Canada Geese and Canvasbacks on Chesapeake Bay - stock photo

Three Canada geese (Branta canadensis) prepare to land on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay off Virginia’s Eastern Shore, while a group of canvasback ducks (Aythya valisineria) drifts in the background. The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most important estuaries for migratory waterfowl, providing crucial stopover and wintering habitat along the Atlantic Flyway. However, nutrient pollution, coastal development, and climate change threaten the bay’s delicate ecosystem. Conservation initiatives, such as wetland restoration and pollution reduction programs, are essential to maintaining water quality and ensuring that these birds continue to find refuge in North America’s largest estuarine system.