Popes Creek and the lower Potomac River at Washington's Birthplace

photos by Stan George and James Laray, National Park Service

 

"[The fish were] lying so thick with their heads above water, [that] for want of nets, we attempted to catch them with a frying pan...." Captain John Smith, 1608 explorationtion of the Potomac River.

Washington Birthplace's nature trail provides great views of both a tidal creek and river. These large expanses of water are brackish with salt levels that fluctuate with the seasons. This provides for a wide variety of plant and animal species. Not too far soutward, Chesapeake Bay receives the Potomac River. The bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It boast 2,700 species of plants and animals, with 200 species of fish (see footnote 14).

 

The Winter Bird Inhabitants (most common)

This area is a major winter destination for approximately 20 species of ducks, geese, and swans. The Colonial world of young George Washington relied on these birds for food and down feather supplies in the harsh winters of the 18th century. Small human populations in the 18th century did not threaten these species. The Chesapeake Bay region has been attracting birds for centuries from as far away as Hudson Bay in Northern Canada. Sound environmental stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay will maintain these birds for this region, Canada, and everywhere in between.

 

 

Some Canada Geese remain in the Chesapeake region all year, and are proving to be messy, unwanted visitors. These birds are most likely the descendants of early 20th Century "lure geese" that hunters tamed and used to attract wild geese into their gun sites. The released tamed geese have no migratory abilities, have grown in population, and have "proven to haunt their human captors, hunters or otherwise".

 

 

 

 

Swans winter on Popes Creek with population in the hundreds.

 

 

 

 

Ruddy Duck, (Oxyura jamaicensis)

 

Canvasback, (Aythya valisineria)

and/or

Redhead, (Aythya americana)

 

 

Greater Scaup, (Aythya maria)

and

Lesser Scaup, (Aythya affinis)

 

          

Canada Goose, (Branta canadensis)

 

Tundra Swan, (Cygnus columbianus)

 

Hooded Merganser, (Lophodytes cucullatus)

 

 

Bald Eagle, (Haliaeentus leucocephalus)

 

George Washington Birthplace National Monument's 500 acre tract is home for two Bald Eagle nests. These magnificient birds nest in the Chesapeake Bay and lower Potomac region due to the abundance of fish. Visitors can see mature and immature Bald Eagles daily throughout the year at Washington's Birthplace.

Bald Eagles will strafe the Ruddy Ducks on the creek

 

"Eagles Aflight, Swans Alight"

halls are decked with Hollies evergreen and trails lit by candles, so serene.... Bald Eagles aflight, whistling Swans alight
you are met with hot cider at the door... by sweet country folk with colonial lore neath the Hackberry tree by centuries bent it's here George Washington's youth was spent

there are no better days than these to form childhood's memories.. take my word and advice, off to the Birthplace this year not once but twice

John J. Donahue, Superintendent

 

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