Lake Mattamuskeet NWR

Location: Hyde County             Total Size: 60,000 acres            Map

Site Description: Lake Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1934, is located in Hyde County near the town of New Holland. Lake Mattamuskeet is approximately 40,000 acres in size. The average depth is about 1.5 feet and ranges from 0.5 to 5 feet. An additional 10,180 acres make up the rest of the refuge. Theories about the formation of the Lake abound, but there's no question about the importance of the site to birds and other wildlife.
    Lake Mattamuskeet is most well known for it's waterfowl. Canada Geese, Tundra Swans and 22 species of ducks winter on and around the refuge.  The Lake, managed impoundments, and nearby agricultural lands provide important habitat for foraging and resting.  The site has approximately 2,600 acres of managed impoundments that support shorebirds during migration.  Water levels are managed to provide appropriate habitats for shorebirds during migration and waterfowl during migration and winter.
    The refuge is a haven for birds and birders who flock to the refuge during migration and winter.  Key areas around the lake are open to the public.  Additional information is available from the US Fish and Wildlife Service web site www.fws.gov..

Habitats: lake, managed impoundments, freshwater marsh, agriculture, deciduous forest, coniferous forest

Land Use: Wildlife Conservation, hunting, recreation/tourism

Primary Threats:  The most critical threat to the site is the establishment of a Navy jet fighter landing facility near the Refuge.  Follow link to learn more.   Help Stop Navy Airfield from Destroying NC Wildlife Refuges!

Protection Status: Most of the site is protected and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  The site also includes private lands.

Conservation Issues: The establishment of a Navy jet fighter landing facility in the midst of a site that supports tens of thousands of swans, geese and ducks defies good sense.  An encounter with just one bird would likely result in the death of a highly skilled pilot and crew, and the loss of a multi-million dollar aircraft.  Nevertheless, the Navy continues to consider sites adjacent to Lake Mattamuskeet NWR and Pocosin Lakes NWR..

Birds: Lake Mattamuskeet is one of North Carolina's most important sites for wintering waterfowl. The forest along the fringe of the lake is an excellent site for landbirds during migration.

Key Bird Species

Criteria

  

Season

Number

  
4b Canada Goose W 3,000 - 5,000  
4b Snow Goose W 3,000-6,000  
4b Tundra Swan W 20,000-30,000  
4b Mallard W 1,000  
4b Green-winged Teal W 25,000  
4b American Wigeon W 3,000  
4b Black Duck W 2,100  
4b Pintail W 6,000  
4b Ring-necked Duck W 1,600  
4b American Coot W 2,000  
4b waterfowl totals W 60,000  
2 Bald Eagle all 2-5  
4a Osprey Br ?  
5 long-term research and monitoring      

B=Breeding    FM=Fall Migration     SM=Spring Migration     W=Winter

Sources:

Lake Mattamuskeet NWR