Free guided birding tours offered at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Get outside this winter and spring by participating in a free guided birding tour at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy learning about and identifying the many species of birds that inhabit the refuge. Throughout the winter, waterfowl and raptors, including bald eagles, are plentiful, while spring brings in migratory warblers and shorebirds. Guided birding tours are scheduled for Sundays, January 19, January 26, February 9, February 16, March 9, March 23, and April 13, Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, May 4, 2025.

Participants meet at the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center at 8:00 a.m. for each tour, which may last 3 to 4 hours. The birding party typically tours via personal vehicle, stopping at various points around the refuge’s Wildlife Drive. Binoculars and field guides are recommended. There is no fee or advanced registration for these tours. For further information, please call the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center at 410-228-2677 or visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 33,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwood and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland for a diversity of wildlife. To learn more, visit our website at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or @BlackwaterNWR.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov.

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AI Disclosure: The Spy and its writers may use artificial intelligence tools to support accuracy and clarity in our reporting.

Francoise Sullivan is the new Associate Editor of The Chestertown Spy and a community advocate based in Worton, Maryland. She previously served a term on the Kent County Board of Education, where she focused on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and student-centered policy. Sullivan also serves as Chair of the Kent County Chapter of the Delmarva Pride Center. Her work centers on local government, education, and civic engagement, providing clear, accessible coverage of issues affecting Kent County.