Monomoy NWR

Sand stretches for eight miles off the elbow of Cape Cod, forming the barrier islands of North Monomoy, South Monomoy and Minimoy. Here, among the varied habitats of oceans, dunes, freshwater ponds, mudflats, salt and freshwater marshes, lies the 7,604-acre Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge provides important resting, nesting and feeding habitat for a wide variety of migratory birds including, to date, 40 species of shorebirds.

The fall shorebird migration route originates in the Arctic and eastern Canada and heads south, taking them along an “outer coast” flyway that covers the whole outer Cape from Provincetown to Chatham and west to the towns of Brewster and Harwich. Most of the shorebirds within the local area get funneled toward the Monomoy system that also includes South Beach which is also located in Chatham.

Monomoy was formed through deposition of the eroding glacial deposits of Outer Cape Cod and is continually reshaped by winds and waves and shifting sands. The lands are in constant motion with ever changing island and mudflat configurations, with narrow beaches, dunes, estuarine marsh, freshwater marsh, and a wide intertidal sand and mud flats. Though the barrier islands are constantly changing, the dynamics of the area seem to be beneficial to shorebirds. Sand, eroding and drifting from the outer beaches of Cape Cod, is the foundation of the island refuge. Here, on the edge of the vast Atlantic, storms, high winds, tide and surf endlessly change terrain and shore. Yet in this apparently unstable world, a remarkable array of lasting habitats and niches have evolved, in which shorebirds thrive.

Adjacent lands and harbors continue to grow in population and use. Recreational boating, fishing, birding and beach use continue as growing activities within the refuge boundaries. Commercial fishing activities are also conducted within the refuge boundary and immediately adjacent to the boundary.

As part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the lands are protected by all laws and regulations associated with powers of the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Monomoy Refuge also provides additional protection by creating seasonal closures in high shorebird use areas.

Impacts by adjacent recreational and commercial activities can disturb roosting, nesting, feeding and migrating shorebirds. In addition, there are impacts caused by marine debris (plastics and styrofoam), land-based (fertilizer, pesticides and effluent from septic systems that have been associated with high nitrogen and E. coli) and marine-based (oils and other petroleum products) pollutants.

A restoration project was initiated on the Refuge in 1996 that increased the diversity and abundance of beach nesting birds. Monomoy was established to perpetuate the natural diversity and abundance of wildlife on the refuge. The site also needs to maintain its character of wilderness and ensure that quality, wildlife-dependent activities are available to visitors using the Refuge.