MASON NECK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Lorton, Virginia MARUMSCO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FEATHERSTONE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Woodbridge, Virginia •
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT
Calendar Year 1986
U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM
:— REVIEWS AND APPROVALS
MASON NECK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Lorton, Virginia
MARUMSCO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FEATHERSTONE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Woodbridge, Virginia
ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT
Calendar Year 1986 INTRODUCTION
The Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge is located in Virginia, 18 miles south of Washington, D.C. Nestled on an 8,000 acre boot-shaped peninsula jutting out into the Potomac River, the refuge is dominated by mixed hardwood/evergreen forests, high bluffs, and about 300 acres of freshwater marshes. From the initial acquisition of 845 acres in 1969, Mason Neck has grown to 2,172 acres, including 789 acres leased in 1982 from the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. Only one private inholding of 100 acres remains.
The refuge was established in 1969 as the Nation's first bald eagle refuge using funds provided under the Endangered Species Act. Eagles have nested and wintered on the peninsula since before the 1700's. Currently, only one nest, located on the leased land, is active and 30 to 40 eagles use the refuge during the winter.
Aerial view of Mason Neck looking north from Occoquan Bay. DAD 10/86
Though located within easy driving distance for approximately 10 million residents of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., the refuge has an annual visitation of around 15,000 people. This is due to limited public use facilities and competition from over 400 nearby Federal, state, regional, county and city parks.
Until 1974, the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge was a subunit of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. It then became an independent unit with a manager and two subunits of its own, Featherstone and Marumsco Refuges totalling 164 and 63 acres respectively.
The office is located in Woodbridge, Virginia, less than 9 miles from Mason Neck and only a mile from Marumsco and Featherstone refuges. MASOiN NECK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
UNITCD STATIS FAIRFAX COI NT Y. VIRGIMA UNITED STATIS OffAITMfNT OF THI INTfllOt FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
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COMPILED IN THE DIVISION Of ENGINEERINO FROM SURVEYS RY O S. AND • S F A W
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS A. 803 INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
A. HIGHLIGHTS 4
B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 4
C. LAND ACQUISITION
1. Fee Title 4 2. Easements 4 3. Other 5
D. PLANNING
1. Master Plan - Nothing to Report 2. Management Plan 5 3. Public Participation - Nothing to Report 4. Compliance with Environmental Mandates 5 5. Research and Investigations 7
E. ADMINISTRATION
1. Personnel 9 2. Youth Programs 10 3. Other Manpower Programs - Nothing to Report 4. Volunteer Program 13 5. Funding 16 6. Safety 16 7. Technical Assistance - Nothing to Report 8. Other Items 17
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
1. General 17 2. Wetlands 18 3. Forests 20 4. Croplands 21 5. Grasslands - Nothing to Report 6. Other Habitats - Nothing to Report 7. Grazing - Nothing to Report 8. Haying - Nothing to Report 9. Fire Management 21 10. Pest Control 21 11. Water Rights - Nothing to Report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas - Nothing to Report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring - Nothing to Report .... Page 2
Page
G. WILDLIFE
1. Wildlife Diversity 22 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 22 3. Waterfowl 25 4. Marsh and Water Birds 26 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species 28 6. Raptors 28 7. Other Migratory Birds - Nothing to Report 8. Game Mammals 28 9. Marine Mammals - Nothing to Report 10. Other Resident Wildlife 29 11. Fisheries Resources - Nothing to Report 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking 30 13. Surplus Animal Disposal - Nothing to Report 14. Scientific Collections - Nothing to Report 15. Animal Control - Nothing to Report 16. Marking and Banding 31 17. Disease Prevention and Control - Nothing to Report
H. PUBLIC USE
1. General 31 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students 32 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers 34 4. Interpretive Foot Trails 37 5. Interpretive Tour Routes - Nothing to Report 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations 38 7. Other Interpretive Programs 38 8. Hunting - Nothing to Report 9. Fishing - Nothing to Report 10. Trapping - Nothing to Report s 11. Wildlife Observation 40 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation - Nothing to Report 13. Camping - Nothing to Report 14. Picnicking - Nothing to Report 15. Off-Road Vehicling - Nothing to Report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation 40 17. Law Enforcement 40 18. Cooperating Associations - Nothing to Report 19. Concessions - Nothing to Report Page 3 v Page
I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
1. New Construction 2. Rehabilitation 43 3. Major Maintenance - Nothing to Report 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement 43 5. Communications Systems 43 6. Computer Systems 43 7. Energy Conservation - Nothing to Report . 8. Other - Nothing to Report
J. OTHER ITEMS
1. Cooperative Programs 2. Other Economic Uses - Nothing to Report 3. Items of Interest 44 4. Credits 45
K. FEEDBACK
L. INFORMATION PACKET (inside back cover)
a Page 4
A- HIGHLIGHTS
Eagles successfully nest, fledging two young. (Section G.2.)
Annual Christmas Bird Count yields a peak of 33 wintering eagles. (Section G.2.)
Fairfax Audubon Society adopts Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. (Section E.4.)
Abomasal parasite counts conducted on refuge deer. (Section G.8.)
Approximately 200 acres of the last remaining inholding purchased. (Section C.l.)
Annual visitation exceeded 15,000 for the first time. (Section H.l.)
B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Total annual precipitation was 39.34 inches, with 28 percent of the precipitation occurring during November and December. Rainfall amounts were below normal, putting 1986 in the record books with the driest first 10 months in the history of the Washington, D. C. area. Drought conditions resulted in most refuge tributaries becoming dry in early spring and remaining so until late in the fall season. Snowfall totaled 2.3 inches, all of which occurred during January.
Temperatures exceeded 90° on 23 days and dropped below freezing (32° F) on 77 days. Temperature extremes were 99° on July 7 and 10° on January 29.
C. LAND ACQUISITION
1. Fee Title
Approximately 200 acres of the last remaining inholding on Mason Neck were purchased in July as an addition to the refuge. About 100 acres of the Jan King-Evans tract remains to be purchased, with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service holding an option through February 1987. The purchase was closed on July 28, 1986, by Axel Larson, Realty Office.
2. Easements
The Fairfax County, Division of Trail Planning, contacted the refuge on several occasions this year in regard to development of a new trail along Gunston Road. The County, with local citizen support, wanted to cut approximately 75,000 square feet of timber from the refuge border to construct a bicycle trail. Manager Stewart said he could not support such action and recommended the trail be placed in an existing AT&T right-of-way, which is already cleared. Manager Stewart was then informed the matter would be taken to "higher officials" within the Fish and Wildlife Service. Page 5
Later meetings revealed that AT&T would grant use of their right-of-way but would not accept any legal liability. The County refused to accept a "hold harmless" agreement with AT&T resulting in AT&T withdrawing approval to use their existing right-of-way. With that information, the County planners finally dropped the idea of clearing the 15-foot swath approximately 6,000 feet long through the refuge. Manager Stewart has opposed the trail construction on refuge property since the idea's inception 2 years ago. The County is now looking at acquiring private land across the road from the refuge.
3. Other
In 1982, 789 acres of land belonging to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority were leased to the refuge for a period of 60 years. However, the lease is contingent upon our acquiring the private inholding previously discussed and can be revoked by the Park Authority at any time until such acquisition.
D. PLANNING
2. Management Plan
Several management plans were drafted during 1986. Assistant Refuge Manager Dewhurst drafted the first three general chapters on the Refuge's Management Planning Notebook in August, and completed a first draft of the Wildlife Inventory Plan in October. The Refuge Safety Plan was drafted by Outdoor Recreation Planner Schultz in December. All new plans remained in the review and final preparations stage at the close of the calendar year.
4. Compliance with Environmental Mandates
The Air Quality Division (AQD) of Interior, which is housed with the National Park Service in Denver, reviewed an Environmental Assessment (EA) at the request of Refuge Manager Stewart. The EA prepared for Fairfax County, Virginia, addressed environmental impacts of a proposed energy resource recovery (E/RR) facility that would be located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of Mason Neck, a Class II air quality area. Fairfax County is preparing to construct a 3,000 ton per day mass solid waste (MWS) incinerator. The proposed E/RR facility will accept MSW (paper, cardboard, plastic, yardwaste, and miscellaneous combustibles) from Fairfax County and Washington, D.C. The proposed emissions of concern from the Fairfax County E/RR are as follows: particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, and fluoride. Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride and fluoride are phytotoxic (injurious to vegetation) gases. In addition, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons are precursors to the formation of ozone, one of the most phytotoxic gases in the environment. Page 6
The conclusion reached in the EA was that no environmental degradation would occur to the Mason Neck area. This, however, was not the conclusion reached by AQD. An 18 page technical review revealed that in all probability environmental degradation would result and certain modifi cations to plant design would lessen the damage. The report made numerous recommendations on plant design. At last report, the State Air Quality Control Board and Fairfax County had agreed to most of the recommendations even though the added cost is expected to be close to $50 million. I am certain the additional measures would not have been undertaken without the report. Staff with the AQD are to be commended for the excellent review, particularly considering a County imposed 60 day comment period. Emissions will be many magnitudes cleaner because of the AQD review and recommendations.
In August, Ken Stotle of the National Park Service, AQD, conducted a short field investigation of refuge plants sensitive to ozone damage. The impetus for this survey was the EA concerning construction of the E/RR facility. Since ozone is already a ubiquitous pollutant in this part of the country, we are concerned any addition of pollutants (ozone or others) to the refuge may have adverse impacts.
Species surveyed were eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). The overall impression of the amount of ozone stress on the sensitive species on Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge was that of definite ozone injury on milkweed and tulip poplar. The estimated percent of individual plants injured was low for the milkweed (approximately 15 percent of one stand of about 30 individuals) and tulip poplar (approximately 10 percent of about 60 individuals). There has been an extended drought occurring in the general area this year. In wetter, more "normal" summers, the amount and extent of ozone injury could be higher given current (1986) ozone levels.
Recommendations from the study for future biomonitoring studies include (1) continue to survey 100-200 individuals of sensitive species (milkweed, tulip poplar, white pine), (2) establish long-term biomonitoring plots of tulip poplar for mortality studies, (3) determine if sensitive species should be surveyed for other gaseous pollutant injury, (4) survey other indiginous pine species for ozone injury, and (5) record feeding and reproductive preference of all stages of the monarch butterfly in relation to ozone damaged milkweed leaves. Page 7
Monarch larvae were observed feeding on ozone-damaged milkweed leaves. Note: Ozone damage appears as interveinal upper surface (only) black stipple. DAD 8/86
5. Research and Investigations
Mason Neck NR86-"The Feeding, Roosting, and Perching Behavior of the Bald Eagles of Mason Neck, Virginia" (51610-1)
The feeding, roosting and perching behavior of bald eagles on Mason Neck were studied by graduate student Susan Haines of George Mason University. Observations were begun in January 1981 and continued into 1985. The final report was submitted to the refuge in the form of a MS thesis during 1986.
Most feeding activity was observed when wind speeds were less than 16 km/hr and when the temperature was between 18° and 26° C, although hunting success was not found to be dependent on wind speed, temperature, or cloud cover. Eagles were observed to use four main hunting methods: (1) swooping from flight, (2) swooping from a tree perch, (3) wading from shore and grabbing with the beak or talons, and (4) gliding out from ice or a low perch on piles of ice. The last two methods were only used by adult birds, but the frequency of use of methods 1 and 2 and the success rates of these two methods, were independent of age. Few interspecific and intraspecific interactions were seen in the feeding areas. Observa tions of feeding and analysis of prey and pellet remains indicated that the diet of the Mason Neck eagles was composed of 53.7 percent fish (mostly brown bullhead), 9.8^mammal (mostly rabbit), 28 percent birds, 6.1 percent turtles, and 2.5 percent crayfish. Both the feeding behavior and the food items were similar to those of eagles in other parts of the country. Page 8
Roost trees selected by the Mason Neck eagles were typical in that they were fairly large with a strong, open branching structure, easily accessible, had good visibilty, and were close to water and the feeding areas. Roost trees measured had a mean diameter breast height of 54.4 cm (+^ 27.4), mean height of 18.9 cm ( 5.5), and mean distance from water of 12.4 m (+ 17.7).
Weekly roost counts showed that the time of peak use was between September and April and that only a few birds used the roost during the summer.
