Events Calendar Full for Summer

Posted By Admin on August 27, 2010

“There’s nothing to do around here,” is a frequently heard comment from people, especially young people, who live on the Eastern Shore. But in the summer if you can get to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands that would be a hard claim to make. As the following report shows, there are events and activities for every age every day during these summer months. We have attempted to make it as easy as possible for readers, listing dates, places, times and prices.


– Robert Boswell, publisher. Errors and additions may be sent to my email, boswell.robert@gmail.com.

Compiled by Windy Mason for www.wildponytales.info.

 Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company:

4028 Main Street

Chincoteague Island, Virginia 23336

(757) 336-3138

Email for Pony Information: cvfc333@yahoo.com

Email for CVFC Information: cvfc313@yahoo.com

Website: www.cvfc3.com

The Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival

The carnival opens nightly at 7 p.m. and closes at 11 p.m., weather permitting, July 26-31. The carnival is closed on Sundays. No pets are allowed on the carnival grounds, in parking areas or in vehicles, attended or unattended. All proceeds go to defraying expenses and into the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company general fund for maintenance and replacement of equipment and for emergency use for the benefit of the entire community.

Pony Penning Week:

 Beach Walk:

On Monday, July 26, the ponies will make their way from the North Corral to the South Corral by way of the beautiful Assateague Beach. Under the guidance of the famous Salt Water Cowboys, the ponies get an early morning walk. Be there by 6 a.m.

Pony Swim:

On Wednesday, July 28 between approximately 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., the ponies swim the Assateague Channel at Chincoteague Memorial Park, located on the east side of the island. After a brief rest, the ponies are herded to the carnival grounds. The first colt ashore (King or Queen Neptune) will be given away at the carnival grounds upon the ponies’ arrival from the swim. You must be present and purchase a ticket to win.

Pony Swim Shuttle:

The Town of Chincoteague will be operating a free of charge shuttle service for anyone wishing to attend Pony Penning. This shuttle will only operate on Wednesday, July 28 from 5 a.m. For day visitors, the primary pick up will be at Chincoteague High School. For overnight visitors, there will be several pick up points through the island. Look for the Pony Swim Shuttle signs posted at each stop. Passengers will be shuttled to the swim at Memorial Park. After the swim, passengers will be shuttled back to their original pick up point or may be shuttled to the carnival grounds where the ponies will be heading. Shuttle times will be variable due to traffic conditions.

Pony Penning Auction:

 On Thursday, July 29 from 8 a.m. until noon, the ponies, yearlings or younger, will be auctioned off.

Return Swim:

On Friday, July 30, time to be announced, the ponies will swim back to Assateague Island.

Assateague Island National Seashore:

 8586 Beach Road

P.O. Box 38

Chincoteague Island, Virginia 23336

(757) 336-6577

Turn Circle at Park Entrance:

Crabbing Demonstration:

On July 31 at 4 p.m., there will be a crabbing demonstration at the turn circle entering the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Join seashore staff in using ropes and chicken necks for catching the tasty blue crab. Bait, line and buckets will be provided. However, you are advised to bring sunscreen and bug spray. This program is catch and release.

Tom’s Cove Visitor Center:

Free as a Bird:

On July 25 and July 27 at 7:30 a.m. and on July 29 at 4 p.m., discover some of Assateague’s most colorful summer residents on this ¾ mile walk. Lasting approximately two hours, Free as a Bird is a program designed for beginning birders. A limited number of binoculars and bird guides are provided. Advance registration is required and should be done by calling or stopping by Tom’s Cove Visitor Center.

Creature Feature:

On July 25 at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., July 26 at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., July 27 at 1:30 p.m., July 28 at 10:30 a.m., July 29 at 2:30 p.m., July 30 at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and on July 31 at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., enjoy this 15 minute program as you gather around a ranger and today’s special mystery “guest.” During this informal discussion, you will learn about the life and lore of a special Assateague Island resident.

Aquarium Talk:

On July 25-26 at 2 p.m. and on July 27-31 at 11:30 a.m., discover the great diversity of life surrounding Assateague Island with the Aquarium Talk program. Get at peek at who is out there swimming with you!

Marsh Walk:

On July 26 at 2:30 p.m., July 29 at 10:30 a.m. and on July 31 at 9:30 a.m., use all your senses to discover the many mysteries of the salt marsh during this one hour walk covering ¼ mile. Experience the sights, smells, sounds, tastes and feelings that you won’t experience anywhere else. Wear shoes, no flip-flops, and clothing that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy.

Story by the Sea:

On July 27 at 4 p.m. and on July 30 at 10 a.m., join the Assateague Island National Seashore for a story by the sea as you learn about an animal that calls Assateague home. You will also make a craft to share with family and friends! Advance registration is required and can be done at the Tom’s Cove Visitor Center, on the right just before the beach.

