Join us 6 December 2025 at Conowingo Dam / Fisherman’s Park (Harford County Side) 2569 Shure’s Landing Road, Darlington, MD 21034. Open: 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. Dress warmly. There are bathrooms. Bring food, drink, and chairs.
A good place for breakfast on the way up is the Ballpark Restaurant (3418 Conowingo Rd, Street, MD 21154-1945).
Conowingo Dam is a great place to see Eagles along with herons, gulls and waterfowl. in the winter. When the turbines are in operation, the intake valves suck water and fish through the dam into the river downstream, providing excellent feeding for birds. The water flowing through the dam remains unfrozen during the winter, attracting birds searching for food.
No birding tour of Maryland is complete without a trip to Conowingo Dam. The Dam spans the Susquehanna River between Harford and Cecil Counties in northeastern Maryland. Fisherman’s Park (about 100 acres) offers public access near the foot of the dam on the Harford County side (west bank of the river). The waters above the dam are known as Conowingo Lake or Conowingo Reservoir, but some maps just label it as the Susquehanna River. Conowingo Dam is an electricity-generating plant operated by Exelon Power Company. When the turbines are in operation, the intake valves suck water and fish through the dam into the river downstream, providing excellent feeding for birds. The water flowing through the dam remains unfrozen during the winter, attracting birds searching for food.
The primary birding attractions at the dam are Bald Eagles, Osprey (in warm months), herons, gulls, and waterfowl. Large numbers of Bald Eagles gather here starting in October through mid-March, to take advantage of the food availability.
In addition to eagles and other birds, catching the sunrise and the fisherman on the shore or river can be great photo opportunities. There is a nature walk along the shore.
Located nearby:
- Susquehanna State Park-4122 Wilkinson Rd, Havre De Grace 21878, Hours: 10am to Sunset
- Steppingstone Farm Museum – 461 Quaker Bottom Rd, Havre De Grace 21078 • (410) 939-2299, Hours: 11am to 3pm