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April 10, 2021

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

Ecosystem Eco Notes

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to Hold Virtual Eagle Festival

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Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is hosting a Virtual Eagle Festival March 12–14, 2021. With the pandemic and continuing need for social distancing, this year’s activities will be conducted online, with programs taking place on Facebook (@BlackwaterNWR) and Zoom, while encouraging visitors to enjoy the refuge on their own. In addition, the Wildlife Drive will be free-of-charge on March 13 and 14 for those who wish to visit the refuge to see eagles and other wildlife.

The Eagle Festival will kick off on Facebook on March 12 at 12:00 p.m. with a welcome by refuge staff and a roundup of the best hotspots to see eagles at the refuge. This will be followed at 1:00 p.m. with a brief introduction to eagle identification.

On Saturday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m., join Mike Callahan of Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center as he presents his program, “The Bald Eagle, Icon of Blackwater NWR and our National Symbol” with a live bald eagle.  At 2:00 p.m., Tuckahoe State Park staff will give us a behind-the-scenes look at the Scales and Tales Aviary while answering commonly asked questions about eagles.  Tune in for appearances by several live birds of prey!

On Saturday, March 13 at 11:30 a.m., join refuge staff for story and craft time as we watch together the picture book Owl Babies, and then make our very own ‘owl baby’ with a few basic supplies.  A limited number of kits with all the necessary supplies will be available to pick up in advance. Registration is required for this Zoom program. Email michele_whitbeck@fws.gov with “Owl Babies” in the subject line, and the names and number of children participating. Deadline to register for this program is March 12.

On Sunday, March 14 at 10:00 a.m., Mike Callahan returns to Facebook with live birds of prey for a program titled “Raptors Rule,” highlighting some of our native raptors of Maryland.  At 1:00 p.m., gather the kids for a puppet show and learn all about the adventures of a young Canada goose as he explores the refuge’s habitats and discovers the animals that call Blackwater NWR home.  At 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, check out the bald eagle highlight reel from the Friends of Blackwater, where they’ve captured some of the best videos from the four wildlife cameras on the refuge!

Tired of looking at your screen?  Grab the family and head out to the refuge for a StoryWalk® where the kids can read the picture book Over in the Forest:  Come and Take a Peek.  Pages from the book will be installed along the Woods Trail beginning March 12 through the end of the month.

All online events will be monitored by refuge staff, who will be standing by to answer your questions during the programs. For more information and a schedule of programs, visit www.fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater. If you have any questions, please email us at fw5rw_BWNWR@fws.gov.

The Blackwater NWR Visitor Center remains closed for the month of March. Brochures, maps, and an introductory video are available at a self-service station in the breezeway of the Visitor Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday through Monday. For visitors with questions, or inquiries regarding purchasing a federal pass, “Text a Ranger” at 443-205-5290 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday through Monday.  The Wildlife Drive and refuge trails remain open daily from sunrise to sunset.

To protect the health of those who live, work, and visit U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service public lands and facilities, face masks are required.  They are also required outdoors when physical distancing is not possible, like on narrow or busy trails, boardwalks, and observation decks.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 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 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 www.fws.gov. 

SHA Archaeologists Search for Home of Harriet Tubman’s Father in Dorchester County

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Archaeologists with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) are working this week on a property in Dorchester County that local historians believe may have been the home of Harriet Tubman’s father. The property, part of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is thought to have once been home to the Underground Railroad conductor herself and her family.

“Finding Harriet Tubman’s father’s home would be an amazing discovery,” said Dr. Julie Schablitsky, MDOT SHA’s Chief Archaeologist. “Being able to add a new chapter to her life through archaeology and share it with the traveling public is an honor.”

Working in partnership with USFWS, MDOT SHA is searching the area southwest of Cambridge in hopes of discovering the location of the home for possible inclusion in the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. The byway is an existing 125-mile, self-guided scenic drive that includes more than 30 sites related to the life and Harriet Tubman, the famous abolitionist known for her role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.

The byway and its centerpiece, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center, represent the collaborative efforts of MDOT SHA, USFWS, the Maryland Department of National Resources, the National Park Service and others. During Maryland’s COVID-19 emergency, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday by reservation only. For details and reservations, go to the center’s website.

