NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM Pish and Wildlife Service

U.S. DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT memoranaum U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ONE GATEWAY CENTER SUITE 700 NEWTON CORNER, MASSACHUSETTS 02158 TO: Director, FWS, Washington, DC (RF)

FROM: Assistant Regional Director-WR DATE: March 12, 1985

SUBJECT: Approved Narrative Reports

Attached is the approved 1982 narrative for Prime Hook NWR.

R-5-38 PRIME HOOK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Milton, Delaware

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I

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT fcalendar Year 1983

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR 5 3 2 6

REFUGE STAFF

1. Don R. Perkuchin Refuge Manager GS-12 PFT * 2. George P. O'Shea Refuge Manager GS-ll PPT 3. Edward E, Britton Refuge Manager G3- 9 PPT' * 4. Virginia Baughman Secretary G3- 5 PPT * 5. Otis J. Clifton Maint. Worker WG- 8 PPT 6. G. David Windsor Ma int. Worker WG- 7 PPT 7. Teresa Hammond Recreation Aide G3- 3 TPT *

REVTEW AND APPROVALS

Submitted By / Date Prepared By Date Refuge Manager Bombay Hook Asnt. Refuge Manager Prime Hook

1/ Refuge Supervisor Review Date

ARD- Wil<|life Resources Review Date TEMPORARY STAFF

CETA

8, Jurw Gebler (Work Experience) 9. Joanne Rossi (Summer Work Experience)

YCC

10. Dan Cook Group Leader 11. Lori A. Bailey 12. Mark D. Birtwistle EOD 7/26/83 13. James R. Greer 14. Byron K. Hurd 15. Jacob Kabino Jr. 16. Merritt 3. Jones 17. Tonmaine C. Palmer 18. Steven W. Reed 19. Elmer B. Smith Jr. 20. Kenny C. Valley 21. Mary T. Walsh

^Personnel which spend a portion of their time on Prime Hook administration or operation.

4 TABLE OP GOTTTENTS

Pa/^e

A, HIGHLIGHTS 1

B, CLIMATig CONPITTOMS t 1

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Pee Title,.,* a...2 2. Easements *,...5 3. Other, *3

D. PLANNING

1, Master Plan.*, .,.,4 2, Management Plan,,, ,,*.,,4 3, Public Participation,.,*,.,* 5 Compliance with Srarironmental Mandates 6 5. Research and Investigations. * 6

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel ....B 2. Youth Programs * 9 3• Other Manpower Programs ,,,, 10 4, Volunteer Programs 10 3. Punding •••••••• * * 10 6, Safety *,.,.*....,11 7, Technical Assistance.*,.,, Nothing to Report 8, Other Items Nothing to Report

P, HABITAT MANAGEP" DNT

1. General ,...,*,.Ji,...*,.., *.,*,12 2. Wetlands X * 12 3. Forests, .Nothing to Report 4. Croplands.*.,*,, ..,..*...18 5. Grasslands,*,,,, 19 6. Other Habitats., .Nothing to Report 7. Grazing .Nothing to Report 8. Haying. .Nothing to Report 9. Pire Management, 20 10. Pest Control..,, ...... 20 11. Water Rights Nothing to Report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas Nothing to Report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring, .Nothing to Report PaKe-*

G0 "^VTLDLIFE

1/ Wildlife Diversity 20 2, Endangered and/or Threatened Species.. ...21 3. Waterfowl ...22 h. Marsh and Water Birds * ...... 26 5, Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species..,., .26 6, Raptors ...26 7, Other Migratory Birds 2? 8, Game Mammals .2? 9, Marine Mammals,. Nothing to Report 10, Other Resident Wildlife,. 0.a2B 11. Fisheries Resources,...... 28 12, Wildlife Propogation and Stocking .....Nothing to Report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal Nothing to Report 1 ^. Scientific Collections Nothing to Report 15. Animal Control 28 16. Marking and Banding. 0,29 17. Disease Prevention and Control 29

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General ,...•....30 2. Outdoor Claasroorns - Students., 30 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. * .30 9. PI shing u.... a...... w... u...3^ 10. Trapping. Nothing to Report 11, Wildlife ObservAtlono. 3^ 12, Other Wildlife Oriented Recraation,,«o...... Nothing to Report 13. Camping*.. Nothing to Report 1 h. Picnicking. * *.. *. * .Nothing to Report 15. Off-Road VcMcling .Nothing to Report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation...... Nothing to Report 17. Law Enforcement, • * * 35 18. Cooperating Associations.,,...,.,.,.,.,0...,,,,...Nothing to Report 19. Concessions,. o .Nothing to Report

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1, New Construction ,37 2. Rahabilitation ..0..38 3• MaJor Maintenance Nothing to Report *1. Equipment Utilization and Replacement * *38 5, CoTnnunications Systems. -38 6. Energy Conservation * oNothing to Report 7• Other .39 Pa^e

j. OTHER rrms

Cooperative Programs ,»•••o••o39 Items of Interest,.• .Nothing to Report Credits .39

K.. FEEDBACK ^0 PRIME HOOK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE UNIT CD STATES SUSSEX COUNTY, DELAWARE BUREAU OF SRORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE EPANTMENT Of THE INTEAlOB 1

NARRATIVE REPORT PRIME HOOK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE JANURAY - DECEMBER, 1933

A. HIGHLIGHTS

1983 was the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge,

A severe thunder storm on the night of August 28 - 29 brought over 5 inches of rain within a period of a few hours (Section B),

On May 18, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers issued a permit for our Unit III marsh restoration project. (Section D k) A contract was let to R.A.M, Contracting of Frederica, Delaware in September. Construction of the project was started in October. (Section J-l)

The chemical Rodeo was applied aerially to 500 acres of Phragmites in Unit III in September by Summit Aviation of Roanoke, VA (Section P-2)

Record Refuge populations of snow geese were observed In November and December with up to 25 - 30,000 geese on refuge. (Section G-3)

Nearly 500 wood ducks were banded in August and September. (Section G-16)

Two new areas totaling over 900 acres were opened to deer hunting during the 1983 season. Five non-ambulatory hunters participated in the special hunt this year. All were successful. A total of 7^ deer, an all time refuge high, was taken during the combined refuge deer hunting seasons, (Section H-8)

The 1983 waterfowl hunting season was one of the poorest in several seasons, however hunters averaged O.98 birds per man during the season (Section H-8),

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

The winter of 1983 was rather mild, marred only by a ten inch snowfall on February 10th. Drifts caused by the storm kept us away from the office for a few days.

Total precipitation for 1983 was nearly 13.5 inches above normal. We encountered one of the wettest springs in many years. At the time when most fields would be planted, they resembled lakes from the accumulation of surface water. Planting was delayed up to three weeks. Cooler than normal temperatures slowed plant growth in agricultural fields once they were planted.

From mid-June to late August, rainfall was well below normal and temperatures were above normal averaging in the mid-90fs. This combination severely Impacted on crops both on and off refuge. The drought was quickly ended cm the night of August 28 - 29 when a severe thunderstorm brought 5,4 inches of rain to 2 the refuge. Some gauges near the refuge recorded up to seven Inches.

Runoff resulting from the storm caused some flooding in low lying areas. At least two septic systems on Broadkill Beach failed as a result of the storm. Both residents tried to get us to either make repairs to their system or to replace it, claiming that our water management had caused the failure. For­ tunately, for us, at that point we were still far from management. The con­ tract had not yet been submitted for bid*,

For the remainder of the year, precipitation was about normal, except for November which was about two inches above normal.

This year's odd weather patterns created confusion for this area. The hot, dry summer was a boom for the nearby resort communities but was devastating for farmers. Above normal spring rainfall caused farmers to seek assistance due to the high water levels. Many of these same farmers then talked about drought relief following the dry season.

Weather records are taken at the weather station located at the Refuge office. A second rain gauge, located in Unit TV as part of the mosquito control study provides a rainfall comparison.

Table 1. Precipitation/Temperatures - 1983

Precipitation Precipitation Normal Inches Month High Low Office Gauge Unit IV Gauge Precipitation Snow

January 69 13 2.77 2.63 2.88 February 60 24 2.92 3.35 3.52 12 March 75 26 7.41 7.44 3.57 T April 84 35 6.67 5.94 2.70 T May 83 35 4.10 4.02 2.91 June 90 58 6.23 5.72 2.90 July 95 59 2.28 1.90 4.40 August 96 56 8.04 8.98 6.91 September 97 38 ' 2.68 2.60 1.97 October 85 32 2.95 5.97 3.09 November 69 28 4.60 4,88 2.62 T December 62 3 4.82 4.71 4.51 1

Totals (97) (3) 55.^7 58.14 41.98 13

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title

A total of 8,817 acres have been acquired in fee title. No acquisition activity occurred during 1983- Easoraents

A water flowage eaaemGnt (agreement) was obtained on Tract 2 In March. The 635^acre tract is owned by the State of Delaware and is managed as the Prime Hook Wildlife Management Area by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The agreement was necessary since part of our Unit III water management project will also Influence water levels on these state lands. Prime Hook currently contains eight easements totaling 88^ acres.

