Answer
Adults typically arrive by March, lay eggs by April, and fledge chicks in summer—empty platforms in winter are normal. Migration timing shifts slightly with weather fronts; local listservs note first arrivals.
Sources: Maryland Coastal Bays Program · National Weather Service
Editorial visitor guidance for Ocean City, Maryland. Confirm current Town of Ocean City, Maryland DNR, NPS Assateague, and NWS rules when regulations or safety apply.
