SOMD Audubon

Spring Migration in Southern Maryland--via Zoom
2026-04-01 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
Speakers: Dr. Gwen Brewer and George Jett
Black-throated Blue Warbler. Photo by Eric Peterson/Audubon Photography Awards
Need an introduction to or refresher on spring migrants in Southern Maryland? Dr. Gwen Brewer and George Jett will provide insights into finding and identifying the birds you might not have seen or heard for six months or more. Gwen and George will suggest good habitats and locations to search and offer tips for identifying tricky or confusing species. They will also provide sound clips of songs and suggest mnemonics to help you remember them, such as the buzzy “I am so lazy” of the Black-throated Blue Warbler.
George Jett is a retired chemical engineer who spent thirty years at the Environmental Protection Agency but always had a passion for nature. Dr. Gwen Brewer manages the science program for rare species at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
If you are on our Osprey newsletter list, you will receive the Zoom link via email to attend this event. You can join the mailing list by using the form at the bottom of this page.

Forest & Meadows---Early Spring Migration
2026-04-18 08:00 - 11:00 UTC | Biscoe Gray Heritage Farm, 2695 Grays Road, Prince Frederick, MD, 20678, United States
Field Trip Leader: Ben Springer
Meadow birds and warblers—what could be better? Join Ben for a spring birding adventure. Biscoe Gray Heritage Farm offers great habitat for finding a diversity of birds. Parking: meet at the small parking lot by the barn, across the road from the dog park. Maximum of 10 participants/vehicles. Follow this link to register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448A8AF2AAAF9C43-62821545-forest

Maryland Osprey and Nature Festival
2026-04-18 11:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Maryland
If you love birds, wildlife, and nature, or just want to learn about them, head out to the Maryland Osprey and Nature Festival at the town of North Beach. Bring the whole family! There you can watch a live raptor up close, meet Oscar the Osprey and get a selfie, enjoy the child-focused nature activity stations, browse vendors’ tables, and listen to a lecture series. Southern Maryland Audubon Society will have a booth and we can’t wait to see you! Entry fees are $10/person, $20/family. Proceeds from the festival go to non-profit organizations who protect and conserve Ospreys, Bald Eagles, other wildlife, and natural areas. See marylandospreyfestival.org for additional information.

Bird Walk, BioBlitz, Walk Charles County---Combo Event
2026-04-26 11:00 - 15:00 UTC | Mallows Bay Park and Marine Sanctuary, 1440 Wilson Landing Rd, Nanjemoy, MD, 20662, United States
Field Trip Leaders: Lynne Wheeler, SMAS; Karen Kleyle, NOAA
This is a whatever-floats-your-boat event! Choose from any of three activities: join Lynne for a bird walk, help document the biodiversity in the sanctuary using the iNaturalist app, or get your exercise by participating in a walk with the group Walk Charles County. Find more information and register for this event at the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeX6SD7lT66Etpskp40ZOR7rZ8Y2_DSdfg0-z8YdGLZEaPUuQ/viewform

Every Bird Counts at Cosca Park---CANCELLED
2026-05-02 08:00 - 11:00 UTC | Clearwater Nature Center, Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, 11401 Thrift Road, Clinton, MD, 20735, United States
Field Trip Leaders: Lynne Wheeler and Pam Brumbley from Southern Maryland Audubon Society and a naturalist from Clearwater Nature Center
Join us as we celebrate this year’s World Migratory Bird Day theme: Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter. On this bird walk, our goal is to increase the number of bird species seen at Cosca Regional Park. This park is a Hot Spot on eBird (eBird.org), where community scientists log their bird sightings. Researchers use this data to help birds and the environment—so your observations matter! Come hone your skills in identifying birds, add to your life list, and learn how to count birds in the field.
Meet at the nature center parking lot. Restroom facility opens at 8:30 a.m. Maximum of 20 participants. RSVP to Lynne at somdaudubon@yahoo.com.

Bird Walk at Piscataway MOS Sanctuary
2026-05-03 07:30 - 10:30, 2026-05-23 07:30 - 10:30 UTC | Piscataway MOS Sanctuary, 14300 Hardy Tavern Drive, Accokeek, MD, 20607, United States
Come out and enjoy birds at our nearest Maryland Ornithological Society (MOS) Sanctuary in Accokeek. Led by an MOS guide, the event is free and open to all—including kids—no birding experience necessary. Loaner binoculars can be provided upon request. Please visit the MOS website to learn more and register: Piscataway MOS Sanctuary Spring Bird Walk Sign-up. If you have questions, email Alex at piscatawaysanctuary@gmail.com.

