Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nomans Land Island Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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1995 USGS Photograph of Nomans Land Island
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 Nomans Land Island Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Nomans Land, Massachusetts, United States |
| Nearest city | Chilmark, Massachusetts |
| Area | 640 acres (2.6 km2) |
| Established | 1998 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge |
The Nomans Land Island Wildlife Refuge is a special place for animals in the United States. It is a National Wildlife Refuge located on Nomans Land, an island off the coast of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. This island is about 640-acre (2.6 km2) in size.
Nomans Land Island is part of the town of Chilmark, in Dukes County. The island is about 1.6 miles (2.6 km) long from east to west and about 1 mile (1.6 km) from north to south.
For many years, from 1942 to 1996, the U.S. Navy used Nomans Land Island for aerial gunnery practice. This means they practiced shooting from planes there. After this, the island needed to be made safe.
In 1997 and 1998, a big cleanup happened to remove old military items. Then, the island was given to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1998, it officially became the Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge. Its main goal is to be a safe home for migratory birds.
The island is completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. About 30% of the island is wetland, which includes wet areas like marshes and open water. There are also four man-made ponds and two large freshwater ponds. Some common plants found in these wet areas are Virginia chain fern, cranberry, and common reed.
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Discovering Wildlife on Nomans Land Island
Scientists have been studying the animals on Nomans Land Island for several years. They have found many different kinds of creatures living there. These include various birds, amphibians (like frogs), reptiles (like snakes), and invertebrates (like insects). Many of these species are important and protected by the state.
Birds and Their Island Home
Nomans Land Island is a very important place for many types of birds. These include seabirds, shorebirds, marshbirds, waterfowl (like ducks), songbirds, and raptors (birds of prey like hawks).
During the summer, many birds use the island to build their nests and raise their young. These include large numbers of double-crested cormorants, Virginia rails, and songbirds like Savannah sparrows. Since 2002, Leach's storm-petrels have also been confirmed nesting here. This is one of only two places in Massachusetts where these birds nest!
In the fall, when birds migrate, many raptors like peregrine falcons and Cooper's hawks stop at the island. Other birds that travel long distances also use the island to rest and find food before continuing their journey.
Plants and Habitats of the Island
Hundreds of years ago, in the 1600s, Nomans Land Island had many trees. But in the 1800s, most of the trees were cut down for farming and raising sheep. Because of this, the plants you see today are different from what was there before.
Strong ocean winds, salt spray, and a lack of tall trees have made the island mostly covered in brush, grass, and sedge plants. Common plants in the higher areas include rose bushes, poison ivy, and bayberry.
Areas that have had fires in the past now have grasses and other small plants. Places that haven't been affected by fire are mostly covered in bayberry bushes. Along the northern beach, you can find plants that like sand dunes, such as American beachgrass and seaside goldenrod.
Images for kids
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1995 USGS Photograph of Nomans Land Island