Color band numbers read in the roost identified some of the eagles as coming from specific localities: 24 were from the Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia and Maryland, 2 were from Maine, 2 were from New York, and 1 was from South Carolina. Many interactions were seen between immature eagles, the majority age group in the roost.
Perch trees were generally found to be similar to roost trees in dimensions, but their mean distance from water was shorter.
A certain amount of habituation to human activity has taken place in the eagles on Mason Neck, but caution must be maintained to protect sensitive areas such as the roost and the nest territory so that human disturbance does not adversely affect eagle use of the area.
Mason Neck NR86-"Long-term Ecological Studies of Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene Carolina) at Mason Neck NWR" (51610-5)
Mark-recapture studies were continued by Dr. Carl Ernst of George Mason Mason University. Since the previous study by John Bayless in 1984, 182 turtles have been marked. There have been 163 recaptures. Data have also been collected on thermal ecology, food habits, reproduction, growth, movements and seasonality. Data have not been analyzed as this is a long range (20 year) project.
Twenty-six research days were involved in 1986. These resulted in about two turtles/man hour. Recorded were 108 total captures, including 53 recaptures. It is interesting that, apparently due to the drought conditions, at least one male crossed and returned over the Great Marsh several times. Also, nesting was generally delayed about 2 weeks until sufficient rainfall had softened the soil. Box turtles were active from mid-April to at least November 30.
Mason Neck NR86-"Survey of Natural Areas in the Chesapeake Bay of Virginia" (5161Q-9a)
Between June 1985 .and January 1986, Carroll Curtis, Virginia Institute of Marine Science conducted a comprehensive survey of natural areas in the Chesapeake Bay area of Virginia. The purpose of the study was to catalogue and preliminarily evaluate sites for consideration in the Page 9
National Estuarine Research Reserve System, which is a joint Federal-State initiative under the Coastal Zone Management Act. Great Marsh was one of the sites surveyed, but was eliminated as a potential candidate because it is owned and managed by the Federal Government (under Federal regulations. Federally owned sites are precluded from consideration). However, it was recommended Great Marsh be considered as a satellite to the estuarine reserve system, because of its representation of an undisturbed freshwater marsh and its value to research.
Mason Neck NR86-"Study of Seasonal Dynamics in Marsh Community Composition of Great Marsh, Mason Neck NWR" (51610-9b)
This was a qualitative study also conducted by Carroll Curtis and involved the groundtruthing of aerial photography obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey. She photo-documented and field-noted conspicuous changes in vegetation with the changing seasons. Surveys were conducted by canoe in the spring, summer and fall and by foot in winter. The findings will likely be used to create an interpretive display or slide presentations.
E. ADMINISTRATION
1. Personnel
1. Thomas W. Stewart, Refuge Manager, GS-11, EOD 10/28/84, PFT 2. Donna A. Dewhurst, Assistant Refuge Manager, GS-7, EOD 3/30/86, PFT 3. Yvonne M. Schultz, Outdoor Recreation Planner, GS-9, EOD 3/30/83, PFT 4. Barbara M. Mitchell, Secretary, GS-5, EOD 12/14/80, PFT 5. Robert B. Westerman, Maintenance Worker, WG-8, EOD 5/27/84, PFT Page 10
Maintenance Worker Robert Westerman was promoted in August from a Maintenance Worker WG-6, Step 3 to WG-8, Step 1. This promotion was based on an accretion of duties.
Assistant Manager Donna Dewhurst transferred from Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in April.
A summary of refuge staffing over the past 5 years is shown below.
PFT Seasonal Part-time Temporary
FY 86 5 FY 85 4 FY 84 3 ' 1 FY 83 3 FY 82 2 1
Barbara Mitchell received her 20 year Government Service certificate from Ed Moses, Refuge Supervisor, South. DAD 4/86
2. Youth Programs
The Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge hosted a 12 person non-residential Youth Conservation Corps camp from June 23 to September 12. The eight male and four female enrollees were selected by lottery from 30 applications (25 male, 5 female). Maintenance Worker Bob Westerman acted as field supervisor of the enrollees and was assisted by one college student (female) serving as a group aid. Recruitment for the enrollees Page 11 and group aid was advertised through news releases mailed to 18 news papers, 31 high schools and colleges, and 8 libraries. Stiff competition with higher paying local commercial jobs limited the number of applicants for enrollee positions.
YCC Enrollees
1. Todd Sebastian 2. Doug Hyslop 3. Walter Stewart 4. Anthony Harris 5. Kirstin Mueller 6. Daryl Willie 7. Karen Coleman 8. Robert Westerman 9. Zandra Rawlinson 10. Laura Rotblut, Group Aid 11. Vanessa Bernstein
Monumental projects for the summer included completing a handicapped accessible environmental education trail complete with a permanent acidic pond. Additionally, a 336 square foot observation platform overlooking the Great Marsh was completed at the end of the Great Marsh Trail. Both projects contributed greatly to the station's public use and environmental education facilities. In response to the take pride campaign, a sign was erected at each project reading "YCC 1986". Page 12
YCC enrollees laid the concrete base for a permanent small environmental education pond. RBW 8/86
An estimated 240 enrollee hours were spent constructing the new observation platform. DAD 8/86 Page 13
Other projects worked on by the enrollees included maintaining displays, refuge roads, toilets, and the maintenance compound. Enrollees also received a Multimedia First Aid course and enjoyed a 1 day environmental education trip to Shenandoah National Park. While at the park, the enrollees were guided by the park's YCC supervisor and observed several projects, gaining insight on the history and scale of the national YCC program.
In August, the YCC crew took an environmental education field trip to Shenandoah National Park. DAD 8/86
Repeated problems with the group aid indicated a future need to solicit for higher quality applicants with more supervisory experience.
Overall, the YCC crew hired this season were hard working and conscien tious workers. Twelve were initially hired to maintain an average of 10 PTE's over the season. Various personal reasons caused seven enrollees to resign during the season, allowing other workers to be retained after the advertised closing date of August 15. Much was accomplished during the 1986 season and the camp was considered a beneficial success.
4. Volunteer Program
Up until 1986, scout groups composed the bulk of the volunteer work force at the refuge. A half-dozen independent adult volunteers balanced out the program. On April 15, the Fairfax Audubon Society officially adopted Page 1A
Mason Neck Refuge as part of the national Adopt-a-Refuge program. The new flow of enthusiasm and warm bodies formed the impetus for a whole new volunteer program at the refuge, under the coordination of Assistant Manager Dewhurst. For the purposes of this report, volunteers will be discussed under two categories: scout groups and adults.
During 1986, two Boy Scouts of America troops provided 18 scouts and 82 hours of primarily trail maintenance. Three Girl Scouts of America (GSA) troops volunteered this year with A8 scouts and provided 417 hours of trail maintenance. GSA Troop 1405 applied for a Take Pride award this year for their efforts on Mason Neck. Three eagle scout candidates performed service projects this year by supervising younger scouts on special work projects. Special projects included rerouting a section of the Woodmarsh Trail and building 9 osprey nesting platforms, totaling 234 hours. Additionally, one group of Campfire Girls contributed 77 hours constructing and erecting bluebird boxes.
Eagle scout candidates supervised boy scouts in building osprey platforms. DAD 7/86
Members of the Fairfax Audubon Society comprise 87 percent of the 45 adult refuge volunteers. Ages range from 17 to 69. From the new program's inception in late March, the volunteers have contributed over 1,203 hours of work, bringing the grand total to 1,931 volunteer hours during 1986. Work projects accomplished included:
Maintaining and monitoring bluebird boxes Wildflower inventories Marsh vegetation transects Page 15
Constructing and erecting wood duck boxes Songbird and waterfowl surveys Weekly eagle surveys Heronry inventory Trail maintenance Boundary posting Trash pickup Building picnic tables Constructing deer salt licks Abomasal parasite counts Facilities maintenance Leading interpretive walks Photography
Building wood duck boxes was a favorite project of Fairfax Audubon Society volunteers. DAD 10/86
Coordination of the new program involved recruitment, training sessions, developing an orientation packet (31 pages), monthly scheduling and newsletters every 2 months, supervised group projects, holding a summer recognition picnic, and tracking and reporting volunteer time. Volunteers accomplished a great deal of the peripheral projects that our small staff often just did not have time to do. However, program coordination involved an estimated 300+ staff hours in 1986. Ideally, the volunteer program would have a volunteer coordinator and would require minimum staff time, and only during the regular staff work week. Realistically, that is usually near impossible, especially when 97 percent of our volunteers are working professionals and work projects frequently Page 16
involve using power tools, refuge vehicles and refuge boats. Yet on a positive note, most of the wildlife inventory work is conducted by very independent volunteers who consistently provide detailed and accurate censuses, requiring a bare minimum of coordination while greatly enhancing the biological program.
5. Funding
The funding situation in FY 87 is slightly improved over the reduced FY 86 budget.
The following table depicts the status of refuge funding over the last five fiscal years.
Table 1
Fiscal Year Appropriation Source
1987 205,532: 205,532 1260
1986 189,679: 166,679 1260 23,000 1520
1985 230,500: 197,000 1260 33,500 1520
1984 124,000: 113,800 1260 10,200 1520 I 1983 84,000: 32,000 1210 2,000 1220 46,000 1240 4,000 1400
6. Safety
There were no lost time accidents on the refuge during 1986.
Informal safety meetings were held throughout the year covering topics such as fire extinguisher use, aircraft safety, and hypothermia.
All YCC enrollees completed a multimedia first aid course instructed by Outdoor Recreation Planner Schultz. Page 17
8. Other Items
Revenue sharing checks were delivered in July to Fairfax County ($20,916.00) and Prince William County ($1,288.00) in lieu of taxes.
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
1. General
Located along the Potomac River, 18 miles south of Washington, B.C., the refuge covers 2,172 acres, a portion of which (789 acres) is managed under a 60 year lease. Situated within the Coastal Plain Province, the boot-shaped, 8,000 acre Mason Neck peninsula projects south to the tidal waters of the Potomac River and is bordered by Pohick Bay and Gunston Cove on the east, and Occoquan and Belmont Bays to the west. Topography of the refuge ranges from below sea level to 42 feet with much of the Potomac River frontages consisting of steep bluffs.
Refuge land classification is divided into five categories: upland woodlands (1,780 acres); wetlands (362 acres); upland croplands (15 acres); brush (10 acres); and administrative buildings, parking, and roads (5 acres).
1
The Great Marsh consists of 285 acres constituting the largest freshwater marsh in Fairfax County. DAD 5/86 Page 18
2. Wetlands
Refuge wetlands can be divided into two types: palustrine (340 acres) and riverine (22 acres). Remnants of several man-made impoundments and weirs exist on the refuge, however, none are manageable in their current condition. Vegetational transects were established this year to annually census changes in vegetational composition and abundance. Sampling techniques included the 5-point sampler and transects by canoe where the soil bottom was too soft to walk.
Two transects were established in September on the riverine marshes. A transect was examined in the upper end of Raccoon Creek using a 5-point sampler. Vegetation consisted of cut grass (Leersia hexandra) 35 percent; wild rice (Zizania aquatica) 34 percent; smartweed (Polygonum spp.) 9 percent; false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica) 7 percent; and Northern arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) 4 percent; and 10 other less abundant species. Water depths averaged 0.5 inches, but all of the soil was saturated. A canoe transect was conducted on the lower end of High Point Creek examining both the submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV's) and emergents. Excellent water clarity provides a lush, thick growth of SAV's with fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) 49 percent; coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) 25 percent; and bladderwort (Utricularia sp.) 25 percent. Emergent vegetation consisted primarily of swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus) 17 percent; duckweed (Lemna spp.) 14 percent; primrose- willow (Jussiaea repens) 14 percent; and 13 other less abundant species. Water depths averaged 2 feet in the channel.
Tickseed sunflowers (Bidens coronata) demonstrate aspect dominance in drier marsh sites during September. DAD 8/86 Page 19
Transects were established in October on the Great Marsh and Kanes Creek (state park) by Assistant Refuge Manager Dewhurst and volunteer Elaine Haug. Great Marsh vegetation consisted on spatterdock (Nuphar luteum) 24 percent; arrow arrum (Peltandra virginica) 19 percent; wild rice (Zizania aquatica) 14 percent; and 15 other species. Small patches of Eurasian watermilfoil (MyriophyHum spicatum) were found near the mouth of Raccoon Creek. SAV's and emergents were examined growing in the eagle roost area on Kanes Creek. Vegetation consisted of fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) 23 percent; watermeal (Wolffia sp.) 19 percent; Eastern wolffiella (WolffieHa floridana) 5 percent; and 5 other species.
