Friends of Blackwater NWR

06/16/2026

If you live near Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware, their wonderful Blue Heron Gift Shoppe is looking for volunteer help. We love visiting this shop in the beautiful new Visitor Center, so lend them a hand if you can!

Hello Friends!!!!
We love operating the Blue Heron Gift Shoppe but we can't do it without volunteers. We are in some serious need for store help. We only ask for 4 hr shifts. Even if you can only come out once a month, it makes a big difference.

9-12:30 or 12:30-4
M-Sunday
15% discount in store

Week days and weekends needed.

Training is provided, please email me at: [email protected]

Thanks and please share!

06/15/2026

We have a part arriving soon to fix the hardware issue with our River Osprey Cam. We did visit the nest over the weekend, and at that time we still saw 3 chicks.

06/12/2026

A final reminder that our 2026 Blackwater NWR Photo Contest closes on June 14. Get your photos in now to win cash prizes! All proceeds will support Blackwater Refuge. https://www.friendsofblackwater.org/photo-contest-2026.html

06/08/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out for our Youth Fishing Fun Day and for the volunteers who helped!

06/07/2026

Hi all - we see our wildlife cams have been going up and down. We think there might be some growing vegetation interferring with our microwave transmission, so we're looking into it. Thanks for your patience.

06/05/2026

We have about a week until our Blackwater NWR Photo Contest closes and there's good action at the Refuge. We saw four Black-necked Stilts feeding at the end of the Drive, several Delmarva Fox Squirrels near the Woods Trail, songbirds and woodpeckers around the Drive, and lots of great macro/flora action in the pollinator garden behind the Visitor Center. A reminder we have both adult and youth categories (youth enter for free). Enter your photos by June 14 for cash prizes: https://www.friendsofblackwater.org/photo-contest-2026.html

06/04/2026

The official Wild Goose Chase (WGC) jersey can be ordered NOW in time for the WGC ride at Blackwater NWR on Sept. 26 & 27, 2006!

The official Wild Goose Chase (WGC) jersey can be ordered NOW in time for the WGC ride Sept. 26 & 27, 2006! We're excited to bring you a jersey to remember the fun, camaraderie and beauty of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge! Our friends at Voler have designed a colorful woman-specific short-sleeved, 3 pocket jersey in a UPF 45+ fabric. Its theme is the wildlife and habitat of Blackwater.
!! Voler is taking orders through July 24!! The jersey will be mailed to you in time for the Wild Goose Chase.

Order your jersey today to remember the wonderful weekend of workshops, fully supported ride and some of the most beautiful bicycle riding on the East Coast. This is a mission-driven ride, as all funds raised supports Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

You can order the jersey here: https://voler.com/custom/ordering/li/56327

Jersey's are available to order for cyclists coming to the WGC and for those who can't attend.

Want to ride the WGC? https://www.bikereg.com/wildgoosechase

"I hope you’ll like the jersey as much as I do. True confession: I ordered two for myself….," Georgena Terry, founder of the Wild Goose Chase!

06/03/2026

Happy to see that the littlest chick made it to the front row during mealtime! Its siblings were bonking it on the head, but that's normal for a raptor nest. The cam is at https://www.friendsofblackwater.org/river-osprey-cam.html

06/02/2026

Bring your youngster to our Youth Fishing Fun Day on June 6th!

Register now for our Youth Fishing Fun Day coming up on Saturday, June 6th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. This free, family-friendly event for youths 15 and under offers a safe place for beginners to fish. Park at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park pavilion to access the event. Pre-register at 410-228-2677. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater.

06/01/2026

We have 3 chicks on the River Osprey Cam! You can just make out 2 chicks in front (near mom) and then the littlest in the back waiting its turn. Here's hoping all 3 make it. We've zoomed in the camera view to give you a closer look: https://www.friendsofblackwater.org/river-osprey-cam.html