The Magic of Bird Migration
As a birdwatcher, the most frequent question I get asked is “what is your favorite bird?” My unexpected answer is not a bird, but a phenomenon, bird migration. On the east coast of the United States where I live, nature lovers get particularly excited for the spring and fall, as the resident wildlife get joined by a river of migrating birds. In key areas, they gather in unbelievable numbers.
My favorite place to experience migration is Conowingo Dam. This dam supports a 9000-acre reservoir, with an abundance of fish in accessible, shallow waters. One of the largest raptors in the world is clever and recognizes the potential for plentiful food here. With up to an 8ft (2.3m) wingspan, the Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States, chosen to represent strength and freedom.
The Majestic Arrival of Bald Eagles
The Bald Eagles gather in incredible numbers to winter just outside of the nation’s capital at Conowingo Dam. This is perhaps the highest density of Bald Eagles anywhere in the world. From late fall to early winter, the normally quiet, hydroelectric dam is visited by vast numbers of spectators from all over the world.
Seasonal birdwatcher Carolyn Bray makes her annual visit to the dam to see the Bald Eagles. She is a passionate nature lover that does most of her birding in the fall and spring. She drives two hours to the dam because she especially loves Bald Eagles and the spectacle of migration.
Being in the presence of these apex predators is incredible for every level of nature lover. Seeing a massive Bald Eagle swoop down to catch a fish at eye level is a special feeling, and I dare anyone to watch this without feeling passionate about these birds.
Migration: A Play of Elements
The Bald Eagle migration is a unique experience, and it only occurs for a short period of time. When I visited this location in October, I only saw one pair of eagles that were not very active. In December, I counted 40 very active eagles. It is easy to enjoy the sheer number of these large eagles. You immediately get familiar with the high-pitched eagle whistles. It is not the sound that you would expect an apex predator to make (listen in the video below).
Experienced bird watchers take on the challenging task of identifying the age of young eagles based on their plumage (visual appearance of feathers). High proportions of juvenile eagles visit the dam to learn how to catch fish. The juvenile eagles are dark brown with an overall “messy” look. It takes five years to develop their adult plumage, which includes their iconic white head. The dam is a convenient location for the young to observe the experienced, adult eagles and practice their technique from the comfort of a cement ledge.
Epic Battles Over the Perfect Catch
Although Conowingo Dam has an abundant food supply, the high density of eagles forces successful hunters to fend off competitors, who are trying to steal their catch. The epic battles that ensue after an eagle grabs a fish are some of the most thrilling wildlife moments to me. These are some of my absolute favorite moments to capture.
Conowingo Dam offers the opportunity to witness a variety of migrating species. Large numbers of cormorants, mergansers, and gulls also winter at this dam. Migrating fish, such as shad look for freshwater around the reservoir to spawn before returning to the ocean. Seeing a variety of migrating fish and birds in a single location is a great reminder of how connected the land and water-based ecosystems of our planet are.
Relying on binoculars
#gobirding
As a wildlife filmmaker trying to tell the stories of my local birds, I particularly rely on my binoculars during migration. When I see a bird that I don’t immediately know, the details of the bird become critical for identification. Being able to quickly determine the subject vastly improves my success for filming a rare behavioral moment.
About the Author
Vikas Bhatia
Vikas Bhatia is a wildlife filmmaker, music producer, and engineer. After earning a degree in chemical engineering, he spent a decade focusing on breakthrough medical technologies, earning several patents and publications. He now splits his time between medical device work and his creative passions. He produces wildlife films where he combines cinematic footage, audio recordings of nature, and original music that he composes. He hopes that his films will inspire others to connect with nature.
For more information and to view his work, visit his Instagram account and YouTube channel.
Photos © Vikas Bhatia