Volunteer Elaine Haug demonstrates abundant growth of SAV's while conducting a canoe vegetation transect. DAD 9/86
Preliminary review of transects examined indicates a possible relationship between eagle use and SAV's. The nest area (High Point Creek) and the winter roost (Kanes Creek) are the only creeks on the Neck with adequate water depth and visibility to maintain a lush growth of SAV's. Both areas were created by beaver dams and warrant future research.
Clumps of cut hydrilla or Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis) and wild celery (Valisneria americana) accumulated along the refuge beaches during October. In some areas, piles of washed-up plants were over 12 inches thick. These accumulations are likely the result of mowing of hydrilla beds near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, upriver from the refuge on the Potomac River. Wintering waterfowl concentrated to feed along these vegetation mats upriver. Careful observations will be warranted next summer to see if these cuttings become established along refuge marshes. Page 20
3. Forests
Upland hardwood forest (1,780 acres) is the predominate vegetative type on the refuge and surrounding lands. Principle deciduous species include white oak (Quercus alba), red maple (Acer rubrum), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). A total of 36 species of trees have been recorded on the refuge. Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) constitutes the principle evergreen species.
In August, Forester Allen Carter from the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge visited Mason Neck to consult on present and future silvicultural practices on the refuge. Carter concentrated on management of Virginia pines for use by bald eagles. The follow up written report will be incorporated into the station's Forest Management Plan, to be written in calendar year 1987.
Refuge volunteers instituted weekly wildflower surveys along the refuge's woodland trails. The first season of surveys yielded only 26 wildflower species. The reason for low species diversity has not been determined.
Where the woods meet the marsh, cardinal flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) add spikes of color. DAD 8/86 Page 21
4. Croplands
Refuge upland croplands consist of 15 acres of unimproved pasture or old field habitat. Historic photos indicate perhaps 200 acres of fields existed at one time, and those remaining are remnants of residential lawns and openings. The majority of the fields were mowed in early fall to inhibit invasion by woody species and increase habitat diversity.
Old fields in autumn looked like prairies with bluestem (Andropogon spp.) blowing in the wind. DAD 10/86
The largest field, approximately 10 acres, is located adjacent to the environmental education pavilion. A mowing plan was implemented for this field dividing it up into four sections for a 3-year mowing rotation, allowing students to study the different stages of old field succession.
9. Fire Management
No prescribed burns were conducted at Mason Neck and fire management activities centered around suppression preparation. A fire plow was purchased in FY 86 to be used with the refuge John Deere farm tractor to clear existing fire lanes.
10. Pest Control
Twenty-four gypsy moth traps were placed on the refuge during May for summer monitoring. Trap location concentrated on high public use areas. Traps were checked once during August and September. A total of 493 male gypsy moths were in the traps, representing a 465 percent increase over last year's 106 captures. Japanese beetles were also abundant in several of the moth traps. Page 22
G. WILDLIFE
1. Wildlife Diversity
Despite its location within a large metropolitan area, the refuge has retained much of the wildlife diversity present during colonial times. Numerous animals including over 200 species of birds, white-tailed deer, river otter, beaver and wild turkey routinely utilize refuge resources.
Tufted titmice are abundant year-round among the woodlands. DAD 11/86
The 42nd Annual Christmas Bird Count revealed 109 species in the Fort Belvoir area, including Mason Neck. Revision of the refuge bird list based on recent surveys and Christmas counts entailed 211 species, with an additional 15 species of accidental occurrence.
2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species
The Christmas Bird Count conducted on January 4 yielded a peak count of 33 wintering eagles in the Fort Belvoir area. This was the highest count since 1952 when 31 were counted. Indications are wintering eagle populations on Mason Neck are still increasing.
On May 5, Dr. Mitchell Byrd of the College of William and Mary flew an aerial survey of the refuge eagle nest as part of a Chesapeake Bay regional survey. Dr. Byrd aerially surveyed 61 of the 65 known eagle nests in Virginia and reported production of approximately 74 eaglets. Despite this statewide success, only 10 (including Mason Neck's nest) of the 20 Potomac River nests were successful this year. Page 23
The nest was located from the ground by refuge personnel on May 28 and on the following day, Tony Steffer of the National Wildlife Federation climbed the nest to band the young. Steffer discovered two healthy eaglets approximately 8 weeks old. The banding operation was given media coverage by Channel 5 TV news located in Washington, D. C., and The Fairfax Journal newspaper. This year's nest was located 69 feet high in a pine tree approximately 0.8 miles northeast of High Point Road (N 38°, 35.5', W 77° 11.3'). The tree was used for one past productive nest in 1979, but also used in 1977, 1978, and 1985.
Tony Steffer, National Wildlife Federation, climbed this year's eagle nest... DAD 6/86 Page 24
...and banded two 8-week-old eaglets. T. Steffer, NWF 6/86
Weekly eagle surveys were initiated on Mason Neck during October. Six stationary observation points on both the refuge and state park were manned for a 3-hour period at dusk. Personnel for the survey consisted of refuge staff, state park staff, and volunteers.
Migrating bald eagles first started arriving on the refuge in September with 10 immatures and 2 adults observed that month. Migration increased into the fall and winter peaking at 24 sighted on December 4. Of the eagles observed, generally 70 percent were immatures and most of these were hatch-year birds. A total of 16 banded eagles were identified by colored bands. Identification of banded eagles is listed in the following table. Page 25
Table 2
Month Observed Hatch-Year Banding Location
Sep 1984 Taono, James City, VA Oct 1984 Tupper Lake, NY Dec 1984 *Pike Co., PA Dec 1984 *Dauphin Co., PA Nov 1985 Riggins Corner, Dorchester Co., MD Nov 1985 Ferry Neck, Talbot Co., MD Sep 1986 Indian Creek, Charles Co., MD Sep, Nov 1986 Persimmon Point, King George's Co., VA Sep, Nov 1986 Troy Creek, Westmoreland, Co., VA Sep 1986 Mason Neck NWR, Fairfax Co., VA Oct, Nov, Dec 1986 Maryland Point, Charles Co., MD Oct, Nov 1986 Kentucky Swamp, Dorchester Co., MD Dec 1986 Dragon Swamp, Glouchester Co., VA Dec 1986 Cedar Point, Anne Arundel Co., MD Dec 1986 Toano, James City, VA Nov Unknown New Jersey
^These eagles were born in Saskatchewan, Canada, and relocated to Pennsylvania for release.
3. Waterfowl
Located west of the Chesapeake Bay, Mason Neck is out of the mainstream of the Atlantic Flyway. However, the refuge, as part of a series of small marshes along the Potomac River, does provide migratory and wintering habitat for moderate concentrations of diving ducks and smaller numbers of puddle ducks.
Fall migratory waterfowl begin to arrive at Mason Neck generally in September. Small numbers of mallards, black ducks, blue-winged teal and wood ducks are the first to arrive. The earlier fall migrants peak in October with populations in 1986 of 240 wood ducks, 100 blue-winged teal, and 50 green-winged teal. After that, migration continues and builds in diversity and abundance until the principle peak in December. Eighteen species of ducks wintered on the refuge in 1986. Puddle ducks dominate the Great Marsh with mallards (1,800-peak) and black ducks (900-peak) being the primary species. Canada geese are infrequent visitors with a January peak of 342 birds.
Diving ducks are the real highlights of the wintering waterfowl community, with large rafts of ducks drifting in and out of proclamation waters along the Potomac. Peak diving duck numbers and species include: canvasbacks- 770; lesser scaup-130; common mergansers-175; hooded mergansers-40; ruddy ducks-125; and redheads-12. Tundra swans are rare and unusual visitors of the refuge with 26 stopping over in March. Page 26
Little is known about waterfowl production at Mason Neck except for incidental observations of broods. This year's production was estimated at 80 wood ducks and 12 Canada geese. Some nesting of mallards and wood ducks have been reported in the past, but were not documented in 1986. An effort was made this year by volunteers to reinstate the wood duck nest box program on the refuge which has been inactive since 1982. A total of 32 boxes were constructed, with plans to erect and monitor them in 1987. Also planned are increased breeding pair and brood surveys to better evaluate current refuge production.
Mallards and black ducks pepper the Great Marsh during fall migration. DAD 10/86
4. Marsh and Water Birds
Spring and summer wading bird communities included 14 species of herons and egrets, bitterns, cormorants, grebes, rails and loons. Most abundant are great blue herons, great egrets, and green-backed herons. Great blue herons, green-backed herons and least bittern have been observed nesting on the refuge.
The High Point Creek, great blue heron rookery is one of the largest on the East Coast. A transect inventory of the rookery was conducted by staff and volunteers. A total of 485 nests were counted, representing a 215 percent increase from 1985 and a 915 percent increase from the original 51 nests in 1980. Of the nests surveyed, 388 were estimated as active, with production estimated at 582 young (based on an observed mean clutch size of 1.5 young). Up to 12 nests were observed in one tree, Page 27 with the average being 3 per nesting tree. Twenty-eight dead young were observed representing a mortality rate of 7 percent. Visibility into the nests proved to be difficult in many cases, suggesting future use of an aerial survey to complement the ground information. A production report was submitted to the Colonial Bird Register of Cornell University.
In October, staff and volunteers again visited the rookery and conducted a forest inventory (point-centered-quarter phytosociological sampling) and nesting tree study. The results of both surveys were compared, looking for any nesting preferences. Of the 261 nests surveyed, 44 percent of the nests were located in chestnut oaks (Quercus prinus), which represented only 26 percent of the dominant overstory, indicating a selection preference of 2:1. Of the nesting trees sampled, the mean diameter-breast-height was 33 inches, the mean distance from nearest water was 68 feet and the mean nest height was 53 feet.
The High Point Creek great blue heron rookery contained 485 nests. DAD 6/86 Page
5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species
The Great Marsh and the Potomac River shoreline provide only marginal habitat for shorebirds. Additionally, as in the case of waterfowl, the refuge is located out of the mainstream of migration. A total of 19 species of shorebirds, gulls, and terns have been reported to use Mason Neck habitat. In the winter, gulls (primarily ring-billed, herring and great black-backed) comprise the bulk of this community, with small populations of wintering snipe and yellowlegs also present. Killdeer and American woodcock are the only species documented as nesting on the refuge, and likewise, are the most abundant species in the spring and summer.
6. Raptors
Eleven species of diurnal raptors (hawks, vultures and falcons) are reported to visit the refuge. Nesting has been documented for coopers, red-tailed, red-shouldered and broad-winged hawks, osprey and American kestrels. Merlins are rare visitors during migration while Northern harriers are only winter residents.
Nocturnal raptors include four species of owls (barn, screech, great horned, barred), all of which are reported as breeding on the refuge. Great horned owls are the most common owl on the refuge; however, with the onset of the wood duck box program being reinstated, screech owl populations may increase in future years.
8. Game Mammals
Studies were initiated this year to determine health and size of the refuge deer population. YMS 5/86 Page 29
In October, a cooperative effort was initiated between the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries, Mason Neck State Park, and the refuge to collect and examine white-tailed deer from Mason Neck. Six deer were collected from the refuge with an additional three deer from the State Park. State Game Commission personnel supervised the shooting and biological examinations. Blood samples were taken and fat content was examined on the heart, kidneys, pericardium, omentum, brisket, rump, musculature, and femur bone marrow. Abomasal parasite counts (APC) were conducted on the following day. Mean parameters from the combined population sample included: age-2.5 years; whole weight-109 pounds; bone marrow class-30 percent; APC-.925; physical condition class-43. Follow-up aerial and spotlight counts are planned for the winter of 1987 to supplement this data.
The maintenance shop was converted into a laboratory to conduct physiological tests on refuge deer. DAD 10/86
10. Other Resident Wildlife
During July, a red fox was observed in very poor health (mange, malnour ished) with two fox pups. About 1 week later, the two fox pups started appearing daily on the gravel portion of High Point Road. The pups were extremely tame, accepting food offerings by visitors, and not moving for cars. The end result was one pup getting hit by a visitor's car and the other being removed by employees from the adjacent State Park for endangering visitors on their picnic grounds. Page 30
One of two abandoned fox pups contesting right-of-way with a visitor's car. DAD 8/86
12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking
Twelve bluebird nesting boxes were monitored weekly by refuge volunteers. Fifty percent use was recorded for the boxes maintained this season. Bluebirds are occupying 4 of the 6 nests, producing 12 young. Carolina chickadees account for the remaining 2 nests, producing 7 young.
