By Debra Messick

CAMBRIDGE  - Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is home to the largest concentration of breeding bald eagles on the East Coast north of Florida, according to the Friends of Blackwater.

The annual Eagle count conducted at Blackwater this past January confirmed that once again, numbers of the once threatened Eagle are good.

On Saturday, March 16 the Refuge hosts its annual celebration of the iconic and resurgent national bird, birds of prey, and fellow feathered flyers in what’s billed as a free, family friendly festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Eagle Fest, which has grown into a Dorchester County Rite of Spring tradition, is now in its 20th in-person season (virtual and hybrid events were held during COVID Pandemic lockdown.)

This year’s event presents a full day devoted to eagles, hawks, and owls, with first time guest appearances from such international avian ambassadors as the Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Sun conure, Black-throated magpie-jay, and a cockatoo, too.

While representatives from the reptile and raptor community will be on display throughout the day at the Visitor’s Center, programs including Eagle Prowls and Wildlife Drive Eagle Bus Tours, a DDT-informative Egg Crush Demo, Raptors Rule, and the new Birds in Action free-flight encounter are also scheduled.

Eagle Prowl participants will accompany experienced Refuge staff and volunteers to explore areas not usually open to the public, for a safe-distance search to spot the majestic birds.

Those taking the Bus Tours can partake of an informative Eagle search along the Wildlife Drive inside a commercial van, again guided by knowledgeable Refuge staff and volunteers.

Binoculars and spotting scopes will be available for Prowl and Tour takers. While there will be four one and one half hour sessions of each offered, seating is limited, so early registration, starting at 9:30 a.m. that day, is strongly advised.

There also will be plenty of bird viewing available inside the main Activity Tent outside the Visitors Center.

Mike Callaghan of Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center of Charles County, Maryland will feature bald eagles and other raptors native to the state at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

At 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. an interactive egg crush demo offers a vivid demonstration of how the now banned pesticide DDT threatened the eagle population to the brink of extinction, and how the nation united to save it.

At 12:30 p.m a free-flight bird encounter from Animal Behavior and Conservation Connections will allow visitors to meet birds not normally seen in this neck of the woods, including a hornbill, sun conure, magpie-jay, and cockatoo.

Birds of Prey from the Salisbury Zoo and Nanjemoy Creek EEC will also roost inside the Visitors Center, which will also feature exhibits from the Friends of Blackwater, Pickering Creek Audubon Center, Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Maryland Fish and Wildlife, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Inspectors.

Other inside the Center offerings include live reptiles from Maryland Park Service’s “Scales and Tales,” Warren Saunders’ decoy carving demonstration, and kids’ face painting.

Visitor Center guests may also be able to view the exciting live camera action of the Great Horned Owl family, including recently hatched baby chick, who occupy the nest scoped out by the camera originally meant to follow eagle hatchling activities. (A few years ago, a Great Horned Owl couple took up residence there, but up until this year produced no eggs.)

More ongoing fun and learning opportunities for youngsters await at outdoor tents, among them, building a bird box, owl pellet dissection, make and take button, bookmark, and bald eagle.

A range tent will offer a kid-safe inflatable space to learn about and practice archery and bb gun skills, while a Woods Trail “story walk” features children's favorite Over in the Forest by Marianne Berks.

Bird lovers hoping to keep up their strength can flock over to the Visitor Center Parking Lot, where Boy Scout Troop 532 will have people food on sale.

Early birds choosing to beat the rush can still see eagles, geese, ducks, herons, and songbirds led by expert guide Terry Allen starting at 8 a.m. at the Education Building parking area near the Wildlife Drive entrance.

For more information and a downloadable schedule visit the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Eagle Festival webpage at www.fws.gov or call 410-238-2677.