Tag Archives: Chincoteague Island

Refuge Staff Goes All Out for ‘A Celebration of Migration’

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By Robert Boswell

Publisher, Wild Pony Tales

This is the time of year when the outstanding work of the biologists and park rangers at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the National Park Service is showcased, helped along of course by the arrival of the snow geese and other migrating waterfowl.

I sometimes worry that the year-long fallout from the alternative beach parking controversy will overshadow all that is good about having the Refuge so close, about having a place we can go where it is quiet and we can, at least for a few hours, give our minds a break.

No matter what our views are on the future of beach parking and refuge management let’s not forget to give credit to the highly qualified and dedicated staff members who keep the place running every day of the year. I do not say this tritely or lightly.

I have taken our writers to Assateague many times to gather information for the stories on this website and I cannot recall an instance when our sources – I mean Lou Hinds, his managers, the biologists and park rangers – were not helpful and knowledgeable. Most of the people at the Refuge have degrees it took them years to obtain.

When I was teaching journalism in middle school I would sometimes have a student working on a class assignment call Amanda Daisy, the wildlife biologist, right from class, a real life interview by a 6th or 7th grader.

On a sad note I want to mention a park ranger who was especially helpful to us, Barry Brookshire. Barry was at the Refuge for 16 months until his contract ran out and then he returned to his home in Texas. But soon after he was found to have a malignant tumor in his colon. Doctors were successful in treating Barry but he has been unable to return to work. While at the Refuge he answered many questions for our young writers with all the patience of the teacher that he once was. At the Refuge Barry was what he called a “roving ranger,” moving around the pathways, talking to people, answering questions. If he didn’t know the answer he would go and find it.

Waterfowl Week is a special time at the Refuge. We have the event highlights in another story but what follows are more details, the times, places and descriptions of the activities coming up over Thanksgiving. Every single event is worth attending.

One of the big issues I have with the whole Assateague show is how easy it is to come here and never see a pony, or see them only at a great distance. When our niece, Marcy, was little I don’t think we got to see any ponies, except the ones at McDonalds for which I was thankful, until her third visit. And she only made it here once a year. We did see plenty of evidence, but few ponies.

Beach Parking Plan, Camp Ground Purchase Wrong Way to Go

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This article appeared as a Letter to the Editor in the Eastern Shore News and Chincoteague Beacon, newspapers published in Accomack County, Virginia.

Dear Editor,

As a concerned citizen, business owner, member of the Chincoteague Vol Fire Company and a  recreational beach-goer I know that I can no longer remain silent and behind the scenes on this whole beach parking issue.  I represent the fire company on the Town’s Beach Access Committee and on the Citizens Beach Access Committee and there have been many hours of meetings and lots of work being done on this issue.  I have only been a small part of this due to my work responsibilities and I appreciate all the work being done by these two committees to help save our way of life as we know it.  But this letter is written by me, from my heart and does not in any way reflect on any organization or committee that I belong to.  These are my thoughts and my opinions only.

With that being said those of you who know me, know what comes up, generally comes out.  Some times to a fault!!    Here we are in the worst economic times that my generation has ever seen.  Our government is out of control from the state levels to the federal level.  Jobs, jobs, jobs are all every congressman and our president yaps about.  And that’s all it is, yapping.  Neither the island of Chincoteague nor the Eastern Shore ever received a big government bailout.  God knows we could have used one given that our two counties are two of the poorest ones in the state of Virginia.  But, we here on the Shore are resourceful, make our own way, don’t ask for hand-outs and try to earn a decent honest living.  And what do we get for that??  A big kick in the pants from the US Fish and Wildlife Service that’s what. 

How in the world can the federal government justify spending $7 million bucks on a campground, then spend thousands more to make it acceptable for parking, then spend even thousands more to out-fit trolley’s, gas, insurance for the trolley’s and payroll for the drivers, yet can’t find $200 thousand to replenish beach parking on the island of Assateague itself?  They can’t justify it all in the name of conservation. 