New born Carolina chickadees raised in a "bluebird" box. DAD 5/86 Page 31
Limited permission was granted to release native waterfowl on the refuge. During June, staff released a wood duck duckling on Raccoon Creek after local residents rescued it from the middle of a busy road.
During July, the Wild Bird Rescue League of Northern Virginia, a group of licensed rehabilitators, contacted the refuge about releasing rehabili tated waterfowl. Permission was granted for two releases on Mason Neck. On July 8, six, 8-week-old, hand-raised wood ducks were banded and released on Raccoon Creek. On July 16, a wild, adult Canada goose whose wounded eye had been treated, was banded and released in the Great Marsh. One week later, the goose was located creating a disturbance in a nearby resident's yard. The goose was then re-released in a more remote section of the refuge.
16. Marking and Banding
This station was assigned a banding quota of 100 black ducks. Three walk-in traps were daily monitored in the Great Marsh. Two black ducks were banded during the 1986 season. Predation, frozen water, and low duck numbers were attributed to the lack of success in the banding effort. The only excitement occurred when an eagle took one of the plastic decoys (provided by absentminded duck hunters) that had been placed in front of the trap. The decoy was found several hundred yards away on the ice.
H. PUBLIC USE
1. General
Most of Northern Virginia is still unaware of Mason Neck Refuge and with local county, regional, and state parks numbering over 300, pressure on the refuge is very light. Visitors have access to the refuge during the winter along the .75 mile Great Marsh Trail. The rest of the refuge is closed to the public except by special permit to school groups entering the environmental study area or to researchers..; Heavy emphasis is placed on environmental education which continues to make up approximately 13-14 percent of the total visitation.
Table 3
Visitation
Year General Visitation Environmental Education Students Teachers
1981 6,966 2,205 277 1982 4,689 1,012 330 1983 5,271 673 48 1984 7,265 844 89 1985 8,110 959 111 1986 15,113 1,998 172 Page 32
Visitation was calculated this year using brochure use and a cable-style traffic counter across the entrance of the parking lots. In previous years, an infrared beam counter across the trail had been used but was constantly malfunctioning. Vehicular use was documented this year for the first time in years raising the visitation number by 3,383. Increases in environmental education (+1,100) and recreational wildlife observation by foot (+3,229) tempered by a fall in self-guided interpretation (-1,397) brought total visitation to a new high of 15,113. This is far behind the visitation of our neighbors (Mason Neck State Park, 38,000+; Pohick Bay Regional Park and Golf Course, 265,000+; and Gunston Hall Plantation, 40,000+) but is adequate to keep staff busy.
2. Outdoor Classrooms-Students
This was the first full year of use for the environmental education pavilion constructed in 1985, and it made an important difference, providing shade on hot days, a vastly cleaner working and meeting area (previously used road or parking lot), and dry seating in mildly inclement weather. This coupled with fair weather for most of the spring almost eliminated cancellations due to weather, a major problem in previous years. Mowing portions of the field around the pavilion also helped, providing activity space and reducing encounters with poison ivy and sweat bees. The only problems encounted with the improvements came from wasps investigating the new structure and an infestation of black widow spiders in mid-summer. The spiders were apparently drawn by the moist conditions provided by woodchips and log edging put around the pavilion by the YCC. Pre-program inspections netted eight spiders and many egg cases.
Table 4
Environmental Education - Students
Year Month
J F M M A S 0 N D Total
1982 0 0 50 218 166 279 41 83 0 115 26 34 1,012
1983 0 0 0 297 255 0 0 0 0 47 90 14 673
1984 0 0 14 0 494 129 22 0 0 144 27 14 844
1985 0 0 0 34 522 0 110 0 140 133 20 0 959
1986 0 10 0 579 840 20 35 24 366 124 0 1,998
Use of the refuge is on the increase due to improved facilities, a better access road, and availability of staff to assist teachers. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation increased their use because of improved access to the river Page 33
for canoe launches and their preference for using the undisturbed Great Marsh. Limited access in the past had previously forced them to use less desirable and more polluted sites on Pohick Bay and other areas.
Table 5
Breakdown of Environmental Education by Presenter (AH = Activity Hours, CBF - Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Other Includes Colleges, Private Organizations, Etc.)
Agency No. Programs No. Students/AH % Students/AH Avg. Size
FWS Staff 38 (58%) 1,422/3,250 71/57 37
Non-staff: 27 (42%) 576/2,467 29/43 21
CBF 18 (28%) 386/1,899 19/33 21
Other 9 (14%) 190/568 10/10 21
Project WILD was a major tool for handling groups ranging from 6 to 200 individuals including 9 groups over 50 years old. Teachers and chaperones could present the simple activities while staff remained free to respond to questions or problems.
Prince William County SIGNET teacher and class sampling the marsh. YMS 4/86 Page 34
A depressing and odd indicator of our world's condition occurred when several schools called to book programs. They had all been scheduled to have field trips in Washington, D. C., but were forced to cancel and find alternative sites. Pressure to change sites had been applied by students' parents and government agencies because of fear of terrorism at our Nation's Capital.
3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers
In an effort to encourage teachers to use the refuge and to feel more comfortable shouldering more responsibility conducting activities, eight pre-trip briefing tours were conducted. This showed some promise with three groups functioning totally independent of staff but still takes just as much time as when the staff works directly with the students. In a few cases it even doubled the staff's committed time by first leading the teachers on a tour and then having to remain available to nurse them over some nervous moments. However, teachers claimed it let them better prepare the students and so in the long run, was probably beneficial. Weaning efforts for teachers coming back each year will continue as the demand for staff time rises.
Table 6
Environmental Education - Teachers
Year Month
J F M A M J J A 0 N D Total
1982 0 0 4 24 32 39 7 90 94 21 7 12 330
1983 0 0 0 28 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 48
1984 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 50 24 13 0 0 89
1985 25 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 26 0 111
1986 0 0 22 21 30 0 0 12 1 66 20 0 172
Four Project WILD workshops were conducted, only one of which was totally on refuge land. The lack of an enclosed facility precludes use of the refuge during the cooler months and workshops are usually moved to facilities of agencies involved in the Mason Neck Management Area.
As an offering to people wanting more specialized training. Assistant Manager Dewhurst offered a workshop on raptor identification and one on waterfowl identification. Fifty-two participants spent 104 activity hours honing their skills using slides, books, brochures, and display panels showing the wings of divers, dabblers, and sea ducks. The wings were supplied by the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Page 35
During fair weather, teachers can participate in on-site workshops, getting wild with Project WILD... DAD 9/86
...but in cold or damp weather, any seat in a sheltered area, be it on or off the refuge, is welcome. YMS 3/86
• Page 36
The refuge again cosponsored Bay Days, a 2-day workshop for teachers, naturalists, and concerned citizens. Other agencies involved included the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, the Virginia Division of Parks and Recreation, and the Citizen's Program for the Chesapeake Bay. Thirty-eight participants attended lectures, took a tour of a water treatment plant, experimented with water chemistry, and paddled canoes into the marshes for a close-up look at aquatic habitats. This was capped off with a seafood buffet and question and answer session featuring State Senator Joseph Gartland and Dr. John Gottschalk of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Citizen's Program for the Chesapeake Bay.
ORP Schultz guides participants through water chemistry tests. RBW 10/86
— . u..-, Page 37
Dr. Gottschalk and Senator Gartland field questions about Virginia's role in cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. YMS 10/86
4. Interpretive Foot Trails
The refuge maintains two public trails as mentioned earlier, the Woodmarsh Trail which is open April 1 until December 1, and the Great Marsh Trail which is open December 1 until April 1. Both have proved popular and are open dawn until dusk, tallying over 8,200 visitors. Since most users appreciate and seek the peace and quiet found on these trails, and school group use of the refuge is increasing, an alternative marsh access trail was cleared by Audubon volunteers, extending from the main study field and pavilion to the Great Marsh. This allows groups to reach the marsh without disturbing or being disturbed by casual visitors. The elevated view from a promontory permits clearer identifi cation of zones in the marsh and better bird watching for classes.
The study trail roughed out by previous YCC groups on the west side of the pavilion was levelled and woodchipped by this year's YCC and scouts volunteering their time. A highlight of the trail encircling a 100 yard square block of pine/sweet gum forest is the natural-looking artificial pond for aquatic studies and easy observation for handicapped individuals.
The brochure for the Woodmarsh Trail was revamped and sent along with a new station brochure and bird list for Regional approval. A backlog in brochure production forced all three to be delayed until FY 87. A fourth brochure interpreting the Great Marsh Trail is also in the works. Page 38
6. Interpretive Exhibits and Demonstrations
Kiosks are under construction to display the Wilderness Graphics panels obtained in FY 84. Funding and a delay in receiving an approved kiosk design slowed the construction.
The YCC started rehabilitation of an old kiosk/display shed which needed repair for some time. Repairs and redesigning of displays should be completed during FY 87.
Assistant Manager Dewhurst put together four panels showing the wings of dabblers, divers, and sea ducks. All four panels have been popular with workshop participants and should be of interest to local teachers who cover birds and identification in one of their units.
Exhibits were set up at the Fairfax County Fair with an estimated visitation of 90,000 people, at the Fairfax County Audubon Christmas Gala, and the Gunston Elementary Fun Fair. Other displays along with films and slide shows from the refuge's audiovisual library were loaned out to 16 schools.
7. Other Interpretive Programs
Refuge volunteer Anita Allen conducted morning and evening bird walks every other weekend during the summer. Attendance was very light, usually under five but drew more than any other scheduled walk (zero). Advertising competition with neighboring agencies and little current market on Mason Neck for programs were the main problems.
Both the Mason Neck State Park and Veterans Memorial Park were granted permission to conduct a canoe tour in the Great Marsh. Participants of both enjoyed the experience and learned about the different roles played by the refuge versus the park areas.
Staff presented 16 off-site programs at 8 local schools ranging from the local juvenile detention center, a nursing home, a park, and local civic clubs. ORP Schultz also was able to present a program about environmental education opportunities on refuges at the Virginia Environmental Educators Association meeting in Wakefield, Virginia.
ORP Schultz again was invited into the Washington Office to assist with the Annual Duck Stamp Competition. She and^foRP from Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge assisted with handling artwork, answering questions by visitors and participants, and were available for any special duties by the contest coordinator. Page 39
Canoers from a Veterans Memorial Park sponsored tour get a close look at a beaver lodge. YMS 5/86
FWS Director Dunkle displaying winner of 1986 Annual Duck Stamp Contest. YMS 11/86 Page 40
11. Wildlife Observation
Most visitors to the refuge came for the purpose of observing wildlife. Minimal facilities and amenities tend to discourage other forms of recreation on the refuge. While the crowd on foot tended to concentrate on birds or plants, the vehicle crowd leaned towards deer. Many locals were drawn by the large numbers of deer often found along the road shoulders or the chance to catch a glimpse of one of several pied deer including an almost totally white deer. This often produced hesitant inquiries about a "goat" they thought they had seen. Rare was the car or hiker without a camera to record their sightings.
16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation
Refuge staff learned a new word this year—Volksmarch. The local club of this international activity, the Wood and Dale Wanderers, contacted the refuge and park requesting permission to hold one of their events on both areas. Permission was hesitantly given when several hundred participants were predicted and rules rigidly laid out for the permit. However, the actual event went very smoothly thanks to the efforts of the sponsoring club and 634 people ranging in age from 9 months to many over 70 years old who hiked the 10 kilometer course. The area actually was left cleaner than when the event started. The only concerns were part of the trail had to be rerouted because of an angry wasp nest—one man was stung and reacted necessitating an ambulance response—and the hikers' inclination to hike on the road rather than the shoulder.
17. Law Enforcement
Poaching, trespassing, and minor vandalism continued to be problems in 1986. Local residents frequently reported shots in the vicinity of the refuge and occasionally staff heard shots but were unable to locate the source. In response. Manager Stewart and ORP Schultz patrolled periodically but without any obvious effect. Staff time, distance to the refuge from both office and homes, and multiple jurisdictions in and around the refuge inhibited efforts. Manager Stewart did apprehend two subjects who had driven a closed road (state jurisdiction) and then wandered into the eagle nesting area during the critical hatching period (April).
