State Parks and National Parks

The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge covers about 28,000 acres of rich tidal marsh land. Other habitats include freshwater ponds, mixed forests, cropland and impoundments that are seasonally flooded for waterfowl use.

Blackwater is a haven for the threatened bald eagle and

the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel.

The best time for viewing waterfowl is between mid-October and mid-March. Wintering species include tundra swans, Canada and snow geese, and more than 20 ducks species. The most common ducks found here are mallards, black ducks, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, widgeon, and pintails.

Although most waterfowl migrate north in the spring, some remain through the summer, using the protected areas of the refuge to raise their young. These nesting waterfowl include Canada geese, mallards, black ducks, wood ducks, and blue-winged teal.

Other large resident birds include the great blue heron and the bald eagle. Sightings of eagles are common as Blackwater is the center of the greatest nesting density of bald eagles in the eastern United States north of Florida.

The golden eagle is also frequently seen here during the winter months. More than 85 species of birds breed in the refuge woodlands and surrounding habitat.

Ospreys, or "fish hawks," are common spring through fall and conspicuously use nesting platforms that have been placed throughout the marsh. Osprey and eagle interactions are interesting due to their competition for fish resources.

The refuge's woodlands provide year-round homes for owls, towhees, woodpeckers, nuthatches, bobwhite and woodcock. Also a fast growing population of wild turkeys can be seen. The warmer months invite warblers, vireos, orioles, flycatchers, and many others to this same habitat.

In addition to its extensive list of birds, Blackwater hosts a variety of mammals, including bats, raccoons, rabbits, otters, opossums, skunks and the elusive red fox.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.