Other

Assistant Refuge Manager O'Shoa presented the Sussex County Administrator with two checks totaling S33t200 on March 11 as the county^ Revenue Sharing entitlement for PY-82. During 1932, Prime Hook was reassessed. As a result of this reassessment the land value for Prime Hook was reduced from over $7»000,000 to $3,5^1,000. The rational behind this sharp drop in the value of refuge-owned lands is several fold. Prime Hook was purchased in 78 tracts with an average value of $113 per acre. This new appraisal is based on "if" the government wanted to sell the refuge-owned lands. The appraiser recogni that large tracts of land, such as 8,817 acres, are hard to soil at one time and generally bring less per acre than small tracts. The now appraisal is based on selling 2,000 acres each year until the refuge was disposed of„ As a result, the value of refuge-owned lands was reassessed ^0% lower than previous assessments,

Another factor in the new appraisal is, the highly inflated land values realized when several tracts were condemmed. The high Judgement was based on the presence of gravel deposits on one tract. (The gravel is four feet deep in wetlands.)

We still find it hard to believe that the refuge has devaluated 50!^ under our ownership. With acre lots on Broadkill Beach selling for up to $20,000 our land seems more valuable than the appraisal.

Access to Tracts 39a» and fj^, along the eastern boundary of the Refuge and south of Prime Hook Beach is by a gravel road. Two of our waterfowl hunting blinds are located in these tracts.

In February, 19^2, adjacent landowner W. Donald Clifton erected a fence across the access road blocking our entry, oven though we owned half of the road (acquired by condemnation from his father). The problem was referred to our Solicitor's office for rovlow and action. During the sunnier of 1983 the case was finally referred to tho U.S. Attorney's Office in Wilmington, Delaware. On their advice we contacted Mr. Clifton and gave him notice to remove the fence or we would. We ended up removing the fence on July 8, 19^3* On July 27, we noticed that the roadway was again blocked, this time with concrete rubble, part of which was on refuge-owned lands. Again the blockage was re­ moved on advice from the U.S. Attorney.

Mr. Clifton was not impressed. On September 8 we noticed that he had caused a ditch to be dug across the road to block it, also creating a safety hazard. We ware instructed to fill the ditch. 4

At this point we had had enough. With the waterfowl hunting season approach­ ing we were finally successful in getting the U.S. Attorney's office to file a complaint in District Court and request a restraining order on Mr. Clifton, preventing any further blockage of the road. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Andrews and Richard McMahon visited the site prior to filing the documents. At the request of Judge Schwartz the injunction was not filed. However, Mr, Clifton's attorney agreed that his client would not make any further attempts to stop our access until the matter had been resolved by the court. At years end the matter still remains before the court.

On June 8-9, surveyors from the Regional Office visited Prime Hook to check boundaries on several tracts - 5^a, 83 and 19. Tract had not been com­ pletely surveyed and posted when it was acquired in 1966. The survey found that part of an adjacent neighbor's lawn, driveway, junkyard and propane tank was actually on refuge-owned lando We are awaiting Regional Office advice prior to posting the tract.

Another snafu occurred on Tract 15b. The land adjacent to the tract was sold in April. The new owner had his property surveyed only to find that we had part of his land posted. When tract 15b was purchased in 19^5 corner 11 was ot properly placed. The comer was off by about 200 feet. The error was orrected and we lost about 2.5 acres of land that we thought we owned. Even worse, the change moved a group of problem hunters 200 feet closer to one of our important goose holding areas.

Needless to say, we had our share of Realty experiences in i\983,

D. PLANNING

1• Master Plan

Prime Hook has been scheduled for master planning in late 1984,

2. Management Plan

The following plans were prepared or revised in 19831

Disease Contingency Plan Fishery Management Plan Energy Contingency Plan Hunting Plan - revisions to open additional acreage to deer hunting Emergency Occupant Plan - We lie within 50 miles of the Salem Nuclear Power Plant in New Jersey.

During 1984 we are scheduled to rewrite the Pishing Plan and Environmental Assessment and to prepare a Law Enforcement Plan.

Many of our refuge management plans am hopelessly out of date and need major revision. However, at this time, with our present staff we cannot accomplish this task. 3

3* Public Participation

198^ was a slow, low key year compared to the public involvement bf 1982. The public was notified through news releases of our intention to prepare an envir­ onmental assessment for use of the chemical Rodeo to control Phragmitesa No comments or suggestions were received, however one letter to the editor of the local newspaper was noticed, A two part program on Phragmltes and our plans to reduce the problem was aired on TV channel 16, Salisbury, Maryland. Through the showing, maintenance worker Otis Clifton made his television debut.

#1 "Scorchy, I did not plant this stuff." Maintenance worker Otis Clifton being interviewed by Scorchy Tawes, outdoor reporter for WBOC-TV 16, Salisbury, Maryland, as part of a two-part program on the Phragmites problem. Compliance with Environmental Mandatea

On May 18, the Corps of Engineers sent us a draft permit for our Unit III water management project, culminating a three year process. A permit for the-project was received from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control - Wetlands Section on December 28, 1982.

Fourteen observation wells located along Broadkill Beach east of the Refuge continue to be monitored on a weekly basis to determine the elevation of the ground water under the beach, as mandated by the State's permit for the Unit III project. The results obtained from the wells will bo discussed in Section F-2•

An environmental assessment u^a prepared for chemical control of the pest plant Phragmites in refuge marahlands. The project will be discussed in Section F-2.

Reaearch and Inveatlgatlons

Only one project is active at Prime Hook at this time, however, there is much need for research and investigations at Prime Hook, Both the use of chemicals to control Phragmites and the Institution of water management in Unit III will offer several Masters or PHD level research projects, However, without fund­ ing to support the work nothing is being done. The Service could benefit greatly from closely monitoring the two projects and the results obtained by each. Also, as we have found in preparing various environmental assessments, we need much more detailed biological data from the refuge, particularly cover maps of refuge vegetation types.

a« An Evaluation of the Ecological Impacts of Open Marsh Water Management (OMWM) on Delaware Salt Marshes - William Meredith and David Saveikls - Mosquito Control Section, Delaware DNREC.

Studies of the environmental effects of Open Marsh Water Management, a salt- marsh mosquito control technique, vrere continued throughout 19^0 The 19^3 growing season (April to October) was the first complete season of recovery following installation of the OMWM system over the 6-acre experimental plot (the OMWM installation was completed in late July, 19^2),

Post-treatment evaluations in 1983 examined extent and speciation of dominant vegetation cover; density and biomass of emergent grasses; populations of snails, amphipoda, and isopods; elevations of the subsurface water table in relation to local marsh surface and types of alterations (primarily sill system); settling elevations of spoil deposition; frequency and intensity of mosquito broods; bird nesting patterns and passerine densities done by ground traverse in late May; waterfowl use of OMWM ponds. Similar post-treatment evaluations will continue during a second complete growing season in 1984. Since data collected at Prime Hook in 1983 represented only the first complete growing season following treatment, and since these data are currently being analyzed, we have not been able (at this time) to draw as many preliminary conclusions about OMWM's effects as we've been able to do for the Bombay Hook site which now has had two complete growing seasons for recovery and thus has more extensive data analysis. The 1982 Narrative Report for Bombay Hook contains a more advanced picture of OMWM's effects. Some of the major findings on the Prime Hook treat­ ment plot based on one season's results are:

99% reduction in mosquito breeding - as compared to pre treatment on plot;

Immediately following treatment in July, 1982, 96% of the study plot was covered with fresh spoil. By the end of the first complete growing season about 2/3 of the spoil areas had revegetated to original species. About 1/3 of the plot (18^ of the total plot surface) remained barren or sparsely vegetated.

No incursion of shrubs (iva frutescens or Baccharis halimifolia or Phragmites has occurred

An average increase in mean surface elevation of spoil deposition areas from 1" to 2" at ten months after treatment was completed.

Cursory analysis of water table data indicates that the extensive sill system probably maintained the water table near it's original relationship to local marsh surface, with any decline in water table being no more than 2" lower than pre-treatment conditions.

No major effects on water quality when comparing OMWM ponds to natural ponds; the most significant water quality effects attributable to OMWM are enhanced exports of phosphates and ammonia from the old mosquito control ditches (parallel grid) on ebbing tides. (The source of these elevated concentrations are interstitial waters which seep int9 open ditches during falling tides). The OMWM system at Prime Hook blocked (plugged) these old ditches in order to create a semi-tidal sill system; thus the twice-daily tidal exports of phosphate and ammonia, permitted by the old parallel grid ditches, have been diminished.

