Calvert County
Parker's Creek Reserve, American Chestnut Land Trust
Along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline, along a salt marsh and to a nontidal fresh water marsh. Turn east onto Parker's Creek Road off of Rt. 2/4 just south of Broomes Island Rd (Rt. 264) in Port Republic. Turn right onto Scientist's Cliffs Road. Park in the ACLT parking lot which is on the left across from the Scientist's Cliffs Gate A.
Calvert Cliffs State Park
Calvert Cliffs State Park provides excellent trails through wooded habitat for birds that breed only in large unbroken tracts of forest. In addition, there is a trail along a creek and then good observation points for a large marsh. Plenty of parking in the CCSP parking lots. Also a pond for fishing and picnic tables. Open year round.
Cove Point Liquid Natural Gas Plant, Cove Point
Not generally open to the public. Call ahead for information and to make a reservation. Miles of protected beach and extensive marshes behind the sand bars make this trip special. Might even see Salt Marsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows, Seaside Sparrows and a number of terns if the timing is right! From Rt. 2/4 in Lusby, take Rt. 765 to the LNG Plant.
Kings Landing Park
Located in Huntingtown on King's Landing Road. From Rt. 2/4 turn in to Huntingtown. Follow the main road west (Huntingtown Rd.) until you get to King's Landing Road. Follow that to the park. King's Landing Park provides a diversity of habitat types that support a variety of bird species. Areas include a fresh-brackish tidal creek and surrounding marshland; large tracts of mature hardwoods that can be excellent during migration; frontage along the Patuxent River is good for waterfowl during winter months and bald eagles can be expected anytime of the year.
Flag Ponds Nature Park
Flag Ponds SP provides excellent wooded habitat for wildflowers and birds that breed only in large unbroken tracts of forest. Take Rt. 4 north from Solomons. Follow the brown signs just past the nuclear power plant. A half mile hike to the beach, a number of longer trails and observation platforms at the ponds make for great birding opportunities. Open: Summer, 9am - 6pm (8pm weekends); balance of the year, weekends only
Battle Creek Cypress Swamp
Take MD 506 (Sixes Rd.) west off of MD 2/4 at 2 miles south of Prince Frederick or 16 miles north of Solomons. Proceed west for 1 3/4 miles to "Grays Road" and turn south 1/4 mile to the park entrance. Coming from the west on MD 231, turn right (south) on "Sixes Road" and proceed 2.5 miles to MD 506. Take MD 506 for 2 miles to "Grays Road" and turn right (south) 1/4 mile to the park entrance. Some rolling open grassland, lots of wooded trails and best of all, the board walk through the Cypress swamp, one of the more northern in this country. Open: April - Sept.; Tues. - Sat. 10am - 5pm; Sun. 1 - 5pm; Oct. - March, closes 4:30pm
Cove Point Park
Approximately 4.5 miles north of Solomons, turn off of MD 2/4 east onto MD 497. A bit developed by the bayside community, but with good timing lots of water fowl and shore birds.
Calvert Marine Museum
Located in Solomons just south of the bridge; on the left off of MD 2. Open grounds, a boardwalk to check out the marsh and good viewing of water birds. If the birds are not cooperative check out the stuffed waterbirds on the second floor of the museum just off the Discovery Room. Also be sure to check the Thomas Johnson Bridge from the parking lot of the boat launch for nesting Peregrine Falcon.
Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum is located off of Mackall Road in St. Leonard, on the west side of MD 2/4. Look for the signs. JPPM is one of Calvert County's birding hotspots! The frontage along the Patuxent River provides one of the easiest access points in the county to view wintering waterfowl. Large rafts of ruddy ducks, scaup, long-tailed duck (oldsquaw) and goldeneye can often be found in winter. This site also hosted Maryland's second record of Tufted Duck found in March of 1997. The open fields and wooded areas can be good for a variety of species during migration.
North Beach Marshes
The marshes are just off Bay Avenue in the north end of North Beach. From MD Rt. 2 follow the signs toward North Beach. When you get to the Bay on 261 turn south or on 260, turn north into North Beach at the stop light. Marshes are on both sides of Bay Avenue, but the west is usually best. There is room for parking in a small road on the east side of Bay Ave. right at the marsh. Be careful of traffic when walking the road. Lots of migrants and summer residents.
North Beach Board Walk and Fishing Pier
Just what it sound like! Very good for watching water birds in the fall and winter. From MD Rt. 2 follow the signs toward North Beach. When you get to the Bay on 261 turn south or on 260, turn north into North Beach at the stop light. The walk and pier are right in town and parking is good.
Chesapeake Beach Bayside Park
The park is on the south end of Chesapeake Beach. A small marsh opens out to the Bay and it is easy to get to the cliffs above the water, or down to the beach. Be careful on the cliff, they can break away. Marsh birds, osprey, ducks, geese, cormorants and swans in season.