Under the Boardwalk:

On July 27 at 5 p.m., July 28 at 2 p.m. and July 31 at 10:30 a.m., go under the boardwalk to see what’s in bloom, who made those tracks and just what is hiding under there. You never know what you’ll see under the boardwalk!

Junior Ranger Program:

For children ages 6-14. It’s easy and fun to be a junior ranger. Learn more about the seashore and earn a Junior Ranger patch. Purchase an activity booklet at the Toms Cove or Barrier Island visitor centers. When you have completed the activities in the booklet and attended two ranger-guided programs, you’ll receive a Junior Ranger certificate and a patch. A Mini-Ranger Program is available for kids ages 4-5. Learn more about the seashore and earn a Mini-Ranger badge. Ask for an activity booklet at the Toms Cove or Barrier Island visitor centers. When you have completed the activities in the booklet and attended a ranger-guided program, you’ll receive a Mini-Ranger certificate and a badge. Both the Junior Ranger and the Mini-Ranger programs are available year-round

Lifeguarded Beach:

Surf Rescue Demonstration:

On July 26, July 28 and July 30 at 10:30 a.m., learn how to survive being caught in a seaward current, what to do in a lightning storm and how to keep your family safe at the beach this summer. National Park Service lifeguards will explain beach hazards and demonstrate surf rescue techniques in this helpful, life-saving program. The demonstrations run about 30 minutes.

Naturalist Shack Lot #1:

Life on the Edge:

On July 25 at 3:30 p.m. and July 30 at 4 p.m., you will investigate where land meets the sea and consider the power of the ocean during this one hour program. Hold on to your hats!

Hook, Line & Sinker:

Available on July 26 at 8:30 a.m., this program includes demonstrations of surf fishing equipment, bait and casting techniques. Designed for those with limited surf fishing experience, this program is limited to those 12 years of age or older. Equipment is provided.

Beach at Lot #2:

Beach Campfire:

At 8:30 p.m. on the evenings of July 25 and July 28, there will be a campfire on the beach, creating the mood of days gone by. Join park rangers for this fun and educational program. covering a variety of topics on the rich cultural and natural history of Assateague Island. You are welcome to bring marshmallows and roasting sticks, a flashlight and insect repellant are advised.

Bayside of Lot #3:

Kayak in the Cove:

On July 26 at 9 a.m., July 29 at 11 a.m. and July 31 at 1 p.m., join Assateague Island National Seashore rangers for a paddle in Tom’s Cove to discover what’s beneath the boat. Be ready to get wet! All equipment is provided. There is a $10 per person fee, payable by cash or check only when making the reservation in person at Tom’s Cove Visitor Center. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 must be with an adult in a tandem kayak, as a passenger only. Children must be 13 years of age or older to paddle kayak alone and a parent or guardian must be on the trip. Children must be 16 or older to paddle on a trip alone. Wear clothing and shoes, no flip-flops, for wading.

Chincoteague Natural History Association:

8231 Beach Road

P.O. Box 917

Chincoteague Island, Virginia 23336

(757) 336-3696

Email: cnha@verizon.net

Website: www.piping-plover.org

Assateague Lighthouse Tours:

Assateague Lighthouse tours are available through September 28. Tours are available Thursday through Monday, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.. Fees are $4 for adults, $2 for children from ages 2-12 and children under 2 are free. All children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Special Refuge Wildlife Bus Tours during Pony Week:

There are three special wildlife tours being offered on July 25 and 26 to allow visitors to view the Pony Roundup and the “Beach Run.” There will be no other normally scheduled tours during Pony Penning week. The tour bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift to enhance accessibility. The cost per tour is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12.

Oyster & Maritime Museum:

7125 Maddox Blvd.

P.O. Box 352

Chincoteague Island, Virginia 23336

(757) 336-6117

Website: www.chincoteague.com

A non-profit educational institution, the Oyster & Maritime Museum is located on Maddox Boulevard, just before the entrance to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Founded in 1965 by a group of island women, the museum tells the story of island history and of the oystering and seafood business which was the major industry of the island. The museum features a lens from the Assateague Lighthouse, an aquarium, an oyster diorama, a library and more. Group tours are also offered. The museum is open daily, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $2 for ages 13 and up.

Chincoteague Pony Centre:

Chicken City Road

Chincoteague Island, Virginia 23336

(757) 336-2776

Email: ponycntr@intercom.net

Website: www.chincoteague.com/ponycentre

The Chincoteague Pony Centre is the home of the largest herd of Misty family ponies on the island. At the Pony Centre, you can interact with these descendants of Misty, sit down and enjoy a movie, stroll around the stables, enjoy a pony show or browse around the shop. The Pony Centre also offers pony rides, riding lessons and pony day camps. You can even have your birthday party here, complete with pony rides!

