There’s nothing quite like being out in nature. The fresh air is invigorating, imbibing your soul with inherent vivacity that makes you want to never sleep. The sounds of birds chirping and singing and waves lapping the shore is better than any symphony orchestra. The wind blowing your hair and the snippets of laughter and conversations of others define what life is all about.

The Peninsula at Indian River Bay strives to achieve the happiness and wonder that nature brings. Situated on the Delmarva Peninsula off the coast of the Indian River Bay, The Peninsula is fortunate to offer homes in Delaware in one of the most beautiful parts of the United States. The Delaware shore is minutes away from your doorstep, with the majesty of bald eagles and the power of the ocean constant reminders of the vastness and wonder of the world we live in. If you’re interested in living in a golf community in one of the hidden gems of the world, contact The Peninsula at Indian River Bay today! Below, we’ll go over exactly what makes Indian Bay so special.

INDIAN BAY IN DELAWARE

The Inland Bays in the state of Delaware are estuaries, which is where freshwater and saltwater mix. Special ecosystems, the Inland Bays of Delaware cover a mere 32 square miles and are no more than 8 feet deep, with virtually no waves.

WHAT IS AN ESTUARY?

Estuaries are the small areas where rivers meet the sea. Because of the mix of freshwater and saltwater, the plants and animals that live here are unique and specially adapted to such an environment. Estuaries are mini-ecosystems on their own and serve as a source of food and a place to breed for many animals. They are also popular migration stopovers.

Estuaries hold some of the most wondrous varieties of both wildlife, bird life, and terrain. Habitats you can find in estuaries include mud flats, sandy beaches, and salt marshes. Known as “the nurseries of the sea” due to the numerous fish and shellfish that spawn or grow in the sheltered waters, estuaries are a great place to see mother nature in action. You can find more than 100 species of fish in the Inland Bays, which bring thousands of recreational anglers from around the world. Prized catches include striped bass and flounder, as well as sea trout and bluefish. Smaller fish, including mummichogs, spot, and silversides, serve as important food sources for larger species, while many fishermen harvest clams and blue crabs.

Delaware sits in the middle of the Atlantic Flyway, one of the many migration routes for birds in the U.S. Birds love estuaries for both living, raising young, and when migrating. It’s estimated that at least 85 bird species make their regular home here on the Delaware shore and over two hundred species depend on the estuaries at some point during the year for food, habitat, and nesting.

You can see many species of ducks, geese, herons, egrets, oystercatchers, ospreys, and even bald eagles on the Delaware Shore. Water birds tend to favor small islands for nesting to escape predators such as foxes and raccoons who eat their eggs. Ospreys and bald eagles favor fishing areas where large trees loom, so they can perch and watch for fish near the surface of the water.

NEED FOR CONSERVATION OF INDIAN BAY IN DELAWARE

The need for conservation in the Inland Bays of the Delaware shore is ever-present as the clam catch has diminished as have bird counts in the last decade or so. Pollution is a concern for the future of the Inland Bays of the Delaware shore. There is a threat from fertilizers used in farming that make their way to the water. Treated water from wastewater treatment plants (known as effluent) is dumped in rivers and bays by some towns. Rural areas that use residential septic systems release their contaminants into the waterways. Every animal on the food chain is affected by this pollution. As more highways and paved surfaces replace natural land and forests, there is less a chance of water being recycled by nature, impacting water quality.

Owning a Bay home on a golf resort has its advantages. It’s one of the most beautiful places to live, it’s safe with many amenities, and the resort community is a place of warm faces, nights of fun and laughter, and days of adventure and excitement with wonderful friends. However, living in a gated community also comes with responsibilities as well — the foremost being to care for the protected nature reserve and surrounding Inland Bay ecosystems.

As the second-smallest state in the nation, Delaware and its gorgeous Inland Bays can be easily overlooked. Beach towns garner more attention — and hence, more dollars to protect nature reserves and the Atlantic Ocean. As a resort community on the Inland Bays in Delaware, we can help. There are ongoing volunteer efforts through local conservation groups to count bird species and clean up the shoreline. You can help collect river and bay waters for sampling purposes. You can help catch and band birds, and then release them into the wild (it doesn’t get any cooler than getting the chance to pet a heron, does it?). Or you can help in the little things, like picking up litter while exploring our gorgeous nature preserves, Indian River Bay, and the Delaware shore, conversing your own personal water use, and educating others when the opportunity is presented.

The Peninsula at Indian River Bay is beautiful. We boast a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, world-class resort amenities, including an athletic club, a professionally-designed tennis venue, full-service spa facility, and a theme park of children’s activities. Plus, the golf course community is here to help you enjoy your life and/or vacation to the fullest. The Peninsula at Indian River Bay truly is a one-of-a-kind resort community. Come check us out for yourself. If you’re in the market for a vacation home, summer home, or second home, the Peninsula at Indian River Bay is it. Call us today!