Harriet Tubman was born in Dorchester County on the Thompson Farm around 1822. Eventually, she and her mother were enslaved by the Brodess family but her father, Ben Ross, continued to live on the Thompson Farm until 1846. Ross cut timber on the plantation, much of it for the Baltimore shipyards, and was provided a home and 10 acres around the mid-1830s. Harriet Tubman lived at his home around 1840.

“Any artifacts the archaeologists find will mean so much to the community,” said local African American historian and community member Hershel Johnson. “Even if they can’t establish where Ben Ross’s house is, any insight into how Harriet lived will be invaluable in understanding the history that led to her involvement with the Underground Railroad.”

Dorchester County is known as “Harriet Tubman Country.” Over the next two weeks, MDOT SHA archaeologists will dig and document everything they can to explore, promote and share the history of African Americans and their heroic stories of survival.

“Maryland’s Eastern Shore is a place where you can literally walk back in time,” said MDOT Secretary Greg Slater. “Our archaeologists show MDOT SHA’s work with local communities goes well beyond building and maintaining roads. We help research and preserve local history – in this case one of the most important chapters in American and African-American history.”

“It is critical for the stories of Maryland history to be documented and shared,” said MDOT SHA Administrator Tim Smith. “For MDOT SHA archaeologists to lead the way in discovering them is a source of pride for our department.”

The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge protects more 32,000 acres of tidal marsh, mixed hardwood and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland. To learn more, visit www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or or go to @BlackwaterNWR on Facebook. The USFWS works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats. For more information on the work of the USFWS, visit www.fws.gov.

2021 Trapping Areas Open for Bids at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge will offer furbearer trapping rights on a sealed bid basis for the 2021 season.

Fifteen trapping units will be available.  An individual may bid on one or more units, but only two units will be awarded to any bidder.  The successful bidder must personally trap the unit; subleasing is prohibited. Bid invitations, maps, and other details are available by calling Matt Whitbeck, wildlife biologist, at 410-221-2034. Inspection of the units will be allowed from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., December 1-3 and 7-10, 2020, with a scouting permit.

Bids must be received at the refuge office by 5:00 pm on December 16, 2020. Due to concerns related to Covid-19, there will not be a public bid opening this year. Refuge staff will open the bids and successful bidders will be notified by mail. The Refuge must receive full payment on or before December 30, 2020 for successful bidders to receive their permit.

Trapping for muskrat, nutria, raccoon, fox, skunk, and opossum will begin on January 1, 2021, and end on March 15, 2021, unless extensions have been made by both the state and the refuge.

Trapping on Blackwater NWR is a management activity designed to control the population levels of furbearers as well as provide an economic benefit to local trappers.  Uncontrolled muskrat and nutria populations can seriously damage marsh vegetation, which is vital to waterfowl, other migratory birds, and the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 29,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwoods and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland for a diversity of wildlife.  To learn more, visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or follow us on Facebook @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 www.fws.gov. 

Blackwater NWR Announces 2020-21 Waterfowl Hunt

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Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) has released details for hunting waterfowl on the refuge during the 2020-2021 season.  Designated hunt units at the refuge can be reserved via the Recreation.gov website on a first come, first served basis.  Waterfowl hunting on the refuge will take place only on Wednesdays and Saturdays, October 10 –17, November 14 – 25, and December 16, 2020 – January 30, 2021.  Complete details concerning the waterfowl hunt, including regulations, FAQs, hunt maps and boat access photos, can be obtained through the refuge’s website at: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater/visit/hunting.html.

New this year, hunters must now reserve a waterfowl hunt by accessing the website Recreation.gov and search for “Blackwater Waterfowl Permits.” Hunters are strongly urged to create an account at Recreation.gov prior to the day of registration. Reservations open at 10:00 a.m. EST on the Monday prior to the week of the hunt, and close at 3:00 p.m. EST on the last hunt day of that week. There is a $6.00 service fee for each reservation. You may reserve up to two (2) hunt units per week (if available), but there is a separate service fee for each reservation. A full list of reservation dates can be found in the Waterfowl Hunt Regulations and Instructions brochure posted on the refuge’s website.