Pony Penning Week Activities:

Pony Rides:

From July 26 through July 31, pony rides are being offered at the Chincoteague Pony Centre from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and from 4-8 p.m.. Come ride one of the gorgeous Chincoteague Ponies! The Pony Centre emphasizes safety in their pony rides, creating an enclosed paddock with both someone leading the pony and someone spotting the rider. Pony rides are limited to children under 100 pounds. Each child gets a ribbon to remember their Chincoteague Pony Ride.

Pony Riding Lessons:

From July 26 through July 31, Chincoteague Pony Riding Lessons are being offered between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Offering English and Western style lessons with qualified instructors, the Pony Centre offers lessons for beginners to intermediate.

Pony Show:

From July 26 through July 31, there will be Pony Shows at 8 p.m. featuring the Extreme Pony Race in the indoor ring.

Three Morning Day Camp:

From July 27 through July 29, there will be a Three Morning Day Camp at the Pony Centre.

Pony Art Lessons:

On the mornings of July 26 and July 30, the Chincoteague Pony Centre will be offering Pony Art Lessons!

Saturday Morning Horse Care Camp:

Saturday, July 31 brings the Saturday Morning Horse Care Camp to the Pony Centre.

The Chincoteague Pony Centre is closed on Sunday.

Chincoteague Island Library:

4077 Main Street

Chincoteague Island, Virginia 23336

(757) 336-3460 or (757) 990-1442

Email: carlsmail@verizon.net

Website: www.chincoteagueislandlibrary.org

Chincoteague Island Library’s hours of operation are from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, on Thursdays from 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m..

Summer Reading and Crafts Program:

Chincoteague Ponies:

On July 29 (Pony Auction Day) at 1 p.m., the subject will be the Chincoteague Wild Ponies!

Chincoteague Island Blueberry Festival:

Sam Serio

P.O. Box 51

Hallwood, Virginia 23359

(757) 824-3868 (leave message)

Email: sam.serio@esva.net

Website: www.chincoteagueislandblueberryfestival.com

If you make it into town early enough, you can catch the tail end of the Chincoteague Island Blueberry Festival. The festival is held at the Chincoteague Center on Chincoteague Island every year on the weekend prior to Pony Penning. This year, the dates are July 23-25, from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day. The festival is inclusive of the largest Fine Arts & Crafts Event on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, featuring over 100 fine artists and crafters from 12 states who work together to create “a Christmas in July shopping extravaganza.” Featured blueberry favorites include: old-fashioned, made from scratch blueberry shortcake; the “Ultimate Blueberry Pie;” homemade blueberry ice cream; and to start your day off right, “To-Die-For Blueberry Pancakes,” blueberry muffins and many, many more blueberry delights. Come enjoy great music, a wide array of arts of crafts, fun stuff for kids (including pony rides and face painting) and amazing food!

Chincoteague Island Farmer’s Market:

4113 Main Street

Chincoteague Island, Virginia 23336

(757) 336-2610

Email: cmikel4902@aol.com

Website: www.chincoteaguemerchants.org

This open air market, located behind Don’s Seafood Restaurant, is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Featuring clams, lobsters, fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, potted plants, bedding plants, herbs, cut flowers, homemade baked goods, preserves and more, the market also supports plant and bake sales for non-profit civic groups.

NASA Visitor Center:

Bldg. J-17

Wallops Island, Virginia 23337

Located on VA-175 near Chincoteague Island, Virginia

(757) 824-2298 or (757) 824-1344

Email: April.M.Davis@nasa.gov

Deanna.L.Hickman@nasa.gov

A.m.anda.L.Clark@nasa.gov

Website: http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/WVC/index.htm

Weekly Public Programs:

 Puppets in Space:

On Saturday and Sunday, a 10-minute puppet show will be presented at 11 a.m. In “Puppets in Space,” puppet astronauts and Sam. the monkey will explore space flight, including the space suit. Following the puppet show, an 8-minute version of the film “Astro-smiles” will be shown.

Humans in Space:

Sunday at 1 p.m. hosts this 30 minute program. for children of all ages. The subject is “Humans in Space” and looks at living and working in space, including a review of the astronauts’ culinary delights and their wardrobe.

Space Ace:

Young explorers can earn a NASA lithograph and “Space Ace” certificate by completing an activity sheet during their visit. Ask the front desk for an activity sheet!

 Monthly Public Programs:

 What on Earth?!

On Sunday, July 31, discover the world of fossils and how they bring the past to life. Following this 20 minute program will be a children’s activity.


Ponies, Cowboys Make Early Morning Run Along Atlantic Beach

Posted By Admin on August 10, 2010

By Misty Thornton

Each year thousands of pony lovers arrive on the island of Chincoteague, Virginia the last week in July just to wrap their eyes around the famous Chincoteague ponies, many for a whole week full of fun and sight-seeing.

The Saltwater Cowboys, almost as famous as the Chincoteague ponies, begin their work on Saturday, the week before Pony Penning,  with the roundup of the southern herd. Then, on Sunday they move to the northern range at the tip of the Virginia side of the island to round up the larger herd of around 100 ponies plus foals. Where the land is so much bigger than the southern range, it  takes longer to round the ponies up and put them into their corra l. The northern herd is less seen by the public because the access road, which runs 7.5 miles into the wilderness, is only open to hikers.

