Chesapeake Exploration Center - Chester, Maryland
Posted by: 
Mother Wolf
N 38° 58.496 W 076° 14.955
18S E 391785 N 4314736
This is a small marsh area that supports millions of migratory birds.
Waymark Code: WM4X37
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 10/08/2008
Views: 35
The Chesapeake Bay has millions of birds come through this region every year on their journey to southern wintering grounds. This marsh area is a major stop over for many of these birds migrating from The 'Hawk Mountain Sanctuary' in Kemptom, Pa. The 'Hawk Mountain Sanctuary' is the world’s 1st refuge for birds of prey & the oldest raptor migration watch site. There are more than 2000 nesting pairs of Osprey on the Bay. Though they mate for life they don’t winter together.
The fall migration is much better than the spring & begins at the end of the breeding season. Strong flights are from August through September with the peak in mid Sept. Besides osprey there are large flights of broad-winged hawks (Sept. 15-18) which can number more than 1000 a day. There are also bald eagles, American kestrel’s, sharp skinned hawks & cooper hawks. Mallards, mute swans, green heron, great blue herons & the Canada goose also stop here.
The area is a small marsh area which is nestled against the Chester River & Prospect Bay which are water ways off of the Chesapeake Bay.
The Exploration Center has 3 towers that can be accessed for a great view of the marsh & the water ways. At ground level there is a beautiful, well groomed area, with tables for use to sit & watch. There is plenty of parking available on site as well. It is wheelchair accessible.
The facility is open seven days a week, year-round (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and Easter excepted) and is staffed from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekends.
The Exploration Center is also part of 'The Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network'. More info can be obtained at the website listed below.