A local resident called to report a 4x4 pickup tearing up the road shoulder along the refuge but even though the crime was still in progress during the call, the half-hour response time from the office defeated attempts to apprehend the violator. A description was taken but was insufficient for further action. However, Manager Stewart later apprehended a motorbike rider who mentioned the incident and identified the juvenile involved. Contact with his parent, a police officer, was not totally satisfactory but the incident has not been repeated.
< Page 41
The poaching case made by Manager Stewart and ORP Schultz on Thanksgiving 1985 stretched through most of 1986. On January 9, Manager Stewart and ORP Schultz appeared in county court as witnesses. After the involved officers (6), violators (6), and corresponding attorneys left the court room four times to discuss plea bargains, the judge began to be curious. When he finally heard the case, all the violators pled no contest and were fined $100.00 with $50.00 suspended and 1 year's probation.
Next, an ATF investigator met with staff to prepare charges against the involved convicted felon who had possessed a shotgun. In September, the refuge's case finally went to Federal court. Unfortunately, the magistrate's regard for game violations was limited with her letting off the five who pled guilty with a "suspension of assignment of sentence" meaning that if they are not caught within 1 year's time for a Federal game violation, their records will be permanently wiped clean. The sixth violator was found not guilty since being in the boat with a family member who pled guilty, having a weapon, and having blood at his feet was insufficient evidence of guilt.
I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
1. New Construction
As mentioned in the YCC section, enrollees under Maintenance Worker Westerman's guidance constructed an observation deck at the end of the Great Marsh Trail and an environmental study pond along the handicap access trail. The deck provided a finished appearance to the trail plus will control some of the wandering of curious visitors up and down the steep and easily eroded slope at the end. The pond provides a dependable, easily accessible aquatic study area. Features include a spillway to prevent trail flooding during heavy rains, a drain for easy maintenance and varied depths for comparison of "mud flats," shallow water (up to 6 inches), and deeper reaches (18 inches).
During September and October, 1300 tons of gravel were added to Sycamore, Anchorage, and High Point Roads.
On December 6, Maintenance Worker Westerman started construction on the first of two kiosks designed to hold panels purchased in FY 84 and 85. Construction delays were caused by waiting for a standardized kiosk design and funding shortages. Page 42
Deck at end of Great Marsh Trail. YMS 9/86
Environmental study pond with spillway to carry off overflow. Decking boards provide handicap access. YMS 12/86 Page 43
2. Rehabilitation
After problems with water quality from the well supplying the YCC building, Maintenance Worker Westerman modified the well housing. This included pouring a new floor, repairing the walls, and running a 130 foot drain line. The well now meets Fairfax County codes.
Rehabilitation was started on the deteriorating display shed on the Woodmarsh Trail and will be completed by volunteers in 1987.
4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement
When funding for a replacement for the 1979 Chevrolet 4x4 pickup fell through. Maintenance Worker Westerman had to totally rebuild its engine to stretch it one more season. A new truck was ordered at year's end.
Stretching the working life of equipment is definitely SOP on refuges. Almost all john boats needed repair and a stainless steel propeller for the 40 horsepower Mercury is being tested to see if it can stand up to law enforcement and maintenance patrols.
A 1971 International dump truck needing only minor repairs was picked up from military surplus.
New acquisitions included a model RM100 3-point hitch fire plow and a 16 foot, 8,000 pound trailer to transport the farm tractor and implements.
5. Communications Systems
In August after several meetings with the Fairfax County Police, a new police radio with their 800 band was ordered and installed in the Escort. Minor confusion arose when both Motorola and the Regional radio coordinator insisted on being given the frequencies. The police said since they would handle the programming of the unit, they saw no need to give out the frequencies. The dispute was finally settled and the radio works well so far.
Much skip was noticed over the Fish and Wildlife Service's normal frequency. The most annoying was the bleed-over from what seemed to be a paging system, often sending out hospital messages and totally blanketing refuge transmissions. Maybe the system has been corrected because no messages were heard during the fall or early winter.
6. Computer Systems
We have been hearing promises for 3 years but have not received a byte yet. Page 44
J. OTHER ITEMS
1. Cooperative Programs
Manager Stewart and Assistant Manager Dewhurst attended a meeting of Mason Neck Management Area managers on December 5. Agencies involved included the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (refuge); the Virginia Division of Parks and Recreation (State Park); the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (Pohick Bay Park); Gunston Hall Plantation; and the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries.
The purpose of the meeting was to reestablish communication channels between the agencies originally involved in protecting Mason Neck from development. After discussing joint brochures, coordinated signing, and other topics, the decision was made to meet regularly to update each other on current events.
The Virginia Game Commission doing their bit to help publicize the Mason Neck Management Area. YMS 1/86
3. Items of Interest
February - Schultz attended LE refresher at Eastern Shore NWR.
March - Stewart attended LE refresher at Eastern Shore NWR.
Stewart attended advanced level refuge management training in Washington, D. C.
Apr il - Dewhurst attended basic fire management training in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Page 45
May - Refuge Supervisor Moses visited and performed a site inspection.
Ella Strader from the Washington Office toured the refuge with Dewhurst and a contractor preparing the sign manual.
June - Dewhurst participated in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference of the National Audubon Society at St. Mary's College in Maryland. She was on a panel discussing the Adopt-a-Refuge program.
July - Westerman completed training in small engine repair and outboard motors at the Northern Virginia Community College.
Tony Clark, the new Director General of the Canadian Wildlife Service and Larry Mason, Chief of International Affairs in the Washington Office toured the refuge with Stewart.
August - Deputy Regional Director Ashe toured the refuge.
November - Stewart met with Michael Laccesse of the U. S. Office of Information Management regarding management of a refuge.
Staff attended or participated in meetings involving the following agencies:
Mason Neck Civic Association Hallowing Point Civic Association Federation of Lorton Communities Friends of Mason Neck Fairfax Audubon Society Fairfax County Trail Planning Commission Mason Neck Kiwanis Club Ducks Unlimited Virginia Society of Ornithology Mason Neck Lions Club
4. Credits
Tom Stewart edited and reviewed the narrative.
Donna Dewhurst wrote sections A through G and took some of the photographs.
Robert Westerman did some of the photography.
Yvonne Schultz wrote sections H through K and did some of the photography.
Barbara Mitchell typed and assembled the narrative. Page 46
As we reach the end ... DAD 10/86
K. FEEDBACK
When approaching problems, we are sometimes told to start out with positive thoughts, so let's start this section with a plus about this refuge before moving on to grayer areas.
Mason Neck is located in Fairfax County with the Nation's tenth largest school system (157 schools). Combined with neighboring Prince William County schools, they represent over 160,000 students who could potentially be taught about the Service and wildlife management. Add to this almost 100 private schools, a general population of well over 1 million, and the highest concentration of politicians anywhere in the Nation, and you will find Mason Neck has a potential for educating the public experienced by few stations in the refuge system. Most refuge managers at Mason Neck have realized this fact and have supported environmental education, second only to the primary purpose of protecting the bald eagle.
Now to the gray areas. First is a problem with documenting off-site programs on public use reports. Held on the refuge, these would be environmental education. Because of a lack of facilities on the refuge, most workshops must be given off-site. The material is identical as would be given on-site. Because of the reporting system, an off-site workshop counts only as a public appearance, the same as a program for a flower club or nursing home. With the emphasis on on-site activities, a program for a scout group as small as six or eight people counts more, merely because they could get to the refuge. The same goes for Page 47 presentations at schools where staff may make direct contact with over a hundred students or present information to several hundred students in an auditorium. The impact is still being made on the minds without impacting the refuge's resources, so it should count for something more than just a public appearance, something which shows on an output report.
A second problem is having the office so far from the refuge and limited facilities on the refuge. Commuting time to and from the refuge takes 20 minutes to an hour each way. This means staff average the loss of a quarter of a work day just in commuting to and from the worksite when they have a program.
L. INFORMATION PACKET (inside back cover) MARUMSCO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Woodbridge, Virginia
INTRODUCTION
Marumsco National Wildlife Refuge is a satellite of Mason Neck Refuge. Marumsco is located 3 miles south of Mason Neck at the mouth of Marumsco Creek, where the Creek joins the Occoquan Bay. The Refuge is approximately 20 miles from Washington, D. C., in Prince William County, Virginia.
Marumsco Refuge was established in 1973 from lands declared excess by the U. S. Army. Conveyance of the property to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service was simply a transfer between Federal agencies. Title remained vested in the United States. One transfer limitation was written that security of the research and development operation of the adjacent Harry Diamond Laboratories must be maintained.
Marumsco Refuge consists of 63 acres of freshwater tidal marsh located along Marumsco Creek near its conjunction with Occoquan Bay. Topography is almost entirely flat, tidal marsh with elevations of sea level to less than 10 feet.
The only public use consists of visitors viewing the refuge from a trail on the adjacent Prince William County Veterans Memorial Park, or by persons entering by canoe from Occoquan Bay.
An aerial view of Marumsco reveals the proximity of residential development. DAD 10/86 MAKUMSCO NATIONAL WILDLII K liLITJCL
UNHID tlATCft rKIM.K WILLIAM LOIMV. vim;IMA »MH AND WIIOUM SfKVICI OlfAKlMINV Of INI IN 11 K 101 (UKAU Of SfOSI M S MI R 11 S AND WllOllfl
77*14'40 ' COMfUID IN IHI DIVISION Of INOINIItINO IKOM tUIVIYt ST OS AND I S I A W tOO 400 MIAN OiCIINAIION I 1971 •OilON. M A11 ACHUSiT t S flltUAIT Iff* INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
A. HIGHLIGHTS 4
B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 4
C. LAND ACQUISITION
1. Fee Title - Nothing to Report 2. Easements 4 3. Other - Nothing to Report
D. PLANNING
1. Master Plan - Nothing to Report 2. Management Plan 4 3. Public Participation - Nothing to Report 4. Compliance with Environmental Mandates - Nothing to Report .... 5. Research and Investigations - Nothing to Report
E. ADMINISTRATION
1. Personnel - Nothing to Report 2. Youth Programs - Nothing to Report 3. Other Manpower Programs - Nothing to Report 4. Volunteer Program - Nothing to Report 5. Funding - Nothing to Report 6. Safety - Nothing to Report 7. Technical Assistance - Nothing to Report 8. Other Items - Nothing to Report
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
1. General 4 2. Wetlands 5 3. Forests 5 4. Croplands - Nothing to Report 5. Grasslands - Nothing to Report 6. Other Habitats - Nothing to Report 7. Grazing - Nothing to Report 8. Haying - Nothing to Report 9. Fire Management - Nothing to Report 10. Pest Control - Nothing to Report 11. Water Rights - Nothing to Report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas - Nothing to Report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring - Nothing to Report Page 2
Page
G. WILDLIFE
1. Wildlife Diversity - Nothing to Report 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 5 3. Waterfowl 5 4. Marsh and Water Birds 6 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species 6 6. Raptors - Nothing to Report 7. Other Migratory Birds 7 8. Game Mammals 7 9. Marine Mammals - Nothing to Report 10. Other Resident Wildlife - Nothing to Report 11. Fisheries Resources - Nothing to Report 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking - Nothing to Report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal - Nothing to Report 14. Scientific Collections - Nothing to Report 15. Animal Control - Nothing to Report 16. Marking and Banding - Nothing to Report 17. Disease Prevention and Control - Nothing to Report ..
