Assateague
Island is a vital resting and feeding area for a large variety of birds. The Chincoteague
National Wildlife Refuge is located on Assateague Island and is one of the most
popular birding destinations in the United States. Assateague
birdwatchers enjoy
the island's wealth of over 300 species of migratory and resident birds.
Assateague is an essential part of the Atlantic flyway and is prime habitat for
thousands of waterfowl and other birds with migrational instincts that carry them
north and south annually.
Visitors can enjoy Assateague if they walk or bicycle its extensive
nature trails or join the popular "wildlife
tour" which offers a chance to see more of the
refuge and its wildlife by boat or kayak. This voyage is often
the best way to see peregrine
falcons, sandpipers,
egrets, osprey, terns, gulls, waterfowl, marine-life, and (especially)
wild ponies. Wild ponies and other wildlife are often encountered
when visitors join the boat tour along the extensive inland waters
of Assateague Island.
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Some
people believe that the wild
ponies of Assateague arrived on Assateague Island
when a Spanish galleon cargo ship (with a cargo of horses) sank off
the coast and the horses swam to shore. Others believe the wild horses
arrived there via early colonial settlers. Recently in 1997, a Spanish
shipwreck was discovered off Assateague Island, which lends credit
to the first theory. In any event, the ponies have become well adapted
to the seashore ecosystem where they feed on saltmarsh cordgrass,
dune grasses, bayberry twigs, rosehips, and persimmons.
Many
recreational opportunities on Assateague Island exist, including four
wheel driving on the beach, seashell collecting along seldom
traveled sands, clamming, swimming, surf fishing, beach hiking and
more. Ocean City, Maryland is only 1/4 mile away from Assateague Island
(20 minutes drive by car) . Ocean City has lodging, restaurants, fishing
& beach supplies, and many activities to add to your vacation.
After a few days visiting Assateague Maryland and Ocean City, you may wish to
drive one hour south to the Virginia end of Assateague Island and visit it's unspoiled
beaches and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Refuge. On your way, you will go through
the town of Chincoteague Island (home of the pony
swim). Chincoteague is known for its great view of the Assateague
Lighthouse. Chincoteague has lodging, seafood, sportfishing,
fantastic bird watching
and marine eco-tourism - the latter due to its close proximity to Assateague
and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Refuge there.
A
visit to Assateague is an experience you will treasure for many years.
Recreational opportunities and nearby places to stay and eat at Ocean
City, M.D. and Chincoteague Island, V.A. help make Assateague Island
a place worth visiting.
Accomodations
