One of the things we love most about the Eastern Shore of Maryland is the abundance of natural spaces we have to enjoy – particularly those along the pristine waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Aside from the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, a great place worth visiting this fall is Terrapin Nature Park.Â
Terrapin Nature Park is about an hour from our Eastern Shore Bed and Breakfast in Stevensville, but this award-winning park on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay is more than worth the drive. It wows every visitor that makes the journey and offers a remarkable diversity of habitat and wildlife. As the bird migration begins this fall, Terrapin Nature Park is a wonderful place to spend a quiet afternoon.Â
Of course, Terrapin Nature Park is just one of the many great places you’ll visit on the Eastern Shore. Give yourself a few days to explore it all, and stay with us at our top-rated Eastern Shore Bed and Breakfast. We offer 70 acres of bliss near the town of Rock Hall. With access to the water and gorgeous gardens and grounds to enjoy, you will surely find your own slice of paradise. Book your fall getaway today!Â
An Afternoon at Terrapin Nature Park
Terrapin Nature Park is an award-winning park on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay that offers visitors a truly unprecedented coastal hike. A highlight of Terrapin Nature Park is the 3.25-mile oyster chaff nature trail.
The trail winds its way through the 276 acres of this park, leading visitors through diverse habitats, including wildflower meadows, wetlands, tidal ponds, woodlands, and sandy shoreline. The Trail at Terrapin Nature Park also connects with the Queen Anne County Cross Island Trail system, offering even more opportunities for hiking on the Eastern Shore’s Kent Island.Â
Aside from the scenic natural beauty of Terrapin Nature Park, it’s a great place to enjoy the wildlife of the Eastern Shore, including waterfowl. As you wander down the trail and across various bridges, you’ll find two different observation blinds overlooking the tidal ponds, perfect for viewing birds and other wildlife.Â
Terrapin Nature Park also affords visitors spectacular views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge – a view that is even more dramatic as the sun sets over the Bay. When you’re done at the park, we recommend you explore a little more of Kent Island before returning to our Eastern Shore Bed and Breakfast. Here are a few more things to consider:Â
- Enjoy a wine tasting at Cascia Vineyards & Winery.
- If you’re a music lover, visit the factory where Paul Reed Smith Guitars are made!Â
- Browse the historic town of Stevensville, where you’ll find great shops, art galleries, and historic attractions.Â
- Take a walking tour of Stevensville, a town listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
See Tundra Swans at the Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge
As wonderful as a walk through the coastal habitat at Terrapin Nature Park is, it’s just one of the many excellent areas for bird and wildlife viewing on the Eastern Shore. In fact, another of our favorites, the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, is just minutes from our Eastern Shore Bed and Breakfast.
The Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is a part of the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, home to the most complete network of protected lands in the country. The Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 2,oo0 acres of marshland, providing critical habits for migrating birds and other wildlife. Though there is huge diversity among waterfowl and migratory bird species here, the Tundra Swan is one of the most popular.
Of all the waterfowl migrations worth witnessing, the Tundra Swan migration is truly spectacular. Unlike the traditional fall migration of many waterfowl and migratory songbirds, the Tunda Swans start to move into the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge sometime in November, and they stick around until March. The refuge provides critical winter resting and feeding grounds for these majestic birds, whose spring nesting grounds are more than 4,000 miles away. Throughout the winter, a walk on the Tundra Boardwalk will reward and delight visitors to the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge.
Before the Tundra Swans come to town, the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge will be full of diverse birds and other wildlife. The area is a designated Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society and supports over 240 bird species. There are seven different trails throughout the Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge for wildlife viewing.Â
Of course, you can also spot an incredible variety of birds and other wildlife from right here on our grounds at our top-rated Eastern Shore Bed and Breakfast. Fall is truly a delightful time to visit this nature lover’s paradise, so book your room today!Â