Sparrow densities (seaside and sharptail) were 95^ lower on the treat­ ment plot than on the control plot during late May ground survey. This low density can be attributed to the extensive spoil cover that had not, at the time of the survey, revegetated. Populations are ex­ pected to rebound in 198^-

Five willet and one black duck nest were found on the treatment plot.

As compared with the Bombay Hook treatment site, overall use by waterfowl and marsh birds is low.

This report was prepared by Dr. William Meredith. E. ADMINISTRATION

1, reraormel

Frimo Hook io adminiaterod aa a satellite station of the Bombay Hook Refuse. The Project Leader and Refugo Clerk are located at Bombay Hook. An Assistant Refuge Manager position is shared on a 15:^5 basis. The Prime Hook staff consists of three PFT employees - Assistant Refugo Manager OS-11; and two maintenance workers WrCr-7 and VTO-B, The staffing pattern for the last five years is sunniarized as follows:

Table 2. FY ^.15* FY B} 3«1b* FY 82 3.25* FT 81 3.25* FY BO U.00 * includes position shared with Bombay Hook

At the end of I9B3 wo wore notified that wo could fill a PPT G3-3 clerk- typist position at 32 hours per week. This position is badly needed to handle refuge administrative matters, provide information to the public and to provide the important coninunicationo link with personnel working in the field. All to often following the loos of our CETA clerk, the public would visit the office to find the doors locked or call and find no one in. The Assistant Manager spent his time typing and doing other urgent clerical dutlea. The large number of deer hunting permits taxed us severely without a clerk. Overall, it did not help our public relations.

Assistant Refuge Manager O'Shoa attended the Wildlife Resources Project Leaders meeting in Newton Comer, MA on January 18-19. O'Shoa attended the three week Mid-level Refuge Managers Training Course at Beckloy, West Virginia from March 14 to March 31. Maintenance worker Otis Clifton completed ^O hours of law enforcement refresher training in Richmond, VA on August 22 - 26, 9

2. Youth ProKrasna

YCC this year consisted of 10 enrollees and one group leader. Funding for the camp was $16,400. Dan Cook, a teacher at Cape Henlopen High School was hired to fill the group leader position. The camp was open from June 20 to August 30, The long time period was to use as many of the scheduled enrollee hours as possible. Only two to three enrollees worked during the last few weeks. Despite very hot and humid weather, YCC completed a number of pro­ jects, A partial listing of projects is as follows:

Maintenance of two trails - clear, spread wood chips and mark Clean wood duck nesting boxes Install and paint five pipe gates and two farm type gates Replace roof on storage shed Provide clerical assistance Clean marsh ditches Waterfowl banding Lawn care Sign and boundary maintenance Assist with hunter qualification testing

#2 YCC at work cleaning access ditches.and checking out the lush Phragmites growth, 6/b3 Cook 10

Other Manpower Programs '

June Qebler was employed under the CETA work experience program until April 29. Joanne Rossi was placed at Prime Hook for four weeks during the summer under the CETA summer work experience program. During the past few years lihe CETA program provided personnel to fill our much needed clerical position. It is with sadness that we see this program end.

Volunteer Program

A formal volunteer program has not been established at this time. However, we have informally used volunteers during the past two years. Several ajidividuals volunteered to assist with our summer waterfowl banding program,» they were very helpful in making our twice daily and weekend trips to the trap sites. Game Warden Aaron Hurd and his deputy, Paul Caras, tend the traps nightly when the Assistant Manager was on vacation in late August. During this week over 200 wood ducks were banded, "Volunteers" also assisted with the special deer hunt in the office area during the shotgun hunting season for deer.

Funding

The funding pattern for the past five years is summarized below:

Table 3, (In Thousands)

1210 1220 1240 1260 Total

FY 84 0 0 0 146.142** 146.142 FY 83 75 4 • 15 94 FY 82 75 2 15 92 FY 81* 72 1 19 92 FY 80 75 1 17 93 * not including $4,370 pay act funding and $2,000 for gravel which was reduced from FY 82 funding, ** includes $48,000 ARMM Funds

FY" 83 Funding also included:

Construction and Anodramous Fish Marsh Restoration Project $406,751 Chemical control of Phragmltes 41,252 (includes $28,752 for purchase of gallons of Rodeo and $12,500 for aerial application) Fire Funding Radio Base Station 1,897 End of Year Funding IS1 Airboat and Trailer 18,230 11

Ponding of the chemical control project will continue in FT 8^ and FY 83. FY QH fire funding includoa purchase of a tracked marsh vehicle aiid mower attachment for firebreak construction along our eastern boundary.

Safety

Two minor motor vehicle accidents occurred during 1985. A van rented for YCC was backed into a parked Hcfugo pick-up truck. The truck wan parked in the van's blind spot with the door open. The van struck the open door causing $^76 damage to the truck. The van una not damaged.

The second accident was also a backing accident. The station wagon was backed into a tree, damaging the roar bumper to the tune of $157. The tree eocaped without injury.

YCC group leader Dan Cook was treated for an infected tick bite. The area of the bite had reddened similar to the rash produced by Lyme Disease. As a precaution, Cook was referred to a doctor. Die rash was diagnoaed only as fm infectiono

Monthly staff/safety meetings ere held at the Bombay Hook Refuge on the last Wednesday of the month. All staff members and YCC enrollees received basic first aid training. The couroo was instructed by ORP Marion Johnnon-Pohlman. All refuge staff were also certified in CPR and received an 8 hour defensive driving refresher.

Safety equipment is checked periodically and all vehicles are inspected at the State inspection station in Goorgotown, DE annually. 12

P. HABITAT MAmGEMENT

1• General

Prime Hook consists of 8,817 acres and easements totaling 884 acres. The Refuge is divided into four management units by four state highways which transect the Refuge (Map 2). Habitat management is possible currently on only about 100 acres of wetlands in Unit IV, and as part of our farming program and Fire Management Plan.

#3 Aerial picture of Unit III looking west across Broadkill Beach. The office is located in the top center of the picture 3/83 O'Shea

2. Wetlands

About 77^ of Prime Hook consists of wetland types. Habitats vary from shrub swamps to freshwater and salt marsh. A small 100 acre area in Unit IV is the only area where we can currently control water levels. All other;wetland areas are unmanaged at this time.

Considerable progress in wetland management was made in 1983. Two major projects aimed at rehabilitating the Unit III wetlands were started; con- struction of dikes and water control structures, and chemical control of Phragmitesc The construction project will be discussed under Section J-1. MA.P 2 PRIME HOOK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE UNIT CD STATES SUSSEX COUNTY, DELAWARE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE CPA ATMS NT OF THE INTEAIOA BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE 13

During the past 20 years Phragmites has invaded much of our wetlands and has crowded out desirable vegetation needed by waterfowl, muskrats etc. for food and has created a serious fire hazard each spring from the dead canes. During the last 10-12 years the noxious plant has also covered many ponds causing them to be lost or drastically reduced in size.

Over the last few years we have experimented with the chemical Roundup to control the Refuge's Phragmites jungle. The tests have shown excellent results.

FY 83 funding was provided to" start a three year plan to reduce the extent of the Phragmites problem. The first hurdle was to obtain a label for wetlands use of Roundup. The chemical's manufacturer, Monsanto, ran into some problems getting the wetlands permit because of the surfactant mixed with the Roundup. To overcome this objection, they removed the surfactant and marketed the chemical as Rod^o; which was then labeled for wetland use. However, it could not be used in tidal wetlands in 19^3*

#4 Marsh deterioration due to the invasion of Phragmites and drying of the marsh is best shown by the two photographs of the. Pond 15 area in Unit III, This aerial photograph taken in 1973* looking west from Delaware Bay shows Pond 15 as a 2 acre "Kidney-shaped" pond. Dominant vegetation: light green - salt meadow cordgrass - saltgrass (Spartlna patens - Distlchlis splcata); Dark green - cattail (Typha spp.). The arrow points to a small pond which will key both photos to Pond 15. The road in the lower portion of the picture is the road mentioned in Section C-3. 9/73 French #5 Ten years later,., The two acre pond is now reduced to two small ponds, totaling less than ,75 acres. Much of the central portion of the "Kidney-shape" has been lost to Phragmites which is now the dominant marsh plant species. 3/83 0'Shea

Initially we had planned to spray 1,000 acres of Phragmites in 1983* however this was reduced to 500 acres when some concern was expressed in the Regional Office and Washington Office over an initial application over such a large area.

