This is an assignment for my Applied Ecology Class that I got an A on.
J. Feder
9/20/08
Applied Ecology Assignment 2
I visited Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge several times during a long weekend. The weather for my visit was windy and rainy but comfortable temperature wise. I also had the refuge mainly to myself during my visits in the mid-morning to early evening. On my way to the refuge, I notice that the land surrounding it is used in many different ways. I passed many residential homes, a farm stand, a golf course, woods, and agricultural fields. Turning on to the road heading into the refuge I noticed a large bird flying above- I think it is a turkey buzzard (see picture 1). Approaching the entrance, I was greeting by a signing identifying the refuge (see picture 2). Entering the refuge I passed the gate noticing a sign to my right cautioning me to slow down – endangered slow crossing. I noticed that the entrance to the park was surrounded by woods on both sides (see picture 3 & 4). Driving through the refuge on my way to the visitor center, I noticed another road which I found out later leads to two freshwater ponds and a hiking trail called the Pine Grove Trail (see picture 5). Continuing my drive to the center, I noticed transition zones in the refuge. The woods were starting to fall back and show a little tall grass (see Picture 6). Still heading to the visitor center, I pass another trail entrance, this one for the Black Farm Trail (see picture 7). I keep traveling and notice that the refuge is giving away to tall grassy fields as I approach the visitor center (see picture 8). I also notice bird nesting boxes nestled in the woods/fields by the road (see picture 9). I am getting closer to the visitor center and I notice a group of songbirds perched on the electric wire (see picture 10). I am finally at the visitor center and I head inside to find out information about the refuge (see pictures 11 & 12). I signed in at the visitor center and spoked to Mary, a volunteer, about the information I need. She was very helpful in telling and finding me the information I needed. I found out that the refuge's 10,000 acres are a diverse landscape featuring freshwater and salt marshes, woodlands, grasslands, scrub-brush habitats, ponds, bottomland forested areas, a 7 mile long creek, and agricultural lands. These cover types provide habitat for approximately 267 species of birds, 35 species of reptiles and amphibians and 36 different mammals. I found out that the refuge is home to American beavers, gray foxes, mink, river otters, muskrats, gray squirrel, white tailed deer, and cotton-tail rabbit. The refuge is also home to several endangered/threatened species such as the DELMARVA fox squirrel (see picture 13), bald eagles, and wild turkeys. Besides being home to the following mammals and endangered species, the refuge is a home for several invasive species. They are nutria and phragmites. Prime Hook is a major home for migrating and native birds. The refuge has wood ducks, red-breasted merganser, ruddy ducks, pied- billed grebe, green-winged teal, American black duck, mallard, great blue heron, snowy egret, snow geese, American kestrel, king rail, western sandpiper, American golden Plover, laughing gull, black tern, eastern screech owl, downy wood pecker, blue jays, purple martins, eastern bluebird and many more. In fact, the refuge is THE place to be for bird watching. I also found out that the refuge is home to numerous insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, mosquitoes, dragonflies, biting flies and more. The refuge also is a home to fish and crabs such as bluegill, trout, bass and horseshoe crabs. The refuge also provides a home to numerous retiles and amphibians such as painted and box turtles, cottonmouth snakes, black snakes, frogs, toads, lizards and salamanders. The refuge has numerous plant species such as sweet gum, red maple, black walnut, wild grape, hackberry, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, American Holly, black tupelo, loblolly pine, black cherry, white oak, red oak and many others. Also inside the visitors center is several display cases with several of the animals/ plants I mentioned above (See pictures 14-24). Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge has many things to do. Environmental education and interpretation is offered through teacher training and volunteer led field trips, an outing to the refuge can enhance learning about nature and management for wildlife. Exhibits and films are available at the Visitor Contact Station; a small auditorium that seats about 25-30 is available for pre-scheduled programs (see picture 25). Also educational and interpretive materials such as interpretive pamphlets for hiking can be picked up at the Visitor Center. The refuge also offers fishing, hunting, and wildlife observation and photography through the use of walking/hiking, canoeing/kayaking trails. There are four hiking trails and one canoe trail. Leaving the visitor center, I can see some of the marshes and purple martin houses (see pictures 26 & 27). I head to the boat ramp and dike trail (1 mile round –trip through the marsh) first where I notice a blue heron (see pictures 28-29). I also notice fish bubbles, scum, and leaf debris in the creek. I startled a white goose and I watch it fly out over the marshes. The boat ramp is also the start of the canoe trail which I had to leave for another time. I then proceed to walk the boardwalk trail (1/2 mile loop) through uplands and across 600 feet of freshwater marsh. I come across a cotton-tailed rabbit and a huge spider web with a giant spider on it (see pictures 30 & 31). I continue down the trail and encounter a sign that says watch for groundhogs holes. Crossing a bridge, I come across a tree stump with pretty coloring (see picture 32) and continue on my way through the forest heading towards the marsh (see Picture 33 & 34). Arriving at the marsh I see three white egrets, arrow head, and a seed pod on a plant I can’t identify (see pictures 35-39). Traveling on, I come across the entrance to the blue goose trail (1.4 miles- raised dike connector trail through marsh and forest (see picture 40). I saved that trail for another time when I can walk better. Continuing on, I enter the forest again and immediately come across plants being identified by markers with one of the plants being wild grape (see pictures 41-47). I also see a song bird hanging around the grapes. Getting back in my car, I head for the black farm trail (1.2 mile round trip along wooded uplands adjacent to agricultural lands and freshwater marsh). I did not see any animals on this hike other than daddy longlegs and mosquitoes. Although I did come across an interesting marker show what deer tracks look like (see pictures 48- 51). I head to the last trail in the refuge called pine grove trail (.8 mile loop through pine/hardwood forest adjacent to Fleetwood and Turkle Ponds) (see pictures 52-54). I come across Turkle pond (see pictures 55 & 56 where another visitor told me that they saw wild turkeys in the shrubs across the pond. I also saw a monarch butterfly floating around. Continuing down the road I spot mushrooms growing along the side of the road (see pictures 57 & 58). I walk out to Fleetwood Pond before hitting the trail and see a turtle sunning itself (see pictures 59-63). I hit the trail and come across nature’s way of slowing you down (see pictures 64- 67). Further down the trail I walk out to the observation platform and observe the marshes and see another bird box (see picture 68-70). I head back to my car and go home reflecting on what I’ve seen. I discover that Prime Hook means a lot to me for the opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitat.