Mr. Hinds and several others have spoken about sea level rise.  That’s all we have heard for months and no doubt there has been sea level rise in some areas but there has been no rise in other places.  In fact, one study I’ve read that the Fish and Wildlife did about 20 years ago said that the current location of the parking lots now would be under water by the year 2000.  Well here it is folks, the summer of 2011 and it’s not under water.  That just proves to me that no one can predict what will happen.  

The town just recently proposed to increase the hotel tax by 1% much to the dislike of several hotel/motel owners, with thoughts of giving that money to the Fish and Wildlife to help repair the parking lots in case of storm damage.  Now, I’m no genius but giving the government any money for anything other than taxes is just plain crazy. For one, they probably would have to do some kind of study to see if they could accept it and then spend months if not years, telling us that they can’t accept it.  I appreciate the efforts of our town leaders for trying to come up with some kind of possible solution but another tax isn’t it.

Several of my friends and family work for the USFWS, in fact my Uncle worked there right out of high school until his retirement.  I have a great deal of respect for them and what they do.  Our natural resources must be protected; however they can also co-exist together as well.  Removing all beach parking or removing some beach parking will have a devastating impact on this town and the Eastern Shore as we know it.  And not just Virginia’s Eastern Shore either.  It will also impact Worcester and Somerset Counties in Maryland too.  The trickledown effect it will have on all businesses will be felt all around.  All those jobs the government is yapping about?  They will be gone.  The hotel house-keeping staff’s, the restaurant staffs, the bike shops, the front desk clerks, the mini golf course attendants, the store owners, the grocery store employees, the town employees, construction carpenters, the newspaper staff, nurses, the pharmacy staff, hair stylists, charter boat captains, marina dock hands, mechanics, landscapers, lawn care employees, seafood market staff, convenience store clerks, campgrounds staff, HVAC employees, house painters, bank tellers and yes, florist.  Have I made my point?  The surveys taken last year proved that if the parking at the beach is eliminated, people would stop coming to Chincoteague and find another place to enjoy the beach.  The trickledown effect is this:  If a restaurant doesn’t serve as many people as they did before, they will lay off employees.  Those laid off employees can’t afford to get their hair done or buy extra groceries or hire someone to cut their grass or paint their house or buy flowers for someone’s birthday.  And trust me folks, the trickledown effect doesn’t trickle, it pours down like a monsoon!!!

Anyone and everyone who has a stake in this, and lets’ face it if you are a resident, land owner, home owner, business owner, vacationer or what not; you have a stake in this.  Please, contact our congressmen.   There  is Lynn Lewis on the local level, Mark Warner and Jim Webb on the state level and Scott Rigell and Bob Northam on the district level.  You can Google their names and all the information you need to e-mail them, call them or write them is right there.  Please do it today!!!  It only takes a few minutes to do this to save our way of life as we know it.

As far as Maddox Campground being sold…………..sigh, I can understand they want to sell.  Who wouldn’t want $7 million bucks?  The Maddox’s have worked and worked hard all their lives.  I know them personally.  They are good customers of mine.  My dad used to ride horses with their family up where the Piney Island housing development is now.  Wyle Maddox is the guy who made it possible in the first place to be able to drive cars over to Assateague.  The road leading to Assateague is named after them.  And now the possibility of that beautiful piece of land where many families have camped for generations could fall into the hands of the federal government is just hard to handle.  I hope that the Maddox family will have a change of heart.  I hope they will realize what will come of Chincoteague and the Eastern Shore if their campground is used for a parking lot, a parking lot that I feel will be very empty because no one in their right mind will gather up coolers, umbrellas, beach toys, boogie boards, beach bags not to mention little Johnny who is screaming his head off because his sister has taken his beach toy and lug all that to the beach on a trolley.  Oh yeah, I can picture the excitement of that right now.

