Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge
(Shirley)

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge is the highlight of Long Island’s nine National Wildlife Refuges. It protects the lower part of Long Island’s most pristine river, the Carman’s River, a State Wild and Scenic River. This stream also provides a superb canoe/kayak experience through the refuge, described ahead. The refuge also offers two nature trails, one starting at the headquarters, and another reachable only by boat.

The refuge, operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, sprawls over nearly 2,600 acres. It is a favorite stopover for hundreds of bird species during their migration. It contains the largest breeding population of wood ducks on Long Island, and one of the Island’s largest wild turkey populations. From October through April, the refuge harbors up to 400 black ducks, hooded mergansers, gadwall and greater scaup. Seeing the refuge in spring can be a magical experience, with sightings of fluffy young broods of ducklings and goslings, scooting across the water.

It is not unusual to spy osprey and red-tailed hawks soaring over the marshes. You can see twelve species of wading birds roaming the shoreline, including bittern, great blue heron, black-crowned night heron, and great egret. The pine woodlands are an ideal place to see pine warbler, as well as northern bobwhite, northern flicker, eastern towhee, Carolina wren, blue jay and owls. About 25 kinds of shorebirds scurry along the mudflats. Belted kingfisher, loon, cormorants, terns, gulls, and grebes are sometimes observed foraging for fish.

Mammals such as deer and red fox occasionally peer out from the water’s edge. Patient observers can see mink, weasel, short-tailed shrew, raccoon, opossum and muskrat. Flying squirrels and bats use nest boxes provided by refuge staff.

Glimpses of reptiles occasionally occur. Examples include northern water snake, black racer, and the painted, eastern mud, box and snapping turtles. Rarely, the huge loggerhead sea turtle visits the refuge’s shores. Spring peepers, wood frogs and gray tree frogs can be heard during breeding season. During spring, it is a haunting experience to hear the spring peeper chorus, which can seem almost deafening at times.

The river and wetlands in the north half of the refuge are freshwater, while brackish and saltwater wetlands occupy the lower half. Brown trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and bluegill live in the freshwater. White perch, bay anchovy, hog choker, pipefish, striped bass and American eel inhabit the more saline waters.

Much of the refuge is oak woodland and pine-oak woodland. Scarlet, black, red and white oaks are most common, along with pitch pine, black cherry and pignut hickory. Red maple and black gum dominate the wooded swamps, creating a brilliant scarlet autumn foliage display. The freshwater marshes are covered by cattail, bulrush, and reed grass (Phragmites), while the salt marshes contain cord grass and salt hay.

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge was once a private waterfowl hunting reserve owned by Cecile and Maurice Wertheim. In 1947, they donated it to the federal government. The refuge today is managed for wildlife diversity, and to protect the Carman's River.

The refuge is open year-round, daily 8:00 am to 4 pm. Contact them at (631) 286-0485, P.O. Box 21, Shirley, NY 11967.

How to Get There: Binoculars are ideal for this trip. Take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) to exit 58 south (William Floyd Parkway). Immediately turn right on Montauk Highway (Route 80). In 8 blocks, turn left onto Smith Road (before you reach the canoe access and crossing over Carman’s River). Then turn right into the refuge entrance road.

Pick up a refuge map and White Oak Trail guide at the headquarters, since it describes what you see at the trail’s 15 stations. The White Oak Nature Trail takes you through 3 miles of woodland and wetland. A cut-off trail enables you to make a shorter 1.5-mile loop.

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge (Shirley) Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge is the highlight of Long Island’s nine National Wildlife Refuges. It protects the lower part of Long Island’s most pristine river, the Carman’s River, a State Wild and Scenic River. This stream also provides a superb canoe/kayak experience through the refuge, described ahead. The refuge also offers two nature trails, one starting at the headquarters, and another reachable only by boat. The refuge, operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, sprawls over nearly 2,600 acres. It is a favorite stopover for hundreds of bird species during their migration. It contains the largest breeding population of wood ducks on Long Island, and one of the Island’s largest wild turkey populations. From October through April, the refuge harbors up to 400 black ducks, hooded mergansers, gadwall and greater scaup. Seeing the refuge in spring can be a magical experience, with sightings of fluffy young broods of ducklings and goslings, scooting across the water. It is not unusual to spy osprey and red-tailed hawks soaring over the marshes. You can see twelve species of wading birds roaming the shoreline, including bittern, great blue heron, black-crowned night heron, and great egret. The pine woodlands are an ideal place to see pine warbler, as well as northern bobwhite, northern flicker, eastern towhee, Carolina wren, blue jay and owls. About 25 kinds of shorebirds scurry along the mudflats. Belted kingfisher, loon, cormorants, terns, gulls, and grebes are sometimes observed foraging for fish. Mammals such as deer and red fox occasionally peer out from the water’s edge. Patient observers can see mink, weasel, short-tailed shrew, raccoon, opossum and muskrat. Flying squirrels and bats use nest boxes provided by refuge staff. Glimpses of reptiles occasionally occur. Examples include northern water snake, black racer, and the painted, eastern mud, box and snapping turtles. Rarely, the huge loggerhead sea turtle visits the refuge’s shores. Spring peepers, wood frogs and gray tree frogs can be heard during breeding season. During spring, it is a haunting experience to hear the spring peeper chorus, which can seem almost deafening at times. The river and wetlands in the north half of the refuge are freshwater, while brackish and saltwater wetlands occupy the lower half. Brown trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and bluegill live in the freshwater. White perch, bay anchovy, hog choker, pipefish, striped bass and American eel inhabit the more saline waters. Much of the refuge is oak woodland and pine-oak woodland. Scarlet, black, red and white oaks are most common, along with pitch pine, black cherry and pignut hickory. Red maple and black gum dominate the wooded swamps, creating a brilliant scarlet autumn foliage display. The freshwater marshes are covered by cattail, bulrush, and reed grass (Phragmites), while the salt marshes contain cord grass and salt hay. Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge was once a private waterfowl hunting reserve owned by Cecile and Maurice Wertheim. In 1947, they donated it to the federal government. The refuge today is managed for wildlife diversity, and to protect the Carman's River. The refuge is open year-round, daily 8:00 am to 4 pm. Contact them at (631) 286-0485, P.O. Box 21, Shirley, NY 11967. How to Get There: Binoculars are ideal for this trip. Take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) to exit 58 south (William Floyd Parkway). Immediately turn right on Montauk Highway (Route 80). In 8 blocks, turn left onto Smith Road (before you reach the canoe access and crossing over Carman’s River). Then turn right into the refuge entrance road. Pick up a refuge map and White Oak Trail guide at the headquarters, since it describes what you see at the trail’s 15 stations. The White Oak Nature Trail takes you through 3 miles of woodland and wetland. A cut-off trail enables you to make a shorter 1.5-mile loop.