As in past years, seven (7) hunt units will be available for hunting only during the early season in October and November:  three (3) units on the Blackwater River west of Route 335, two (2) units at Beaver Dam Creek, and two (2) units at Goose Dam Creek.  A total of six (6) hunt units will be available only during the late season (December and January): two (2) each at Barren Island, Spring Island, and Bishop’s Head in the Chesapeake Bay. Introduced in 2019, seven (7) hunt units will be available during the entire season:  five (5) on the Nanticoke River and two (2) on Marshyhope Creek.

All hunt units are only accessible by boat. Only the individual with the reservation, and up to three additional individuals, will be allowed to hunt each unit. Each hunter must possess a signed waterfowl hunt permit. Retriever dogs are permitted during the hunt.  Hunters are encouraged to make a scouting trip to their desired unit prior to hunting.  Scouting is permitted only during specified days as outlined in the hunt brochure.

All hunting will follow Maryland State regulations and bag limits.  In addition to a refuge waterfowl hunting permit, a hunter must be in possession of a valid Maryland State waterfowl hunting license, Federal Migratory Hunting and Conservation (Duck) Stamp, Maryland State Waterfowl Stamp, and government issued photo identification.  If you have any questions about the hunt, please call 410-221-8156 or email fw5rw_BWNWR@fws.gov.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 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 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 www.fws.gov. 

Phased Re-opening of Visitor Center at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

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In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and in coordination with the Governor and local public health authorities, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is re-opening the Visitor Center at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) near Cambridge on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-2pm.

The refuge is working with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and is using a phased approach to safely increase access to Blackwater NWR lands and facilities as rapidly as possible. The Wildlife Drive, trails, and hunts have been open throughout the pandemic.

Beginning October 3, 2020, Blackwater NWR will reopen public access to the Visitor Center on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-2pm.  In addition, Wildlife Drive and all trails continue to be open and available.  Those entering the Visitor Center will be asked to follow Governor Hogan’s COVID guidelines, which include facial coverings indoors, social distancing, frequent hand washing, and staying home if sick.

As we continue to review access, services, and programs, a return to full operations at Blackwater NWR will be phased in according to protocols set by governors and local public health officials. These decisions will be informed by the most current guidance and information from the Department of the Interior, CDC, Environmental Protection Agency and Maryland Department of Health to ensure the health and safety of those visiting and working at Blackwater NWR are protected. We will continue to closely monitor conditions and adjust our operations accordingly.

We continue to urge our visitors to do their part when visiting Blackwater NWR and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.

Updates about the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service’s response to coronavirus are posted at https://www.fws.gov/home/public-health-update.html.

Please check our website for current updates and status: www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 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 www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or follow us on Facebook @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 www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.

Compatibility Determination for Cooperative Agriculture on Eastern Neck and Blackwater NWR Available for Public Comment

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has announced the Compatibility Determination for cooperative agriculture on Eastern Neck and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuges is available for public comment. Prior to allowing a new, or continuing an existing activity on a refuge, the Service must determine if the use is compatible with the establishment purpose of the refuge. The draft Compatibility Determination reevaluating cooperative farming on these two refuges is now open for public comment.

Blackwater and Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuges have been working with cooperating farmers to plant crops as supplemental food for wintering waterfowl for many years. This has proven to be a highly effective way to meet the energetic needs of ducks, geese and swans wintering on and around these refuges. There have been no significant changes to the cooperative farming program since previous compatibility determinations were completed.

The compatibility determination is available for viewing on the refuge website at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater/. Comments should be submitted in writing to the attention of Mr. Matt Whitbeck, Wildlife Biologist, at Chesapeake Marshlands NWRC, 2145 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD 21613; or matt_whitbeck@fws.gov. Comments will be accepted until Friday August 28, 2020.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 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 www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or @BlackwaterNWR. 

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, is a 2,285 acre island which supports a wide variety of habitats including brackish marsh, natural ponds, upland forest, and grasslands for a diversity of wildlife. The refuge holds the designation of Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society. To learn more, visit our website at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Eastern_Neck/or follow us on Facebook @EasternNeckNWR.

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 www.fws.gov. 

