BIRDS OF THE 
BLACKWATER 
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 
The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, established in January 
1933, is administered by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. It serves 
as an important resting and feeding area for migrant waterfowl in the 
chain of waterfowl refuges along the Atlantic Flyway extending from 
Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Blackwater Refuge is located on the 
Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay in Dorchester County, Maryland, approxi- 
mately 10 miles south of Cambridge. 
The refuge consists of 11,216 acres, of which approximately 
10.000 acres are in marsh, fresh-water ponds, or brush and timbered 
swamps. These swamps contain extensive areas of pine and oak timber. 
About 900 acres are farmed each year to produce a supplementary source 
of food for the tremendous numbers of migrant and wintering waterfowl. 
Several fresh-water impoundments have been developed for waterfowl 
use since the establishment of the refuge. 
Interest centers around the refuge chiefly during the fall, 
winter, and spring. When waterfowl reach their peak concentration 
during November and December, approximately 70,000 Canada geese and 
80.000 ducks can be observed on the refuge. The principal species of 
ducks are mallard, black duck, pintail, green-winged teal, widgeon, 
and wood duck. During one Christmas Bird Count, Blackwater listed 
27 species of waterfowl. 
Nesting ducks include the black duck, blue-winged teal, mallard, 
and wood duck, listed in the order of their abundance. Other nesting 
species include the Canada goose, king and Virginia rails, common 
gallinule, killdeer, barn owl, and osprey. The brown-headed nuthatch 
is a permanent resident in the loblolly pines--near the northern 
limits of its range. 
The following birdlist contains 224 species which represent 
observations since 1938. An additional 11 species which are rare or 
have occurred accidentally are placed at the end of the list. Those 
marked with an * are present occasionally in winter. Those denoted 
by a #, normally winter or transient visitors, may nest in limited 
numbers. This list, using species names, is in accordance with the 
Fifth (1957) A.O.U. Check-list. Symbols used are defined as follows: 
V 
NATIONAL 
WILDLIFE 
REFUGE 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 
BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE 
