Tangier Island in Chesapeake Bay is made up of many small islands divided by marshes and small tidal streams. The islands are connected by wooden bridges. Because of its distance from the mainland, Tangier is very isolated, its nearest neighbors being other islands such as Smith Island, Maryland. The only methods of transportation off the island are boats and airplane. Tangier marshes are home to many birds, including pelicans, blue herons, rails, egrets, several varieties of ducks and geese, and osprey.