The Delaware Division of Pish and Wildlife provided specifications for the operation based on their work over the last 3 - ^ years. They had indicated that the helicopter operation was best and that we would have to have a staff member in the copter during spraying. Based on this information, when the project vras submitted for bids, we specified that the pilot would have to be certified by the PAA with a OAS certificate to enable him to carry FWS employees. A local pilot was low bidder at $7/acre, however, he was not certified. The only certified bidder was at $25/acre. In the end, refuge personnel were not needed in the helicopter. We could have saved $l8/acre. 15

Application of the chemical was made on September 6 - 8 by Summit helicopters, Inc. of Roanoke, VA, A total of five gallons of mixture was applied per acre, consisting of 0.63 gallons of Rodeo, 0,02 gallons of X~77 sufactant, and 4,35 gallons of water. Application is made during the fall when the plants are tasseling. Rodeo is a systemic chemical that translocates the the chemical to the plant rhizomes, killing the plant. Rodeo has a rapid reakdown rate when it contacts water or soil and its effects on fish and tildlife and invertebrates has been extensively studied and shown to be minor.

#6 Summit Aviation aerially spraying Rodeo on 500 acres of Phragmites in Unit III in September. Results of the spraying will not be known until next spring. 9/B3 0'Shea

Within a few days of spraying the canes and leaves of the Phragmites plants started to yellow, however, it will not be until IVlay or June of 1984 before we can assess the spraying.

In 19B^» we plan to spray a total of 1,000 acres of Phragmites in Unit III, including follow-up spraying of the area treated in 19^3 if necessary. The area sprayed in 1983 consisted of 1005S Phragmites, The density of the canes has been shown in the past to block complete coverage during spraying. The areas missed in 1983 will be spot sprayed in 1984,

Needless to say we are delighted to finally see some active marsh management (both water control and vegetation) after 20 years of Service ownership. The combined projects give the Refuge a much brighter future. 16

Overall Wetland Condltion3 - 19^3

Overall, wetlands conditions for 19^3 were excellent. Above normal rainfall kept the marsh from drying out for the first time in several years. Even the 6 - 8 week drought failed to dry the marsh.

Low water levels in late July and August generally favor the grow~th of emergent aquatics. This year, the water level was late in dropping due to heavy rain­ fall well into June. By late August, emergonts were starting to grow well. However, the heavy rainfall on August 29 drowned moot species out, stunting growth. As a result, food availability for fall waterfowl was poor. Small ponds in Units I and II seemed to have the best production and attracted most of the fall migrant waterfowl.

Monitoring of 14 observation wells along Droadkill Beach continued during 19^3 and will be monitored more closely as we start water management in 19^4. Average well readings for I9B3 are shown in Table 4 by month. The averages for 1983 are plotted on the following graph. Our maximum proposed management level at this time is 2.8,m3l, due to septic systems on the beach. Note from the table and graph that both the monthly and annual averages for most wells exceed the 2.8,m3l level under existing natural conditions.

Our proposed water management in Unit III will be;

October - February 2.8*11131 maximum February - June prevailing natural level June - October 2,2*0131

The February drawdown is dictated not by management needs, but rather to avoid adverse impact on adjacent farmland,(farmland Initially proposed for Refuge acquisition). The summer level of 2,2,m3l is set to prevent drying out of the marsh. As wo got used to the system, roughly 2,900 acres in size, we may be able to manage at higher lovolo.

In managing the system, we must realize that the southern end of the Unit is tidal and subject to daily tidal flow. Tides in excess of 2.3*11131 diiring the winter and 2.2,m9l during the summer will flow across the stoplogs into the impoundment. Also, pool water levels in excess of those levels will flow out of the pool. This tidal action will hamper our efforts to rapidly drawdown water levels within the pool following a large storm. This same tidal action is thought to be a factor for the high water levels already recorded at the observation wells, particularly in wells 1 - 10. Wells 1 and 2 are outside of the impounded area. Hopefully we will bo able, in the future to plot the data from our wells and that of nearby tide gauges with a computer and show the extent with which tidal action effects septic systems on the beach. With 2^ years of data we believe that tidal action already causes more problems for the septic systems than our water management will.

In Unit IV, water was Impounded until early March at which time stoplogs were removed to reduce the water table under agricultural lands. The logs were re­ placed on August 1 to stabilize water levels for waterfowl banding. Heavy rainfall from the August 29 atom kept the water level too high and wo had to r ( r

Table 4. Monthly Averages for Observation Wells on Broadkill Beach

Well Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Pea. 1985

1 2.22 2.75 2.92 2.59 2.40 2.40 2.27 2.41 2.69 2.66 2.49 2.45 2.60

2 2.51 2.76 2.99 2.74 2.55 2.56 2.48 2.51 2.67 2.79 2.60 2.61 2.65

5 5.14 5.54 5.56 5.76 5.64 5.55 5.07 2.88 5.51 5.^5 5.45 5.59 5.59

4 5.00 5.65 4.20 4.07 5.54 5.55 5.05 5.06 5.55 5.54 5.26 5.55 5.42

5 5.54 5.90 4.16 4.08 5.68 5.55 5.15 2.95 5.64 5.52 5.60 5.84 5.65

6 5.45 5.94 4.65 4.64 4.08 5.76 5.40 5.50 5.B8 5.64 5.75 5.90 5.78

7 5.15 5.41 5.89 5.74 5-56 5.40 5.17 2.98 5.59 5.25 ' 5.17 5.42 5.58

8 2.61 5.08 4.06 5.85 5.10 5.08 2.79 2.8? 5.75 5.62 5.08 5.27 5.20

9 2.60 2.74 5.28 5.55 5.17 2.94 ' 2.84 2.25 2.95 2.82 2.77 2.86 2.89

10 2.41 2.86 5.27 2.95 2.65 2.46 2.26 2.12 2.54 2.74 2.69 2.79 2.64

11 2.62 5.25 2.90 2.97 2.54 2.65 2.59 1.7B 2.52 2.76 2.86 2.76 2.65

12 2.92 5.06 5.58 5o28 2.76 2.75 2.56 2.0$ 2.78 5.05 5.02 5.06 2.89

15 2.70 5.28 5.41 5.54 2.72 2.88 2.57 2,12 2.78 5.00 5.07 5.05 2.91

14 2.61 2.85 5.26 5.18 2,70 2.84 2.56 2.28 2.81 2.76 2.91 5.16 2.81

18 remove the stoploga to permit crop harvests Following har^vost, stoplogs were replaced and water waa hold at a level of 3«5,rnsl dviring tho-ffall, producing excellent habitat for ducks and geese.

Small ponds in Unit IV, outside of the impounded area, did not dry until mid-August. The heavy rainfall in late August flooded the ponds resulting in poor production of millet. Those small ponds, about ten in number, pro­ vide excellent feeding, resting and brood rearing areas for up to 3»300 ducks.

Croplands

Four cooperating farmers were allowed to plant and harvest, for their use, 637 acres of com and soybeans.

Corn was planted on 379 acres, with yields ranging from a low of 22 bushels per acre, to a high of 105 bushels per acre. Average yield for 1983 wao 81 bushels per acre. Heavy rains at planting time caused poor plant populations in some fields and waa the major reason for low corn yields.

Soybeans were planted on 258 acres with an average yield of 42 bushes 1 per acre. Two fields of soybeans, in the area of the office, were damaged by deer and woodchucks, averaging only 20 bushels to the acre each.

Johnsongrass is still a problem in some fields. Control is obtained by spot treatment with Roundup by farmers and Refuge staff.

Services provided by the farmers, instead of cash payments for land rental were: 300 acres planted to barley after corn harvest; 162 acres aerially seeded to ryegrass in soybean fields in September; 10 acres planted to game- bird mix; 54 acres planted to pasture mix of alsike and ladino clover, orchard- grass and timothy with an oat nurse crop; 45 acres of wheat for goose browse; 9 acres of lespedeza strips fertilized; 14 acres seeded to perenial ryegrass; and 375 acres of grasslands and pasture mowed. Also, 400 bushels of corn were provided for Refuge banding.

Excellent stands of the gamebird mixture plots wore left standing for game and non-game species. A variety of wildlife species used the plots for feeding. (See photo on following page)

Heavy rainfall in April and May delayed the planting of pasture mixtures and perennial ryegrass until early Juno, Forty-one acres were planted this year, July and August were hot and dry, causing very poor stands. Twenty-three acres of pasture mix and 45 acres of wheat wore planted on August 26, On August 29i six inches of rain fell In a few hours, damaging about 95^ of the pasture mix and 50% of the wheat.

Two one-oighth acre nurse plots wore planted to snapbeans by two cooperative farmers for biological control of the Mexican Bean Beetle. The parasitic wasp, Pediobius foveolatus was released on these plots by the Cooperative Extension Service. The object was for the nurse plot to provide on area where the wasps could build up to numbers sufficient to suppress the Mexican Bean Beetle ih nearby soybean fields later in the season. The farmers did not have to spray any of their soybean acreage this year. Whether this was due to the parasitic wasp or the absence of the Mexican Bean Beetle, wo do not know. 19

#7 Ga/nebird mixtui'e in late Augusts Plot consists of sunflowers, i^oe, grain sorghum, millet, buckwheat and soybeans. Use by wildlife was excellent.

