Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is one of four major flyways in the United States. I’d never seriously thought about the actual flight patterns of birds during the winter months until I started working on a Follow the North Star piece for Amtrak’s online series, “My Black Journey.” But it is here that Harriet Tubman lived in these marshlands where the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is presently located. It sits on the Atlantic coastline where it is not unusual to see birds moving from Canada or the northern stretches of North America. Some of the birds come down and are moving through the area. Others use it as a resting and refueling area if they are continuing farther into the United States, Caribbean, Central or South America. For some birds, Blackwater is an end destination where they will nest. I soon learn however, there are many visitors to the area — a changing array from birds to turtles to wildflowers, bees and butterflies.
The lands surrounding the marshes in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge are host to one of the largest concentrations of nesting bald eagles along the Atlantic Coast. An average of 50-100 eagles use this refuge year round. Peak populations of 200 have been recorded in the month of January when wintering eagles who travel in pairs and are monogamous join the year round residents. For example, 30 pair may come in the area year-round. But in winter, there may be as many as 100 pair who use the area for nesting.
If you are a photographer, you will find geese, swans, ducks, blue herons, osprey, golden eagles and bald eagles along Wildlife Drive. The join the killdeer, robins, bluebirds and even the Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel, which is one of the nation’s endangered species. Winter in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful time of year to capture signature photos when both eagles and waterfowl are present. Spring is a good time for hikers, bikers to enjoy the refuge. In the Spring the neo-tropical migrants, the little birds you never see, move through because there is a certain plant flowering or going to seed. These birds might be in search of an insect they like to feed on or a plant seed. Each stop along their migration depends on their species and is the reason thatBlackwater is in constant flux. In addition, striped bass, eel, or shad will move in and move out. Summers tend to be hot and another great time for biking and kayaking through the large meandering waterways. And because the waterways tends to be calm, it’s a perfect place for less experienced or the non-swimmer to kayak. Summer also brings a fair number of bugs that are important to the eco-system as a source of food for the birds. So it’s important to wear repellent and to bring lots of drinking water. And don’t forget that Fall is great for hunting deer.
It was a calm and serene day when I visited the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and drove the one-way road through the marshlands, at times feeling as though the truck would careen over into the marshlands. I should have been cycling, such that the day was. But I spotted 2 eagles sitting high in trees. These creatures that we talk about and rarely see gave me a rare experience and a kinship with nature that seems common at Blackwater. It is an experience I treasure and a trip I will make again.
Patricia A Patton says
Thanks Paula. Even more amazing to better understand their habits relative to we humans.
Paula Penn-Nabrit says
This is an incredible article! I never really thought about the migratory flight patterns of various birds. Thanks for sharing this.