| A few years ago Smyrna, Delaware was voted one | | | | Take the auto tour to get as close to nature as |
| of the top "small towns" in America. When you visit the | | | | possible without scaring the birds and animals away. |
| town, it's very easy to see why. Smyrna has a | | | | The Auto Route is only a 12-mile round trip. The tour |
| home-town feel to it. Even though it has a fairly small | | | | route passes by the four freshwater |
| poulation, it is very accessible. One of the popular | | | | impoundments.There is plenty of room to to stop and |
| attractions is the Bombay Hook National Wildlife | | | | view the always-present water birds and animals that |
| Refuge. The Wild Life Refuge is within 1 1/2- 2 hour | | | | are feeding or resting. Depending on the season, |
| drive from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the South Jesey | | | | visitors can easily spend a half-day or more traveling |
| area. | | | | the tour route. There are even some trails that you |
| Been there, done that... and visited other wildlife | | | | can walk on. The best times for observation are early |
| refuges? This is not your ordinary place to view | | | | and late in the day when wildlife is most active. |
| wildlife. Bombay Hook plays a critical role for | | | | There is nothing like the spectacle of seeing and |
| thousands of migratory and waterfowl birds. Every | | | | hearing thousands of snow geese coming in for a |
| year over 17,000 visitors come to Bombay Hook | | | | landing. With one small exception, the road will |
| National Wildlife Refuge to view wildlife, in their natural | | | | accommodate tour buses and RV's. To really get the |
| environment. | | | | most out of Bombay Hook, consider picking up the |
| Bombay Hook has a very interesting story. It was | | | | cassette tape narrating the auto tour that is available |
| established and purchased with Duck Stamp revenues | | | | from the Visitors center. Keep your eyes peeled along |
| from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. It is a | | | | the side of the road. Watch for wading birds, like |
| major link in the chain of refuges that extends from | | | | herons and egrets which feed on the fish in the ponds |
| Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. There are millions of | | | | and ditches, which line the tour route. |
| ducks and geese that use the refuge as a stop-over | | | | As many as 315 bird species have been counted on |
| or as a place to ride out the winter. | | | | the refuge. One of the more interesting and rare birds |
| Although the refuge is open year-round, the best time | | | | to see here is the bald eagle. If you are lucky, you may |
| to see this spectacular site is in October and | | | | get a chance to see one of these magnificent birds. |
| November. This is the time that the waterfowl | | | | You can't miss a mature eagle with it's snow white |
| populations are at their peak. There is also another | | | | head. There is no mistaking an eagle when it flies. It's |
| smaller spike in the population which occurs in March. | | | | probably one of the most graceful things you will ever |
| This is when the birds are returning to their northern | | | | witness. It very amazing when you realize just how |
| breeding grounds. The refuge is first and foremost a | | | | large this bird really is. Bombay Hook is the perfect |
| breeding ground for migrating birds and other wildlife. | | | | place for the symbol of our country to call home. The |
| Bombay Hook has become extremely important for | | | | salt marshes are ideal and those fish are an important |
| the protection and conservation of waterfowl.This is | | | | source of food for many birds, including bald eagles |
| due to urban and industrial development. | | | | and their young. |
| The refuge covers approximately 16,000 acres. About | | | | For a little variety, the 250 year old Allee House is |
| four-fifths of it consists of tidal salt marshes. One of | | | | open to visitors on the weekend during the spring and |
| the largest areas of nearly "natural" tidal salt marsh in | | | | fall. This historic house is in the process of being |
| the mid-Atlantic region resides within the refuge. | | | | restored. It's a excellent example of an 18th century |
| Additionally, Bombay Hook has 1,100 acres of | | | | farmhouse in this area. |
| impounded fresh water pools, 1,100 acres of agricultural | | | | If that's not enough to keep you busy, the Friends of |
| lands, with wooded and grassy land and swamps. The | | | | Bombay Hook (a non-profit group) offers many |
| general terrain is flat and less than ten feet above sea | | | | activities year-round. These include field trips, |
| level. So bring a good camera and pair of binoculars, | | | | workshops for the whole family, and presentations by |
| because the views are breathtaking. | | | | leaders in different environmental fields. |