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

Blackwater NWR Updated Deer Hunt Info Now Online; Permits Available Online July 2nd

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Permits for Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge’s deer hunt for the 2020/2021 season will be available only at Recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777 beginning July 2, 2020 at 10:00am ET.  The regulations brochure for 2020/2021 is now available online at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge web site including FAQs, a downloadable Avenza map including new hunt units, and more.

Please note that stands and blinds must now be removed at the end of each day.  This change is in response to a national strategy to better align with hunting regulations in each state, as well as across refuges in the region.  The May 2, 2020 public hunt meeting was cancelled due to State restrictions with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, during the March 2018 public hunt meeting, five questions were asked in an anonymous survey, including hunters’ preference for leaving or removing stands daily.  The results were 58% in favor (of removal), 21% against, and 21% no answer.  There are two units (U1 and Q2) dedicated solely to hunters with permanent disabilities, with U1 allowing stands to be left, and Q2 providing ground blinds only to address that concern.

In addition, the refuge is opening an additional 3,284 acres to hunting, including the Peter’s Neck and Moneystump tracts recently acquired this past winter.  Updated maps are available online, including a georeferenced map for smartphone use.

Lastly, public lands are your lands, but it’s imperative that all visitors follow state and local regulations and the guidance from the CDC including practicing good hygiene, observing social distancing, and staying home when not feeling well.  As of June, the Visitor Center remains closed.  Updates will be posted online.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 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 www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or follow us on Facebook @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 www.fws.gov.

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to Close Temporarily

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced the suspension of operations at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Visitor Center, effective March 20, 2020. The suspension of operations is supported by the State of Maryland. All trails will remain open to provide opportunities for recreation and relaxation. The Wildlife Drive will remain open and entrance fees are temporarily waived.

The health and safety of our visitors, volunteers, and employees at Blackwater NWR is our number one priority. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is working with the federal, state and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. A reopening date has not been determined at this time. We will notify the public when we reopen these sites and provide updates on our website and social media channels.

We urge our visitors to do their part when visiting and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.

Updates about the service’s response to coronavirus will be posted at https://www.fws.gov/home/public-health-update.html.

For information and updates, visit www.fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater, or call 410-228-2677.

UPDATE: Stealing the Nest at Blackwater? By Val Cavalheri

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UPDATE: Since we published this story, there has been a significant change, and it doesn’t look good for our eagle nature lovers! According to Bob Quinn, who manages the IT equipment at Blackwater, the female Great Horned Owl has moved in! “She’s sitting on the nest quite a bit, but as of last night, around 2:20 AM, there’s still no egg (that’s the last time I know of that she got off the nest so we could see). She sits, nestles in, and checks underneath regularly, making us think there’s an egg, and then she flies off and no egg. She’s a real tease.” You can join the egg watch here.

 

This was supposed to be a story about eagles. We were going to cover the installation of a camera above an eagle’s nest at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Cambridge, one that would follow the progress of an eagle couple returning to their nest.

Well, this story is now about owls. Maybe.

Back in 2004, the Friends of Blackwater (Friends), a nonprofit citizens support group founded in 1987, began broadcasting still images from a bald eagle nest at Blackwater. The nest had seen 25 eagle eggs hatch, but after a couple of failed nesting seasons, it appeared to have been abandoned. About a year ago, a search was conducted, a new nest was identified, and a decision made to install a streaming cam, similar to the osprey and waterfowl cams being used at the refuge.

Both the waterfowl and this new cam are the creation of Harry Heckathorn, VP of the Board of Directors for Friends. He designed, built the infrastructure, and coordinated all the participants (electric company, construction assistance, Refuge staff assistance, etc.) that were involved in the project. Another board member, Bob Quinn, stepped into the role of IT support.

Quinn, who had retired as the IT Infrastructure Manager for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, manages the IT equipment both at the Blackwater Visitor Center, as well as in the field. Lisa Mayo, also a board member with Friends, is the webmaster who ensures that the stream is seen at the Visitor Center, on the Friends of Blackwater website, and their Facebook page. The actual installation (as seen in the photos) was done by Craig Koppie, a biologist from the US Fish and Wildlife Service who clearly is not afraid of heights.

