Wednesday, January 22, 2014

For The Birds

Just south of the Pennsylvania border the broad Susquehanna River empties into the Chesapeake Bay. Creating electricity from the flow of this river that has its headwaters in Ostego Lake at Cooperstown, New York, is the Conowingo Dam. Route 1 travels over the dam and although the Conowingo is not a proud edifice like the Hoover, it is quite the tourist attraction. Bald Eagles are readily seen fishing the waters beneath the dam, mostly from mid-October through January. It is the greatest gathering of Bald Eagles east of the Mississippi. During the peak viewing times hundreds of these majestic birds can be seen at one visit, although lesser numbers of eagles can still be seen throughout the rest of the year. Several species of gulls, heron and vultures can be readily seen as well, but it is for the Bald Eagles that people visit the Conowingo.

(C) Baltimore Sun
Birders and photographers gather here on a daily basis and there is quite a culture built up around the Bald Eagles. A google search of the Conowingo Dam reveals how popular (and free) this destination is to curious onlookers as well as professional-looking photographers. There is even a Facebook page devoted to the Conowingo Bald Eagles. Don’t fret! Although your lens may not be as big as those who gather to snap action shots of this symbol of America, you must not feel inadequate. The Conowingo is worth visiting even if you are just hauling out an instamatic.




When the Conowingo releases water to generate electricity with their turbines fish get trapped in the mechanisms above the dam and get sluiced through to the other side, often dazed and disoriented. Red caution lights alert the birds the turbines are opening and the fantastic display of nature begins. This is the prime time to view the birds as they are the most active. It is possible to time your visit with the release of water by calling the Conowingo Dam “hot-line” at: 888-457-4076.
 
Conowingo Dam, looking south
There are two places to watch, either down near the water at Fisherman’s Park or along the fence line across from the island and the twin power towers, although you can also sit in your car and catch glimpses. Be sure to back into the spot. Be sure too to dress warmly and to take food for the invariably long wait. There are picnic tables and portable toilets, but nothing else, so arrive prepared. The entrance to the viewing area is on the south side of the river. The street off Route 1 is Shuresville Road then a left onto Shuresville Landing Road.

I missed the release of water that day when I recently visited the dam. The edifice itself was impressive and gulls swirled in the air and vultures perched on the dam itself, but I did not see a Bald Eagle. Just a few photographers remained and they were talking among themselves about their craft. They snickered at me when I hoisted my flip phone to snap a picture, but I ignored them. It was a mild day and I walked the grounds and read about the fish elevators that bring spawning fish upstream and about the tours that the Conowingo Dam authority had recently started up again after 12 years and the efforts to renew the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license for the 85 year old hydro-electric plant, which will expire on September 1, 2014.

On the way to the Conowingo Dam I stopped for snacks at the Herr’s Factory tour and outlet. It’s just a few miles north of the Mason-Dixon Line in Nottingham, Pennsylvania and directly off the highway. I didn't time the tour well either and did not wait for the next one. Instead I stocked up on supplies and snacked on some chocolate covered pretzel sticks as I visited the Conowingo. The Herr's store is open Monday through Thursday 9 a to 3 p and Fridays for two hours, 9 a to 11 a.

No comments:

Post a Comment