Much of the refuge is situated on a peninsula surrounded by Noyack and Little Peconic bays.

The refuge was established December 27, 1954, through a donation by Elizabeth Alexandra Morton.

It encompasses diverse habitats including bay beach, a brackish pond, a freshwater pond, kettle holes, tidal flats, salt marsh, freshwater marsh, shrub, grasslands, maritime oak forest, and red cedar.

The north/south orientation of the refuge's peninsula creates important habitat for shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds as they navigate the coastline during migration.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.