Back Bay Narrative Reports February 1942 - December 1942 Routing Slip Division of Wildiiie Refuges D-Ate: 9-26 194.2

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BACK BAY NARRATIVE REPORTS FEBRUARY 1942 - DECEMBER 1942 ROUTING SLIP DIVISION OF WILDIIIE REFUGES D-ATE: 9-26 194.2

MR. SALYER / SECTION OF HABITAT B;1PRCVELS.KT:

WOOBIN Mr. Kncichek

Mr. Smith

MRS. GARVIN kL. d'ifPirrr V

J- SECTION OF CPERATIONS: SECTION OF ERA:

iBOWMk U!n5^ l£rffLy,/ Miss Baum Mrs. Fishiran ¥

Mrs. Kricun

SECTION OF LAND KJ&WJW. STENOGRAPIJ^PS:

MiLs V.'bo.T.lcy

SECTION CF STI^GTURTS:

REMAFJ

MAT - AITffUSI 1942 ^ .

Return to: .Miaa Cook *** 1

BACK BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE NARRATIVE REPORT MAY, JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST 1942,

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PUNGO, VIRGINIA, September 8, 1942* By Harry A. Bailey, Refuge Manager.

INTRODUCTION

The following report inoludos general statements relative to the refuge development program, together with information protaining to the wildlife aotivities on and adjaoent to the refuge area from May 1, 1942 to August 31, 1942. The various development jobs under construction includings The boat house. Observation tower. Garage and Cistern for the headquarters water supply have been completed. The clay top road grade leading from the Virginia secondary highway system a"6 Sandbridge to the refuge headquarters requires approximately 3/4 mile of road grade for completion* Other proposed and much needed developments includingj Installation of^asol^ razing old boathouse, building for handling furs, OOT:stru^_onj^j^ new doors for combination building and boat and barge landing basin on Long Island were abandoned on account of the closing of the C.C.C. 2 ***

!• General A* Weather Conditions. 1942 Max. Min. Rainfall — Temp* — Temp* May 3.20 in. 93 51 June .68 in. 99 54 July 1.84 in. 99 62 August Reoord not available total 5.72 in

Corresponding period in 1941. Ifay .97 in. 99 45 June 3.08 in. 102 53 July 5.34 in. 107 64 August 1.31 in 96 52 total l57R) in

B. Water The above records are made available to Our Service through the courtesy of the U.S.Woather Bureau Office at Norfolk, Va. the data being recorded at the Princess Anne Station, located at the U.S.Coast Guard Station No. 163, which is approximately 8 miles North of the refuge area. A study of the above records shows a minimum of rainfall during this period. There has been practically no fresh water reaching the bay from runoff. Although the water in the bay is in apparently good condition as evidenced by the abundant growth of aquatic vegetation this summer. An interesting observation of the bay water this period is the large increase in the number of Barnacles which are showing up on boat hulls, piers and other underwater objects in the bay. This is probably due to the minimum rainfall with no run-off which have allowed the chloride content of the water to increase. The chlorides probably being deposited in the muddy bottoms of this area during the past influents of salt water from high sea tides reaching the bay. Records from gauge readings have been discontinued at this Station, as these waters are not effected by sea tides it was though the information would not be of sufficient value to include in reports.

C. Fires. No fires have occured on the refuge during this period. II. Wildlife A. Migratory Birds. ^# Popti^^011 and Behavior. August of this period has shown a marked increase in Shore Birds altag the beach over the corresponding period last Summer. It is especially encouraging to see the increase in the number of Willets. It is believed all species visitin this beach have shown an increase in numbers. Feeding conditions have been good this Summer for shore birds along the beach, as there has been practically no oil on the beach for the past three months. / There has also been an increase in the number of Mourning Doves feeding on the Wash Flats area this Summer over the corresponding period last year. Form NR-1 MIGRATORY BIRDS Refuge Back Bay Refuge Months of May toAugust , 19U2

1612 (2) (1) Became (5) (6) (7) Species First Ohserved Common Peak Concentration Last Observed Young Produced Total No. Esti Number Common Name Number Date Date Number Date Number Date Broods Avg. mated Using Obsvd. Size Total Refuge

Canada Geese 14 8/20/4 > Pintails 28 8/26/4 Black Ducks 12 Used Bick Bay dbring Summei 2 16 These d icks t^ere observed on wat waters idjac nt to refuge* Green Wing Teal 8/26/4 I

Mourning Doves 8/3/42 75-80 last week in August

REMARKS: (Pertinent information.nob specifically requested) INSTRUCTIONS Form NR-1 - MIGRATORY BIRDS (Include species in families Gaviidae through Strigidae; also doves and woodcocks)* In case a resident form occurs, such as mottled duck on the*Gulf Coast, use only the columns that apply.

