- The new, larger visitor center costing $5.6 million will replace the old center which will be demolished.
Delaware is home to one of the bird-watching capitals of the East Coast at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge east of Smyrna.
The saltwater marsh and tidal pools that make up the refuge stretch eight miles along the Delaware Bay providing a popular stop for migratory birds and year-round habit for many other birds and animals.
A new $5.6 million center for visitors is nearing completion at Bombay Hook to house interactive exhibits and educate visitors on the rich habitat and abundant wildlife.
“I’m really excited for it to open. It’s going to be a great resource,” said Kate Toniolo, project leader of the Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
The new center is about 7,300-square-feet, compared to 4,500 for the old center. The staff was hoping the center would be finished this spring, but the date has been pushed back to this summer.
Bombay Hook manager Oscar Reed said supply chain issues have caused delays.
Why was a new center needed?
The old center, built in 1980, was in need of major repairs, including a leaking roof that would cost $40,000 to replace and plumbing problems.
The funding for a new center was part of the Great American Outdoors Act, passed during the pandemic in 2020, with a focus on improving infrastructure at national parks, forests and wildlife refuges.
More:Great American Outdoors Act, which would provide billions for national parks, passes Senate
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided a new, larger building could be used for other Fish and Wildlife program offices in addition to Bombay Hook staff.
Along with offices, the new center has a larger multipurpose room for meetings and educational programs.
Exhibits are planned that are more elaborate than the previous displays behind plexiglass.
“The main request was for more hands-on, interactive educational activities,” said Toniolo.
Another improvement will be for the gift shop operated by volunteer group, the Friends of Bombay Hook. Now, their store is in a closet, but the new center will have an actual shop with souvenirs and educational items.
The money raised by the group supports projects at the wildlife refuge to supplement government funds. The volunteers also help at the visitor center, hold litter clean ups and plant a garden to attract butterflies and birds.
The old visitor center will be demolished.
Return of programs canceled during the pandemic
Because of COVID restrictions, the visitor center was closed and the educational presentations and guided tours were canceled.
However, attendance at Bombay Hook increased.
“The refuge was actually busier during the pandemic because there were very few things people could do,” Toniolo said, with schools, many businesses and even playgrounds shut down.
While the visitor center was closed, people could still ride or hike through the refuge.
A big change this spring is a return to educational presentations and tours held before the COVID restrictions.
For the first time since the pandemic, a visitor services manager is working at the refuge, Josh Smith.
“Everything had been shut down for about three years, but we’re bringing back a variety of programs,” Smith said.
Events include guided bird watching, how to attract monarch butterflies and the horseshoe crab ecology session.
Volunteers are also needed for the Earth Day Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup Saturday, April 22 from 8-11 a.m.
To sign up or for more information, call 302-653-9345 or see the refuge’s website.
What are the main attractions at Bombay Hook?
“We’re a destination for bird watching,” said Toniolo. “When you look in the parking lot, sometimes you’ll see more license plates from out-of-state than from Delaware.”
Bombay Hook was established in 1937 as a link in the chain of refuges from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico to preserve land for wildlife, especially migratory birds. Snow geese are a favorite of visitors, blanketing fields and ponds in white.
More on migratory birds:Is climate change to blame for the slow arrival of snow geese?
The refuge also provides a year-round habitat for other birds including egrets, herons, cranes and owls.
The staff members said Bombay Hook is one of the best places to see bald eagles on the East Coast.
Other wildlife include deer, foxes, turtles and snakes (none that are poisonous).
Wildlife photography is a popular activity, but drones aren’t allowed.
Stretching eight miles along Delaware Bay and covering 16,251 acres, the refuge is about 80% saltwater marsh with mud flats, tidal pools, ponds, streams and grassy areas. West of the coastal area, there are forests, freshwater ponds, swamps and fields.
But you don’t have to trudge through swamps and marsh to see the animals. The refuge has a 12-mile wildlife drive so you can look for birds and other animals without leaving your car.
“I enjoy how accessible it is to the wildlife,” said Smith. “It’s all right there. It’s easy to explore.”
Feeling more energetic? You can hike or bike the wildlife drive and branch off on five walking trails including two that are handicapped accessible, and climb three observation towers.
The trails have educational signs, with pictures and descriptions of the animals you may see.
The refuge also offers fishing and hunting opportunities, with hunting on specified days in sections far from the sight-seeing roads and trails.
Plan your visit to Bombay Hook
The address for Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is 2591 Whitehall Neck Road, east of Smyrna, off of Route 9.
The roads and trails are open daily, including holidays, from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset.
The visitor center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. year round, except federal holidays. During spring and fall weekends, the visitor center is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but for Sunday hours, call ahead, 302-653-9345. Sunday hours may depend on the availability of volunteers from the Friends of Bombay Hook.
Admission is $4 per vehicle or $2 per bicyclist or hiker, but hikers and bikers under age 16 are free. An annual pass is $12. Payment must be made by cash or check. Credit cards or debit cards aren’t accepted. Payment can be made at the visitor center, but when the center is closed, pay outside at the box near the visitor center entrance.
Restrooms are available in the visitor center, and port-a-johns are located on the Bear Swamp Trail and Pasture Point Pond.
No food or drinks are sold at the refuge.
Insect repellent is recommended in the late spring, all summer and early fall if you plan to leave your car. Mosquitoes, biting flies and ticks are a nuisance.
The most popular times for visitors are in the spring and fall to see the migrating birds and avoid the bugs.
Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate and development news. Reach him at rmace@gannett.com.
