Projects and Research
Integrated Waterbird Management and Monitoring Surveys
The Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex participates in the Integrated Waterbird Management and Monitoring program, which provides valuable scientific data to wildlife managers across the country. The surveys for this program are conducted at Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge and Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge to document the number of individuals per species that are using the wetlands during the non-breeding season. The complex also collects habitat data from the survey sites, such as the type of vegetation and quality of seeds present, which can be used to determine the density of energy sources within the wetlands. This can provide a measure for how effective the habitat will be for supplying food and cover for waterbirds during the winter.
Bald Eagle Surveys
The Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex partners with the Center of Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary to conduct bald eagle production surveys on Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. The survey is done every other year, and monitors the breeding activity and productivity of bald eagles.