Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Eagle Festival
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, MD
March 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge eagle festival includes several free bus tours to see active eagles' nests.
Pre-registration is NOT required.
source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Showing posts with label birdwatching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birdwatching. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
2013 Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey
During the 2013 Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey, researchers saw an overall increase in the total number of waterfowl compared to last year. Canada geese and snow geese numbers were up but crews observed fewer ducks, compared to 2012.
The total number of ducks observed during the survey was 175,500, lower than the 230,600 counted in 2012. The dabbling duck count of 72,800 was below the 96,600 counted in 2012. Most of the decline in dabbling ducks can be attributed to fewer mallards being observed.
The total number of diving ducks observed was 98,100, also lower than the 125,300 counted last winter. The scaup count was one of the lowest in recent history. Unseasonably mild winter weather during the weeks leading up to the survey resulted in a delay in the arrival of most diving ducks in the Bay, especially scaup.
Canada geese (462,000) and snow geese (83,300) were noticeably more abundant during this year’s survey compared to 2012. Improved gosling production in 2012 contributed to higher goose numbers, combined with snow cover in New York and southern Canada that encouraged geese to migrate further south into the Bay region in late December.
The survey was conducted the week of January 6, 2013 throughout the Atlantic Flyway and is used as an index of long-term wintering waterfowl trends, especially for brant and tundra swans.
Each winter, during the first weeks of January, pilots and biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) count ducks, geese and swans along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast.
In Maryland, the survey is conducted by four aerial survey teams that make visual estimates of wintering waterfowl that are observed in coastal and tidewater habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
source: MD DNR
The total number of ducks observed during the survey was 175,500, lower than the 230,600 counted in 2012. The dabbling duck count of 72,800 was below the 96,600 counted in 2012. Most of the decline in dabbling ducks can be attributed to fewer mallards being observed.
The total number of diving ducks observed was 98,100, also lower than the 125,300 counted last winter. The scaup count was one of the lowest in recent history. Unseasonably mild winter weather during the weeks leading up to the survey resulted in a delay in the arrival of most diving ducks in the Bay, especially scaup.
Canada geese (462,000) and snow geese (83,300) were noticeably more abundant during this year’s survey compared to 2012. Improved gosling production in 2012 contributed to higher goose numbers, combined with snow cover in New York and southern Canada that encouraged geese to migrate further south into the Bay region in late December.
The survey was conducted the week of January 6, 2013 throughout the Atlantic Flyway and is used as an index of long-term wintering waterfowl trends, especially for brant and tundra swans.
Each winter, during the first weeks of January, pilots and biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) count ducks, geese and swans along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast.
In Maryland, the survey is conducted by four aerial survey teams that make visual estimates of wintering waterfowl that are observed in coastal and tidewater habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
source: MD DNR
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Ocean City - Skimmer Island
Near Ocean City Maryland, a sand dredging and replenishment project at Skimmer Island is restoring the Island’s size and safeguarding habitat for endangered wildlife.
During late March and early April, Skimmer Island was nourished with 675 cubic yards of clean sand as part of a public-private partnership between DNR and Sunset Marina in West Ocean City.
The project seeks to restore important nesting habitat for wildlife, including the State-endangered black skimmer and royal tern. The island has seen a significant decline in size from 7 acres in 1998 to just over 2 acres last winter.
Skimmer Island provides nesting habitat and shelter for a variety of birds and mammals. During the 2011 breeding season, black skimmers and royal terns returned to nest on Skimmer Island. The island also contains the most important nesting beach for horseshoe crabs in Maryland.
“Skimmer Island is the single most important and valuable piece of barren sand nesting habitat for colonial nesting waterbirds such as the Black Skimmer and Royal Tern in Maryland,” said DNR ecologist David Brinker.
Coastal Stewards will assist with monitoring nesting activity of herons, egrets and ibis on the Island this summer. The Coastal Stewards program is designed to increase environmental literacy, provide hands-on experience in environmental education and outreach and teach green job skills.
The island is one of two large heron nesting and breeding habitats in Worcester County, serving as a valuable eco-tourism site that attracts many bird watchers to Ocean City throughout the year.
The nourishment project is set to continue over the next several years.
source: Maryland DNR
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Maryland Songbirds
Maryland is home to many of North America's most beautiful songbirds. Some species reside year round, while others are migratory visitors. Several species are semi-migratory; they move seasonally throughout their range in order to find food supplies.
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| cedar waxwings |
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| blue grosbeak |
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| indigo bunting |
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| eastern bluebird |
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| Prothonatary warbler |
Monday, March 8, 2010
2010 Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have released the results of the 2010 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey. Each winter, pilots and biologists from the two agencies count ducks, geese and swans along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast. In January 2010, the survey teams observed 787,100 waterfowl, slightly lower than the number of waterfowl observed in January 2009.
