America's Wildest Places - Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, Vermont

The Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1943 to provide habitat for migratory birds. It consists of 6,729 acres of habitats, mostly wetland habitats, which support a variety of migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge was designated as an Important Bird Area in partnership with the Audubon Society. A mosaic of wetland habitats offers opportunities to see and manage more than 200 species of birds. Fall migration features 20,000-25,000 migrating ducks. Nesting bald eagles, osprey, and a great blue heron colony numbering more than 300 nests are present on the refuge. WILDLIFE & HABITAT Wood Duck - Visible from mid-March through early November. This species is often seen in virtually all wetland habitats on the refuge. Great Blue Heron - Visible at the refuge from mid-March through mid December or until ice formation. A large great blue heron rookery is present on the refuge near the delta where the Missisquoi River intersects Missisquoi Bay. One of the best ways to enjoy seeing great blue herons and a variety of other wildlife including bald eagles and osprey on the refuge is by small watercraft (canoe, kayak, small motorboat). Bobolink - Visible from mid-May through the end of August. A grassland bird species that is best observed along Tabor Rd along the westernmost side of the refuge. The colorful males provide a unique song and flight along the refuge grassland units of the refuge. These same grasslands provide opportunities to see northern harriers, eastern meadowlarks, and savanna sparrows. Wetlands - The majority of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of a variety of freshwater wetland habitats. Vegetated composition within many marsh units is comprised of emergent species such as wild rice, smartweed, pickerel weed, arrowhead and giant burred. Pond shield and white/yellow lilies are also present in many marsh units. Woodlands - Lakeside Floodplain Forest, Silver Maple-Sensitive Fern Riverine Floodplain Forest and Red Maple Green Ash Swamps are the dominant wooded communities on the refuge. All three communities tolerate seasonal inundation and have associated understories of winterberry holly, dogwoods and a variety of water tolerant fern species. The trees in all three communities can grow to heights in excess of 100 ft and have tree diameters in excess of 3 feet. The seasonally open Jeep Trail parallels the Missisquoi River under a canopy of these giant trees for nearly 2 miles. Bog - The Maquam Bog is classified as a pitch pine woodland bog. This community is the only one of its kind in Vermont and one of only a few found throughout New England. The 900 acre bog features pitch pine, rare Virginia chain fern, blueberries, a variety of sphagnum moss species and is dominated by rhodora. Peat depths range from 2.5 ft to 8 ft deep. Fires and flooding are the two events that have shaped and maintained the vegetative communities in the bog. The bog is home to short eared owls, shrikes, moose and serv