U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge 14344 Jefferson Davis Highway Mason Neck Woodbridge, VA 22191 Mason Neck 703/490 4979 703/490 5631 Fax National [email protected]

Federal Relay Service Wildlife for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 1 800/877 8339 Refuge

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD http://www.fws.gov

April 2004

Bald eagle in water R. Twon Today the 2,277-acre refuge Eighteen miles south encompasses approximately 2,000 acres of mature hardwood forest, of Washington, D.C., the largest freshwater marsh in This blue goose, designed northern Virginia, and nearly six by J.N. “Ding” Darling, miles of shoreline. Because of this has become the symbol on the banks of the of the National Wildlife unique blend of habitat, Mason Refuge System. Neck supports a diversity of wildlife Potomac, lies an throughout the year. 8,000-acre peninsula known as Mason Neck. Here on February 1, 1969, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

created the first D. Dewhurst national wildlife High Point Creek History refuge specifically The recorded history of Mason Neck began around 1775 with the construction of nearby Gunston Hall, established for the home of George Mason. Mason was an author of the Virginia Bill of endangered bald eagle. Rights, predecessor to the United States Bill of Rights.

During the 1800s and early 1900s, logging was the principle land use of what is now refuge land. Roads were cut and much of the mature pine and hardwood timber removed. As time went on, sediment and pollution from upstream filled the river and water quality around the peninsula declined. These impacts and disturbances, along with the elimination of nest trees, caused a decline in the bald eagle population.

By the 1960s, timber had grown back but residential development posed an additional threat. Local residents working with the Nature Conservancy to protect the land Visitor Opportunities brought their concerns to the The refuge provides many attention of local, state, and federal opportunities for visitors to agencies. In 1969, the U.S. Fish & participate in wildlife-dependent Wildlife Service purchased 845 acres recreation. Two hiking trails from the Nature Conservancy and provide an outstanding opportunity the Mason Neck National Wildlife to watch and photograph wildlife. Refuge was established.

C. Koppie Management The refuge, along with Mason Neck State Park, the Northern Virginia Park Authority, the Gunston Hall Plantation, and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, cooperate in the management of their combined lands on the Mason Neck peninsula with each agency focusing on their Great blue heron strengths of recreation, interpretation, and preservation. This cooperation provides a wide variety of recreational activities while protecting the natural resources.

The primary objective of Mason D. McCrensky Neck National Wildlife Refuge is to Woodmarsh Trail protect essential nesting, feeding, and roosting habitat for bald eagles. Woodmarsh This trail loops through a hardwood Altogether over 6,000 acres is Trail forest, carpets of ferns, over small managed cooperatively to protect streams, and along a marsh for a the eagles and the results have round trip of three miles. An been heartening. Eagles nest observation platform overlooks a successfully at several sites and marsh where beavers and otters, as overall numbers of eagles in the well as waterfowl, feed. Portions of

D. Dewhurst area have increased dramatically the trail are closed from December over the past 10 years with up to through June due to Eagle nesting 50 or more birds in the winter. areas.

The refuge also enhances species Great Marsh Follow a forested ridge along a diversity by managing habitat for a Trail natural peninsula, ending with a variety of wildlife, from tree frogs to sweeping view of the Great Marsh. herons. Managing one of the largest This overlook provides the best great blue heron rookeries in Virginia opportunity to see eagles and includes protecting the nesting wintering waterfowl. This three- Volunteer building birds from human disturbance. quarters of a mile trail is accessible Wood duck boxes Wood ducks, bluebirds, and bats to disabled visitors. use nesting boxes that have been provided to supplement natural Environmental An educational pavilion and adjacent cavities. Management of migratory education fields and trails are available for use and wintering waterfowl includes by organized groups on a reservation native food plants, monitoring flock basis. sizes and assessing habitat use. 1 ad Ro r Fort Belvoir y WASHINGTON e a t s Military Reservation B 66 e k h 495 n c l i 95 t 495 o C o c VIRGINIA d c 5 Ol A 1

Belmont B Pohick Cove MARYLAND 95 MASON NECK 301

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Mason Neck Legend

N.W.R. Environmental Ed. Pavillion Potomac River (Permit Only) Environmental Ed. Trail Great Marsh Trail Occoquan Woodmarsh Trail Bay High Point Trail Refuge Boundary 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 Feet Road Closed to Public

0 600 1200 1800 2400 Meters Mason Neck Mgmt. Area P Parking Lot Regulations Wildlife Calendar The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service January/February Resident bald eagles rebuild invites you to take advantage of the nests and lay eggs in February. unique opportunities to see wildlife Wintering eagles commonly feed on Mason Neck National Wildlife in Great Marsh. Open water Refuge. You can help ensure that freezes, concentrating diving ducks wildlife has a place to grow and in deeper sections of the river. survive for future generations by Deer shed their antlers. respecting refuge rules and obeying posted signs. All visitors to Mason March Resident eagles incubate their eggs. Neck are expected to comply with Most waterfowl have migrated north. local, state, and federal laws and Wood ducks take up residence in nest regulations, as well as with the boxes and natural cavities. Beavers following conditions: begin rebuilding dams and lodges. Woodland ponds become laced with Trails are open daily during daylight frog and salamander eggs. hours. You can access other portions of the refuge by permit for April Eaglets hatch. Great blue heron educational or research purposes. courtship and nesting activity peaks in the rookery. Spring wildflowers Bicyclists are permitted only fill the woods. Teal pass through on on paved roads northward migration. Deer grow new antlers. Traveling off trails, off roads, and in closed areas is prohibited May Broods of wood ducks, black ducks, and Canada geese feed along the Pets must be on a leash creeks and marsh. Songbird (up to 10 feet) migration peaks early in the month with many pairs staying to nest. Camping and open fires Mountain laurel brightens the are prohibited hillsides. White-tailed deer give birth to their fawns. Plants and animals (living or dead) may not be disturbed, introduced, June Eaglets fledge. Turtle nesting season or removed peaks. Spatterdock, arrowhead, and wild rice flourish in the marsh. Possession of firearms or weapons Muskrats repopulate the marsh, is prohibited producing the first of several litters for the year. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited

Dispose of all litter in designated containers E. Hester

F. Wood duck drake J. Leopold L. Poissenot White tailed deer Beaver

July Young great blue herons learn to Mason Neck National Wildlife fish in the marsh. Young geese and Refuge is one of over 500 national ducklings start to fly. Swallows, wildlife refuges and thousands of kingbirds, and flycatchers feast on waterfowl management areas in the the abundant insects. National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the U.S. Fish & August Adult bald eagles leave Mason Neck Wildlife Service. The National after the young fledge. Immatures Wildlife Refuge System is a network from the surrounding area arrive. of lands and waters managed Shore and wading birds increase in specifically for the protection of numbers. Marsh hibiscus (mallow) wildlife and its habitat and represents blooms in the marsh. the most comprehensive wildlife management program in the world. September Puddle ducks (teal, mallards, black ducks) arrive on their southward The Service also manages national journey. Egret and heron numbers fish hatcheries and provides increase until cold weather pushes leadership in habitat protection, them south. Songbird and raptor fish and wildlife research technical migration peaks late in the month. assistance, and the conservation and protection of migratory birds, certain October Eagles, and their young, that marine mammals and threatened and nested elsewhere arrive to spend endangered species. the winter. Autumn leaves fill the woods with color.

November/ Resident eagles begin courtship December and breeding. Wintering eagles are visible feeding in the marsh and flying to and from the roost. The influx of diving ducks swells the winter waterfowl population. Breeding season for deer begins.