Swanquarter

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge Refuge Facts: ■ Established: 1932. Acres: 16,411. ■ Other management responsibilities: photo: USFWS ■ Swanquarter Presidential Proclamation (27,000 acres in Pamlico sound). Swanquarter National Wilderness Area (8,800 acres). photo: USFWS photo: USFWS ■ Location: North shore of Pamlico Sound east and west of the village of Swan Quarter accessible by boat only except for the Bell Island Unit (2 miles west of Swan Quarter by US Highway 264) in Hyde County, NC. Natural History ■ Most significant feature is an extensive coastal marsh which includes the Swanquarter National Wilderness Area. ■ ■ Concentrations of diving ducks (lesser scaups, redheads, buffleheads, surf scoters and canvasbacks), sea ducks, American black ducks, wading birds and shorebirds. Wading bird rookeries, osprey nesting and colonial nesting birds occur. Habitat consists of irregularly flooded brackish marsh (13,200 acres) and forested wetlands (3,200 acres). photo: Ditto Financial Impact of Refuge ■ Staff: none (administered from Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge). Bruce Freske, Refuge Manager Swanquarter NWR 38 Mattamuskeet Road Swan Quarter, NC 27885 Phone: 252/926 4021 Fax: 252/926 1743 E-mail: FW4RWMattamuskeet@fws.gov ■ 50,000 visits annually. Refuge Objectives ■ Provide habitat and protection for endangered species such as American alligators. ■ Provide habitat and protection for migratory waterfowl and other birds. ■ Provide wildlife-related recreation and environmental education for the public. Management Tools ■ Prescribed fire. ■ Mechanical/chemical control of noxious plants. ■ Education/interpretation. ■ Law enforcement. Public Use Opportunities ■ Fishing (saltwater by boat or pier). ■ Crabbing. ■ Wildlife observation. ■ Photography. ■ Waterfowl hunting. Calendar of Events January-December: fishing (best during spring and fall). November-January: Waterfowl hunting. Questions and Answers Are there alligators here? Yes, Swanquarter Refuge supports one of the northern most populations of the American alligator. What fish are commonly caught at Bell Island? Commonly caught species include Atlantic croaker, spot, weakfish, spotted seatrout, Atlantic flounder, red drum and bluefish. Can I hunt waterfowl on Swanquarter Refuge? A 6,120-acre area of marsh is open to duck and coot hunting in accordance with applicable state and Federal regulations.