(1) SPECIES: Use correct common names as found in the A.O.U. Check List, 1931 Edition, and list in A.O.U. order. General terms are to be avoided, such as 11 scaup", "teal11, etc.| use "green-Hinged tealn or "lesser scaup". (2) FIRST OBSERVED; The first refuge record for the species during spring migration, fall migration, wintering, or summering, and the number observed. In the case of resident species this column may be disregarded. (3) BECAME COMMON: The date the species became common on the refuge. (4) PEAK CONCENTRATION: The greatest number of the species present on any one date or limited interval of time. (5) LAST OBSERVED: The last refuge record for the species during the spring or fall migration, wintering, or summering, and the numbers observed exclusive of obvious cripples or non-migrants. (6) YOUNG PRODUCED: Estimated number of young produced based upon observations and actual counts on representative breeding areas. Brood counts should be made on two or more areas aggregating 10^ of the breeding habitat. Estimates having no basis in fact are to be omitted. (7) TOTAL: Estimated total number of the species using the refuge during the period. This figure may or may not be more than that used for peak concentrations, depending upon the manner in which birds come through; i.e., in waves or all at once. On refuges representing the terminus of the flight lane, the figures would probably be the same in many cases.

* Only columns applicable to the period covered should be used.

1612 *** 3 ***

2• Food and Cover. Water conditions throughout the Back Bay area have apparently been ideal during this Surmaer for the production of an abundant growth of submerged aquatics. From a number of observations over the bay and from conservations with local people familar with this area it is believed the bay grass is the heaviest it has been in a number of years. Sago and Widgeon grass have made a very noticeable spread over the area* It appears these aquatics are moving Northward from the Currituck water area. The vegetation was a little late in starting this Spring, but the plants have a good, healthy, strong appearance. Celery has also made agood spread in the Red Head bay area adjacent to the refuge. Spartina on the Wash Flats area South of the refuge headquarters has shown a good spread in area. This has been the largest expansion of this grass in any one season sinoe the establishment of the refuge. Scirpus americanus has also made a good growth on all of the area between the bay and ocean. The plant life on the burnt over area of the marsh and beach side have shown a good Spring and Summer growth. A few Canada and Snow geese grazed the new shoots on this area during the latter part of April and the First of May. No grain has been fed to waterfowl or other birds during this period. 3-4 Botulism, Lead Poisoning and other Diseases. No disease has been observed among the waterfowl. Game or land birds during this period. f\ NJ*^ ^ uPlan^ Game Birds. ^h^'^^Zs 1. PopulationSeveral pairs of mated Partridge''have been observed on the Long Island area during this period. The season has been good for young birds. Three covies of good strong flytng birds have been observed. / Two Ring-necked Pheasants have been observed on Long Island. These birds do not seem to make any inarease in numbers. It is believed there are more than one Fox on Long Island* It is believed they are holding the bird population down some on this area. 2. Food and Cover.^ An abundance of food in the form of Wild grapes, wild cherries, Lespdesa, Vetch, and other weed seeds is available for birds on the Long Island area. No food plots for game birds is planted on the above area. 3. Diseases. No disease has been observed among the birds on the Island. C. Big Game Animals. No Big Game Animals inhabit the refuge area. D. Fur Animals, Predators, Rodents, and other Mammals. Several Muskrats have been observed during the Summer swimming in the coves adjacent to the refuge headquarters and in the Ragged Island ponds. Observation along the beach side of Sand Bay does not indicate many muskrats are using this area. There is evidence of a number of Fox on the Wash Flats area and the Green Hills property South of Headquarters. There are a few wild hogs on the Green Hills property. The writer has tried to trap them, but has not been successful. 4 ***

E« Predaceous Birds. / A number of Fish Crows have been observed on the refuge area, principally along the beach and on Long Island., the nesting area. No damage has been observed from these birds. ?• Fish. There has not been as much sport fishing on the area this Summer as during last year. There seems to be a large number of Black Bass^Perch and other small game fiah in the Bay. The heavy growth^S^ of aquatic vegetation has furnished a good base for food production for h this year's fry and it has also made plug casting rather difficult. III. REFUGE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE. A. Physical Development. The principal job carried on this period through the aid Vvx of the C.C.C. was the road construction between SandBridge and the refuge1 headquarters. This job was under the supervision of CCC and their equipment. Civilian labor was employed for driving trucks and running road machinery. This job was not completed before closing of the CCC Agency. The Section of the road partially completed has been taken over by the Military for use in beach patrol. The road grade is being badly torn1 up by the use of heavy trucks during wet road conditions. It is believed the Military will maintain this road. B. Plantings No plantings have been done on the area during this period. Approximately 35 acres af the Long Island farm area was plowed in May. It was planned to plant a permanent cover crop of Red Clover, also some Soy Beans and Rye for waterfowl food. As no assistance is available since Mr. Swell transfered to the U.S.Engineers it is not possible for myself to handle the tractor on a barge in transporting to the Island a carry on the planting program. C. Collections. 1. Seed or other Propagules. No seed collections have been made during the period. IV. Economic Us of Refuge. No economic use has been made of the refuge since the 7/inter fur harvest. V. FIELD INVESTIGATION OR APPLIED RRESEARCH No research has been carried on. VI. PUBLIC RELATIONS A. Recreational Uses. The pinic area on Long Island has been used as a two day camping ground by the Boy Scout Troop of Protsmouth, Va. Sport fikhermen have also camped on the Long Island picnic area. B. Refuge Visitors. Mr. Barry S. Locke Regional Director Mr. John Sutherlin Refuge Supervisor Mr. Krummes Washington Office Member of the local chapter of the V.S.O. Boy Scout Troop Portsmouth, Va. Several Array Officials. The boat, tractor and truck equipment is receiving proper attention. Most of the weeds aroung the headquarters unit have been cut. The buildings and grounds are in fairly good shape.

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