outdoorrecreational opportunities. Formore information: 978/462 4481,617/719 4468, or visit their website at www.mass.gov/dcr

Directions (distances approximate): the refuge is located 35miles (56.3 kilometers) north of Boston near the City ofNewburyport. From Route 95 take exit 57 and travel east onRoute 113, then continue straight onto Route 1A South to theintersection with Rolfe’s Lane for a total of 3.5 miles (5.6kilometers). Turn left onto Rolfe’s Lane and travel 0.5 miles(0.8 kilometers) to its end. Turn right onto the Plum IslandTurnpike and travel 2.0 miles (3.2 kilometers) crossing theSgt. Donald Wilkinson Bridge to Plum Island. Take your firstright onto Sunset Drive and travel 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) tothe refuge entrance.

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