Both the southern and northern ranges are part of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The ponies are owned by the Chincotegue Volunteer Fire Company.

The swim which takes place on Wednesday of “Pony Week” is the event that brings 30,000 to 40,000 visitors to this small island off the Virginia coast, but on the last Monday in July what’s known as the Beach Run has become its own attraction. More than 3,000 visitors made up of  vacationers, pony-lovers and pony bidders line the Assateague beach early in the morning  to see the northern herd escorted along the Atlantic Ocean to the  southern corral on Beach Road.  This day is just the start of the  Pony Penning, a weeklong event.

This year’s beach run started off with traffic backed up just as visitors arrived on the bridge to Assateague Island before 6 a.m. because only one toll booth was open and collecting money. So everyone had to wait in a very impatient line to enter the island. When we finally got onto Assateague, the parking lot for the beach was packed.

Walking north from the parking lot, we joined the crowd in search of the perfect viewing spot. As we walked along the beach we saw family after family with their beach equipment, towels, water, binoculars, sunscreen,  chairs and anything else they could carry to help them pass the hour-plus wait as the sun rose over the Atlantic. Everyone was settling down in what they hoped would be  just the right spot to catch an early morning glimpse of the Chincoteague wild ponies.

One of these early morning families was from Maryland. Their family car wasn’t the regular car with the total of five seats in all. It was a strtch limo, with enough seats for the parents to carry all 10 of their children. “We always thought it would be nice to bring the kids here, and we’ve been coming for a couple years now,” said Tammy, the mother.

The wait was on but it wasn’t so bad. As the sun started to rise, the ripples in the water made it look like the horizon of orange and yellow was exploding into waves that crashed along the island sand. Children played in the ripples with their bathing suits on, and little ones dug holes into the sand to try and build some small sand castles.

After a wait of nearly two hours, at 7:30 a.m. the ponies appeared in a distance through light fog, all encouraged along by the Cowboys in a tight formation. As they passed, spectators cheered, most getting their first up-close look at a Chincoteague pony.

Except for a few “buybacks” the foals, even those just born, would not return to Assateague.  Most would be taken to new homes by owners who cast the highest bids at the upcoming auction on Thursday. Buybacks are a few chosen ponies that are auctioned off but returned to the herd.

The end of their trip on this Monday were the big corrals on the Beach Road curve, where all ponies from both herds and all their foals would spend the night.

Nestled by their mothers, the foals slept and nursed while the parents ate and drank the fresh water that was awaiting them when they entered the corral to join the southern ponies. Groups of ponies played and pranced about sometimes accidentally bumping into their mothers. Life in the corral would only last until early Wednesday morning, known as swim day, when the ponies would either swim or go by trailer lighting up the eyes of thousands who had come from across the nation to see them.


Youngest Salt Water Cowboy in First Pony Penning

Posted By Admin on July 27, 2010

By Misty Thornton and Robert Boswell
  
Before he was old enough to sit in the saddle by himself, young Tyler Marks rode in front of his dad, sitting just behind the saddle horn.  Before long, Tyler made it into the saddle alone, being pulled along by his Dad until he could handle a horse on his own. Now 16, Tyler is the youngest Salt Water Cowboy, set to ride all week at the July Pony Penning events.
 
Tyler is a rising junior at Nandua High School. His Dad, Walter Marks, is a retired Virginia state trooper, serving 35 years, and veteran Salt Water Cowboy, riding in his 30th year at the famous Chincoteague event.

Everything Tyler knows about horses was passed down from Walter and his Mom, Wanda, also an experienced horse person. Tyler and his Dad are rarely seen apart. The Marks family lives in Onley. His mother is the nurse at Nandua Middle School. Walter, Wanda, Tyler and his sister Ashley, are all members of the Melfa Fire Department. Wanda and Amanda, an older sister, also work for an ambulance company.  On fire and rescue calls, sometimes more than one of them goes on the same call. Tyler is also a member of the Onley Fire Department, going out on calls there too.  At a big building fire in Onley last Sunday all the Marks were there.

“There are more accidents on weekends and sometimes I just stay over at the firehouse,” he said. It has been a rough year for firemen on the Shore. “We buried three of our members this year,” said Tyler. One fire call they worked until 4 a.m., he recalled. “Monday was the worst day I ever had at school.”

Tyler attended classes every Sunday for six months to become a certified firefighter. As a junior fireman, his main job was to set up lighting and ventilation if needed as well as other equipment.  Now, Tyler is a certified firefighter. “At the Onley fire,” said Walter, “Tyler was inside with an air pack, fighting the fire.

The work of a fireman and his time with horses is mostly outside which is just fine with Tyler. He does not own a computer and does not play video games. He does, however, text his friends from his cell phone and knows how to respond to the fire pager.