Folk’s this country has gotten way out of line.  We are sending billions of dollars overseas to countries who want nothing but to attack and kill us.  Billions in aid to other’s because their government could care less if their people starve or not.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t recall other countries coming to our aid when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf States.  In the meantime, our seniors are choosing between buying medicine or food.  Our military personnel are coming home in flagged draped boxes and those lucky enough to survive have to come home and fight again to get the benefits entitled to them and their families.  A one term congressman gets benefits for the rest of his life.  Full retirement and pension and all that good stuff.  Our military personnel doesn’t, they only get a portion.  A portion!!  For protecting us and keeping us free!!    But no, we sent millions of dollars to Pakistan so they can keep Bin Laden comfy. How long do you think they laughed at us over that?  But leave it to the American Soldier to take care of it.  He or she doesn’t see dollar signs, they only see a murderer through the scope of that rifle and with two shots took care of what billions sent to them didn’t.  Disgusting isn’t it?

You know, I’m not very political.  I’m certainly not politically correct by no means.  I don’t like to tip-toe around issues.  It’s either black or white, right or wrong with me.  I’ve been known to vote Democrat and Republican and probably will continue to do so until someone gets it right, which I may never live long enough to see.  This country needs help.  We need to get off our butts, get out and vote and push for term limits so these yapping people of government know they only have a certain amount of time to do it and do it right.  We’ve become too lazy and too politically correct.  Just because someone out there doesn’t believe in God doesn’t mean you have to punish me for wanting to pray or have a nativity scene at Christmas.  I don’t try to tell anyone out there they can’t practice their religion.  You don’t like what I’m doing?  Don’t look. 

Our schools in this country are in a sad state.  No Child Left Behind Law?  Worthless.  A kid can be passed on to the next grade without even knowing the essentials of the last grade he was in.  When is the last time you heard of kid failing a grade and having to repeat it?  These days and times, it doesn’t matter if you can’t read well.  Our teachers are not permitted to take a lot of time with the students these days.  What our teachers are teaching on Monday, teacher s in that same grade everywhere are teaching the same thing.  Now that is a group of people who deserve every cent and more of their pay.  If you think their job is 8-3 everyday with summers off then try it for yourself.  It’s a 24/7 all the time.  And the politics of school are just as bad.  God has certainly been left behind in school; we threw him out and let all the bad stuff in.  All in the name of not wanting to offend anyone.  Don’t mind offending God though do we?

I’m sorry I’m on a roll with all this, I just had to get it out that we are a country in distress.  Both financially and emotionally.  We may not be able to fix the world or even the rest of the country but we can start here and we can start today.   This beach parking issue is not going away and we just can’t rely on a couple of committees to come and save us.  It’s got to be a collective effort on all our parts.  Please, contact, write or e-mail anyone in our government to let them know our concerns so we may be able to keep what little is left of the Great American way of life.

Thank you for listening.

Denise Bowden

Children, Parents Enjoy International Migratory Bird Day at the Refuge

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By Misty Thornton

Co-Editor, Wild Pony Tales

On an hot early morning on Assateague Island, VA, bird-lovers, park rangers and visitors gathered to enjoy a day full of family learning as well as some games and entertaining exhibits.

As we crossed the Assateague Channel Bridge to the beautiful island of Assateague, the air was moist and the sun was hot, but nothing was going to stop the excitement that was fluttering in the hearts of children and their parents. At the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge parking lots were filling up fast as people from all around came to enjoy themselves at the International Migratory Bird Day Festival.

Tee shirts and carving lessons were available just ouside the refuge information center, along with hotdogs and bottles of water.

Walking through the first set of doors to the information center four exhibits lined the lobby’s walls. Carver Bill Cowen had on display about 20 of his best power carved birds of all shapes and sizes from an arrangement of owls to a bright red cardinal.

Mr. Cowen said one of his birds made second best in the world at a competition.  As a carving teacher of about 30 years he said, “I love carving. It’s just something you can sit back, relax, and not even think about it. It’s like everything around you disappears and only you and your carvings are left.”  Mr. Cowen has a place on the island but mainly lives in New Jersey with his family and his business.

