As of today, out of season, returns ~November. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, a sprawl of tidal marsh and shallow water on Maryland's Eastern Shore, fills each winter with snow geese, tundra swans, Canada geese, and more than 20 species of ducks.
The refuge holds about a third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, and from late fall through late winter its impoundments and marsh become a staging ground for thousands of waterfowl.
The signature moment is the snow goose 'blizzard' — a dense flock erupting off the water in a roar of wingbeats and calls, sometimes thousands at once.
Tundra swans add their bugling presence on the open water.
The roughly 4-mile paved Wildlife Drive, with turnouts along the Blackwater River, is the spine of the experience.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Blackwater NWR Wildlife Drive |
| Blackwater NWR Visitor Center |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.