For the gulls, as for the eagles, the star attractions are the gizzard shad, members of the herring family. Many raptors can also be found near the dam, sometimes including a Peregrine Falcon or Golden Eagle. Ducks in the river below the dam include American Black Ducks, Mallards, Common Goldeneyes, and Buffleheads. January and February are the best months for watching gulls, with good numbers from November through March. Bald Eagles are usually found year-round at Conowingo, with peak numbers from November through February.
Admission is free.
To bird above the dam, go northeast on Route 1 across the dam and turn left on Route 222. This spot used to allow vehicular access to the railroad tracks, but is now blocked to cars by a barrier. You can walk around the barrier, cross the railroad tracks, and observe the river above the dam from a gravel road that parallels the railroad tracks. Be very careful when crossing the tracks because they still support train traffic. Kalmbach Publishing Co.