Then, there was an assortment of birds, ducks, and fish carvings on the next table done by Ed Kuhn of Onancock, VA., and there was also an exhibit that had photographs of birds, sunsets and wildlife taken by Robert Wilson.

The next exhibit was by Donnie Thornton. His had bird feathers with hand painted fine art on the front. He’s lived on the island all his life and painting feathers is just what comes natural. He’s been painting island houses, ponies, birds and plants on feathers for 17 years now. “When I’m not painting, I’m playing with my horse, Nugget,” said Mr. Thornton.

Inside the information center there was plenty more for visitors to experience. The conference room was the place for children. There was face painting, woodcarving for kids, experts to talk about birds and fuzzy, live birds that would later get center stage in the Scales and Tales program in the auditorium.

Coming out of the conference room and back into the main center, were two main exhibits. Residents Wayne and JeanBonde had on exhibit a large variety of duck stamps representing each year since 1934.

“The migratory bird stamps have been around since the first one in 1934. We decided to collect them which meant we had to go back and get all the other stamps in the series that we didn’t have from 1934 until 1977, ” said Ms. Bonde. “We went to stamp shows trying to find as inexpensive  used ones as we could fine. It took us a while, maybe about 20 years.”

In the meantime, in 1977, they started buying a migratory bird stamp each year which keeps them up to date. The older used stamps, 1934 up to 1977, are all signed by the hunters using them.  “It is a requirement,” explained Mr. Bonde, “if you are going to hunt waterfowl, that you have one of the migratory bird stamps signed by you in your possession for that year. From 1977 on, all the migratory bird stamps I have are unsigned.

Right now a migratory bird stamp costs $15. “They can also be used to gain entrances onto refuges and state parks,” said Mr. Bonde.

Further along in the information center was an artist, Jenny Somers, who had hand painted over 50 pictures. She lives on Chincoteague. “Every moment of free time I have I’m usually painting the scenery and the world around me. What a better place to do that then right outside of my home.”

There were exhibits of photographs and more paintings. One thing that attracted the most attention wasn’t an exhibit at all. It was the live eagle cam which brings the eagles and on that day just-born eaglets right onto a TV screen in the information center. The actual nest is high in the pines just off the Wildlife Loop. With visitors and Wild Pony Tales cameras looking on the first of two eggs hatched right before our eyes. Visitors were overjoyed to see the mother caring for her baby. The two eggs were special to the refuge staff because the first three eggs had been destroyed in a wind storm.  (See separate story on the site.)

When the excitement died down it was time for the Scales and Tales presentation where Erica Mcgrath and Samantha Ford from the Conservation Corp. in Maryland gave detailed information on their animals they brought with them from Pocomoke River State Park. Their animals all have been wounded at some point in their life and have been taken under the park’s wing. The animals included from owls, turtles, falcons and even an Eastern King Snake. (See a separate story.)

The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the National Park Service both hold events and programs for families and children throughout the summer.

Old Passage to the Islands Gives Way to the New

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Workers from American Bridge Company spent some cold and windy days in January, taking apart the old swing bridge to Chincoteague Island, piece by piece. The fashes of light are from the cutting torches used to cut apart the steel framework. The sections being lifted out are from the roadbed. Video by Robert Boswell and Misty Thornton

 

By Robert Boswell

If you’re returning to Chincoteague Island for a visit, or just coming home after a day at work on the mainland, something will be missing. The old swing bridge is gone.

On Sunday evening, January 16 workmen from American Bridge Company lit up their cutting torches and prepositioned supplies and equipment and began to take the old landmark apart. The next day boat traffic was halted for 10 hours while the first section was cut up and lifted away by a giant crane.

Once boats could move freely through the opening, workmen, in mostly cold and wet weather, cut the remaining section up piece by piece until all that was left by Friday, January 28 was open space where the bridge had been since 1939 and the turn style.

Pieces of the steel structure and the roadbed were piled up by the crane on work barges and on nearby Marsh Island.  As the crane engine blew out black smoke and workers called out to each other, the sea birds and ducks that hang out along Chincoteague Channel floated along as usual, unaware that history was being undone right in front of them.