The 375 acres mowed by the cooperative farmers were for weed and brush control and to improve browse. Failure to mow the fields will result in rapid growth of raultlflora rose and myrtle and loss of the fields for goose and deer browse.

Herbicides used for weed and grass control in corn fields were: Sutan and Atrazine and Lasso and Atrazine, In soybean fields weed and grass control was obtained by using; Lasso and Dynap; Lasso and Lorax; and Treflan and Lorax,

5. Grasslands

Refuge grasslands are managed to provide browse and dense nesting cover as well as to maintain a diversity of habitats. About 10 acres are cut annually to provide material to build blinds for Prime Hook and Bombay Hook and State Water­ fowl hunting areas. Mowing and prescribed burning are the primary management tools, Switchgrass (Panlcum sp,) is the dominant grass species.

No prescribed burning was possible in 19^3 due to wet spring conditions. In July we spread 10-20-30 fertilizer at a rate of 500 pounds per acre on ten acres of switchgrass in Unit II to improve plant height. The fertilizer was applied aerially. Some height improvement was noticed but not to the extent we had desired.

It may be that our prescribed burning is done too early in the year and that it favors cool season grasses rather than the warm season switchgrass. PO

9. Fire Management

As mentioned above, wot spring conditions precluded any prescribed burning f in J9W3.

One small fire occurred in July in Unit I, The fire was set along the dune line, off refuge, and burned into Phragmltes and salt marsh species on-refuge. The isolation and stubbomess of the fire prompted the Chief of the Memorial Fire Department to call in the State Police HelicoDter with it's 90 gallon fire bucket to extinguish the fire. The 'chopper made about 20 aerial drops to extinguish the fire. Less" than an acre was burned and it had completely regenerated within a few weeks.

As part of the chemical control of Phragmltes project, Rodeo was sprayed along the western boundary of Prime Hook Beach and Fowler Beach Roads wore also sprayed to help reduce the arson potential.

Contact was made with the Milton Fire Department to establish a cooperative agreement for fighting fires on the Refuge, The fire company is an all volunteer company and their district covers about 80^ of the Refuge, A similar agreement will be made with the Memorial Fire Department (Slaughter Beach) which has primary fire fighting authority on the remaining refuge acreage.

10, Pest Control

Control of Johnsongrass in uplands is.accomplished as part of the farming program. Roundup is the most effective control agent when applied at time of tasseling. The wot spring followed by a hot dry sunnier resulted in bad infest­ ations of Johnsongrass which were hard to control.

Biting files wore more of a nuisance this year than in past years. YCC onrolleei had to wear fly nets most of the time spent working in the field in July.

A special Use Permit is issued annually to the Mosquito Control Section and the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife to control salt marsh mosquitoes within the Refuge, Units I and IV and the southern end of Unit III are the breeding hot spots. In 1983 nine chemical formulations were approved for their use: Altosid; Dactlmos-wettable powder; Bactimos-flowablo concentrate; Teknar; Dlbromf ULV; Dibrome concentrate; Abate 5^; Abato 2C0j and Abate ^E.

G. WILDLIFE

1, Wildlife Diversity

Primo Hook is managed to provide a diversity of habitat types for maximum wildlife diversity. Although separate wildlife lists have not been prepared for Prime Hook we estimate that the refuge provides habitat for 260 species of birds, 30 species of mammals, 28 species of roptiles and amphibians and 27 species of fish. P1

#8 An aerial view of the western end of Prime Hook Creek looking north, showing the diversity of habitat types. Such diversity helps maintain a diverse flora and fauna at Prime Hook. 4/32 O'Shea

Endangered and Threatened Species

Use of the Refuge by Bald Eagles was lower this year with only 170 use days as compared with 300 use days in 1982. A nesting pair, located about 5 miles southwest of the Refuge, was unsuccessful this year. One egg was laid but it did not hatch. Two eagles were regularly observed over the refuge from January through late July.

On Thanksgiving day we received a call regarding a downed eagle in the vicin­ ity of the nest. The bird was recovered in a weakened condition with its talons doubled up like a fist. The bird was taken to the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center by Special Agent Vernon Ricker. The bird subsequently died from an as yet unknown poison. The bird was a female banded near the Black- water Refuge in 1973,

Two observations- of single peregrine falcons were made in 1933; January 10 and November 11,

Osprey use this year was about the same as last year with 340 use days, A peak of four osprey was observed on August 15» We suspected that one pair may have nested in the western end of Waples Mill Pond, off-refuge. During the last few years osprey production in Rehoboth Bay to the south of Prime Hook has been excellent. Hopefully we can recruit a pair of these birds to nest on the Refuge, 22

Waterfowl a • Ducks

19^3 started off with a relatively mild winter. Ice covered the marsh for only a few days. As a result winter duck populations were higher than normal. Wood ducks, pintail and wigeon (which are seldom present here in winter) were present from January through March,

The cold wet spring slowed the spring migration. Peak populations of blue-winged teal and green-winged teal were about 2-3 weeks late in returning to the Refuge. Wood duck numbers peaked on April 1 with 500 birds.

Sunmer duck populations were near normal. Above average water levels resulted in excellent nesting and brood rearing conditions. Pall populations of blue-winged teal were very low when compared to past years. Normally, during black duck banding efforts in late August and early September, blue-wings fill our traps. Thi# year few birds were seen during this period.

Pall wood duck numbers were higher than normal with a peak of 1,800 birds on October 15o Excellent nesting success and brood survival both on and off refuge resulted in the higher than normal fall flights.

Overall fall duck populations were lower than normal, except for black duck numbers (which were higher than normal), Poor food production in the marsh was probably responsible for the lower duck numbers and re­ duced Refuge fall use.

Table 5, Duck Use Days

1983 1982 1981 1980 1979

Total Use Days , 875,900 846,776 820,890 833,326 699,210

Use Days Black Duck 351,525 274,900 258,000 323,400 197,100

% Black Ducks 32 32 33 37 28 b. Duck Production

The waterfowl production report submitted in October estimated production of wood ducks at 1,000 birds based on a partial check of nesting boxes. With all boxes checked by January it would appear that more realistically production was 900 birds produced to flight stage - still an excellent production year for Prime Hook, r>3

During the winter and spring of we plan to install an additional 50 boxes in the high use areas of Goose Pond, Teal Pond and Horseshoe Pond.

Over the last few years we have had an increase in trespass into the Goose and Flaxhole Pond areas for fishing. "Area Closed" signs and fines have not deterred this illegal use. In 19^3 a largo number of nests in these two ponds were abandoned. We feel that the trespass may be the reason and will increase enforcement efforts in 198^.

Table 6. Wood Duck Nesting - 1983

Boxes Available 202

Boxes Checked 201

Use by Wood Ducks 171

% Use by Wood Ducks 85

Total Eggs Laid 2,713

Total Eggs Hatched 1,200

Ducks Failing to Leave Box , 33

Use By Birds Other Than Waterfowl 5

Blue-winged teal production was poor again this year with 60 birds pro­ duced, Although this is an increase from last year's dismal 20 birds produced, we are still far below 197^ production estimates of 300 birds. This species did,well in grazed pastures. The pastures have since been permitted to revert to dense nesting cover and brush. We can expect to see a continued decline in nesting success of this species at Prime Hook,

Although we have several hundred acres of excellent black duck nesting habitat, production is low. One brood of green-winged teal was observed In August, This Is a refuge first and may bo a brooding record for Delaware 24 •

Table 6. Waterfowl Production - 1983 .•*

iW, 1982 1981 1080

Wood Duck 1000* 400 600 600

Mallard 50 30 50 50

Black Duck 100 100 175 200

Gadwall 80 80 20 20

Blue-winged Teal 60 20 100 75

Green-winged Teal 8

* As reported on Annual Waterfowl Report. More realistically, production was 900 birds. c. Canada Geese

Total use days for 198^ wa3 1,762,^44 which was down slightly from 1982.

Winter goose populations were relatively stable at about 15»000 birds, helped no doubt,by the mild winter. Two distinguishable populations are notable on-refuge: the tidal ponds and Slaughter Creek in Unit II, and the ponds in Unit IV near the Broadkill River, Best estimates are made in early morning as the birds leave the rooting areas or at dusk when they return. Aerial flights around mid-fnornlng miss most geese which have loft the refuge to fend in privately owned fields.

The first fall migrants wore observed on October S. The numbers contin­ ued to build to a peak of 20,000 by the end of October. This peak persisted through mid-November. The average winter population fluctuated at between 12 - 15,000 birds.

When large concentrations of snow geese moved into the Refuge in November, Canada geese were driven off the resting area in Unit II and spent their nights resting in nearby Delaware Day, d. Snow Geese

Snow goose use for 1983 was a refuge record of 1,048,430 use days, January- February numbers peaked at about 4,000 birds. Weekly populations fluctuated from a few hundred to several thousand birds« In early April, 3,000 birds were still present.