H. PUBLIC USE
1. General 7 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students 8 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers - Nothing to Report 4. Interpretive Foot Trails - Nothing to Report 5. Interpretive Tour Routes - Nothing to Report 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations - Nothing to Report 7. Other Interpretive Programs - Nothing to Report 8. Hunting - Nothing to Report 9. Fishing - Nothing to Report 10. Trapping - Nothing to Report I 11. Wildlife Observation - Nothing to Report 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation - Nothing to Report 13. Camping - Nothing to Report 14. Picnicking - Nothing to Report 15. Off-Road Vehicling - Nothing to Report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation - Nothing to Report ... 17. Law Enforcement 8 18. Cooperating Associations - Nothing to Report 19. Concessions - Nothing to Report Page 3
Page
I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
1. New Construction - Nothing to Report 2. Rehabilitation - Nothing to Report 3. Major Maintenance - Nothing to Report 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement - Nothing to Report 5. Communications Systems - Nothing to Report 6. Computer Systems - Nothing to Report 7. Energy Conservation - Nothing to Report 8. Other - Nothing to Report
J. OTHER ITEMS
1. Cooperative Programs - Nothing to Report 2. Other Economic Uses - Nothing to Report 3. Items of Interest - Nothing to Report 4. Credits 8
K. FEEDBACK
L. INFORMATION PACKET (inside back cover) Page 4
G. LAND ACQUISITION
2. Easements
No easements, inholdings, or right-of-ways exist for Marumsco. Marumsco Creek is considered a navigable waterway, so water jurisdiction is granted to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, and bottom rights in the waterway belong to the State of Virginia.
D. PLANNING
2. Management Plan
Management programs on Marumsco are generally carried out as an extension of Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. Continuing projects on Marumsco include boundary posting, wildlife inventories, supplementing wood duck and osprey production with artificial structures, interpretive programs conducted from the adjacent county park, and law enforcement. No facilities exist on the Refuge.
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
1. General
Marumsco land classification is divided into three categories: lacustrine wetlands (57 acres), palustrine wetlands (3 acres), and upland woodlands (3 acres).
--vv: , .
ifefo Ultfi Lush seasonal, emergent vegetation categorizes the marsh in summer. DAD 7/86 Page 5
2. Wetlands
During September, Assistant Manager Dewhurst and refuge volunteer Elaine Haug conducted a canoe transect of the marsh. No submerged aquatic vegetation was observed, likely because of silt-laden water conditions due to tidal influx from Occoquan Bay and the Potomac River. Emergent vegetation consisted of:
32% - Arrow arrum (Peltandra virginica) 28% - Spatterdock (Nuphar luteum) 15% - Virginia knotweed (Polygonum virginianum) 6% - Halberd leaf tearthumb (Polygonum arifolium) 5% - Pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata) 4% - Arrow leaf tearthumb (Polygonum sagittatum) 2% - Wild rice (Zizania aquatica) 1% - Cattails (Typha spp.) 1% - Duck potato (Sagittaria latifolia) 1% - Tickseed sunflower (Bidens coronata) 1% - Jewel-weed (Impatiens capensis)
Less than 1%:
- Walter's millet (Echinochloa walteri) - Soft stem bulrush (Scirpus validus) - Swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus) - Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.)
3. Forests
The 2 acres of woodlands included in the refuge consist mostly of trees growing along the banks of Marumsco Creek. Common species include: white ash (Fraxinus americana); white oak (Quercus alba); red maple (Acer rubrum); black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia); and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica).
G. WILDLIFE
2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species
Bald eagles are rare visitors to the Marumsco marsh in the winter. Most sightings consist of immatures, likely expanding their hunting range from Mason Neck.
3. Waterfowl
The waterfowl use chronology of Marumsco closely parallels that of Mason Neck with peak populations in December. Mallards, Canada geese and wood ducks are year-round residents of the refuge, with mallards and wood ducks having been documented nesting there. Production for 1986 was estimated at 20 wood ducks produced. Page 6
Mallards are common year-round residents of the Marumsco marsh. DAD 12/86
Waterfowl migrants begin to arrive at Marumsco in September, with peak populations of wood ducks (100) and blue-winged teal (30) in October. Wintering waterfowl peaks in December included: mallards (130); black ducks (40); Canada geese (60); hooded mergansers (5); and 1 pair of pintails.
4. Marsh and Water Birds
Great blue herons are common year-round along the banks of Marumsco Creek. Young herons are abundant in the summer, likely an extension of the range for Mason Neck rookery fledglings.
Diversity increases in the summer with an influx of great egrets, tri- colored herons, little blue herons, and green-backed herons.
5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species
Predominate use of Marumsco by shorebirds and allied species occurs in the winter when the vegetation dies back, exposing vast mudflats. Ring- billed gulls occur daily in numbers ranging from 500 to 1,000 birds, with herring, great black-backed, and Bonaparte's gulls occurring in much reduced frequency. Killdeer and common snipe forage along the Creek banks, while yellowlegs form small flocks on the tidal flats. Page 7
Ring-billed gulls crowd to loaf on the exposed winter mudflats of Marumsco. DAD 12/86
7. Other Migatory Birds
A formal species list of birds has not yet been developed for Marumsco. Common songbirds, sighted primarily along the adjacent Veterans Memorial Park trail, include chickadees, tufted titmice, cardinals, sedge wrens, red-winged blackbirds and numerous varieties of sparrows.
In October, a female ruffed grouse struck and broke Secretary Barbara Mitchell's picture window. Mrs. Mitchell lives adjacent to the refuge, and grouse had not previously been reported in the area.
8. Game Mammals
Staff from Veterans Park adjacent to Marumsco have reported that their beaver problem is getting worse. Approximatley 17 or 18 beaver, some weighing up to 60 pounds are using two areas feeding into the refuge and are making themselves unpopular by damaging the Park's only forest area. Trapping efforts have been unsuccessful.
H. PUBLIC USE
1. General
Since most of the refuge lies below the mean high water line, public use is limited. Many visitors utilize the trail bordering the refuge but actually located in Veterans Park. Visitation figures are derived from use of this trail and from programs conducted by refuge staff. Page 8
Relations with park personnel are good (except when discussing whose beaver are cutting down whose trees) permitting sharing of facilities and interpretive efforts. Refuge staff conducted three walks along the trail during the summer and conducted activities twice for the park's summer day camp. In return, the park led several canoe tours through the refuge. Fees for use of the park pavilion were waived for refuge staff conducting programs as long as activities were scheduled in advance and did not conflict with seasons experiencing heavy use.
2. Outdoor Classrooms
ORP Schultz conducted water chemistry and exploration sessions for the Prince William County Extension Service's, 1986 Marine Science Camp.
17. Law Enforcement
Manager Stewart and ORP Schultz responded to reports of illegal camping and found a tent, radio, miscellaneous camping and fishing gear, and evidence of illegal substance use on the sandspit at the mouth of Marumsco Creek. All items were seized. The owners were traced from reports by local residents of suspicious vehicles and two juveniles received a lesson in the role of refuges and their regulations before staff returned their gear.
J. OTHER ITEMS
4. Credits
Dewhurst wrote sections A through G and took the photographs.
Schultz wrote sections H and J.
Mitchell typed and assembled the narrative.
Stewart edited the narrative. FEATHERSTONE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Woodbridge, Virginia
INTRODUCTION
Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge is an unmanned satellite of Mason Neck Refuge. Featherstone is located 11 miles south of Mason Neck at the mouth of Neabsco Creek, where the Creek joins the Potomac River. The refuge is approximately 22 miles from Washington, D. C., in Prince William County, Virginia.
Featherstone Refuge was acquired in 1979 from the District of Columbia. Acquisition was originally proposed in 1970 to be one portion of a 17 refuge Potomac Estuary National Wildlife Refuge Complex. No other Federal acquisitions have since been made in this conservation plan.
The refuge contains 164 acres of woodland and freshwater tidal marsh located along the northern mouth of Neabsco Creek, around Featherstone Point and along the Potomac River. Topography is almost entirely flat, with patches of bottomland hardwoods and tidal marsh. A Richmond, Fredricksburg and Potomac Railroad (RF&P) right-of-way traverses the refuge from north to south with built up elevations of 80 feet. An abandoned railroad grade also circuits the refuge. Farm Creek passes through the northeastern portion of the refuge as it enters the Potomac River.
An aerial view of Featherstone looking north from Neabsco Creek. DAD 10/86
No public use is permitted on Featherstone, although a considerable amount of unauthorized activity does occur. The refuge has received reports of some illegal hunting but has not been able to confirm or deny these reports due to poor accessibility and limited staff time. FEATHERSTONE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
united states PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA united states DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WIIOLIFE SERVICE
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KILOMETER ROSTON -FTTS AUOUST l»7» POSTFI' INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
A. HIGHLIGHTS 4
B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 4
C. LAND ACQUISITION
1. Fee Title - Nothing to Report 2. Easements 4 3. Other - Nothing to Report
D. PLANNING
1. Master Plan - Nothing to Report 2. Management Plan 5 3. Public Participation - Nothing to Report 4. Compliance with Environmental Mandates 5 5. Research and Investigations - Nothing to Report
E. ADMINISTRATION
1. Personnel - Nothing to Report 2. Youth Programs - Nothing to Report 3. Other Manpower Programs - Nothing to Report 4. Volunteer Program 5 5. Funding - Nothing to Report 6. Safety - Nothing to Report 7. Technical Assistance - Nothing to Report 8. Other Items - Nothing to Report
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
1. General 6 2. Wetlands 6 3. Forests 8 4. Croplands - Nothing to Report 5. Grasslands - Nothing to Report 6. Other Habitats - Nothing to Report 7. Grazing - Nothing to Report 8. Haying - Nothing to Report 9. Fire Management - Nothing to Report 10. Pest Control - Nothing to Report 11. Water Rights - Nothing to Report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas - Nothing to Report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring - Nothing to Report Page 2
Page
G. WILDLIFE
1. Wildlife Diversity - Nothing to Report 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 8 3. Waterfowl 8 4. Marsh and Water Birds 9 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species 9 6. Raptors 9 7. Other Migratory Birds - Nothing to Report 8. Game Mammals 9 9. Marine Mammals - Nothing to Report 10. Other Resident Wildlife - Nothing to Report 11. Fisheries Resources and Stocking - Nothing to Report 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking - Nothing to Report .... 13. Surplus Animal Disposal - Nothing to Report 14. Scientific Collections - Nothing to Report 15. Animal Control - Nothing to Report 16. Marking and Banding - Nothing to Report 17. Disease Prevention and Control - Nothing to Report
H. PUBLIC USE
1. General - Nothing to Report 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students - Nothing to Report 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers - Nothing to Report 4. Interpretive Foot Trails - Nothing to Report 5. Interpretive Tour Routes - Nothing to Report 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations - Nothing to Report.. 7. Other Interpretive Programs - Nothing to Report 8. Hunting - Nothing to Report 9. Fishing - Nothing To Report 10. Trapping - Nothing to Report 11. Wildlife Observation - Nothing to Report 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation - Nothing to Report ... 13. Camping - Nothing to Report 14. Picnicking - Nothing to Report 15. Off-Road Vehicling - Nothing to Report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation - Nothing to Report 17. Law Enforcement - Nothing to Report 18. Cooperating Associations - Nothing to Report 19. Concessions - Nothing to Report Page 3
Page
I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
1. New Construction - Nothing to Report 2. Rehabilitation - Nothing to Report 3. Major Maintenance - Nothing to Report 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement - Nothing to Report 5. Communications Systems - Nothing to Report 6. Computer Systems - Nothing to Report 7. Energy Conservation - Nothing to Report 8. Other - Nothing to Report
J. OTHER ITEMS
1. Cooperative Programs - Nothing to Report 2. Other Economic Uses - Nothing to Report 3. Items of Interest - Nothing to Report 4. Credits 10
K. FEEDBACK
L. INFORMATION PACKET (inside back cover) Page 4
C. LAND ACQUISITION
2. Easements
The RF&P Railroad maintains a right-of-way through the refuge. The refuge also owns two vehicular right-of-ways accessing the refuge from the north. The eastern right-of-way accesses the refuge from Featherstone Road, while the western right-of-way accesses from Ohio Avenue. Refuge ownership of the land uniquely only extends to mean high water, with the adjacent navigable waters being managed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the bottom by the State of Virginia.
In June, the Victor Holding Company, Inc., of Washington, D. C., contacted the refuge via the local county zoning office in regards to vacating the eastern easement to Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge. The Company desires to construct townhomes in a new development called "Featherstone Farms."
In August, Axel Larson and Walt Quist of the Regional Office, Realty Office, visited Featherstone to examine the existing easement. Messrs. Larson and Quist also met with lawyers for the Victor Holding Company to discuss a possible donation of approximately 160 acres. Active wood duck use has been noted in the area proposed for the land donation.
A proposed land donation would add this 160 acres to Featherstone, doubling the size. DAD 11/86 Page 5
D. PLANNING
2. Management Plans
Management programs on Featherstone are generally carried out as an extension of Mason Neck. Continuing projects on Featherstone include boundary posting, wildlife and flora inventories, law enforcement, and possible future additions of wood duck boxes and osprey nesting platforms. No facilities currently exist on the refuge.