The control cab section and the gates will be used by the Town of Chincoteague either in a museum or located in Robert N. Reed Sr. Park along the waterfront.

The demolition of the bridge began soon after the Marsh Island spur to the new bridge was completed. The main bridge, that runs three quarters of a mile over marsh lands and the Black Narrows and Lewis Creek Channel was completed in the summer and officially opened at a dedication program on October 16.

The new bridges which cost about $69 million, have a draw bridge over the channel which will not have to open as often because some of the fishing boats dock on lower Chincoteague piers.

The original bridge was opened in 1922, when the John B. Whealton causeway was built and then replaced around 1939.

A Few Moments with a Dancing Otter

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By Elizabeth Fread

The first time I ever saw the river otter, I was pretty sure it was a muskrat or maybe a beaver. I was watching the bank side for birds to photograph, when I heard a faint splash.

I looked out into the water and saw a smooth body that was brown and thin. At first I thought maybe it was a snake, but then it came up again revealing a small head with whiskers on the side. I watched it slowly make its way along the bank, and he was literally gliding in the water, twisting and twirling all the time.

I looked over to Mr. and Mrs. Boswell, who were following in the car, and said, “that’s an otter, and went chasing after it.” It was one of the most exciting moments I experienced since we began shooting photos for our website. In a situation like this you can be glad you know your camera equipment. There isn’t time to think about settings, you barely have time to focus and shoot. With my heart pounding, I just knew I had a chance of getting some of our best shots. I was not disappointed.

After swimming and diving his way along the waterway, he, maybe it was a she, turned away from me and climbed up on the bank on the opposite side from me, but still not more than 25 feet away.

Otters, being curious creatures, are interested in almost anything, so as soon as I started making some clucking noises, he quickly turned his head my way and looked right at me. Then he decided to put on an act. It looked like he was performing a little dance, but really all he was doing was shaking off some water, turning around and around. Then he just plopped right down on the bank, enjoying the warm sun.

After a little while he slid off the bank into the water continuing back the way he had come. A few weeks later we photographed another otter, or maybe it was the same one. But the thrill of those few minutes with my dancing otter is something I will never forget. I hope you enjoy looking at the photos as much as I did taking them.

Otter Facts:

* The range of the river otter is throughout Virginia. This species is semi-aquatic or almost entirely aquatic and they are most abundant in food-rich coastal areas and the lower parts of streams and rivers.

* The breeding season is about 3 months in the late winter and early spring. A litter of 1-6 kits is born from March to April in natal dens (overhanging banks, tree knots and abandoned stream bank burrows). This species does not dig its own burrow. The male avoids the area of birth but rejoins the family while the young learn to swim.

* The family group stays together for 6 months-1 year. They are active at any hour and season. They feed mostly from dawn-midmorning, and in the evening. The life span for the otter in the wild is usually 8-9 years.

* River otters can live no more than a few hundred meters from the water. Clean and unpolluted waterways isolated from human contact is preferred by the river otter. Their aquatic habitat consists of log jams and submerged trees. They occasionally use duck blinds and abandoned boat houses.

* Otters have a total length from 3 to 4.2 feet, and a weight of 10-25 pounds. The males are larger than the females.

* The river otter is recognizable from other creatures as river otters have a streamlined body. They also have short legs and webbed toes. Another characteristic is that the river otter has small eyes and ears.

* River otters can swim at around seven miles per hour and dive to 35 feet. When the otter dives flaps of skin close-off the otter’s nose as well as ears. This allows it to stay underwater for two minutes or longer before it must come up for air.

* One of the biggest things about the otter is that it has a long tapering tail which is thick at the base and thin at the tip and helps the otter navigate through the water rapidly. The tail measures 40 to 50 inches long. Males are larger than females in most cases and have a mass which averages 5-10 kilograms. The weight of an adult otter ranges from 11 to 33 pounds.