Fifty Years of Fighting for Birds and Other Wildlife: My Life in Politics and with American Bird Conservancy--via Zoom
2026-05-06 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
Speaker: Former Maryland State Senator Gerald Winegrad has fifty-five years of environmental policy and advocacy experience. After his legislative service, he became Vice President for Policy at the American Bird Conservancy in Washington, DC.
Join former state Senator Winegrad as he discusses his lifelong fight for the conservation of birds and other wildlife. His work included saving the critically endangered San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike, protecting Laysan Albatross and the Kirtland’s Warbler while convincing policymakers like President George W. Bush and Governor Schaeffer on conservation initiatives.
If you are on our Osprey newsletter list, you will receive the Zoom link via email to attend this event. You can join the mailing list by using the form at the bottom of this page.

Southern Maryland May Counts 2026
2026-05-09 | Maryland
The annual Maryland Ornithological Society’s May Count will take place on Saturday, May 9 in Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s Counties.
Help is always appreciated, whether you are an experienced birder, a backyard birder, or a beginner. This is a great way to learn! The resulting data help identify which habitats and birds need conservation. This year’s May Count corresponds with the World Migratory Bird Day theme: ﻿Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter.
PLEASE HELP US COUNT BIRDS! To learn more and sign up, please contact the following county coordinators:
CALVERT: Saturday, May 9, Maggie Silverman (860-918-3858), CalvertBirds@gmail.com
CHARLES: Saturday, May 9, Lynne Wheeler (301-751-8097), somdaudubon@yahoo.com
PRINCE GEORGE’S: Saturday, May 9, Dave Mozurkewich, mozurk@verizon.net
ST. MARY’S: Saturday, May 9, Tyler Bell (301-862-4623), jtylerbell@yahoo.com

Barn Owls and Barbeque
2026-05-21 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | Maryland
Meeting Barn Owl chicks. Photo by Tiffany Farrell
SMAS Raptor Conservation Chair Mike Callahan will lead this popular event featuring up-close views of Barn Owl chicks. Bring the whole family! But there is limited capacity, so please RSVP soon. Email Mike by 4:30 pm on May 19 at raptorsrulemc@gmail.com, and he will reply with the exact location in Charles County. Cost is $30 per person, and all proceeds benefit raptor conservation in southern Maryland.

Nature Fest at College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus
2026-05-30 10:00 - 15:00 UTC | College of Southern MD, La Plata Campus, 8730 Mitchell Rd, La Plata, MD, 20646, United States
The Neighborhood Creative Arts Center will hold its sixth annual Nature Fest on May 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the La Plata Campus of the College of Southern Maryland.
With engaging exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities, Nature Fest reaches nature lovers of all ages—from toddlers to teens, parents, and grandparents—offering an inspiring day of outdoor learning, creativity, and environmental stewardship. Bring the whole family for interactive, outdoor learning and fun.
Kids working on craft projects at Nature Fest 2025.
Southern Maryland Audubon Society (SMAS) is a supporting partner for this year’s event. The SMAS booth will be located next to the College of Southern MD/Town of La Plata booth, which SMAS helped design. Its display will be based on this year’s World Migratory Bird Day theme Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter. Multiple vendors will play a part in an activity wherein kids learn about observing and counting birds! We will also offer other hands-on birdy activities and demonstrations. All are welcome to this free family event!

Annual Picnic 2026
2026-06-07 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Maxwell Hall, 17388 Teagues Point Rd., Hughesville, 20637, United States
Join us at Southern Maryland Audubon Society’s annual picnic on Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. In addition to our usual lineup of activities (see below), we will offer free native plants (hearty thanks to Lynne Wheeler!) and display works by artist and birder Kimberly De Jesús Alfonso. Kimberly has visited eight countries researching endangered species and paints them after returning to her studio.
Please RSVP using the link below to help us plan for the picnic:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4DA4A82AA2F5C34-64053904-smdaudubon
• Potluck Lunch 1:00 – 2:15
• Welcome 2:15 – 2:30
• Business Meeting: Elections and Award Presentations 2:30 – 3:00
• Bird Walk 3:00 – 4:00
ALL ARE WELCOME!
