Timing for Conowingo Eagles
Oct 28, 2019 15:53:21 #
We are planning a trip to MD to see some eagles and would appreciate any information fellow Hoggers could provide. We would plan to stay at least a couple of days and would appreciate any information on timing, weather, which side of dam is best, time of day, etc.
Oct 28, 2019 22:18:48 #
James Van Ells wrote:
We are planning a trip to MD to see some eagles and would appreciate any information fellow Hoggers could provide. We would plan to stay at least a couple of days and would appreciate any information on timing, weather, which side of dam is best, time of day, etc.
Wait for the alarms to sound that they are going to make a water release - no schedule, really, you just have to get lucky. You may have some luck looking at the Dam's website the night before. Typically November is best, but last year Nov was a bust. Maybe saw 10 eagles on 11/18/18. On previous excursions around the same time of the year I have seen several hundred. Only place to see them is from the south shore of the Susquehanna east of the dam. It may be crowded if there are birds.
Oct 29, 2019 17:48:08 #
Gene51 wrote:
Wait for the alarms to sound that they are going to make a water release - no schedule, really, you just have to get lucky. You may have some luck looking at the Dam's website the night before. Typically November is best, but last year Nov was a bust. Maybe saw 10 eagles on 11/18/18. On previous excursions around the same time of the year I have seen several hundred. Only place to see them is from the south shore of the Susquehanna east of the dam. It may be crowded if there are birds.
Thanks for the information and I will make some plans.
Oct 29, 2019 20:14:50 #
James Van Ells wrote:
Thanks for the information and I will make some plans.
November thru december is best, I like to wait till the leaves have fallen to better see Eagles in the trees.
There is parking and viewing at the base of the dam, south side. It can get crowded, and it can get cold!
Coming from Pa. go south on route 1, cross the dam, take the first left after crossing the dam, then take the next left, a sharp left, that takes you down to the parking lot and base of the dam.
First year I went there were more eagles then you could shake a stick at...last year I might have seen 1 or 2.
Most years I do come away with several shots. Usually plenty of camorants and buzzards too!
Oct 29, 2019 20:56:42 #
Dngallagher wrote:
November thru december is best, I like to wait til... (show quote)
Last year was so wet and water was so high that there was no reason for eagles to try and feed there. Many more at Blackwater, Bombay Hook, and even on Rt 54 from Selbyville to Salisbury. But I've never seen a camorant - are they green so they can hide better in the trees? Or is that how they refer to cormorants up north? Hell, the locals down here talk about these great Chesapeake Arsters - took me a bit to figure out what they were talking about.
Oct 29, 2019 21:39:26 #
Gene51 wrote:
Last year was so wet and water was so high that th... (show quote)
My mistake... Great Blue Heron's - they usually are on the island
I just checked my images and last year I saw 1 eagle there, but he was nice enough to sit on a limb within about 30 feet of where I was set up and hung around for about an hour. Too bad he never really turned towards me though ;)
Oct 29, 2019 22:19:37 #
Gene51 wrote:
Last year was so wet and water was so high that th... (show quote)
Arsters is actually Smith Island speak. My brother in law in the early 70's was from Tylerton.
To the question. I have noticed that a rainy period north of the bay will raise the water enough to open flood gates.
There is a hotline.888- 457- 4076. " For information on the number of units operating and Conowingo pond elevations".
Bill
Oct 30, 2019 07:29:11 #
newtoyou wrote:
Arsters is actually Smith Island speak. My brother in law in the early 70's was from Tylerton.
To the question. I have noticed that a rainy period north of the bay will raise the water enough to open flood gates.
There is a hotline.888- 457- 4076. " For information on the number of units operating and Conowingo pond elevations".
Bill
To the question. I have noticed that a rainy period north of the bay will raise the water enough to open flood gates.
There is a hotline.888- 457- 4076. " For information on the number of units operating and Conowingo pond elevations".
Bill
There is a waterman on Rt 113 in Millsboro, that is bringing in Arsters right now. He has a small shed and some large coolers, lots of ice and a great smile with not too many teeth in it. He is my go-to guy for crabs, ocean fish and at this time of the year - the Arsters. After reading Michner's Chesapeake, I think that "drudgin' for Arsters in a Skipjack" is the way it was done from VA to MD on the bay. Unfortunately, based on the turnout at this year's Deal Island Skipjack Race there may only be a few working Skipjack crews and boats left. The rest are beautifully restored vessels often with watermen that are tied to the history and legend of that way of life.
Oct 30, 2019 07:30:05 #
James Van Ells wrote:
Thanks for the information and I will make some plans.
I saw some images that were taken yesterday at Conowingo - safe to say, it seems they're back.
Oct 30, 2019 10:41:38 #
James Van Ells wrote:
We are planning a trip to MD to see some eagles and would appreciate any information fellow Hoggers could provide. We would plan to stay at least a couple of days and would appreciate any information on timing, weather, which side of dam is best, time of day, etc.
You might post here a few days before your trip. Someone will have surely been there recently and will have info.
The western side has the viewing areas. The eagles sit around on the rocks on the opposite shore.
You can also see a lot of vultures. Watch where you park.
You may see no or few eagles (my Sept trip 21 Sept) or over 100 (4 May).
Regardless, beautiful area. Do some research of the availability of area parks. Just in case. Patapsco River parks,the canal, Chesapeake City.
All fairly close.
If crowded, a handicap parking permit will be a blessing.
Take snacks or munchies, beverage and a chair. Binoculars are a help, too.
Welcome to Maryland, the U.S. in miniature, and good luck.
Bill
Oct 30, 2019 10:50:48 #
Gene51 wrote:
There is a waterman on Rt 113 in Millsboro, that i... (show quote)
There are only a dozen or so working skipjacks on the bay today. BUT.
Wonder of wonders, they are coming back. They are being restored and put back in the fleet. Some private, but non profit groups.
The C.B. museum on 2nd street in Annapolis has one.
Sadly, many are rotting away. There is, or was one above the bridge in Denton, west side, on chocks.
Just FYIs.
Bill
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