The first fall migrants were observed on October 8, along with 4 - 5,000 Canada geese. By October 29, 10,000 snows were using the refuge. c.or. ^

#9 Record populations of snow geese were obsemred this year feeding in refuge fields and resting overnight in tidal ponds in Unit II. 1?/83 O'Shea

In November we experienced a concentration of 15,000 snows using the fields and marshes in Unit II, This peak coincided with the opening of hunting on the Leatherberry Plats area of the Bombay Hook Refuge to reduce eatouts on that area. The snows pushed Canada geese off of their overnight resting area in Unit IT. Within three weeks, the birds had all but moved out and returned to Bombay Hook.

When the area at Bombay Hook was again opened to hunting, the snows returned to Prime Hook, A. peak of 25 - 30,000 birds was estimated on December 14, Better estimates were hard to obtain as the birds left the resting area before dawn and returned after dark. The large con­ centration of birds was spectacular, Several thousand birds feeding in refuge or adjacent fields drew a lot of public interest. This large population remained at Prime Hook until late December. These large fall populations are the primary reason for the large increase in use days in 19^3. The 19B? use 3^3,050 use days was a refuge record to that timee

Other Waterfowl

Generally Tundra Swan use at Prime Hook is low. In 19^3 use totaled 8,7^0 use days. On November 25 - 27 we observed the largest number of swans ever seen on Prime Hook - an estimated 1,500 Tundra Swan.. 'They remained on-refuge for about 10 days. ?6

No Brant use was recorded on-refuge during 19B3. Coot use was^also low with only 1,510 use days recorded0

Marsh and Water Birds

Eighteen species of marsh and water birds were observed in 19^3, producing a total of 132,830 use days. Great blue herons are the most numerous species observed, partially due to the presence of a rookery adjacent to the Refuge.

Black rails were again recorded in the salt marshes in Unit IV, Pour singing birds were heard in mid-May, Pour other species of rail (Sora, Virginia, King, and Clapper) also inhabit the refuge. Clapper rails are the most numerous species, nesting in Units I and TV,

One pair of coimion gallinules nested successfully this year. Two nearly fledged young were observed in Unit TV in late-August, August populations of egrets and ibis peaked with 200 glossy ibis, 400 snowy egret, 200 cattle egret and 30 great egret. Numbers of these species were down from 1982 probably due to the higher water levels in August.

We are handicapped in estimating numbers of marsh and water birds, and in fact all wildlife species, since much use occurs in small ponds throughout the refuge where we have poor access at best.

Shorebirds. Gulls. Terns and Allied Species

Thirty species of shorebirds, gulls, terns etc, were observed in 1983 pro­ ducing a total of 448,770 use days,

Pive species of gulls were observed with ring-billed gull as the dominant winter species. Laughing gulls are the most common sumner species with smaller numbers of herring and great black-backed gulls, Bonaparte^ gulls are Irregular winter visitors, A peak of 2,500 ring-billed gulls were observed on the 1983 Christinas count on December 220

Nesting species include woodcock, wlllet and kllldeer, Willet nesting was poor in 1983 due to higher than normal water levels in the marsh fringes where they nest.

The spring shorebird migration along Delaware Bay, adjacent to the Refuge was excellent with several hundred thousand birds observed. Eighteen different species were observed.

Raptors

Two golden eagles wintered at Prime Hook in 1983. They were frequently observed harrassing Canada Geese, In the fall, only one eagle was observed.

Other raptor species included three species of falcon (merlin, kestrel and peregrine); two acciplters (sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks); harrier; three buteos (red-tailed, red-shouldered and rough-legged hawks); and five species of owls (screech, great homed, barred, bam and short-eared). 27

Kestrel, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks nest on-refuge as do great homed, screech and barred owls. In February, we again noticed that a great homed owl was nesting on the ground at the shop area. By February 11 .she had laid two eggs. However, a ten inch snowfall buried her and she abandoned the eggs. Hopefully, she will find a more traditional nesting area in a tree.

7. Other Migratory Birds

Mourning dove numbers were down this year, probably due to the cool, wet spring. The spring warbler migration was anything but spectacular. Cool temperatures and low caterpillar populations resulted in few birds,

A roost of over two million blackbirds again occupied the marsh west of Prime Hook Beach for over-night roosting during October to January.

8, Game Mammals

The refuge deer herd has rapidly expanded in the last 30 years. In the late 1950fs deer in this area were rare. Today the herd has increased to several hundred and attracts many people to observe them in fields toward dusk.

#10 A small sample of the estimated 125 - 150 deer in the office area of the refuge. They have attracted many evening refuge visits. PQ

Periodic fall coimta In tho office area (^50 acres) revealed a pop­ ulation of at least 125 deer, Including a small albino. Total removal from the herd is hard to estimate as poor records are kept of roadkills adjacent to the refuge and kill data for off-refuge hunting are slow in-being received. A total of 7^ deer were killed on-refuge during 198} and at least another 20 were killed adjacent to tho refuge* The large herd causes extensive crop damage both on and off the rofugo. As a result, we planned a special two-day hunt in the office area of the refuge during the shotgun hunting season to reduce the size of the herd (Section II-8b), Despite the high population all doer appear to bo in excellent shape.

Kaccoon populations were low this year. In late December several very small raccoons were observed. Pox populations remain stable. Two dens produced a total of nine young, however all young appeared to have died, presumably from mange. Delaware docs not permit control of fox numbers.

An aerial survey of muokrat houses was made on March 10. A total of 96 'rat houses were counted in Unit II and Unit III, This compares with counts of 165 and 625 respectively taken in 1973. The declining 'rat populations have paralleled the dec!ining quality of the marsh. When rehab­ ilitation of the Unit III marsh is complete we hope to see a substPntlal increase in muskrat numbers.

10. Other Resident Wildlife

Production of ring-necked pheasant and bobwhite quail were good in 10^3. Pheasant populations have remained stable for several years.

11 , Fishery Hosourcns

The Fishery Management Plan and environmental assessment were rewritten this year.

Carp seem to present^a serious problem in all units of the l^efuge. In Unit Til most ponds on the southern end of the unit are void of aquatic vegetation. Carp seem to be the problGm0 Control will be difficult an our water manage­ ment plans for the unit must allow spring passage of anadromous spocles such as herring and white perch, thus allowing carp to also enter the marsh. We will try to work cut a eolution with the division of Fishery Cervices and the Ctate Fishery people.

1C. Animal Contro1

Dogs continue to be n problem. The problem in severe each winter as packs -oam about chasing doer. In the summer, dogs from adjacent beach communities also create a nuisance and a hazard to nesting and young wildlife. The S'lmmor probloma are usually rosolvod by talking to the dogs ownerf if ho can be identified. City folk think of the refuge as an ideal place for their dog to run and not cause any problems,

Woodchuck populations remain high and cause extensive damage to agricultural crops.

Marking and Banding

Again, post-season banding was entirely unsuccessful. No birds vero banded. However, pre-season banding was highly successful. Banding quotas for v;noci duck for both Bombay Hook and Prime Hook ware mot. The black duck quota was not met as birds wore scarce around the banding site. We learned Inter that our baiting efforts were not as good as one of our refuge neighbor's who wanted the birds to feel at home prior to the hunting season.

Table R, Pro-season Bantling - 19^3

Species AIFYM • AHYF HYM HYP TOTAI.

Wood Duck 99 2? p 50 169

Black Duck ? 10 63 60 1 J 9

Also banded were three local mallards and one blue-winged teal, The teal waft banded to finish off the string of bands.

Banding of wood ducks was proceeding well toward the end of Au/aist until the storm of August .?9 raised water* levels around the trap site two feet, flooding the traps. Prom then on, banding 'was poor and the traps were shut down.

Wo were assigned a quota of 2^0 Canada geese to band and neck collar while wintering on the refuge. At year's end wo still had not banded a goose. We received banding equipment late in October, Blackbirds and deer harrassed our early efforts. With the onset of waterfowl and deer hunting seasons in November our small staff was occupied with those programs. The Unit III con­ struction project and administration matters loft us without oufficlont time to vigorously pursue goose banding. Wo also felt a bit strange about baiting geese to the refuge during the hunting season.

Disease Prevention and Control

A Disease Contingency Plan was prepared and submitted. No disease outbreaks were noted in 19^3# 31

Waterfowl

Delaware chose a three-way sp]it duck aeaaon again thin year^ The first two portions were short (two days and six days), followed by a long November to January ooason. Black duckn could not bo taken during the first two portions. Thoy could only bo taken during the last part of the season.

Twenty-f1vo blinds are available on a daily lottery basis on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during the open season. Hie bunt In a cooperative venture with the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildli.'o, Eight of the blinds arc on their Prime Hook Wildlife Management Area,

The early season is by far the most popular and most successful. During the two days, 140 hunters bagged P17 ducks for an average of 1.53 birds per hunter. Crippling loss was 15^. Nearly half of the total bag con­ sisted of wood ducks. No incidents of baking black ducks were observed.

