Deal Island Wildlife Management Area

Deal Island Wildlife Management Area

Dames Quarter, MD 21821
(410) 543-8223

Deal Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) preserves an iconic Chesapeake Bay landscape of marsh and water. Deal Island WMA is located on a westward-facing peninsula between the Wicomico River and Monie Bay to the north and the Manokin River to the south. Deal Island itself is located at the southwest tip of the peninsula and contains a residential area as well as part of the WMA. The WMA also occupies the whole of Little Deal Island, located south of Deal Island; there is no car access to Little Deal Island, as there is no bridge.

The peninsula and the islands are marked by many creeks and tidal guts that penetrate into the marshlands. The rich habitats support a broad diversity of birds and other wildlife and the birding possibilities here cannot be overstated. The diversity of habitats and excellent access combine to make Deal Island WMA the #1 eBird hotspot in Somerset County. Take your time and spend an entire day exploring Deal Island WMA and the nearby waterfront communities.

Most of the habitat of Deal Island WMA consists of tidal marsh broken by areas of open water . The 13,000 acres of the WMA also contain forested wetlands and a 2,800-acre man-made pond or “impoundment.”  There are 9 miles (14 km) of flat trails/gravel roads suitable for hiking, nature photography, birding, hunting and other recreational activities, but the trails are not actively marked.

There are three main access points generally used by birders:

• The so-called “Green Dumpster Road” (though the Green Dumpster is long gone); this road is named “Game Reserve Road” on some maps. It is located on the south side of MD Route 363/Deal Island Road, and will be a left turn if you are traveling west on Deal Island Road.
• Riley Roberts Road, accessed through the tiny town of Dames Quarter, and also located on the south side of Deal Island Road. Actually, Riley Roberts Road and Green Dumpster/Game Reserve Road connect to one another far back in the marsh, but depending on water levels and whether gates are open, it may not be possible to drive or even walk all the way through.
• Drawbridge Road, which leads north off of Deal Island Road, where MD Route 627/Oriole Road goes south.

There are many additional access points and places to explore within this huge WMA, including the boat ramps, which generally offer excellent views of the water and/or marsh. See the WMA map at the link at left as well as the eBird hotspot list below for additional birding locations.

In addition to land access, there are three water trails for paddlers, located in the marshes adjacent to the Wicomico River and Monie Bay, in the northern section of Deal Island WMA.  These trails were created by the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Maryland (CBNERR-MD) in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. A set of excellent water trail maps is available for download.  The water trail maps also include information about the ecosystem and the birds of the area, so it’s worth taking a look at the map even if you don’t plan to paddle.

Birdlife:

An aggregate of 279+ species have been reported from the ten eBird hotspots within Deal Island WMA, making it the #1 location in Somerset County in terms of number of species reported. Additionally, there are four adjacent hotspots that are outside the WMA proper. The eBird hotspots for Deal Island WMA and the Deal Island vicinity are:

• Deal Island WMA – 237+ species (this is the generic hotspot for the entire WMA)
• Deal Island WMA—Dames Quarter Dove Hunting Area – 112+ species
• Deal Island WMA—Deal Island Dove Hunting Area – 159+ species
• Deal Island WMA—Drawbridge Rd. Section (147+ species):
• Deal Island WMA—Game Reserve Rd. (189+ species):
• Deal Island WMA—Monie – 105+ species
• Deal Island WMA—Riley Roberts Rd. – 238+ species
• Deal Island WMA—Riley Roberts Rd. Boat Ramp – 104+ species
• Deal Island WMA—Riley Roberts Rd. Turnoff – 190+ species
• Deal Island WMA—Transfer Station Access – 89+ species
• Chance Inlet – 154+ species (located on the west side of Deal Island in the town of Chance)
• Messick Road Boat Ramp – 133+ species (adjacent to the WMA, but not part of it)
• Messick Road Pond – 134+ species (also adjacent to the WMA, but not part of it)
• Wenona – 177+ species (located at the waterfront of Wenona, the southern-most town on Deal Island)

Many, many species of waterfowl nest, feed and migrate through this area. The WMA also supports one of the largest concentrations of herons, egrets, and ibis in Maryland. Shorebirds use the marshes during migration, and a few species (Willet, both yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper) can be found all through the warm months. A breeding population of Black-necked Stilts thrives here. The rare Eurasian Wigeon is seen almost annually in large flocks of American Wigeon that spend the winter. A Peregrine Falcon nest tower has been erected as part of the Eastern Peregrine Falcon Recovery Plan. Five species of owls are found here: Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned, Barn, Short-eared, and Northern Saw-whet, the latter two in winter only. Both Seaside and Salt-marsh Sparrows breed here, and Swamp Sparrows overwinter. Marsh Wrens sing, almost at your fingertips, all through the warmer months. This is a great place to search for rails. Overall, Deal Island WMA provides unsurpassed access to the habitats of water- and marsh-dwelling birds.