Every afternoon, Tyler and Walter head out to a nearby farm where they feed and care for their three horses, Mo, Clint and Tig. How Tyler came to have Tig, a Chincoteague pony, is a story itself.

Each year Tyler and Walter attend a mule show in Powellville, Md., near Snow Hill. Five years ago Tyler entered a raffle for a Chincoteague pony.  “They sold the tickets for a dollar a piece. I bought way more than just one ticket,” Tyler said. When the winning ticket was drawn, Tyler found out he had won. The Marks brought home Tig.

His relationship with Tig has grown. “I’m almost to the point that I think I can ride him,” he said. Every day after school he and his dad train, play and spend time with all three of their horses.

Tyler has been going to the roundups as long as he can remember. He has previously ridden alone in the swim back, when the southern herd is returned to their Assateague Island home. Pony Penning is the only vacation the Marks take, with them spending the week on Chincoteague. Tyler’s mom goes on duty as a nurse with the medical crew.

Tyler’s first outing as a Cowboy was in the fall roundup and he also rode in the spring roundup. But this will be his first time riding alone at every Pony Penning event and it is a busy week for the cowboys. Their work begins long before the big crowd of up to 40,000 visitors ever get to see them.

Harry Thornton, chairman of the Pony Committee, said he has watched Tyler grow up alongside his Dad. “It seems like in the last two or three years Tyler has grown and matured,” said Mr. Thornton. “It is a pleasure to have him finally riding with us.” Mr. Thornton said Tyler has been helpful to the fire company through the years and he deserves to ride. Tyler was approved by the Pony Committee to become a Salt Water Cowboy.

There are a number of father-son rider combinations who are cowboys and some families have more than two riders. The riders, all volunteers, come from as far as North Carolina, Delaware and Maryland.

For the Marks, the day before they leave for a roundup has its own routine.  He and his Dad go to the stables where their horses are kept, brush and feed them and make sure that everything they’ll need for the following day is in its “easy to pick-up” spot.

Each roundup takes two days of their time and throughout Pony Penning they are busy seven days straight.

The Chincoteague ponies are divided into the southern and northern herds, about 150 in all plus about 70 foals that will be auctioned off. For the southern roundup, the riders will report in the late afternoon, July 25, Saturday. The cowboys can usually be seen on the range to the right of Beach Road, often with the ponies scampering ahead of them toward a holding area off the Woodland Trail. Once all of the ponies have arrived there, they will be moved to the big corral near the Beach Road curve.

  On Sunday, July 25 while veterinarian Dr. Charlie Cameron and his staff are checking the southern ponies, the cowboys are off to the much larger northern range to get this herd into their corral, about 3.5 miles out on the service road that runs off the Wildlife Loop.

   Then, with another early day in front of them, the cowboys will escort the northern ponies over to the beach and walk them in a tight formation down the Atlantic Ocean shore line, an event that is now attended by some 3,000-plus visitors, eager to get a look at the famous ponies. This “Beach Walk” ends at the southern corral where both herds remain until the swim on Wednesday. The stallions, used to having control over their own bands of mares in the wild, are not always friendly to each other.

 Tyler knows this corral almost as well as his own yard. He has spent many hours here helping feed the ponies and filling water tubs. One year, with his Dad and a friend, he spent the entire night there, keeping an eye on the ponies all night long. He wrote about this in his 7th grade journalism class at Nandua Middle and his story still appears on this website. The job of a Salt Water Cowboy is not always an easy one. For one thing, the wilds of Assateague Island in the summer have swarms of mosquitoes and biting bugs of all kinds and by the end of July the heat can be overpowering.

            Depending on the weather, the range can be muddy and somewhat dangerous even to experienced horsemen. Tyler said in the spring roundup there were no unpleasant surprises but he did get to “go swimming” when his horse dropped into a hole filled with water. “I voluntarily jumped off,” he said. “If there’s a rider who hasn’t had a mishap, he’s just lucky. There are always interesting moments because you’re trying to get the ponies to go where they don’t want to go.”

       On auction day, Tyler can be found right in the ring as one of the wranglers. Two wranglers work together to hold onto a bucking pony and move the pony around the ring so prospective bidders can get a look. “Last July when I walked through the gate a pony reared and kicked,” he said. “I got my middle finger bone broken in two places, and it chipped my ring finger.”

      For the past 28 summers the Marks family has helped run a special needs camp at Camp Occohannock in Belle Haven, an Eastern Shore community.  Along with other volunteers they provide crafts and activities including fishing, horseback, riding and games.

      Now in his last two years of high school, Tyler is looking toward the future. “I may go into the Coast Guard,” he said, “but I don’t want a desk job. I’ve got to be doing something outside.” 

       Misty Thornton is co-editor and Mr. Boswell is the publisher of www.wildponytales.info. 