The second portion of the season was open October 31 to November 5. This also marked the opening of the goose season, A total of

The final portion of the 1983-8^ waterfowl season opened on Thanksgiving Day and closed on January 3# Black ducks were legal to take during the entire portion of the season. Hunting was cut short by one week when ice forced us to close all blinds for safety reasons, A total of 3^5 hunter visits were made with '409 birds taken for an average of O.78 birds per hunter. Crippling loss was 16%, A total of 3l black ducks were taken as compared to 180 last year and 233 In 1981.

Overall, for the 1983-8^4 season a total of 8B7 birds wore taken with hunters averaging 0,98 birds per man. This total kill was the lowest total in six years. Overall crippling loss this year was 1*4.7^. All hunters are required to use steel shotshells when hunting on the Hcfuge. If lead amraunitlon was allowed, we feel that the crippling loss would be much greater as hunters would take longer shots and end up losing the birds in the heavy marsh vegetation. We do not know what percentage of the birds lost were actually not retrieved because the hunter could not find the downed bin! in the marsh.

Big Game

This yenr a total of six deer hunts wore conducted on-refuge with a total harvest of 7^ deer. Our annual weapon qualification testing was held at the Broadkill Sportsmen Club on Saturday, August ?7. Ovoe 110 hunters participated in the event. YOG enrollecs were a big help in handling the crowd. In 1983, two new areas totaling 9^5 acren wore opened to huntfng by firearms. Area A, in tho vicinity of the office, opened h?0 acres to shotgun hunting for two days during the B-day November season. - Area B, south of Fowler Beach Road opened 525 acres to hunting during the muzzleloader and shotgun seasons.

Archers are permitted to hunt only on the 2,185 acre North Hunting Area, Once a permit has been obtained, archers could hunt on any open day during the 111 day long season. The only exception is that they may not hunt orv-refuge during the three day October muz­ zleloader season for safety reasons. Over sixty permits were issued however only about 55 archers hunted on-refuge making a total of hGh visits, A total of two deer were taken.

The early muzzleloader season was open on October 15 - 15" Forty- seven hunters made a total of 166 visits during the hunt. Five deor v/ero taken by legal hunters - -I bucko nnd 1 doe. One button buck was taken by a hunter without a rofiige hunting permit.

The Into muzzleloader season was open on January 12 - 1'l, Frigid weather did not deter many hunters. Forty-six hunters made BB refuge visits. A total of 8 deer were taken - 5 male and 5 female.

The B~day shotgun hunting season for deer opened on November 11. Hunting dates for the North Hunting Area and Area B were selected by a lottery drawing. All hunters v/ho applied (nearly 160) received hunting dateg based on the drawing. Any hunter- possessing a valid refuge permit could hunt on any weekday after the first weekend without having to check in at the office. Generally, weekdays rec;eive little hunting pressure. - This method permits more hunters to be afield, A maximum of 'ID hunters were permitted to hunt the combined North Hunting Area and Area B, at any one time, however wo never had more than 50 hunters afield even on opening day.

Hunting pressure was light throughout the season. Only 91 hunters who were' issued permits reported hunting on-rofugo, making e total of 255 visits. Twenty-two doer were taken - 15 males and 7 females. One of these deer was a 205 pound (field dressed) l4-point buck taken by an 11 year old Milton boy.

Hunting was pormlttod on Area A (office area) on two days during tho shotgun ooason. Twenty stands or ground nitoo wore provided. Hunters were selected by lottery with twenty hunters chosen for each of the two days and additional hunters chosen as stand-bys in case a hunter failed to show up or he killed his deer early. Over 175 applications were received for this hunt. The ^20 acre area wan opened to reduce tho size of the herd there - over 125 wore regularly counted during fall evening counts. 33

#11 Not a bad start. Eleven year old Randy Gooner of Milton bagged his first deer on opening day of the November shotgun season for deer. This 14 point beauty weighed 205 pounds field dressed. This will be hard to imporve on, 11/83 ©•Shea

On the first hunting date, Tuesday, November 15» over 40 hunters had the opportunity to hunt. Twenty-three deer were taken including sev­ eral large bucks and the largest doe ever taken in Delaware - 18^ lbs. field dressed. The kill included 12 males and 11 females.

The second hunting day was Thursday, November 1?. A total of 31 hunters braved the cold windy day. Fourteen additional deer were taken including six males and eight females.

Included in the hunting statistics mentioned above for Area A is data for the hunt by non-ambulatory hunters. A separate area within Area A was set aside for these hunters. A total of five persons hunted, all were successful. This was the second year that we have had a special hunt for the non-ambulatory. Once again it was highly successful. 34

The total 198>-84 kill totaled fh deer which included 42 males and 32 females. We estimated that at least 27 of the deer were fdwns 6-8 months old.

Prime Hook strives to provide a quality hunting experience for our deer hunters. We feel that we are accomplishing that goal,* Over 80^ of Refuge hunters see deer while hunting, A number of hunters have fond memories of having bagged their first deer on-refuge, in­ cluding two of this year's non-ambulatory hunters.

Our unofficial "volunteers" played ail important role in the success of both the non-ambulatory hunt and i le special hunt it#Area A0 They served as guides for the non-ambulatc ry hunters and helped us take other hunters to their stands and hel3 track their deer if necessary. A job well done and much appreciated,! I ^ c. Other Migratory Birds

Hunting for dove, snipe and woodcock is permitted on the 2,185 acre North Hunting Area during their respective seasons. Only dove hunting is popular. Dove numbers were low this year and hunting pressure was light.

d. Upland Game Birds and Small Game

The North Hunting Area is open to hunting during the seasons for rabbit, squirrel, bobv.hite quail and pheasant. Rabbit hunting is the most popular. Good rabbit populations this year provided many hours of hunting enjoyment.

9. Fishing

Pishing is a year-round sport, weather permitting. Best fishing occurs in Prime Hook Creek, and Turkle and Fleetwood Ponds, Bass, vjRte perch and crappie are the most' popular species, A total of 1,955 visits were made for fishing in 198^. Crabbing, particularly in Petersfield Ditch and Slaughter Canal, attracted 1,635 refuge visits.

Following conpletion of the water control structures and dike? in Unit III, the waters of Prime Hook Creek and Petersfield Ditch, within Unit III will no longer be classified as tidal. Starting in 1904 persons fishing or crabbing in these waters will be required to have a State fishing license^

11 • Wildlife Observation

The majority of refuge visits by land vehicle (over 12,000 visits) are primarily to view the large deer herd along the entrance road to the office. It is not uncommon, toward sunset, to see up to fifty cars on the roadway. Certainly, additional wildlife observation occurs along the four hlghvrays transecting the refuge. However, this use goes unreported since we have no v/ay to estimate it.

/ Prime Hook Creek continues to provide a pleasant and leisurely canoe or boat trip to get away from it all. Our estimates of boating use on the creek are generally low, since it is difficult to obtain information on the number of persons using the waterway.

#12 Everyone enjoys a leisurely canoe trip on Prime Hook Creek. Refuge Clerk Virginia Baughman and Refuge Manager Don Perkuchin in the lead canoe. Outdoor Recreation Planner Marian Pohlman and Recreation Aid Teresa Hammond are in the following canoe* A trip along Prime Hook Creek and barbeque are rewards to YCC at the end of a long summer In the sun. The entire staff gets to enjoy the trip also. B/Rl O'Shea

Law Enforcement

19B3 was another busy year. We continued an agresslve program to hold down violations. Having four highways transecting the refuge doesnH help matters. The gate constructed across the entrance road in 1982 has all but eliminated illegal hunting in that area. However we continue to have problems with visitors who decide to stay late and see deer by headlights,, The U#S. Magis- rate in Wilmington will not accept a tresspass after hours complaint unless he person has stayed at least one hour after sunset. At £his time it is so dark one must use headlights to see anything. 36

Thin year we experienced a delay in obtaining dlspooltion forms f.Qr cases referred for prosecution0 At yearfo end most of our cases wore still listed as pending.

The following cases vrere made on and adjacent to the refuge during 19^3. Not included are numerous verbal warnings issued for minor violations.

bunting Viotntlons

Take Protected r>peclea Overlimlt of Ducks 1 Attempt to take Ducks In Closed Season/aide 2 Attempt to take Ducks in Closed Area/aide Attempt to take Migratory Bird from Vchlcle/alde 2 Use Headlights to Locate Deer (Spotlight) 7 Loaded Weapon in Vehicle (Rifle) 3 Uncased/assembled Weapon in Vehicle 1 r Hunt Door without Rofugo Permit J Hunt Deer withour Required Hunter Orange 1 Hunt Closed Area of Rofuge 2 Take Tv/o Deer (Only one deer permitted in shotgun season) 1 Hunt Pox - Chase (Refuge closed to this activity) h

Oencral

Fish In Closed Area _ ^ Pish Without Ctato License 3 Tresspass (after hours, closed area or with vehicle) PI Operate Boat in Closed Area Operate IFnregl stored Boat 'l Operate Boat Without PFD*s C Operate Boat Without Navigation Lights 1 Operate Motor Vehiclo Without License 1 Permit Unlicensed Operator to Drive Motor Vehicle 1 Remove Vegetation Without a Permit 3 Permit Dog to Roam at-large on Refuge 5

Total 86

Ton of the violations were handled with written warnings, four were dis­ missed by the U.S. Attorney^ office and three involving Juveniles were not processed.