“When pooled with results from other states, the Midwinter Waterfowl Survey provides a long-term measure of the distribution and population size of most waterfowl species wintering in the Atlantic Flyway,” said Larry Hindman, DNR Waterfowl Project Leader.
The number of mallards counted in this year’s survey (34,200) was significantly lower than 2009 (58,300). The black duck count (22,500) slightly declined from last winter, when 24,900 were counted.
“Extensive ice coverage of Chesapeake Bay waters, rivers and estuarine marshes led to reduced open water and lower numbers for several duck species this year," Hindman said.
Overall, fewer diving ducks were counted (102,000) in 2010 than last winter (157,600). Most of this decline can be attributed to the lower numbers of redheads, canvasbacks, scaup and ruddy ducks observed. Extensive ice in the Chester River prevented diving duck use of this major wintering area favored by canvasbacks and scaup. Other environmental factors that influence the number of canvasbacks and other divers in the Chesapeake Bay are the conditions of the staging areas on the upper Mississippi River and Lake St. Claire in southern Ontario. Above average numbers of canvasbacks were recorded on surveys of those areas this year.
There was a slight increase in number of Canada geese counted by the survey crews. Despite a poor nesting season, wintering Canada geese (519,500) remained high and were likely bolstered by migrant geese pushed south by cold temperatures and snow north of Maryland.
The Midwinter Waterfowl Survey has been conducted annually throughout the United States since the early 1950s. The survey provides information on long-term trends in waterfowl populations and is the only source of population estimates for important species such as Atlantic brant and tundra swans.
source: MD DNR press release
“When pooled with results from other states, the Midwinter Waterfowl Survey provides a long-term measure of the distribution and population size of most waterfowl species wintering in the Atlantic Flyway,” said Larry Hindman, DNR Waterfowl Project Leader.
The number of mallards counted in this year’s survey (34,200) was significantly lower than 2009 (58,300). The black duck count (22,500) slightly declined from last winter, when 24,900 were counted.
“Extensive ice coverage of Chesapeake Bay waters, rivers and estuarine marshes led to reduced open water and lower numbers for several duck species this year," Hindman said.
Overall, fewer diving ducks were counted (102,000) in 2010 than last winter (157,600). Most of this decline can be attributed to the lower numbers of redheads, canvasbacks, scaup and ruddy ducks observed. Extensive ice in the Chester River prevented diving duck use of this major wintering area favored by canvasbacks and scaup. Other environmental factors that influence the number of canvasbacks and other divers in the Chesapeake Bay are the conditions of the staging areas on the upper Mississippi River and Lake St. Claire in southern Ontario. Above average numbers of canvasbacks were recorded on surveys of those areas this year.
There was a slight increase in number of Canada geese counted by the survey crews. Despite a poor nesting season, wintering Canada geese (519,500) remained high and were likely bolstered by migrant geese pushed south by cold temperatures and snow north of Maryland.
The Midwinter Waterfowl Survey has been conducted annually throughout the United States since the early 1950s. The survey provides information on long-term trends in waterfowl populations and is the only source of population estimates for important species such as Atlantic brant and tundra swans.
source: MD DNR press release
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Birdwatching on Assateague Island Maryland
Mid-Winter on Assateague Island Maryland might seem like the least enjoyable time to visit, but for birdwatchers, waterfowl enthusiasts and photographers, there are excellent opportunities to enjoy activities.
Assateague Island is a barrier island along the coasts of Maryland and Virginia. Access to the Maryland portion of the island is available at Assateague Island National Seashore. In addition, two miles of the beach can be accessed at Assateague State Park.
Both parks contain seaside beaches, coastal marshes, protected coves, and other bird habitats. The bridge between the mainland and Assateague Island includes a pedestrian walkway and viewing platform with scenic views of the estuary.
Among the most common winter birds seen on Assateague Island are mallards, black ducks, pintail, teal, shovelers, buffleheads, mergansers, goldeneye, scaup, Canada geese, brant, snow geese, trumpeter swans, and the ever present herons, egrets, and gulls.
Among the most common winter birds seen on Assateague Island are mallards, black ducks, pintail, teal, shovelers, buffleheads, mergansers, goldeneye, scaup, Canada geese, brant, snow geese, trumpeter swans, and the ever present herons, egrets, and gulls.
In addition to waterfowl and songbirds, Assateague Island is inhabited by sika deer, whitetail deer, muskrats, cottontail rabbits, otters, and wild ponies.
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