America's Wildest Places - Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on Maryland's scenic Eastern Shore, consists of over 25,000 acres of freshwater impoundments, brackish tidal wetlands, open fields, and mixed evergreen and deciduous forests and is home to the largest remaining natural population of endangered Delmarva fox squirrels and to the largest breeding population of American bald eagles on the East Coast, north of Florida. The Refuge has been referred to as the Everglades of the North, and has been called one of the Last Great Places by the Nature Conservancy.
Blackwater Refuge contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, which makes it an ecologically important area within the state. It is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention and was named a priority wetland in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. In addition, Blackwater Refuge has been designated as an Internationally Important Bird Area.
The Refuge is fed by the Blackwater River and the Little Blackwater River, both of which flow through three local swamps: the Gum, the Kentuck, and the Moneystump. Due to its location, Blackwater Refuge is an important stop along the Atlantic Flyway (a migratory bird route that stretches from Canada to Florida).
Blackwater Refuge is an estuarine marshland ecosystem and is known for its brackish tidal marshes and majestic loblolly pine trees (the loblolly is a southern pine that is accustomed to coastal conditions and reaches its northern limit just north of Blackwater). The drier marsh meadows at Blackwater are dominated by saltmeadow cordgrass and saltmarsh cordgrass, while the wetter marshes are frequented by Olney three-square.
In addition to marshland, Blackwater Refuge also holds smaller areas of mixed evergreen and deciduous forests, managed freshwater impoundments, and managed cropland. The freshwater impoundments and cropland are carefully maintained by Refuge management and help increase the diversity of food and wildlife at the Refuge.
Living in the marshlands and forests of Blackwater are many forms of unique and interesting wildlife. In addition to over 250 species of birds, Blackwater also boasts 35 species of reptiles and amphibians, tens of thousands of geese and ducks during the peak migration periods, and many resident mammals including whitetail deer, sika deer (an Asian elk), foxes, otters, and raccoons. In addition, Blackwater Refuge is frequented by three recovering species: the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, the American bald eagle, and the migrant peregrine falcon. The bald eagle population is a source of great pride at Blackwater Refuge and is often the top attraction for many visitors.
Blackwater Refuge is part of the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which is comprised of Martin NWR, Eastern Neck NWR, Susquehanna NWR and the Barren Island, Watts Island, Garrett Island, Bishops Head, and Spring Island Divisions.
Blackwater Refuge has also played a role in Native American and African American historical happenings. Nause and Waiwash were the names of two Nanticoke Indian ancestral villages that were based in Dorchester County, Maryland -- the home of Blackwater Refuge. The Nause-Waiwash Indian tribe now consists of over 250 descendants of the original Nanticoke Indians from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The tribe has restored their Longhouse at the corner of Maple Dam Road and Greenbriar Road, half a mile from the Refuge, which is adjacent to Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area. In Fishing Bay are Guinea and Chance islands, the ancestral home of the Nause-Waiwash Indian tribe who still make annual visits there.
Also, the region is steeped in Civil War and civil rights history; nearby Bucktown is the birthplace of Harriet Tubman, one of the conductors of the Underground Railroad. Tubman took many slaves to freedom in Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario, Canada. Blackwater Refuge is believed to be a former hiding place for escaped slaves who were travelling on the Underground Railroad.
VISIT BLACKWATER
A daily permit is required for all tourists and visitors to the Wildlife Drive unless they possess an annual pass, lifetime passport, or current Duck Stamp. The Wildlife Drive and associated trails are open from dawn to dusk every day. Visitors can drive, bike, or walk the length of the Wildlife Drive, which is approximately four miles in length.
Address:
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
2145 Key Wallace Drive
Cambridge, Maryland 21613
Telephone: 410-228-2677
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Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland and the wildlife seen on a bitter winter day on January 3, 2018
Where Eagles Soar: Birding on Maryland's Eastern Shore & the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Birders and nature lovers from around the world flock to Dorchester County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. One of their can't miss spots is Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, a windswept waterfront oasis for migrating birds on the Atlantic Flyway. Anytime of year there’s great birding to be had, whether it’s eagles in the winter or thousands of ducks and geese in the fall or waterfowl in the summer. Listen to Ray Paterra describe the majestic birds found in this magnificent landscape and see a few featured vistas in the refuge and along wildlife drive. Located adjacent the to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center (both a National and State Park) 10 miles south of Cambridge Maryland. Learn more at VisitDorchester.org.
Jigging At The Refuge. Fishing at Blackwater Refuge in Dorchester County, Maryland. Multi-Species
Fishing on a hot Summer day, August 2016 at the Blackwater Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland on the eastern shore.
Light action rod and reel with 10# power pro and fished with various lures such as Bust em Baits, Bass Assassin's and Bass Pro Boss Shad 5 Swim Baits.
A few surprising catches!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to any music contained in this video.
Blackwater Refuge, Cambridge, Maryland, 17,11 2013 P 2
Osprey Cam:
Dorchester County, Maryland's first school (1785)
Take a virtual tour of the first school used in Dorchester County, Maryland. The school was built in 1785 but was later relocated and restored. Please take a moment to subscribe!
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
One of the most beautiful wildlife refuges in the US.
Blackwater Maryland U.S. Wildlife Refuge 2005 part 1 of 2
Blackwater Maryland U.S. Wildlife Refuge 2005 part 1 of 2
Water Scenes from Blackwater National WIldlife Refuge
A series of nature scenes of the shore in the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, MD. The park is open all year long and is located on the Eastern shore of Maryland. The video was filmed with a Panasonic FZ-35 digital camera in 720p HD resolution. Background music generated in Pinnacle 14.
How to Fish For Snakeheads at Blackwater
How to fish for snakeheads is a hot topic these days, especially at Blackwater, where the snakehead populations have skyrocketed in recent years. We visited the Eastern Shore of Maryland and talked with the locals, to get the scoop on fishing for snakeheads. After trying it for ourselves, by the way, we have to say that snakehead fishing rocks!
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Blackwater Preserve
kayakin'
Where is Dorchester County Maryland?
Have you ever wondered what big cities are close to Dorchester County? Ever thought about having a business located on the Eastern Shore? This video may help you make up your mind.
Blackwater Snakehead Fishing - June 2019
#Torqeedo #WildernessSystems
Cape May, NJ & Blackwater Ride March2014
Video of motorcycle ride from the Maryland Bay Bridge to Cape May, NJ and then to the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland.
Blackwater Refuge, Cambridge, Maryland 17 11 2013 P 1
Osprey Cam:
Cycling Blackwater Refuge to Hoopers Island
Naturalist Jim Rapp will tell us about cycling through the Chesapeake marshes from Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to Hoopers Island.
Find out more at
Sunset at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Maryland. November 28, 2012.
Paddleboarding Lake Clopper, MD
Hey guys,
This is my new channel. I am going to be fishing from my paddleboard at many delmarva locations.
White Pelicans at Blackwater NWR
A group of white pelicans -- unusual this far north on the East Coast -- spend their spring at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Also seen in the video are tundra swans and Canada geese
Cambridge and Vienna, MD.m4v