Charles County
Potomac Shore
From the intersection of Rt. 224 and Liverpool Point Road west of Rt. 6 in Nanjemoy, go south about 2 miles to Purse State Park. Park in small lot on east side of Rt.224, walk down path on west side to the river. Good for forest birds, eagles, great blue herons and other river birds. Look for fossil shark teeth on the beach. Continue south on Rt. 224 about 1/2 mile to marsh on both sides of road, look for red-headed woodpeckers, nesting waterfowl and eagles. Continue south about 3 miles to Thorne Gut along the road, same birds expected as in previous marsh. Continue on Rt. 224 to Rt.6, right on Rt. 6 to the river, look for eagles, ospreys, cormorants and other river birds.
Ruth Swann Memorial Park
From Rt. 210 about 0.8 miles southwest of the Rt. 227-Rt. 210 intersection in Bryans Road, turn right into the Park at the Potomac Library entrance. Park and walk back beyond the playing fields, down the hill and across the creek. Follow the trail through the forest down to the Potomac River at the mouth of Pomonkey Creek, about a mile and a half from the parking lot. The waterfront is good for waterfowl, eagles, ospreys and shore birds. The forest on the long slope is among the best in the county for forest interior nesting birds.
Nanjemoy Marsh Sanctuary
From Rt. 301 in La Plata, take Rt. 6 west toward Nanjemoy. At the intersection of Rts. 6 and 425 head south on Rt. 6 about 3 1/2 miles to Tayloes Neck Road, turn onto Tayloes Neck Road and go about 1 1/2 miles to the entrance road to the sanctuary on the left. Park along the edge of the field and walk straight along the dirt road down the hill to the marsh edge. Walk along the rough marsh-edge trail upstream (west). Good for marsh birds and forest/marsh edge birds.
Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center
Not generally open to the public outside of scheduled meetings and observation dates. Members should call for permission prior to using the Center. From Rt. 301, take Rt. 6 west to Rt. 425, left on Rt. 425 to Rt. 6, left on Rt. 6, then left onto Tayloes Neck Road. Drive 2.5 miles to the dirt road (Turkey Tayac Place) at the NEEC sign. Park at the parking lot at the pavilion. Lots of walks and trails.
Chapman's Landing, Mt. Aventine Area
This is the newly preserved historic and environmentally rich state park. Forests, fields and extensive marsh on the Potomac shoreline. Historic home (not open to the public) dates from 1830. Take Rt 210 to Chapman's Landing Road between Bryans Road and Indian Head. At the Mt. Aventine site, park outside the gate and walk in. Stay on the established roads and paths.
Smallwood State Park
From Rt. 225 near Mattawoman Creek, take Rt. 224 south about 4 miles to the Park. Turn right into Swenden Point Rd. and go to the marina parking lot. Lots of walks and trails.
The Mattawoman Wildland
Go about 1/2 mile south on Rt. 224 from the Rt. 224-Rt. 225 intersection. The wildland is about 1800 acres and is on both sides of Rt. 224. Follow the old road on the creek (north) side down to Nelson Point to observe the creek and its many acres of tidal marsh lands. To view a rich forest area for forest interior birds on the south side, walk back along Rt. 224 to the small creek and walk up this creek valley. The south side area is also accessible along a trail in back of Lackey High School.
Myrtle Grove Wildlife Management Area
From Rt. 301 in La Plata, take Rt. 225 west about 4.5 miles to the WMA on the right. From Rt. 210, take Rt. 225 east about 4 miles to the WMA. Follow the dirt road to the end to the parking lot near the pond.
Indian Creek Natural Resource Management Area
This NRMA contains forest, field, swamp and tidal water habitats. A wide variety of birds can be expected. There is a parking lot on the south side of Rt. 231 about a mile west of the Patuxent River Bridge at Benedict.
Chapel Point State Park
CPSP is situated along the Port Tobacco River and is a good location for both water birds and for migrants. From Rt. 301 south of La Plata, turn west onto Chapel Point Rd. Follow signs to the park.
Chicamuxen Wildlife Management Area
From Rt. 225 at Mason Springs, go south on Rt. 224 about 7.5 miles to the WMA entrance on the right. The trails here are especially good for spotting forest interior nesting birds in season and migrants at other times.