Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

Every spring and fall, millions of birds migrate from cold, northern environs to temperate and tropical homes in Central and South America. Enroute, their needs are simple: an occasional place to rest and food to nourish. Wildlife biologists at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, on the southern tip of Assateague Island, have engineered a deluxe ornithological wayside for the winged travelers. Entire sections of beach are closed during nesting season for the endangered piping plover. On small, man-made earthen mounds rising in the middle of bayside lagoons, waterfowl perch and feed, protected from predators. As the human hand tinkers with wildlife balance, real drama plays out in the daily life of birds and land animals—and it’s on display for all to see. Terrain: A network of paved roads, dirt roads, and sand jeep trails lead hikers to a wide ocean beach, marine forest of oak and pine, low dunes, and salt-water marsh.