Monthly Field Trips

SEPTEMBER 2010

SEPTEMBER 8
Saturday - 8 AM - 2 PM
Southern Prince George's County
"EARLY FALL MIGRANT BIRDS"
Leader: Fred Shaffer (410-721-1744 glaucousgull@verizon.net

Visit a variety of habitats along the Patuxent River in Southern Prince George's County. We will check for shorebirds, gulls, terns and grassland birds along the Patuxent, and perhaps early sparrows at Milltown Landing and Merkle. We may visit a variety of other locations along the river depending upon conditions. Call the leader for reservations or additional information at 410-721-1744. From Rt. 4 and 301, go south on 301, left onto Croom Station Rd., left on Croom Rd. then left on Mt. Calvert Rd. Meet in the parking lot near the boat ramp on the Patuxent River. RSVP required.

SEPTEMBER 25
Saturday - 8 AM - Noon
Calvert Cliffs State Park, Calvert County
9500 H.G. Trueman Rd. Lusby, MD 20657
"FALL MIGRATION"
Leader: Tyler Bell (301-862-4623 jtylerbell@yahoo.com

Come and enjoy what should be neotropical migrants near their peak. Previous walks have revealed lots of warblers, tanagers, grosbeaks, and various songbirds. This 3 mile round trip has good trails through wooded habitat and along the creek. Take Rt. 2/4 south of Prince Frederick for approx. 14 miles. Follow signs to the park. Meet leader in parking lot. Facilities and fee. RSVP required.

OCTOBER 2010

OCTOBER 9
Saturday – 8 AM – Noon
Caledon Natural Area, King George, VA
11617 Caledon Rd. King George, VA 22485
"FALL MIGRANTS AND RESIDENT BIRDS"
Leader: Mike Callahan (301_259-2162 raptorsrule@juno.com

The Caledon Natural Area is a Virginia State Park along the Potomac River on the opposite shore from Nanjemoy, MD. The park entails meadow and river bottom habitat, known for Bald Eagles (at least 15 in one spot!) and Red-headed Woodpeckers. Meet at the MD 301 visitor center just north of the Harry Nice Bridge. Expect a toll southbound for bridge ($3). Contact leader for more info. Limited to 12 participants. RSVP required.

OCTOBER 16
Saturday – 8 AM – Noon
Chapman State Park, Mt. Aventine, Charles County
3452 Ferry Place, Indian Head, MD 20640
"LAND BIRDS, EARLY WATERFOWL"
Leader: Heather Burk (870) 562-1004 hlburk2000@yahoo.com

Youths especially welcome!
This newly preserved historic and environmentally rich state park was dedicated as an Audubon Important Bird Area in 2009. Come and enjoy its forest, fields and extensive marsh along the Potomac River, a wonderful habitat for hawks, sparrows, woodpeckers, and early waterfowl. The historic home (not open to the public) dates from 1840. Take Rt. 210 to Chapman's Landing Road between Bryans Road and Indian Head. Meet at park gate. RSVP required.

NOVEMBER 2010

NOVEMBER 14
Sunday - 8 AM - Noon
Myrtle Grove WMA, Charles County
5625 Myrtle Grove Rd. La Plata, MD 20646
"BIRDING FOR ALL LEVELS"
Leader: Fred Burggraf (301) 934-8042 fburggraf@aol.com

Youths especially welcome!
Diverse habitat for hawks, sparrows, woodpeckers, and early waterfowl. Great for beginning birders! 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 (about a mile) and meet in the parking lot near the lake. RSVP required

NOVEMBER 20
Saturday – 8 AM – Noon
Mattawoman Natural Environmental Area Wildlands, Charles County
"EARLY WATERFOWL ON THE GEORGE WILMOT TRAIL"
Leader: Gwen Brewer (301) 843-3524 glbrewer@comcast.net

Come search for migrating waterfowl on the Mattawoman Creek, and songbirds along the trail in this prime natural area. As many as 5000 individuals and 13 species of waterfowl have been present, including Eurasian Wigeon. Located on Rt. 224 (Chicamuxen Rd) off Rt. 225, between La Plata & Indian Head. Meet in lower (2d) parking lot at Lackey High School (left side of Rt. 224). Bring a spotting scope if you have one and be prepared for a moderate level walk. No facilities and no fees. This is a joint trip with Audubon Naturalist Society. RSVP required.

DECEMBER 2010

DECEMBER 12
Sunday – 8 AM - Noon
King’s Landing Park, Calvert County
"EARLY WINTER BIRDS"
Leader: Tom Harten (301) 780-6196 tomharten@verizon.net

King's Landing Park, located in Huntingtown, offers a variety of habitats attractive to wintering birds including forest, open fields, freshwater wetlands and the Patuxent River. We'll meet next to the CHESPAX office near the main parking lot of the park. King's Landing is located 5 miles north of Prince Frederick following Route 4. Turn left onto Old Town Rd. (MD 524). Turn left at Bowen's Grocery Store and continue straight for about 3 miles to park entrance. RSVP required.

JANUARY 2011

JANUARY 1
Saturday – 8 AM - 2 PM
St. Mary’s Winter Chase, St. Mary’s County
"START YOUR YEAR OFF BIRDING"
Leader: Marty Cribb (301) 872-9464 pauraque@tqci.net).

Two-thirds day. Search for winter specialties in a very productive area. Expect stops at Beauvue, Point Lookout, St. George’s Island, and other hotspots. Meet at entrance to Point Lookout State Park on Rt. 5. Be prepared for cold and dress warmly. Bring scopes if you have them. Facilities along the way, but no fee , except Point Lookout. RSVP required

JANUARY 23
Sunday - 10 AM - 2 PM
Beauvue Ponds, St. Mary’s County
"WINTER WATERFOWL AT BEAUVUE"
Leader: Sigrid Stiles (301) 872-4053 sigstiles@aol.com

***NOTE: NEW LATER START TIME***
View wintering waterfowl at the ponds at Beauvue. We’ll also search for land birds such as Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Short-eared Owl and Eastern Meadowlark. No facilities, no fees. Meet at Leonardtown Middle School parking lot. Drive south from Leonardtown on Rt. 5. Turn right at the light at Medley’s Neck Rd then immediately left into the parking lot. RSVP required.

JANUARY 30
Sunday – 8 AM - Noon
Piscataway Park & Hard Bargain Farm, Prince George’s County
"WINTER WATERFOWL AND RESIDENT BIRDS"
Leader: Chris Ordiway (301) 203-8014BirdRamble@strixvaria.org (email preferred)

Prime area for wintering waterfowl. Woods, farm fields, and edges also provide good variety of land birds. Take Rt. 210, Indian Head Highway to Livingston Rd (South of Farmington Rd and North of Rt. 228). Take Livingston Rd. east and meet at Burger King in the shopping center, located at 15785 Livingston Rd. Accokeek, MD 20607. No facilities or fee. Limit of 20. This is a joint trip with Audubon Naturalist Society. RSVP required.