Projects and Research
Plum Tree Island NWR is home to a number of wildlife resources found in the lower Chesapeake Bay including both federally and state listed species. Its pristine marsh habitat acts as nursery for many fish and roosts for migratory birds year round.
Refuge staff conducts a diverse set of surveys to monitor and manage the habitat and wildlife found on Plum Tree Island NWR. These surveys include estimating the population of the federally threatened northeastern beach tiger beetle, monitoring nests of state listed shorebirds such as the American oystercatcher, least tern and black skimmers, surveying for diamondback terrapin use throughout the refuge, winter waterfowl surveys as well as observing various indices to monitor saltmarsh health.