Atlantic coast joint venture waterfowl implementation plan
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Ownership/Protection:The focus area has a number of large public land holdings, including Blackwater NWR, Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA), and Taylor’s Island WMA.Special Recognition:The Blackwater – Nanticoke Focus Area supports some of the most extensive unfragmented stands of forest in the Chesapeake Bay region. It is an important nesting area for Bald Eagles and other migratory birds. Waterfowl hunting and commercial hunting leases contribute significantly to the economy of the area. It is the only region in the State of Maryland that supports Sika deer populations. Waterfowl: The focus area is renowned for the quality of its waterfowl habitat. The Nanticoke Watershed together with the neighboring Blackwater River Watershed support 35 % of all wintering waterfowl, which use the Atlantic Flyway. Blackwater NWR supports as many as 50,000 geese, ducks, and Tundra Swan during their migration along the Atlantic Flyway. Many wintering waterfowl species utilize the focus area and mid-winter harvest survey information from 2003 estimates 31,000 Canada Goose, 12,000 Ruddy Duck, 8,200 Snow Goose, 7,000 Canvasback, 6,800 Mallard, 4,000 American Black Duck, 3,200 Tundra Swan, 1,300 Bufflehead, 800 Mute Swan, 800 Merganser, 800 Northern Pintail, 700 Redhead, 450 Scoter, 430 Green-winged Teal, 350 Gadwall, 200 American Wigeon, 100 Scaup (2,600 in 2002), 40 Common Goldeneye, and 20 Long-tailed Duck within focus area boundaries. Table 1. Waterfowl species occurring in Blackwater – Nanticoke River Focus Area.
Other Migratory Birds: In addition to abundant waterfowl species, the Blackwater - Nanticoke Focus Area supports over 250 species of migratory birds and 165 species of threatened or endangered plants. It is an important area for nesting Bald Eagle and the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, and many other species make their home in the large stands of loblolly pine and hardwoods. The forested Nanticoke River corridor is also important during migration periods for many songbirds. The extensive marshes provide critical habitat for Least Bittern, overwintering shorebirds, and several species of breeding rails and Saltmarsh Sparrow.
Protecting, restoring and enhancing wetlands should occur whenever opportunities arise. There are a number of Conservation Reserve Program and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program projects underway and these programs should receive continuing support. Nutria eradication efforts must continue, as well as phragmites control programs. Mute Swan populations should be reduced to eliminate detrimental effects on sea grasses and other critical bay living resources. Wetland reconstruction should be implemented on Blackwater NWR. Partnerships with NGOs (such as Ducks Unlimited, Inc.), private industry and governments should continue to be supported for work on wetland conservation and restoration. References: A User's Guide to the Nanticoke Watershed: Understanding and Appreciating the River A brochure produced by: Nanticoke Watershed Preservation Committee, Seaford DE 19973, Nanticoke River Watershed Conservancy, Seaford DE 19973, and Friends of the Nanticoke River, Nanticoke, MD 21840-0015 http://blackwater.fws.gov/ USFWS Mid-winter Waterfowl Surveys – Bird Node F  ocus Area: Chester River and Kent County Bayshore
Sub-Focus Area: None
Area Description: The Chester River and Kent County Bayshore Focus Area is approximately 111,430 hectares (275,348 acres) in size and stretches from the Elk and Bohemia Rivers in the north to the mouth of the Chester River at Love Point. In addition to the above named rivers, the focus area includes the Sassafras River and more than 40 named tributaries.
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