Winter Birding for Families in Maryland, USA
Nesting Eagles at Kid-Friendly Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Nov 26, 2008
Maryland's Eastern Shore is two and half hours east of Washington, two hours south of Philadelphia and the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Dorchester County is the place to be for family winter bird watching. Dress the kids in layers - expect the weather to be gray, rainy and in the 40s - and bring binoculars and a bird identification guide. Peterson's and Audubon both make good ones with all-important-for-identifcation color pictures. It's possible to see osprey, great blue herons, pairs of American bald eagles, and peregrine falcon which were recently taken off the endangered species list.
Atlantic Flyway Waterfowl Migration
The best winter waterfowl watching occurs between mid-October and mid-March when thousands of ducks, geese, and swan either overwinter at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge or stop by on their way to more southerly wintering grounds. The refuge is halfway along the Atlantic Flyway which runs from Canada south to the Gulf of Mexico. During peak migration birding families can potentially spot more than 20 species of duck and 250 species of other birds, including secretive, small ones like the Saltmarsh Sharptailed Sparrow.
This little bird lives only in marshland habitat from Maine to Florida and the Delmarva peninsula (where Blackwater is located) marks the southernmost point of its breeding ground.
Birding With Kids At Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
The kids will enjoy the "scavenger hunt" aspect of birding as they find evidence of Saltmarsh Sharptailed Sparrows, the wide, webbed footprints of Canada geese, maybe even a glimpse of the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel. Getting children interested in birds and other salt marsh creatures is a step on their way to becoming good stewards of this unique and important habitat that faces degredation up and down the east coast of the United States.
The family bird-watching adventure starts at the Blackwater Visitor Center, located approximately 12 miles south of the city of Cambridge. Upstairs at the visitor center the kids will find osprey- and eagle-cams to whet their appetites for seeing them live along Wildlife Drive. Parents that are expert birders will not be able to stump the refuge's knowledgeable staff. Be sure to ask for copy of the species list so mom, dad, and little Johnny can check off what they've seen and be proud. It takes a sharp eye!
The Visitor Center is open Monday-Friday from 8-4. Saturdays and Sundays from 9-5. It is open every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. In early December the refuge hosts an open house. Check the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge website for this year's dates.
Family-Friendly Birdwatching Trails
At Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge there are 27,000 acres of freshwater impoundments, brackish tidal wetlands, open fields, and mixed evergreen and deciduous forests. There is a lot to see. There are four land trails: but the Marsh Edge Trail is the only one that is paved and wheel-chair and stroller-friendly. It's the best bet for families. If the weather is too cold for winter walking on the trails, drive the loop known as Wildlife Drive. It's spectacular at sunset as the geese come honking over the trees to rest in the marshes.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is a birder's paradise, but fit and lots of fun for families with young children. It's never too early to introduce the next generation to the joys of nature. Many recent studies show that nature-deprivation denies kids opportunity to learn about the world around them, schedule-free, goal-free and just because they're naturally curious.
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