Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
The Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge is a special place for nature. It's a wildlife refuge on Chappaquiddick Island. This island is part of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. The Trustees of Reservations own and care for this refuge. It covers about 516 acres (2.09 km2) of land. You can also find the old Cape Poge Lighthouse here. It was built way back in 1893.
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Discovering Cape Poge's Natural Wonders
The eastern side of Chappaquiddick Island has a long beach. This beach is like a natural wall. It was made over thousands of years. Ocean currents brought tons of sand here. This sandy beach stretches for about seven miles (11 km). It goes from Wasque Point all the way to an area called "the Gut." The Cape Poge Lighthouse stands along this beautiful stretch of sand.
Amazing Animals and Plants
The refuge has many salt marshes. These are wetlands where salty ocean water flows in and out. They are especially large around Poucha Pond. These marshes are important homes for many creatures.
There's a unique area called "The Cedars." It's a group of very old eastern red cedar trees. These trees are short and twisted. The ocean's salt spray and strong winds have shaped them over many years.
Cape Poge Elbow is a special spot for birds. It's a gull rookery, which means many gulls gather there. You can also find nests of piping plovers, least terns, and oystercatchers. These birds come to the refuge to lay their eggs and raise their young.
West of the sand dunes is Cape Poge Bay. The water here is calm and clear. It's like a nursery for young finfish and shellfish. Many baby fish and shellfish grow up safely in these waters.
Powerful currents flow through "the Gut." This brings fresh, oxygen-rich water into Cape Poge Bay. These currents also attract larger fish. You might see striped bass, bluefish, bonito, and albacore swimming here.
Fun Ways to Visit
You can take special tours at certain times of the year. These tours let you explore the lighthouse. You can also learn about the different habitats here. These include both land and ocean environments. The refuge is also famous for its great fishing spots.
If you have a special vehicle, you can get a permit. This allows you to drive on about 14 miles (23 km) of dune roads. It's a unique way to see the refuge. You can also hike to the lighthouse. It's about a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) walk from the Dike Bridge.
How the Refuge Was Created
The Trustees of Reservations bought the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge in 1959. Over the years, more land was added to the refuge. People donated land, or the Trustees bought it. This happened in 1965, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1984, and 1995. This helped the refuge grow to its current size.
Images for kids
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Beach stretching north with Cape Poge Bay, left
