Winter is the perfect time for birding

November through March is heaven for waterfowl lovers. Snow geese, tundra swans, canvasback, pintail, wigeon, and many others use this area for their winter resting and feeding grounds. The full complement of winter ducks is on display. 

Assateague Island, Deal Island, the Ocean City Inlet, Rumbly Point, and Heron Park are some winter favorites amidst other hidden parks and ponds with easy public access. 

Down here is also the best place in Maryland to find Harlequin (pictured here) and Long-tailed ducks, Common and King Eider, Dovekies, Razorbills, Purple Sandpipers, loons, and Brant. Seals have become a hit as well for wildlife watchers.

With so much unspoiled shoreline, marsh, and forestland, it’s no wonder Audubon, Maryland-DC has designated a whopping six Important Bird Areas (IBA) in Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset counties, including the Pocomoke-Nassawango, Maryland Coastal Bays, Assateague Island, Nanticoke, Somerset-Wicomico, and Great Cypress Swamp IBAs. The science-based designations are designed to help promote and protect the best remaining places for birds in the state.