 

Woodland Trail, a Walk Through a Maritime Forest

Posted By Admin on June 24, 2010


 By Wilma Young

Welcome to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Today you will

be walking the Woodland Trail. We can’t know in advance all the things you will encounter on the trail, but we can give you an idea of the possibilities and probabilities.

Before you begin your walk, just as your car turns off the Beach Road onto the Woodland Trail, there’s a landmark on your right. Just a few slabs of concrete in a tangle of greenbrier vines. This is all that’s left of an old life saving station- probably a portion of the cistern. In the previous century there were four of these stations on Assateague Island. Two of them were here on the Virginia’s end of the island.

Imagine now that it’s the eighteenth century. You would have been near the shore line, hearing the surf; instead of which, you are hearing the sounds of the pine forest, nearly a mile from the beach. Barrier islands grow and change rapidly. They are always in transition.

The Assateague Beach Life Saving Station was established in 1875. It wouldn’t have been manned in summer weather, but between August and June, a keeper and six or eight men were on duty twenty-four hours a day. These surf-men got room, board and twenty dollars a month in pay. You won’t, be surprised to learn that they trapped Muskrats to supplement their incomes. They not only endangered their lives rescuing crew men and saving the ships, they also did beach patrol, returning lost property they found, giving assistance to hunters and fishermen who had gotten lost on the island and providing them with food and lodging. In times of storm and high tides, they evacuated families who lived on the islands.

As you walk through the forest, you may encounter a Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel. You will recognize him by his unusual size. He’s the largest of the tree squirrels, weighing up to three pounds and tail included, may be up to thirty inches long. His coat varies in color from light grey with silver chest and belly, to nearly black. Smaller species of squirrel seem to dash recklessly through the tree tops, traveling on tiny branches and launching themselves through the air, catching a nearby limb as if they were trapeze artists. The Delmarva’s are more cautious in the tree tops, running on larger limbs more suited to supporting their weight. They spend a great deal of time on the ground.  Now and then a grey squirrel may share habitat with the Delmarva’s. We try to discourage this by transporting them to more suitable areas as it is the Delmarva’s who are endangered.

Once, the Delmarva’s were common on the Delmarva Peninsula, ranging into New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They depended on the Loblolly Pine for shelter as well as for the supply of seeds from the cones of the pine. Clear cutting of the forest denied them the advantages of food, shelter and space and moved them into the endangered category.

 By the 1920′s, they were extinct in all states except Maryland. Between 1968 and 1971, thirty of these squirrels were moved here to Chincoteague Refuge where they were released near the lighthouse and here on the woodland trail. They seem to be prospering here as they have not only loblolly seeds to eat but also acorns, and buds and flowers of trees.

The Maritime Forest provides loblollies for the squirrels to make nests in and the occasional Hardwood Hollow Trees for dens. The refuge provides nesting boxes as well.

 Odd name: Loblolly. One researcher writes that the early settlers were impressed with the ever presence of this versatile pine and named it for the common and ever-present breakfast food of England- their porridge known as Loblolly. Lob is of the Middle English origin and meant literally “thick” and Lolly was a dialect word for broth. Loblolly also means “a mud puddle” which doesn’t say much for the porridge- but perhaps we can justify it for the loblolly tree because this pine does like to have its roots in a damp environment.

As the Loblolly grows taller, the lower branches fall which gives the forest a relatively clear understory with not too many places for predators to hide.

The Great Horned Owl may silently sweep down in the dusk and pick off a young squirrel. Owls have special soft downy feathers at wings’ edge which eliminate the flapping noise most birds produce in flight. These owls haven’t large ears- just tufts of feathers on either side of the top of the head. Small creatures must be especially vigilant because the owls have eyes positioned on the front of their heads giving them better binocular vision than birds with eyes on the sides of their heads. The owl doesn’t have moonlight or starlight every night that he’s hungry, so he listens too for rodents rustling in the leaves. This is the owl whose haunting mournful call is often used on movie sound tracks.

The understory isn’t completely clear. Greenbrier is a thorny tangled vine with heart shaped leaves that gives the squirrel a hiding place on the ground and would trip the unwary human and would certainly impede other predators.

Trumpet Creepers and grape vines add to the tangle in some parts of the forest. Poison Ivy achieves spectacular growth in this environment with the stems reaching the thickness of your forearm and climbing to the tops of the pine trees. The fruit, twigs and berries provide excellent and abundant food supply for white tailed deer, sikas, possums, ponies and at least fifty species of birds.

If you see a small heart-shaped face peering at you from a thicket, it’s our Sika. You’ve heard about them if you’ve been on the refuge more than ten minutes. These are the small Asian elk with the distinctive white patch on their rumps – their trademark- the powder-puff behind. A few Sikas, probably less than twenty were released on the island in the 1920’s.  Present population estimate is somewhat less than a thousand.

When you reach the pony overlook you will be facing an area of marsh with groundsel and marsh elder, flea bane and seaside goldenrod in season.