“The camera above the nest is a ‘PTZ’ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras that I can move around depending on the circumstances,” says Quinn. “If we are lucky enough to get chicks, we will be able to zoom in close to get a good look or zoom back out to see the parents nesting or feeding them. As they get older, we’ll be able to view them growing, stretching their wings, branching, and eventually fledging. The second camera is not PTZ; it is what is known as a “bullet” camera. It can zoom in and out but cannot pan or tilt.” This camera was installed in a nearby tree pointed at the nest.

 

Motion detection was also set up on the PTZ camera, allowing Quinn to be alerted whenever there was activity in the nest. What he was seeing, though, was only one eagle making irregular visits to the nest. “We expected to see both eagles and some bonding behavior,” says Quinn. Bonding includes bringing in new nesting material and rearranging sticks, beak rubbing, and the male bringing food to the nest for the female as a way to display his skills as a provider.

Instead, Quinn started to notice frequent visits by another raptor, a couple of Great Horned Owls (GHOs)! GHOs, who don’t build their own, will use another bird’s nest, a crevice in a tree, or other natural cavities. “We’ve seen some of the same behavior with the owls that you see with eagles, such as beak rubbing and food delivery,” says Quinn. “We’ve been seeing 2-3 visits per day, although yesterday I think I counted four, and they seem to be getting longer. So, signs are positive that we may have a nesting pair of GHOs.”

It’s not that there are not enough eagles at Blackwater NWR. During the annual Mid-winter Eagle Survey last week, a total of 176 eagles were counted at 14 survey points on and around the refuge. So, what happened to the eagles that should be occupying this nest? Quinn speculates that something happened to the male. “Another possibility is they chose to build a different nest because of the human activity around the net (us), although this is less likely since we saw eagle visits after we completed our work, and we finished before nesting season.”

Whatever the reason, the GHOs don’t appear to care and seem to be considering moving into their new rental. Since the refuge has a no-intervention policy, if the eagles don’t defend the nest, the owls may use it for their nesting season in January/February.

And if the owls decide to extend their lease? Would another eagle’s nest be located and equipped with a camera? Quinn says he’s not sure, but any decision wouldn’t be made until after the nesting season. Meanwhile, we can all take part in the guessing game and observe first-hand what will happen with this nest. Live cams can be found on the Friend’s website, Facebook page, Instagram, or the TV monitors in the Blackwater Visitor Center. (Talbot Spy will update this story in the future.)

Be advised that the live feeds do come with a warning:

Our two cameras display live views from a wild bald eagle nest at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland. The cams will display raw, unfiltered nature that might include wildlife interactions and weather calamities that we cannot control. We have a no-intervention policy, as we are just observers.

Val Cavalheri is a recent transplant to the Eastern Shore, having lived in Northern Virginia for the past 20 years. She’s been a writer, editor and professional photographer for various publications, including the Washington Post. Photos courtesy of Bob Quinn Photography.

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

Enjoy Winter and Spring Sights and Sounds at Blackwater NWR

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Come experience the changing of the seasons at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge by participating in one of our guided birding tours in the winter and spring of 2020.  You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy identifying and learning about the many species of birds that inhabit the refuge!

Winter and spring guided birding tours at Blackwater highlight migratory species and the returning spring nesters.  You will not want to miss the opportunity to observe and identify our diverse array of feathered friends, from warblers and wading birds to numerous species of waterfowl and raptors, including the bald eagle.  Birding tours are led by veteran birders Harry Armistead and Terry Allen.  With the exception of March 14, participants will meet at the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center at 8:00 a.m. for each bird walk, which usually lasts 2 to 3 hours.  The birding party usually carpools, stopping at various points around the refuge’s Wildlife Drive.  The schedule will be as follows:

February 9, Sunday Terry Allen
February 23, Sunday Harry Armistead
March 14, Saturday Terry Allen (meet at Environmental Education building)
March 29, Sunday Harry Armistead
April 11, Saturday Terry Allen
April 26, Sunday Harry Armistead
May 9, Saturday Terry Allen

Binoculars and field guides are highly recommended for an enjoyable experience.  There is no fee or advanced registration for these activities.  For further information, please call the Blackwater Visitor Center at 410-228-2677.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 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 www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or follow us on Facebook @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 www.fws.gov.

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here