A few years ago Smyrna, Delaware was voted one of the top "small towns" in America. When you visit the town, it's very easy to see why. Smyrna has a home-town feel to it. Even though it has a fairly small poulation, it is very accessible. One of the popular attractions is the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. The Wild Life Refuge is within 1 1/2- 2 hour drive from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the South Jesey area.

Been there, done that... and visited other wildlife refuges? This is not your ordinary place to view wildlife. Bombay Hook plays a critical role for thousands of migratory and waterfowl birds. Every year over 17,000 visitors come to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge to view wildlife, in their natural environment.

Bombay Hook has a very interesting story. It was established and purchased with Duck Stamp revenues from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. It is a major link in the chain of refuges that extends from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. There are millions of ducks and geese that use the refuge as a stop-over or as a place to ride out the winter.

Although the refuge is open year-round, the best time to see this spectacular site is in October and November. This is the time that the waterfowl populations are at their peak. There is also another smaller spike in the population which occurs in March. This is when the birds are returning to their northern breeding grounds. The refuge is first and foremost a breeding ground for migrating birds and other wildlife. Bombay Hook has become extremely important for the protection and conservation of waterfowl.This is due to urban and industrial development.

The refuge covers approximately 16,000 acres. About four-fifths of it consists of tidal salt marshes. One of the largest areas of nearly "natural" tidal salt marsh in the mid-Atlantic region resides within the refuge. Additionally, Bombay Hook has 1,100 acres of impounded fresh water pools, 1,100 acres of agricultural lands, with wooded and grassy land and swamps. The general terrain is flat and less than ten feet above sea level. So bring a good camera and pair of binoculars, because the views are breathtaking.

Take the auto tour to get as close to nature as possible without scaring the birds and animals away. The Auto Route is only a 12-mile round trip. The tour route passes by the four freshwater impoundments.There is plenty of room to to stop and view the always-present water birds and animals that are feeding or resting. Depending on the season, visitors can easily spend a half-day or more traveling the tour route. There are even some trails that you can walk on. The best times for observation are early and late in the day when wildlife is most active.

There is nothing like the spectacle of seeing and hearing thousands of snow geese coming in for a landing. With one small exception, the road will accommodate tour buses and RV's. To really get the most out of Bombay Hook, consider picking up the cassette tape narrating the auto tour that is available from the Visitors center. Keep your eyes peeled along the side of the road. Watch for wading birds, like herons and egrets which feed on the fish in the ponds and ditches, which line the tour route.

As many as 315 bird species have been counted on the refuge. One of the more interesting and rare birds to see here is the bald eagle. If you are lucky, you may get a chance to see one of these magnificent birds. You can't miss a mature eagle with it's snow white head. There is no mistaking an eagle when it flies. It's probably one of the most graceful things you will ever witness. It very amazing when you realize just how large this bird really is. Bombay Hook is the perfect place for the symbol of our country to call home. The salt marshes are ideal and those fish are an important source of food for many birds, including bald eagles and their young.

For a little variety, the 250 year old Allee House is open to visitors on the weekend during the spring and fall. This historic house is in the process of being restored. It's a excellent example of an 18th century farmhouse in this area.

If that's not enough to keep you busy, the Friends of Bombay Hook (a non-profit group) offers many activities year-round. These include field trips, workshops for the whole family, and presentations by leaders in different environmental fields.

Whether you are a nature person, or just looking for something fun and different to do on your vacation, Bombay Hook is a great place to spend time and learn. The Refuge is open daily from Sunrise to Sunset.

http://www.pairfare.com