One of the spotlighting cases Involving throe individuals, was processed In State Court, The trio firdt spotlighted privately owned-lands, then drove across refuge lands and continued to light the area. When they returned to the main road they were met by three State Wardens and two Rofugo Officers, The trio each forfeited S1R9.8O in State Court for spotlighting, and possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle. Refuge spotlighting and trespass charges wore dropped by the UoS. Attorney's OlTlcc. 37

Although four persona were apprehended for fishing In closed areas, evidenco indicatoa that many others also trespass into these areas to fisfu The area involved is Plaoholo and Goose Ponds» These ponds are our most import­ ant wood duck nesting areas. Access to the ponds la across privately owned lands then through a refuge fence posted as "Area ClosedTrespass into these ponds is suspected as the primary reason why so many of the nests were abandoned this year. New fine schedules now sets forfeiture for such viola­ tion at $50. Formerly, fines were only S25o ^0 will patrol the area more often in 19B4,

During the last few years sordous firing lino situations have developed along several areas of our boundary. The problem involves both waterfowl and deer hunting. Large sections of our boundary arc inacceooftble to us msklng enfor­ cement difficult, Accesoable areas will require extensive enforcement periods of time to stake out. Unfortunately, we simply do not have enough time to do a proper Job,

Obis Clifton attended the 40 hour Refuge Officers' refresher training in Richmond, Virginia on August 22 - 20^ Both O'Shea and Clifton qualified with handguns and shotguns in April,

.] „ I'.qnjRMKr/r AND CACTI,TTiR'i

New Construction

R.AoM. Construction Co. was the successful bidder on our Unit III Marsh Restoration project. The award, in the amount of $^06,571 was made in ^ October, Several modifications to the contract have been made altering the final cost of the work. One major problem was an underestimation for the len­ gth of dike required. Engineering estimates were 1,500 feet short - a $50,000 + error.

We were fortunate in having R.A.M, as the successful bidder in that they have worked at Bombay Hook with an excellent work record.

The Unit TIT project involves building two large water control structures, a small gut plug and two dikes, originally totaling 3»730 feet. The project will permit us to manage water levels in the 2,500 ncres of Unit ITT,. Water will be manipulated by stop logs and screw gates. The dikes along Otate Route 16 at the southern end of the unit will retain water within the unit and avoid adverse Impact to the roadway, ditches and privately owned land",

''he small structure on Prime Hook Creek, west of Broadkill Beach consists of five bays, Including one with a screw gate. 'The Petersfield Ditch structure will consist of eight hays with two screw gates. The screw gates were added at the request of the Fisheries section of the State Division of Fish and Wildlife, to permit passage by anadromous fish species. 38

R,A#M. moved on-site on October 18 and started by building access treads to the structure sites. Actual work on the Prime Hook Creek site started on October 26. Construction of the structure was completed on November 50. The small gut plug was pre-cast at the Prime Hook Creek site and was installed on December 2,

At years end, the Petersfield Ditch structure was about half finished. Cold, wet and windy weather has hampered and sloxved progress. The contractor is still well ahead of schedule. Completion of the entire project Is expected by April,

2. Rehabilitation

Potholes in the one-half mile paved entrance road was repaired with cold patch using a truck borrowed from the Delaware Division of Pish and Wildlife, Gravel roads were graded periodically,

FY 84 funding includes $10,000 to rehab our boundary signing. Many of our signs are faded or have been shot up, A jungle of briars, brush and Phragmites has all but hidden the boundary.

Major rehab funding continues to be required for rehab of the gravel roads.

Part of our FY 84 funding earmarked for road rehab will be reprogramed to fund YCC,

4, Equipment Utilization and Replacement

A new 18 foot Panther alrboat was purchased from R0 funding to replace our present boat which is over 20 years old. Old "Top Cat" has provided us with many years of excellent service. The new boat was delivered to Bombay Hook in January, 1984, It is wider and longer than our present boat. We hope it fits our ditches and channels. Total cost of the boat - $18,230.

Our aging 1977 Chevrolet 4x4 pickup truck badly needs replacement. It had over 60,000 miles at the end of FY 83. By the end of FY 84, the Fairmont station wagon will also be in need of replacement as it too will have over 60,000 miles by the end of the fiscal year. Both vehicles are starting to require extensive repairs. Additional funding X'd.ll be required to replace these vehicles.

3, Communications Equipment

A new GE Master II base station was purchased from special fire equipment ' funding to replace our old second hand set. The new base has significantly improved our communications. Total cost was $1,897®20. 39

7. Othor

Prime Hook Is in need of upgraded administrative, maintenance and storage facilities. The office is a email oonverted milk house which may have been adequate at one time but is too email for current operations* frhe building has only one room and does not allow for privacy or for any meetings requiring more than three participants.

A 32 x 64 wood frame pole building was built by YACC In 1978-79. It now serves as both a shop and storage area. The storage half of the building is unheatod and provides our only area for inside storage of equipment. Two tractors and the airboat take up most of the space. The large Massey- Ferguson IOS5 tractor is housed in the shop portion of the building and must be moved whenever work space is needed. We prefer not to store it outside and subject it to weather. Obviously, wo need adequate storage facilities and a serviceable shop, 'tyie equlpmont storage situation will worsen In 1984 with delivery of a tracked marsh vehicle and mower. Like our vehicle and other equipment it will have to be stored outside, subject to weather and vandalism.

J. CrniER ITOiB

1• Cooperative Programs

The waterfowl hunting program, as discussed in Section 11 is a cooperative venture with the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, The state supplies equipment and manpower for blind construction. We operate the check station. We also maintain a tide gauge and rain gauge in Unit TV for the mosquito control Section of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The gauge was set as part of the Open Marsh Water Management study. However, it also provides uo with date to monitor water levels in Units III and TV,

A special Use Permit is issued annually to the Memorial Fire Company of Slaughter Beach to mow a one acre field adjacent to State Route 224 for use as a parking area during their Jndcpendance Day Festival. Permission was given to the Village of Slaughter Beach to park a dumpster on a refuge parking area on Route 224 for temporary storage of dead horseshoe crabs which wash up on their beach.

3. Credits

This report was written by Assistant Refuge Manager CCShea, except for section P-4 which was written by Maintenance worker Otis Clifton, The report was reviewed by Refuge Manager Don Perkuohin. Typing was by Recreation Aid Teresa Hammond, 1983 marked the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the Prime Hook Refuge, When the refuge was approved for acquisition the marshes were high quality freshwater and tidal types. Our inability to manage water levels, as practiced by prior owners, has caused a significant Recline in the marsh water table, contributing to the severe Phragmites problem that we now have, 1983 will mark the year that we started to reverse that trend with active marsh management. We hope this trend will continue.

During 1983# this writer had the opportunity to attend the raid-level Refuge Manager training session in Beckley W, VA. One of the keys that was impressed upon us was a return to our professionalism - be a biologist again. None will disagree that this thrust is important, however, how do we accomplish this? » " f Generally, smaller stations have one "Professional11 staff member. This person must handle all administrative duties such as reports, assessments and more reports. Larger, or parent stations, generally have a refuge lanager and one or more assistants to spread out the work load. No one person is completely bogged down in the paper trail, therefore finding time to be a biologist - band, observe etCo Additionally, all mail to the sub-station is directed through the parent station, then forwarded to the satellite, This creates a problem when reports are due on short notice and we get the word the day before or the day after is is due. Generally, we find ourselves without sufficient time to do the adequate, professional Job of completing the report.

The end result of all of this to Prime Hook is that after 20 years we find ourselves with inadequate staff to handle current operations and incomplete or missing biological data for preparing reports and assessments. Critical biological data such as wildlife populations and vegetative cover during the early refuge years is completely lacking. Two major marsh restoration pro­ jects are now underway. We lack the resources to employ students to mon­ itor and study the results of this work and we lack staff time and expertise to accomplish this important work on our own. We can be sure of one thing, somewhere along the way we will be asked to report on the biological impacts of our projects.

Ideally, we need the funding to restore the Assistant Refuge Manager (Trainee) position and to fund research projects. We also need to reduce the adminis­ trative load by reducing the number of reports. Unfortunately, neither pro­ posal has much of a chance of happening.