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Soaring with bird watching in Maryland
(May 24, 2012) While many believe that some of the best bird-watching occurs at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, others know that Maryland provides wonderfully unique opportunities for the casual and avid birder. Maryland's diverse landscape of mountains to ocean provides as varied a field check list as the topography.
"Maryland's location on the mid-Atlantic corridor makes a natural resting stop for birds on their migratory flights, both north and south, in the spring and fall," said Margot Amelia, executive director of the Maryland Office of Tourism. "And, Maryland's iconic winged friends are captured at museums such as the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury, and the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, where bird carvings are works of art."
"We invite the seasoned birder and the novice to get involved with birding organizations such as ours to discover the wonderful world of wildlife observation," said Mark Johnson, president of the Maryland Ornithological Society. "Birding opportunities can be found throughout Maryland in county, state, and national parks as well as your own backyard." He further stated that some examples of prime viewing opportunites include Susquehanna State Park and the Luther Goldman Birding Trail in Patuxent State Park.
Grab a pair of binoculars plus a camera, and don some comfortable shoes to watch Maryland's fine-feathered friends take wing. Here is a sampling of places that are known for birds to gather.
Western Maryland
Antietam National Battlefield: The site offers birders the opportunity to combine bird watching while touring a historic Civil War battlefield. Nature trails are situated both on the well-traveled parts of the battlefield and on the outskirts. At least 77 different bird species have been identified at the site. Bird watching is particularly productive on the Snaverly Trail.
Cranesville Subarctic Swamp: This was one of the first National Natural Landmarks designated by the National Park Service. It has been described as a "small piece of forest and bog that remained behind after the Ice Age." Formed nearly 15,000 years ago, the swamp is now home to species of plants and animals generally found only in the northern reaches of the United States and Canada.
Sideling Hill Wildlife Management Area: This 3,100-acre forest is home to a variety of wildlife, including Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, and the occasional black bear.
Capital Region
Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary: Thousands of Canada geese arrive for the winter; summer days bring Ospreys, hummingbirds, finches and Purple Martins.
Patuxent Research Refuge: A state-of-the-art visitors' center welcomes you to this year-round refuge for waterfowl, wading birds and wildlife. Free public programs and a seasonal tram ride are offered, under the auspices of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Central Maryland
Conowingo Dam: Situated along the Susquehanna Flyway, Conowingo Dam annually attracts millions of birds as they migrate and stop to feed on the abundance of fish. A 14-mile long lake above the dam and hiking trails below the dam provide excellent birding opportunities over a large area. All year, Bald Eagles are frequently found and Baltimore Orioles nest there. Occasional visitors include Peregrine Falcons, rare gulls, and during migration, more than 20 species of warblers can be observed.
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary: More than 1,500 acres of tidal freshwater wetlands, forests, meadows and fields create the perfect environment for diverse aquatic plants, as well as a variety of birds, fish, mammals and reptiles.
Southern Maryland
Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary: A boardwalk trail winds through one of the northern-most stands of cypress trees in North America. It is a popular spot for birdwatchers as it is one of the more active places in the area with nests of Prothonotary Warblers that prefer nesting in trees in marshy areas.
Flag Ponds Nature Park: Three miles of trails lead to observation platforms, a boardwalk, a fishing pier and a visitors center within a 500-acre park where eagles and ospreys can be seen flying overhead. Under foot, visitors have been known to find fossils from crocodiles and sharks.
Eastern Shore
Blackwater and Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuges: A major stop on the Atlantic flyway, both refuges offer boardwalks and observation areas to see waterfowl and nesting Bald Eagles. The area is a historically significant resting, feeding, and wintering ground for geese, ducks, and swans. Blackwater is also home to a large concentration of nesting Bald Eagles on the East Coast.
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area: Very large site with a variety of habitat. Grassy fields to deep old woods. It has many walking trails and nice drive areas as well. Bird specialties of the site: breeding Bobolinks, Veerys, Warbling Vireo, Acadian Flycatchers, Kentucky Warblers, Blue-winged Warblers, among many other warblers, plus Grasshopper Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks.
Pickering Creek Audubon Center: A 400-acre farm illustrating sustainable agricultural practices is home to forests, wetlands and a tidal creek. There is a 60- nest box Eastern Bluebird Trail, plus hawks, warblers, and eagles.
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