El Dorado Preserve

Draft 02/07

Missisquoi NWR

Description:

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is located on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain near the Canadian border. This 6,642-acre refuge was established in 1943 and includes most of the Missisquoi River delta where it flows into Missisquoi Bay. Lands are managed to provide and protect habitat for migratory birds, to preserve the natural diversity and abundance of plants and animals, to provide nesting structures for a variety of wildlife, and to control exotic species.

The refuge consists of quiet waters and wetlands which attract large flocks of migratory birds. According to Richard Lavellee, a local birder, migrating shorebirds may appear in small numbers along wetland edges, wet fields, or on the banks of the Missisquoi River in normal or high water years. The Champlain Valley is an important shorebird migration corridor but birds will only use the Refuge if the conditions are right for shorebirds (e.g. low water levels).

Only four shorebirds are considered common to Missisquoi NWR: KILL, AMWO, COSN, and GRYE. Considered occasional are BBPL, SEPL, LEYE, SOSA, SAND, SESA, LESA, WRSA, PESA, and DUNL. Considered rare are HUGO, RUTU, STSA and SBDO.

Created on 8/14/2013 9:35:00 PM Draft 02/07

Unusually low water levels occurred on Lake Champlain in 2001, and fall shorebird surveys were carried out at the mouths of Dead Creek and Rock River, as well as on the Missisquoi River, including West Branch (west of Metcalf Island) and Middle Branch (Shad Island). The maximum number of birds observed during this period are: AGPL (4), BBPL (81), COSN (41), DOWI sp. (250), DUNL (1352), GRYE (82), KILL (33), LESA (70), LEYE (30), PESA (110), SESA (35), and WRSA (53).

Access: Most of the refuge is accessible only by boat. Public boat ramps on the refuge are located at Louie’s Landing and Mac’s Bend. Visitors are advised to consult the general refuge leaflet for the boat ramp access and trail locations.

Donaldson Point in West Swanton is immediately adjacent to the west boundary of Missisquoi NWR. It is located on private land on the western edge of the mouth of Charcoal Creek, and is accessible on foot.

Survey Method: Donaldson Point can be accessed on foot with permission from the land owner. The refuge itself would be surveyed in boat.

Selection Bias: *

Measurement error:*

Measurement bias: *

Pilot Studies:

Local Contacts: Dick Lavallee, local birder.

Additional Resources: Official Refuge Brochure with Map: http://library.fws.gov/refuges/Missisquoi05.pdf

Created on 8/14/2013 9:35:00 PM