Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge For the official source of information about the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge head to: www.fws.gov/refuge/ohio_river_islands/
(1)

The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge is one of more than 550 refuges and other units in the National Wildlife Refuge System, the world's largest and most diverse network of lands and waters devoted specifically to wildlife. Refuges are places where wildlife comes first! The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge began with the purchase of eight islands in the Ohio River by the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service in 1990. Today, the refuge consists of 22 islands scattered along 362 miles of river and across 3 states. The refuge offers hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education and interpretation for visitors. In 2007 a visitor contact station was opened in Williamstown, West Virginia. The visitor station features self guided exhibits (including a 1000 gallon aquarium containing native Ohio River fish), hiking trails, fishing pier, and a butterfly garden. The refuge's Middle Island in St. Mary's, West Virginia offers an auto tour, fishing access and hiking trails. Visitors are welcome on the refuge!

Fall migration starts way before the Fall! After spending less than two months in arctic regions, shorebirds mostly pas...
08/24/2026

Fall migration starts way before the Fall! After spending less than two months in arctic regions, shorebirds mostly pass through our area in August. Some, like Spotted Sandpipers, Solitary Sandpipers, and Greater Yellowlegs, are common, while others are unusual. Lesser Yellowlegs like this one can be hard to sort out because they strongly resemble Greater Yellowlegs. Surprisingly, they are actually more closely related to Willets.

Lesser Yellowlegs, photo by Michael Schramm/USFWS

08/21/2026

Buzzing with excitement! These two common eastern bumblebees don't mind sharing some tasty field thistle nectar. Did you know each “flower” is actually a cluster of tiny individual tubular flowers, each with delicious nectar at the bottom?

With the sun shining, it’s the perfect time to explore our new wetland trail and spot native plants like this vibrant field thistle in full bloom. Come discover the beauty and buzz of the refuge!

Video by Elaine Barr, USFWS

Brace yourself for the Fall migration! The warblers will start flooding into our area over the coming weeks. Birding in ...
08/20/2026

Brace yourself for the Fall migration! The warblers will start flooding into our area over the coming weeks. Birding in Fall can be a little tricky: the birds don't sing, and some species look radically different than they did in the Spring. It can make them harder to find. One happy exception is the Wilson's Warbler, which looks the same year-round and which tends to stay in the lower branches of trees and shrubs. They aren't super common, but if they're present, you've got a good shot at seeing one!

Wilson's Warbler, photo by Michael Schramm/USFWS

Our Belleville easement is currently full of lotus flowers, creating a rather lovely stage for our local birds. In the p...
08/17/2026

Our Belleville easement is currently full of lotus flowers, creating a rather lovely stage for our local birds. In the popular imagination, few birds represent grace and beauty quite like the ubiquitous Great Blue Heron. The impression is shattered, somewhat, when they take off to loudly squawk, harsh and guttural in a way that somehow leaves no doubt that birds are the last surviving dinosaurs. Why do they always seem to squawk while taking off? In nature, energy is never wasted; a Great Blue Heron only takes off if it is alarmed or in danger, and the squawk is a signal to any other birds in the area that it's time to go!

Great Blue Heron, photo by Michael Schramm/USFWS

Much fuss is made about the warbler migration (they're coming in a few weeks!), but some warblers have been here all sum...
08/13/2026

Much fuss is made about the warbler migration (they're coming in a few weeks!), but some warblers have been here all summer. The Common Yellowthroat is frequently found in wetlands and meadows, and they behave more like a meadow bird than one might expect of a warbler; they flit about, curiously monitoring their territory, scolding those who come too close. This one's posture is reminscent of a wren cocking its tail. But a warbler it is! The wonderfully colorful plumage is the key. Female Common Yellowthroats are naturally more inclined to mate with males who exhibit a larger black facial mask.

Common Yellowthroat, photo by Michael Schramm/USFWS

Last week our staff assisted Erie National Wildlife Refuge with their annual freshwater mussel surveys. It was a blast a...
08/10/2026

Last week our staff assisted Erie National Wildlife Refuge with their annual freshwater mussel surveys. It was a blast and we enjoyed getting to experience the difference between surveying for mussels in the mighty Ohio and the little Muddy Creek.

A few highlights from Moth Night! A special thanks to Dr. McShaffrey for sharing his light arrays and for his wonderful ...
08/07/2026

A few highlights from Moth Night! A special thanks to Dr. McShaffrey for sharing his light arrays and for his wonderful talk and guidance. Each moth is like a little gem!

It seems like yesterday the orioles were arriving for the summer, weaving their amazing, hanging nests on the trees surr...
08/03/2026

It seems like yesterday the orioles were arriving for the summer, weaving their amazing, hanging nests on the trees surrounding our wetland trail. Now they're already on their way out. Though they --importantly -- breed here, they spend most of their lives in the tropical rainforest. It's not hard to think of this bird as essentially tropical when you behold its brilliant orange plumage! Most of our resident birds have already left, which means that many of the orioles you might see in the coming weeks bred further north and are just passing through on their way back home to Central America.

Baltimore Oriole, photo by Michael Schramm/USFWS

While most flycatchers are gray and inconspicuous, the Great Crested Flycatcher is a noteworthy exception. This bird lik...
07/30/2026

While most flycatchers are gray and inconspicuous, the Great Crested Flycatcher is a noteworthy exception. This bird likes to do things differently. They dominate the upper tree canopy, announcing their presence with a series of loud whooping calls. They are the only eastern flycatcher species that nests in tree cavities, where they will often weave snakeskin into their nests. And while many flycatchers live up to their name, living on insects, the Great Crested Flycatcher will sometimes eat fruit whole!

Great Crested Flycatcher, photo by Michael Schramm/USFWS

Address

3982 Waverly Road
Williamstown, WV
26187

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13043752923

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share