Block Island National Wildlife Refuge & Sachem Pond

Adjacent to a former U.S. Coast Guard light station, Block Island Refuge consists of 46 acres of sandy beaches and rolling dunes. Although no developed trail system exists, the site is accessible by foot over sandy terrain. Much of the property adjacent to the refuge, including 105-acre Sachem Pond, is managed by the Town of New Shoreham as a conservation area. This wildlife refuge is a hotspot for birding year-round, and especially so in the fall. Hundreds of “birders” flock to Block Island each fall, as do thousands of Warblers, rare Sparrows and vagrants. A National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1973 with the transfer of 28 acres from the US Coast Guard. Today the refuge covers 127 acres at the North end of the island. Over 70 species of migratory song birds visit the island each fall. The Piping Plover, a threatened species, may be found here. Block Island is home to the largest Gull colony in Rhode Island. As one of the most important migratory habitats on the East Coast, Block Island is the perfect spot for your next eco friendly vacation.