Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge

Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map of the United States
Location	Suffolk County, New York, United States
Nearest city	Amagansett, New York
Coordinates
Area	36 acres (0.15 km2)
Established	1968
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/longislandrefuges/amagansett.html

The Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge, in Amagansett, New York, graces the shore of the Atlantic Ocean on Long Island's south fork. Established December 16, 1968, the 36-acre (150,000 m²) refuge is of special significance in the protection and management of fragile shore habitat and wildlife. Its unique double dune system embodies marine sand beach, primary dunes, secondary dunes, swales, fens, cranberry bogs, and oak scrub. Many rare plants, including several orchids, occur on the refuge. A major purpose of the refuge is the protection of the secondary dunes, which have become scarce on Long Island due to development.

Long-tailed ducks, white winged scoter, common loon and horned grebe spend winter off the refuge shore, while shorebirds, songbirds and raptors are a treat to visiting wildlife watchers during spring and fall. Merlin, Cooper's hawk, kestrel, sharp-shinned hawk, and peregrine falcon soar over the dunes during migration. Ipswich sparrow, rough-legged hawk, and short eared owl spend winter at the refuge offering birders a cold-weather destination. In late spring and summer the beach hosts piping plover, and common and least terns (protected by the Endangered Species Act) as well as sandpiper and other shorebirds. The Eastern hognose snake, a New York State designated species of special concern, can still be found on the refuge.

Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge Website: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/longislandrefuges/amagansett.html

References

• Refuge website

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.