December 23, 2014

We spent an extremely foggy day at and around Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge, MD. Despite the weather we saw 40 species, mostly small birds that were close enough to identify. It goes without saying we saw and heard many Canada and Snow Geese and Mallards, so I will not mention them again.

We arrived at the refuge via Golden Hill Rd. and first drove to the parking lot above the bridge past the intersection of Key Wallace Drive. Hoping to see any birds of prey, the fog was just too dense to make out anything. Driving back to Key Wallace Drive we spotted a small lone bird sitting on the power lines. Upon closer observation we identified it as an American Kestrel. These small falcons are one of my favorite birds and I am saddened by their population decline. This is the first sighting for me since April 2013.

Eastern Phoebe (front) with Eastern Bluebird (back)
Blackwater NWR
Dec. 2014

Resource: American Kestrel Partnership, Declines of American Kestrel populations

In the fields and hedges along Key Wallace Dr. we spotted Eastern Bluebirds, Blue Jays, Flickers, Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Cardinals, Song Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows. One Eastern Towhee made an appearance. While stopping at the visitor center we spotted an Eastern Phoebe hanging out around the small pond.

Near the intersection of Key Wallace and Egypt Rd. we happened upon another Kestrel! This one had small blue square tag on its right wing with a black ‘X’ marked on it.

Two pied-billed grebes were swimming in the pool to the left of the small bridge just past the entrance to the wildlife drive on Key Wallace Dr.

White-throated Sparrow
Blackwater NWR
Dec. 2014
Click on photo for more photos.

The trees and brush along the entrance of the wildlife drive were alive with small bird activity, mostly White-throated sparrows. I found out quickly that in order to reduce the effects of the fog, I would need to focus my photography on closer subjects.

At at the Observation Site/boardwalk we saw 5 American Black Ducks, 2 female Hooded Mergansers and a Great Blue Heron.

Great Blue Heron
Blackwater NWR
Dec. 2014
Click on photo for more

In the wooded pine areas from wildlife drive stops 3-6 there was a lot of activity. We spotted all three types of nuthatches (myself saw the red-breasted and brown-headed, Teddy reported seeing the white-breasted). Other species along this area:

• 1 Downy woodpecker
• Song Sparrows
• 1 Carolina wren
• 2 Bald Eagles
• Carolina Chickadees
• Swamp Sparrows
• Red-bellied Woodpeckers
• Tufted Titmouse

Bald Eagle in extremely foggy conditions at Blackwater NWR
Dec. 2014

We saw two Delmarva fox squirrels at the trailhead for the Woods Trail. Once we spotted them, we attempted to slowly reverse to get a better view but they spotted us and scurried away. (Better photos will be on the report on Dec. 28).

Along the marsh region of the wildlife drive the limited visibility reduced our chances of finding the pelicans that had been reported there. Two vultures perched on the osprey/eagle platform around stop 10 were eventually chased off by two eagles.

Bald Eagles
Blackwater NWR
Dec. 2014

After leaving Blackwater NWR we decided to drive around in the surrounding areas despite the poor conditions. At Decoursey Bridge we found trees full of vultures with two Bald Eagles visible to the south. On Elliot Island Rd. we spooked two Belted Kingfishers and an Eastern Meadowlark.