A. Compliance with Environmental Mandates
A public notice was forwarded to the refuge office concerning a proposal to install a 95-foot, 18-inch outfall pipe draining into Farm Creek. Manager Stewart examined the proposed site to prepare for comment to the Army Corps of Engineers.
E. ADMINISTRATION
A. Volunteer Program
f V f / r^//
m
b ? 1
Mason Neck NWR volunteers waded through waist-deep mud and tall marsh grasses to post water boundaries of Featherstone. DAD 7/86 Page 6
Mason Neck Refuge volunteers, primarily members of the Fairfax Audubon Society, erected 31 boundary signs along the shoreline of Featherstone Refuge. Featherstone had not been posted since its establishment in 1979. Other volunteer efforts included vegetation transects and bird surveys.
F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT
1. General
Featherstone land classification is divided into two categories: palustrine wetlands (104 acres) and upland woodlands (60 acres).
No current species lists have been written for Featherstone fauna or flora, but lists are available for Mason Neck as a similar reference.
2. Wet lands
During October, Assistant Manager Dewhurst and volunteer Elaine Haug conducted vegetation transects of Farm Creek, Beaver Run and the interior marsh. A canoe transect conducted along the interior waterways (Farm Creek, Beaver Run) revealed a composition of:
29% - Spatterdock (Nuphar luteum) 14% - Cattails (Typha spp.) 13% - Arrow arrum (Peltandra virginica) 9% - Pickerel weed (Pontederia sagittatum) 7% - Virginia knotweed (Polygonum virginianum) 4% - Sweetflag (Acorus calamus) 4% - Marsh mallow (Hibiscus spp.) 4% - Lizard tail (Saururus cernuus) 3% - Three square (Scirpus americana) 2% - Climbing hemp (Mikania scandans) 2% - Button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) 1% - Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) 1% - Water willow (Justica americana)
Less than 1%:
- Arrow leaf tearthumb (Polygonum sagittatum) - Wild rice (Zizania aquatica) - New York ironweed (Veronia noveboracensis) - Swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus) - Swamp rose (Rosa palustris) - Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium dubium) Page 7
Spatterdock or yellow pond lily clogs waterways on Featherstone. DAD 10/86
No submerged aquatic vegetation was observed, likely because of silt-laden water conditions due to tidal influx from Occoquan Bay and the Potomac River.
The interior marshes at Featherstone Refuge were sampled by conducting a 5-point sampler transect. Dominant vegetation included cattails (40%); an unknown sedge (13%); Virginia knotweed (7%); marsh mallow (6%); spatterdock (6%); and 10 less abundant species. Small patches of phragmites (Phragmites communis) were located outside of transects on the refuge. Page 8
3. Forests
The 60 acres of upland woodlands are composed primarily of deciduous hardwoods. Dominant species include: sweet gum (Liquidamber styraciflua); red maple (Acer rubrum); sycamore (Platanus occidentalis); American beech (Fagus grandifolia); and yellow poplar (Lireodendron tulipifera).
Hardwoods add fall colors to the scenery along Farm Creek. DAD 10/86
G. WILDLIFE
2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species
Historical records indicate bald eagles once nested on what is now the refuge, with one active nest located about one-half mile up Farm Creek in the late IQSO's. In 1958, the nest was abandoned, but in 1959, two young were produced. No nests have been documented since then. However, one active nest produced one eaglet on nearby Powell's Creek (about 1 mile south). The Powell's Creek nest has a history dating back to 1936. Eagle expanding their range from nests on Mason Neck and Powell's Creek, and winter migrating, have been periodically observed hunting on Featherstone.
3. Waterfowl
The lack of regular surveys prior to September 1986 makes comparisons of reported waterfowl populations unreliable. In September, monthly boat. Page 9 aerial and ground surveys were initiated, increasing accuracy of population data for Featherstone. Duck numbers proved to be lower than previously reported. The height of migration occurred in October with peaks of 100 wood ducks, 50 blue-winged teal, and 50 black ducks. Later migrants peaked in December with 60 mallards, 60 Canada geese, and 10 hooded mergansers. Other waterfowl that utilize Featherstone habitat on an infrequent basis include lesser scaup, green-winged teal, common mergansers, and American coots.
Very little is known about waterfowl production on Featherstone. An estimated 45 wood ducks were thought to be produced along Farm Creek and Beaver Run. The seasonally flooded hardwoods appear to provide good nesting and brood rearing habitat. Brood surveys are planned for 1987 to better estimate refuge production.
4. Marsh and Water Birds
The freshwater spatterdock fields and thick cattail marshes provide diverse habitat for a variety of marsh birds. Wading birds such as great blue heron and great egrets frequent the creek banks and marsh edges to fish. Interior signs of rails and bitterns could be seen and heard. In the fall, up to 20 double-crested cormorants could be seen perched on old pilings along Neabsco Creek.
5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species
Tidal mudflats along Neabsco Creek are exposed in the winter after the spatterdock dies back, providing loafing habitat for gulls and shorebirds Ring-billed and herring gulls dominate the flats, but killdeer, yellowleg and snipe could also be observed.
6. Raptors
Two osprey nests were documented along the Occoquan Bay side of Featherstone. These nests were observed in the fall. Prior nesting success is unknown. Plans for 1987 include erecting 2-4 osprey platforms along the marshes of Featherstone facing the Occoquan Bay. Other raptors observed on the refuge include Northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, and red-shouldered hawks.
No information is available on the nocturnal raptors of Featherstone. However, great-horned owls, barred owls and screech owls are likely to occur.
8. Game Mammals
Three active beaver lodges were observed in October along "Beaver Run." No lodges or dams were observed on the refuge portion of Farm Creek. Page
J. OTHER ITEMS
4. Credits
Dewhurst wrote all sections and was responsible for the photography.
Stewart edited the narrative.
Mitchell typed and assembled the narrative.
"V mDodmarsh
MASON NECK National Wildlife Refuge Virginia Woodmarsh Trail is 3 miles round trip and is divided into 3 loops for those preferring a shorter walk Please remain on the trail during your stay.
1 As you enter the forest take a few minutes to consider the importance of the plants and animals that live here. Why are plants needed? Do the animals need the plants? Do we? Do the plants need the animals? Also consider man's impact on the environ ment
2 Running Pine (Christmas Green, Ground Pine) is found on sandy and acid soils in moist shaded woodland areas. It has many branchings and rebran- chings. Reach down and touch it Does it feel like an artificial plant to you? After the second boardwalk, you will notice a different species of ground pine called Tree Club Moss. It is multi- branched and pine- like, with small shiny leaves, and is found in damp open pine woods, usually along edges of forest bogs. Both of the above plants are fern allies and reproduce by spores.
Tree Club Moss
3 This decaying log also has a role in the natural process. It will return minerals to the soil that will be taken up and used by living plants. Millions of bacteria, mushrooms, and other fungi grow upon and penetrate the wood, helping to crumble the tree trunk. Beetles, centipedes, and many insects live in, and feed upon, the old tree. In a few years the log will be returned to the soil in a form that can be used again by future plants. When people "overcollect" down wood in an area, for fires or heating, the soil can become poor and the natural process is interrupted. 4- Here the trail joins an old logging road used to PCB's (polychlorinatedbiphenyls) are the most wide ArTow-Arrum - has arrow shaped leaves and large harvest timber and probably to gain access to the spread of pollutants and enter the environment from berries which are relished by the wood duck. Note the marsh at one time for hunting, fishing, and trapping. various industrial uses: as fluids in hydraulic systems, vein pattern in distinguishing it from arrowhead. Now we leave the hunting and fishing to the Bald capacitors and transformers, and as ingredients in Eagles and other animal species. certain paints, inks, and plastics. PCB contamination Arrowhead or duck potatoe - seeds and tubers are is common in fish, and also high in fish- eating birds valuable to wildlife. and mammals. The Mason Neck bald eagle eggs have 5 Succession: Have you noticed a change in this had higher levels of PCB's than any other eagle eggs Pickerelweed - with heart or lanced shaped leaves part of the forest? This area was cut over sometime in tested to date. are common in the marsh and may also be seen at the the past 25-50 years. This new growth of thickly Beaver Dam area They have low wildlife value although populated trees is chamcteristic of the middle stages Besides the eagle, great blue herons and great egrets black and wood ducks and muskrats will eat the seeds. of forest succession. may also be seen in this area. Tearthumb - has non- waxy arrow- shaped leaves with prickly stem. It is a valuable food for ducks, songbirds, 8 Marsh Interpretation - The Great Marsh, con and shorebirds. sisting of 285 acres, is the largest marsh in public ownership in Fairfax County. It is a fresh water marsh Spatter Dock (Yellow Pond Lily) has yellow flowers subject to tidal influences. The greatest threat to the and heart shaped leaves and maybe seen at the Beaver grassland shrubs pine forest hardwood forest marsh is siltation from the Potomac. Following are Dam area further down the trail 1-10 10-25 25-100 100+ some of the plants you may see in the marsh. Crimson-eyed Rose Mallow - can be seen during the Wildrice - thrives in shallow water where bottoms are summer months. 6 Notice the dead hollowed tree. Do you think it mucky or silty and is partial to water where there is would make a good shelter or home for animals? How enough circulation to prevent stagnation. do you think it became hollow? If you thought"insects," you're right Woodborers have bored into the sapwood Cattails - the rootstocks of cattails are more valuable and heartwood. Woodpeckers have drilled large holes as wildlife food than the seeds (thousands of seeds in searching for insects. There are other signs of insect one head). Geese and muskrats use the underground activity in the forest Look for trees that are losing stems. their bark, defoliated or deformed trees, half eaten leaves, etc.
Only a few species of insects cause damage to trees, and these insects cause more overall damage than forest fires. Trees have a perpetual struggle to survive the attack of insects. But insects do good things also. Can you think of some values of insects? 9 When the Englishmen settled on the James River in 1607, they spoke highly of the Locust Tree in As many as 25 eagles could be seen in the Great Virginia, and how it was used in construction of Marsh as recentas the late 1960's. At present there are hovels until houses could be built Black locust trees one nesting pair of eagles and occasional migrants. are the sturdiest of the North American trees and have The pesticide DDT contributed to the decline of been used for fence posts, railroad ties, and telephone eagles. It was discovered in the 1960's that DDT pole arms because of the speed of growth and durability contaminants caused egg shell thinning which re of wood. This tree tolerates poor soil and develops an sulted in the breaking of the eggs during incubation. extensive root system, helping to control soil erosion, The use of DDT has since been banned, but the DDT Fragrant white flowers are in loose open clusters and previously used will remain in the environment for seeds are in a drooping pod. Seeds are eaten by deer, years to come. * quail, and rabbit 10 Ferns - prefer moist, shaded habitat They are Beaver ponds are excellent nesting and resting areas vascular plants that reproduce by spores rather than for waterfowl and are also attractive areas for musk- seeds. Spores maybe seen on the back of the fern blade rats, frogs, turtles, and snakes. Beaver dams stabilize in most species but some species bear spores on a stream flow, conserve water, prevent rapid runoff, separate spore stem, for example, the Sensitive Fern. control soil erosion, and form rich new meadows. Christmas Fern has stiff leaves with spiny and dis tinctly eared leaflets. This fern along with Lady Fern and New York Fern are the most abundant ferns on the refuge. How many different types of ferns can you find 25-30" along Fern Pass? Summer is the best time to study Shagbark Hickory ferns because the spores are present and are essential in identification of many ferns.
