Block Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Block Island is approximately 12 miles from the mainland. During the fall, migratory bird diversity at the refuge and other parts of the island is often spectacular. Located in the Atlantic flyway, many young, inexperienced songbirds "overfly" the mainland and stopover on Block Island before continuing their migration. The Refuge is at the north end of the island. A regular ferry service is available from the Port of Galilee in Narragansett, and an air service from the State Airport in Westerly.
John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge.
Located in the Towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown the refuge contains expansive saltmarsh habitats and adjacent uplands which teem with a variety of wildlife. Excellent for waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds throughout the year, it has the largest black duck population in Rhode Island. To get there take the I-95 south from Newport, then the 4 south to Narragansett.
Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.
This refuge is located on the Southern Coast of Rhode Island in the town of Charlestown. With saltmarshes, kettle ponds, freshwater wetlands, maritime shrublands and forests dominated by oak or maple, habitat is varied and plentiful. Over 250 bird species visit seasonally, and 70 species nest on the property. During the fall migrations, a wide variety of waterfowl and shorebirds visit the shoreline of the refuge along Ninigret Pond.
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge.
Occupying a peninsula between the Sakonnet River and Rhode Island sound at Middletown, the refuge sports a newly renovated visitor center, over 2.5 miles of nature trails, viewing platforms, and a number of Refuge volunteers present to help visitors. From saltmarsh and beach strand habitats to upland shrub dominated lands, the refuge supports over 200 bird species, with fall migration being the best time to see large concentrations of waterfowl. This refuge is just a few minutes north of downtown Newport.