In the distance is the red and white 142 foot horizontally striped lighthouse about a mile and a half away. This is surprising when you remember that when the original 45 foot lighthouse was built in 1833 it stood near open sea. Toms Hook, the curved sandy stretch of the island has developed since the mid 1800′s.

To both right and left are small stands of Loblollies on slightly raised land areas. Often there are ponies loafing under the trees.

Where did these shaggy ponies come from?  You may take your choice of fact or legend. The early islanders let their live stock graze on the Barrier islands. These may be the descendents of those horses who have adapted to the harsh environment. Or you may choose to accept the stories of horses shipwrecked in the 1700’s – which swam to the safety of the islands and established a colony here. If you have a romantic streak, you may blend fact and legend. In any case, enjoy these hardy little island dwellers.

After leaving the pony overlook, you’ll come into an area where pools of fresh water stand near the trail. Here the vines and small shrubs are thicker and here is where you’ll find a large amount of bird activity.

You may be thinking that if it’s damp there’s a chance of snakes and amphibians- and you’d be correct. But don’t panic. As far as we know there are no venomous reptiles in residence here. We do have Hognose Snakes. This fellow gets his name from an up-turned snout. If threatened, he puts on a brave front; hisses, puffs out his head, and if this fails to make you back off, he will lie on his back, tongue hanging out of his gaping mouth and play dead.

The Black Rat Snake grows quite long; possibly 5 feet and is an excellent tree climber – often living in tree cavities. He is not venomous either.

Here near the fresh water ponds and brackish marshes you may find southern leopard frogs. They come in green or brown.

 The other amphibians you’re likely to encounter on the refuge are Fowler’s toads. They appear on sandy trails or around buildings. Their skin is dry, usually in shades of brown or grey with pale chests.

There’s a slight possibility of meeting a Red-Backed Salamander. They are only two and to five inches long. Not threatening creatures.

As this site is on the Atlantic flyway, we have a great many species of birds who visit us. We can’t begin to guess which ones you’ll encounter…it’s all up to season, weather and chance. Over Three hundred have been identified on this refuge, and twenty that have been seen only once or twice. Would you believe that the common house sparrow, The English Sparrow… falls into the Latter category, having been seen here only rarely. Oddly enough they are commonly seen on the next island to our west on Chincoteague Island.

 Warblers are frequent visitors to our refuge, some of them like the Pine Warbler and Prairie Warbler nesting here. Yellow Rumped Warblers were formerly called Myrtle Warblers because of their preference for the berries of the wax Myrtle bushes. Those berries are wax like and few other birds are able to digest them.

Red Eyed and White Eyed Vireos both nest here. These little fellows hide in myrtle thickets which provide excellent camouflage. During breeding season they sing throughout the day.

Bald eagles may be seen soaring over the refuge. . They aren’t bald you know, they have white feathers on their heads.  Turkey Vultures, often seen wheeling in the neighborhood really is bald.

If you don’t see woodpeckers along this trail, you’ll probably hear them. They peck at trees to locate food and also do a good bit of hammering in lieu of song, to impress their mates and also establish territory. Downy, hairy and Red Bellied Woodpeckers are seen here as well as Pileated Woodpeckers. The northern flicker is common as well. The Red Woodpecker is an occasional visitor.

You may hear a great scuffling in the leaves, in which case, look for the Rufous-sided Towhee leaves; he is, as his name suggests, rusty reddish brown. He has named himself, shouting “see tow See” although some listeners say he is asking you to “drink your tea”.

You’ll not be surprised to see Starlings here. From a flock of one hundred birds released in Manhattan in 1890, they have spread across the continent.  Their consumption of insects may be the one favorable characteristic of this bird.

You see, we’re nowhere near covering the three hundred plus species you might encounter: Owls, Buntings, Cardinals, Chickadees, Juncos… the list goes on…but walk the trail with alert.

Wilma Young served as a senior volunteer at several national parks, coming to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge three times. 

Her last stay at the Chincoteague refuge was just before her 80th birthday in 1997-98. On this third stay she served as an environmental education teacher for the Chincoteague Natural History Association. As a volunteer in her first two summers, along with the various duties she was given, Wilma found time to write. She spent hours reading about Chincoteague history and conducting research in the libraries. Some of her articles later found their way onto the Refuge web site, some were published in our local newspapers and some were used as trail guides for other volunteers. Today, at the age of 90, Wilma is as intensely interested in protecting our planet as she ever was. She can talk non-stop about the ways we humans have found to cause harm to our environment. She is passionate about things most people never take the time to learn. Years ago she wrote a story for her granddaughter, explaining why she often wasn’t home. “Every living thing depends on other living things and although we know a lot of the connections, we don’t know them all.” In explaining her work with the Refuge to her granddaughter, Wilma wrote, “…I help report the numbers on the goose collars…I answer questions our visitors have about all the wild creatures…I notify the biologists of any reports of unusual sightings of sick animal or creatures caught in nets…sometimes I pick up trash on the beach…I wander the trails, answering more questions…and best of all I look up a lot of stuff then write about it to help people understand how much we all need each other.” It is hard to find the words to describe this caring, kind and concerned grandmother. But her precise and accurate writing speaks for itself. We are pleased to publish her work in Wild Pony Tales. – Robert Boswell, publisher. 


