Cambridge, MD and Blackwater NWR
Alice had a week-long bridge tournament at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, Maryland, and I went along to do some birding in the area. We went there two years ago for the same tournament, and I found the Blackwater National Wildlife Reserve, only 12 miles from the tournament hotel, to be excellent for birding. On that trip, I also spent a couple of days at Chincoteague and other sites along the coast, but decided to stay in the Cambridge area this time.
Cambridge, MD and Blackwater NWR
Thousands of Canada Geese winter at the Blackwater NWR, and this year I also saw huge flocks of Starlings on nearby fields, and hundreds of Blackbirds at the reserve.
Part of one of the many flocks of Canada Geese at Blackwater
Mostly Red-winged Blackbirds with a few Brown-headed Cowbirds
But the major draw to Blackwater is the Bald Eagles that nest there. I spent every day at Blackwater, and did a little birding at the Hyatt and at Gerry Boyle Park in Cambridge on some of the days. Most of the 72 avian species I saw on the trip were at Blackwater, some at both Blackwater and Cambridge, and a few species only in Cambridge. Here are a few photos of birds I saw in Cambridge during the week, and the following links will take you to day by day reports at the Blackwater NWR.
Common Loon
American Wigeons
American Wigeons
Bufflehead
Buffleheads
Laughing Gull
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black and Turkey Vultures
Double-crested Cormorant
Carolina Wren
Buck at the Hyatt