Beaver Tail 9-10" L 15 The Hickory was the symbol of strength in the pioneer mind. Hickory trees have large compound fNotice the difference in sizel leaves with 5 to 9 leaflets with toothed margins, and have bark that is either rough, scaly, or shaggy. • ft Muskrat The Shagbark Hickory usually has 5 leaflets per leaf and a scaly bark. Frequently the strips are loose and Tail 8-11 curling at both ends. The nuts were boiled to make 13 Notice the fallen tree without bark This is hickory milk, in days gone by. The green wood of the another sign that insects have been at work Bark hickory is the perfect fuel for preparation of smoked beetles worked their way under the bark and in the ham. wood surface causing damage to the inner cambium The Red or Pignut Hickoy has 7 leaflets and scaly Sensitive Fern layer and eventual death to the tree through intro duction of fungi. Notice the downed tree on the right bark. The White Mockemut has 5 - 7 leaflets and close about 70 ' ahead. It is covered with fungus. Fungi are bark, and bittemut has 9 leaflets and braided ridges. plants that lack chlorophyll and obtain food from living plants and animals as parasites, or from dead Wdiich of these hickories can you find along Hickory New York Fern Christmas Fern matter as saprophytes. Fungi include such plants as Pass? shelf fungus, mushrooms, slime molds, mildew, and 11 A man-caused fire swept this area in 1976, bacteria Fungi and bacteria break down the organic cleaning out the forest understory. Compare this area compounds and return them to the air and soil. 16 This area is dominated primarily by American to the adjacent area which has heavier vegetation. Multi- zoned Polystictus Holly trees, an evergreen. The fruits can be seen from Would an open area, e.g. a field, have regenerated its August - June and flowers from May - June. The fruit vegetation by now? Why? of the Holly is toxic to some animals but are eaten by numerous songbirds, bobwhite, and wild turkey. Male and female flowers are bom on separate trees and the 12 Because beavers are nocturnal you are not likely red fruits on the female trees. to see them, but you can see evidence that they are present Sulpher Polyporus 17 Look above you. You will notice that there are 3 The dam is the most impressive of beaver work. It 14 In the lOBO's timber was cut and hauled out with different types of pine trees in this area - Loblolly Pine provides the depth of water needed to float food and horses. Only this sawdust pile remains. It is high in (long graceful needles, 3 to a bundle), Virginia Pine building materials to the lodge and furnishes protec- tannin which deters vegetation from growing. Several (2 needles per bundle) and Shortleaf Pine (2 - 3 tion. The beaver lodge is usually surrounded by water logging roads used for easy access and timber removal needles per bundle). The first two pines have similar but may b^ bu ilt against a bank or over the entrance to are still evident around the refuge. In spring, turtles bark — large reddish brown scaly plates. Shortleaf a burrow in a bank. can be seen on this mound, burying their eggs. Pine has smaller darker plates. Loblolly Pine is the preferred nesting tree of the bald As the Nation's principal conseivation agency, the eagle in this region because of its year round cover, Department of the Interior has responsibility for most height and strong root system as opposed to Virginia of our nationally owned public lands and natural Pine which has a shallow root system and is less resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of sturdy. our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories under U. S. 18 In closing, think back to the original question administration. posed upon entering the forest You probably have come up with some answers. Which of the following did you think of?
Plants are important because they provide food and cover for animals, and that includes us. Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen for us to breathe. They stabilize the soil and help prevent erosion. Some plants, e.g. fungus, help in the process of decay. Animals also provide food as is seen in the natural predator/prey relationships.
Plants in turn need animals to aid in pollination and seed dispersal. Our little animals, the insects, aid in the process of decaying plants and animals so that they may return to the soil to allow new plants to grow. Our natural resources, the soil, water, air, plants, and animals, depend upon each other, and our survival depends upon our understanding of these essential elements of life. For further information, contact
Refuge Manager Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge 9502 Richmond Highway, Suite A Lorton, Virginia 22079 Telephone: (703) 339-5278
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service
APRIL 1983 BIRDS of MASON NECK s S F W Most birds are migratory, therefore their seasonal s S F W s S F W occurrence is coded as follows: Least Bittern t u u o Marsh Hawk u u u Mourning Dovet a a a a SEASON American Bittern u u o Osprey u u u Peregrine Falcon r Yellow-billed Cuckoot c c c s — Spring March-May Merlin r r Black-billed Cuckoo o o S — Summer June-August SWANS, GEESE and DUCKS American Kestrel u u u o F - Fall September-November Barn Owl t o o o o W - Winter December-February Whistling Swan o r r Ruffed Grouse t o o o o Screech Owl t u u u u t = Nesting has occurred on the refuge Canada Goose u u u Bobwhitet a a a a Great Horned Owl t c c c c Barred Owl t c c c c Nestled on the banks of the Potomac River less than Mallardt a a a c Turkeyt o o o o RELATIVE ABUNDANCE twenty miles from our Nation's capitol is a sanctuary Black Duckt a a a a Whip-poor-willt c c c for bald eagles - MASON NECK NATIONAL Pintail u u o King Rail o o o o a — abundant a species which is very numerous. Common Nighthawkt u u c WILDLIFE REFUGE, the first refuge established Green-winged Teal c a u Virginia Rail u u u o c — common certain to be seen or heard in specifically for the endangered southern bald eagle- Blue-winged Teal a o a Sora c suitable habitat. Initial acquisition began in 1969 with 397 acres of American Wigeon u u o Common Gallinulet o o o Chimney Swiftt c c c u — uncommon present, but not certain to be woodlands and marsh. By 1979, the acreage had Northern Shoveler u r r American Coot u c u seen. HUMMINGBIRDS - KINGFISHERS - increased to 1,131 acres, with an additional 789 Wood Duckt a a c o o — occasional seen only a few times during WOODPECKERS - FLYCATCHERS acres under cooperative management with Northern Redhead u u PLOVERS, SNIPES and SANDPIPERS a season. LARKS - SWALLOWS Virginia Regional Park Authority. Ring-necked Duck o o r — rare seen at intervals of 2 to 5 years. Canvasback o u u Killdeert c c c u Ruby-throatedHummingbirdt.-.c c c Mason Neck Refuge furnishes excellent roosting Greater Scaup u u u American Woodcockt c c c r and nesting habitat for eagles with its marsh and Lesser Scaup a u u Common Snipe u u u Belted Kingfishert c c c o rivers lying so close to the wooded hills of the lower Common Goldeneye o u Spotted Sandpiper c u c peninsula. The refuge also hosts many other Bufflehead c c c Solitary Sandpiper u u Common Flickert c c c c species of animals includng 211 birds in varying s S F W Oldsquaw o u Greater Yellowlegs u u degrees of abundance, plus 10 accidentals. Spring White-winged Scoter o Lesser Yellowlegs c c o Pileated Woodpeckert u u u u migration sees Mason Neck alive with warblers and LOONS - GREBES - CORMORANTS - Surf Scoter o Willet r Red-bellied Woodpeckert c c c c Red-headed Woodpeckert u u u u other small birds returning to their nesting areas. HERONS-IBISES Black Scoter o Least Sandpiper r Summer is slow and lazy for the birds, too, although Ruddy Duck a a c Yellow-bellied Sapsucker u r u u some wading bird concentration occur from time to Common Loon u u o Hooded Merganser u u u GULLS and TERNS-DOVES Hairy Woodpeckert u u u u time. Waterfowl begin arriving in late summer and Common Merganser c c a CUCKOOS - OWLS - NIGHTHAWKS Downy Woodpeckert c c c c early fall, providing some good viewing. The refuge Horned Grebe c c u Red-breasted Merganser c u u is closed for the winter to permit the eagles to nest Pied-billed Grebe c o c u Great Black-backed Gull c c c Eastern Kingbirdt c c c undisturbed. VULTURES - HAWKS - QUAIL - Herring Gull a o a a Great Crested Flycatchert u c u Double-crested Cormorant o o o RAILS and COOTS Ring-billed Gull a o a a Eastern Phoebe t u u u r Eagles may occasionally be seen over the Great Laughing Gull u c u r Yellow-bellied Flycatcher u u Marsh or in the trees along the river while en Great Blue Heron t c a c c Turkey Vulture u u u u / Bonaparte's Gull c o u Acadian Flycatchert c c c gaged in fishing and feeding activities. However, Green Heron t c c c Forster's Tern r r r r Willow Flycatcher u u u there is no guarantee of seeing eagles on the refuge Little Blue Heron o o u Sharp-shinned Hawk u u o Common Tern u u u Eastern Wood Peweet c c c or any particular area that can be recommended Cattle Egret o Cooper's Hawkt u o o r Least Tern u r over another. Refuge staff will be happy to provide Great Egret u a a r Red-tailed Hawkt c c c c Caspian Tern u u Tree Swallow a a hints on how best to see eagles, if visitors will make Snowy Egret o o Red-shouldered Hawkt u u u u Black Tern 'u BankSwallowt u u u inquiry a day or two before their visit. Please report Louisiana Heron r Broad-winged Hawkt u u u Rough-winged Swallowt u u u all eagle sightings to the refuge manager. Black-crowned Night Heron u u u Bald Eagle u u u u Rock Dove t o o o o Barn Swallowt a a a
t 0 s S F W s S F W s S F W
Cliff Swallow u Cedar Waxwing c o u c Yellow-breasted Chat! u u u Purple Martin f u u u Hooded Warbler! u u u SHRIKES - VIREOS - WARBLERS • Canada Warbler u o u JAYS and CROWS - TITMICE BLACKBIRDS - TANAGERS American Redstart! c c c NUTHATCHES - WRENS Loggerhead Shrike o o House Sparrow! u u u u Blue Jayt a c a c Starling! u u u u Common Crowt c c c c Eastern Meadowlark! u u u o Fish Crow t c c c c White-eyed Vireo! c c u Red-winged Blackbird! a a a a Yellow-throated Vireo! u u u Orchard Oriole! o o o Black-capped Chickadee o o o Solitary Vireo u u Northern Oriole! u u u Carolina Chickadeef a a a a Red-eyed Vireo! a a a Rusty Blackbird c u o Tufted Titmousef a a a a Warbling Vireo o o Common Grackle! a a a u Brown-headed Cowbird! c u u u White-breasted Nuthatchf c u c c Black-and-white Warbler! c u c Red-breasted Nuthatch o o o Prothonotary Warbler! u u u « Scarlet Tanager! c c a Brown Creeper u u c Worm-eating Warbler! u u u Summer Tanager u o o Golden-winged Warbler o u House Wren t u u o r Blue-winged Warbler o u GROSBEAKS, SPARROWS Winter Wren c c c Tennessee Warbler u u and BUNTINGS Carolina Wren t a a a a Nashville Warbler r o Marsh Wren u u u r Northern Parula c c c Cardinal! a a a a Yellow Warbler u o Rose-breasted Grosbeak u u Magnolia Warbler c c Blue Grosbeak o o o MOCKINGBIRDS - THRUSHES - Cape May Warbler u Evening Grosbeak u u GNATCATCHERS and KINGLETS- Black-throated Blue Warbler c a Indigo Bunting a a a WAXWINGS Yellow-rumped Warbler c c u Purple Finch c u u Black-throated Green Warbler... u u Pine Siskin u u Mockingbird! a a a a Blackburnian Warbler o o American Goldfinch! c c c c GrayCatbirdf c c c o Yellow-throated Warbler! u u Red Crossbill r r Brown Thrasherf c c c o Chestnut-sided Warbler o u Rufous-sided Towhee! c ecu Bay-breasted Warbler u u Savannah Sparrow u o American Robint a a a a Blackpoll Warbler c o u Dark-eyed Junco a c c Wood Thrush f a a a Pine Warbler! u u u Tree Sparrow u o u Hermit Thrush c c c Prairie Warbler! a c c Chipping Sparrow! u u u Swainson's Thrush c c r Palm Warbler u u r Field Sparrow! u u u c Gray-cheeked Thrush c c Ovenbird! a c a White-crowned Sparrow u u r Veery u u Northern Waterthrush c c White-throated Sparrow a a a Eastern Bluebirdf u o o o Louisiana Waterthrush u u Fox Sparrow u u u Kentucky Warbler! c c c Lincoln's Sparrow u u Blue-gray Gnatcatcher! c c u Connecticut Warbler o Swamp Sparrow! u u u u Golden-crowned Kinglet u u u Mourning Warbler r o Song Sparrow! c c c c Ruby-crowned Kinglet u u u Common Yellowthroat! c c c r Snow Bunting r These additional 10 species have been recorded only once or twice on the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge:
Brown Pelican Short-eared Owl Brant Sanderling Ring-necked Pheasant Goshawk Golden Eagle Western Tanager Royal Tern Anhinga
Please report any sightings of birds not in agree ment with this list to:
Refuge Manager Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge 9502,Richmond Hwy., Suite A Lono^^'ihta . 22079 Telephone: (7(6/339-5278 MASON NECK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGl PRINCE WIL- •' PLAZA 14416 JEFFERSON t,;j SUITE 20K W00D3F.1 D •; v . 703-43l-t>25o ^30-^92
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE