With the eagles starting to return to the Susquehanna River near the Conowingo Dam in Maryland, I wanted to share some information that is interesting to know when trying to decide whether the next day is a good day to make the trip.
Since some, like me, travel at least a couple of hours each way, laying the odds for a successful photo day is always a good idea.
Flight and feeding activity picks up markedly whenever the dam goes into power generation mode, with a release of water downstream. When the lights and sirens go off to warn fishermen of rising water, it's like the dinner bell for eagles perching nearby. :)
Each day around 5 p.m. Eastern time, the power utility records a telephone message with the schedule of the next day's generation cycles. While the information is somewhat general, and subject to change, it at least lends a broad picture of what the power releases may be.
The number to call is: 1-888-457-4076. Again, the recording is updated each day around 5 p.m. with the following day's schedule.
I find this information very useful, along with the weather forecast, when considering a trip to Conowingo. If they're generating a lot of power, odds are any birds there will be active.
Hope to see some of you there this fall and winter!