This is part of my 1st series 'CROSS ISLAND TRAIL' series. This is a short stretch of the trail that will bring you to the Chesapeake Exploration Center. This is also Queen Anne's visitor info center.
This is a short leg of the main Cross Island Trail. Located on the Kent narrows you will have the chance to see the old draw bridge, watch the modern day boats come & go and look over an elegant ‘Skipjack’ lady, Anne McGarvey. (Under reconstruction at this time until further notice :>( However the real treasure is the marsh area.
The Chesapeake Bay has millions of birds come thru 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.
Off migration time still offers resident birds & wildlife in the marsh area. Butterflies are abundant as are (my favorite-eeeeeewwwwwwww) the slithers. You can see a wide collection of fish in the 20ft canal that passes along the marsh edge as well as jellyfish.
As always please remember that even though the environment looks tough it is fragile. At this time you can’t walk in the marsh area itself but be aware of your surroundings as you get close to the canal as we do have poisonous indigenous life forms that go where they will.
******************* DO NOT GO IN THE WATER HERE***************
The path way is wide & it is stoned. Strollers can be handled here & Im hoping other devices can too. If there is trouble PLEASE let me know so I can adjust the terrain rating.
DO walk around or just have a seat & watch what mother nature has to offer or go over to the Exploration building & go up into the lookout tower & you can get a ‘Birds Eye View’. Whatever is your pleasure just remember to ENJOY!
Proud member of the Military Association of GeoCachers
***********WAY TO GO TEAM TANNER ON A DOUBLE FTF TRICK - VERY COOL***********