N. Virginia Student Wins Jr. Duck Stamp Art Competition

Posted By Admin on March 26, 2010

By Windy Mason

 Xiao Xiao Zhang of Herndon was the Best of Show winner for the Jr. Duck Stamp Art Competition held at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Friday, March 19. Xiao studies art through Xing Art Studio.

Runners up, all of which took first place, are Elizabeth Kim from Vienna, schooled by Erae Art Studio; Anne-Sophie Kim from Chantilly, schooled by Erae Art Studio; Sally Zhou from Fairfax, schooled by Xing Art Studio; and Amy Ann from Fairfax, schooled by Erae Art Studio.

Winners were chosen by age group.

For K-3, first place winners were Wen Ip from Herndon, schooled by Xing Art Studio; Rachel Eom from Burke, schooled by Erae Art Studio; and Jane Wang from Fairfax, schooled by Xing Art Studio. Second place winners in this group were Kathleen Li from Chantilly, schooled by Xing Art Studio; Annie Wu Burke, schooled by Xing Art Studio; and Elise Ong from Springfield, schooled by Hope Chinese School. The third place winners were Peter Kim from Burke, schooled by Erae Art Studio; David Sohn from Springfield, schooled by Erae Art Studio; and Victoria Ren from South Riding, schooled by Xing Art Studio.

For grades 4-6, first place winners were Vivian Aeyang from Oak Hill, schooled by Xing Art Studio and Nathan Luong from Burke, schooled by Xing Art Studio.  In second place were Janis Chen from Herndon, schooled by Xing Art Studio; Cynthia Zhuang from Herndon, schooled by Lu Wei’s Art Studio; and Beth Zhao from Fairfax, schooled by Xing Art Studio. Third place winners in this age group were Timothy Liu from Fairfax, schooled by Xing Art Studio; Helen Park from Lorton, schooled by Erae Art Studio; and Caroline Chen from South Riding, schooled by Xing Art Studio.

Grade 7-9 first place winner was Julia Yang from Oak Hill, schooled by Xing Art Studio. In second place were Virginia Hsu from Clifton, schooled by Xing Art Studio; Olivia Hsu from McLean, schooled by Xing Art Studio; and Rose Yim from Fairfax Station, schooled by Erae Art Studio. Third place winners were Yang Peng from Springfield, schooled by Hope Chinese School; Ashley Yoo from Herndon, schooled by Erae Art Studio; and Hillary Liu from Fairfax, schooled by Asian Pacific Art Institute of America.

In grades 10-12, the first place winner was Ray Zhang from Fairfax, schooled by Xing Art Studio. Second place winners were Eunice Wu from Vienna, schooled by Asian Pacific Art Institute of America and Keun Ji Lee from Centreville, schooled by Erae Art Studio. Third place winners were Ji Young Kim from Chantilly; Yeo Won Yoon from Burke, schooled by Veronica Art Class; and Xinyue Yao from Fairfax, schooled by Asian Pacific Art Institute of America.

Two Accomack County students won Honorable Mention. Matthew Annis, 15, from Parksley, a 10th grader at Arcadia High School, was inspired by duck hunting and his art teacher, Mrs. Rosemary Gibbons. He entered an acrylic which he first drew and then painted. Sarah Fluhart, 15, from Pungoteague, who is homeschooled, was inspired by “her ducks.”  She entered an acrylic created from a picture that she had taken. Sarah also enjoys creating with water color pencil.

There were 229 entries from around the state. The competition was run by Jr. Duck Stamp Coordinator, Aubrey Hall, a member of the refuge staff. The judges were representatives from a variety of areas and backgrounds. They were: Bob Wilson, a former deputy manager of the refuge, and wildlife photographer who lives here on the shore; Merry Maxwell is a deputy refuge manager at Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Warsaw; Kim Check, an environmental educator at the Ward Museum of Waterfowl Art in Salisbury; Bear Starr, a birder and volunteer for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge; and Wally Makuchal, Jr. the Maryland National Duck Stamp Contest winner in 2009, now from Worcester County. “The judges were selected for their familiarity with waterfowl, art and conservation as well as their connections to the wetlands of the Eastern Shore,” said Hall.

The Best of Show winner will go on to the national competition. The winning artwork in the national competition will be made into an actual stamp and sold to raise money which will be applied towards environmental education and to support the Jr. Duck Stamp Program. The Jr. Duck Stamp is sold for $5 by the U.S. Postal Service as well as the Amplex Corporation. The appeal of the Jr. Duck Stamp is for collection and support of environmental education. These stamps are prized by many stamp collectors.