Wheelchair Access:

For those who are mobility-impaired, there is good birding from the roads and parking areas within Deal Island WMA. You don’t have to go far from the car to see great birds. Generally, there are no restrooms, but sometimes it is possible to find a handicapped-access portable restroom at the boat ramps.

Pet Policy:

Pets on leash are permitted.

Special Designations:

• The Monie Bay area of Deal Island WMA is one of three Maryland locations for the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve; the other two are the Anita Leight Estuary Center at Otter Point Creek (Harford County) and Jug Bay (Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties).
• Deal Island WMA is contained within the Somerset-Wicomico Marshes Important Bird Area, as designated by the National Audubon Society.

Special Features:

• The Monie Bay Water Trails provide an excellent way to explore the marshes and adjacent waters. There is a soft launch (no trailered boats, car-top only) on Drawbridge Road at Monie Creek. Bring your own canoe or kayak.
• Boat ramps are available for trailered boat launching on St. Peters Creek (Champ Wharf Road), Dames Quarter Creek (Messick Road), Deal Island (Ralph Abbott Road), Wenona (south end of Deal Island Road), Big Sound Creek (south end of Riley Roberts Road), and North & South Impoundment public boat ramps (Game Reserve Road). See the DNR map at the link at left.
• A primitive camping area in the WMA provides a place for overnight stays.
• The Skipjack Heritage Museum on Deal Island Road just north of Chance tells the story of the skipjacks, the sailing vessels traditionally used by Chesapeake Bay watermen.

Local MOS Chapter:

The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Tri-County Bird Club, serving Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties. Tri-County Bird Club offers field trips and meetings with presentations by guest speakers, free and open to the public.

Parking:

Free, near a boat launch ramp on Green Dumpster/Game Reserve Rd., along Riley Roberts Rd., and at other locations. See WMA map at link at left.

Directions:

From Salisbury:  Take US Route 13 south from Salisbury. In Princess Anne, turn right to go west on MD Route 363/Deal Island Road west for about 11 miles to Deal Island WMA. Marked parking areas are located off Deal Island, Riley Roberts, and Drawbridge Roads, as well as at other locations, including boat ramps. See WMA map at link at left.

Nearby Sites:

Somerset County: ◾ Fairmount Wildlife Management Area ◾ Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary ◾ Janes Island State Park ◾ Rumbley Boat Ramp ◾ Smith Island

Dorchester County: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge ◾ Cambridge – Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park (Dorchester County Side) ◾ Cambridge – Great Marsh Park ◾ Cambridge – Oakley Street ◾ Cambridge – Sailwinds Park & Visitor Center ◾ Chesapeake Forest – North Tara Road ◾ Elliott Island Road / Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area (Eastern Section) ◾ Hooper’s Island ◾ Taylor’s Island

Wicomico County: Cedar Hill Marina & Park ◾ Ellis Bay Wildlife Management Area ◾ Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Area – Nutter’s Neck ◾ Pemberton Historical Park ◾  Roaring Point & Nanticoke Harbor ◾ Tyaskin Park & Wetipquin Park ◾ Ward Museum & Schumaker Pond

Worcester County: Assateague Island National Seashore & Assateague Island State Park ◾ Castaways RV Resort & Campgrounds ◾ E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area ◾ Ocean City Inlet ◾ Pocomoke State Forest – Hickory Point Cypress Swamp Natural Area ◾ Truitts Landing & Other Bayside Landings ◾ West Ocean City Pond

Habitats:

Bottomland DeciduousConifersHedgerows Agricultural Crop Fields or Fallow FieldsHay Meadows, Pasture, Grass FieldOld Fields, Shrubby Meadows Forested SwampMud Flats (Tidal or Non-Tidal)Open Ocean, Bay, or EstuaryRivers & StreamsSalt or Brackish Marsh

Features:

Birding By CarBoat or Canoe/Kayak LaunchCampingFishingFree - No Entry Fee at Any TimeHiking/Walking TrailsHuntingParkingPets AllowedWater View

Type:

#1 Hotspot in County or CityAudubon Important Bird AreasChesapeake Bay Eastern ShoreDriving Tour (Roadside Birding)Hunting AreasThe Rivers of the Eastern ShoreWater Trails