SOMD Audubon

Monthly Meeting via Zoom
2024-11-06 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Zoom Meeting
Presentation: Common Terns: New Staging Site Identified in the Cheasapeake Bay
Speaker: BEN SPRINGER, SMAS Vice-President
Before migration, seabirds like Sterna hirundo (Common Tern) congregate at sites referred to as staging areas, where flocks rest and feed to fuel their long-distance flights. In 2021, a previously unknown staging area for Common Terns at the confluence of the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay was identified, prompting an effort to resight banded birds and understand the relative importance of this staging area.
The Zoom link to join the meeting will be emailed to our Osprey email list prior to the talk.

Birding the Fields and Woods of the JPPM
2024-11-09 08:30 - 11:30 | Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, 10515 Mackall Rd, St. Leonard, MD, 20685, United States
FIELD TRIP – NOTE CHANGE OF DATE FROM 10/26 TO 11/09
Leader: Phin Rouland

Catch the tail end of fall migration plus those winter species just arriving! This wonderful location boasts both great bird diversity and paved trails with little elevation change through its open fields, wooded areas, and river front. When done birding we recommend you checkout this large reserve with archaeological sites & historical exhibits, plus trails and an Indian village.

Meet at the visitor center/museum parking lot. RSVP to Phin Rouland at phin.rouland@gmail.com.

Building a Pollinator Paradise: How We Did It & How You Can Too
2024-11-19 18:00 - 19:00 | St. Mary’s County Public Library Lexington Park, 21677 FDR Blvd., Lexington Park, MD, United States
In-person Presentation
Learn from the experts how to transform your garden into a haven for pollinators, birds & wildlife! Lexington Manor Passive Park now boasts a budding Gateway Native Garden next to its bountiful Community Garden! Southern Maryland Audubon President and Master Gardener Molly Moore will describe the process of creating this beautiful pollinator paradise and make you inspired to build your own! Leave with the tools you’ll need to design an outdoor oasis that attracts and supports our native pollinators, birds, & wildlife! This is the best time of year to prep your own pollinator garden.
Register here to receive a reminder email. Walk-ins welcome.
This program is made possible with support from the Lexington Manor Passive Park Community Garden and the Southern Maryland Audubon Society.
Lexington Park Library in Meeting Room A
21677 FDR Blvd.,
Lexington Park, MD

Monthly Meeting - The Chesapeake Watershed: History, Birds & Insights for Conservation
2024-12-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Meeting
Monthly Meeting via Zoom
Speaker: DR. WAYNE BELL, Washington College Center for Environment and Society
The Chesapeake watershed is a constantly changing tapestry of ecological succession that impacts regional bird populations as well as the local economy. Dr. Wayne Bell, senior associate and former director of the Washington College Center for Environment and Society, will take us on a journey showing how land use practices have impacted the Chesapeake from pre-colonial times to the present and how habitat restoration and conservation are now addressing the 30% decline in Northern American bird populations for the future.
The lecture may qualify for continuing education for Master Naturalists.
The Zoom link to join the meeting will be emailed to our Osprey email list prior to the talk. If you are not on our email list. you can sign up at the bottom of our homepage @ www.somdaudubon.org

Learn how you can join the Christmas Bird Count
2024-12-07 10:00 - 11:30 | St. Mary’s County Public Library Lexington Park, 21677 FDR Blvd., Lexington Park, MD, United States
In-person Presentation
The annual Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running community science project in the United States. And you don’t have to be an expert birder to participate.
Southern Maryland Audubon President Molly Moore will teach you all you need to know to join this year’s count, whether you are a beginner or expert birder. Learn how the data provided by hundreds of thousands of birders —like you—over the past 124 years has contributed to improving bird habitat and helping birds survive and thrive.
Weather permitting, we will practice our skills on the library campus after the presentation. We will have loaner binoculars.
Please register at St. Mary’s Library events page.
Meeting Room B
Lexington Park Library
21677 FDR Blvd., Lexington Park, MD

All the Dirt on Winter Sowing of Native Plants
2025-01-18 10:30 - 12:00 | Leonardtown Library, 23260 Hayden Farm Lane, Leonardtown, MD, 20650, United States
Monthly In-Person Meeting Program & Workshop
Presenters: SMAS President Molly Moore and Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay President Marlene Smith.

We all want to grow more natives for birds, wildlife and beauty in our yards and patios. But native plants can be
expensive! Learn how to grow your own natives from seeds, on the cheap, in milk jugs in the dead of winter.

This hands-on workshop is free and open to all.
Participants are requested to bring a clear or translucent milk jug or another similar jug if possible.
Supplies and extra jugs will be provided.

Workshop may qualify for continuing education hours for Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists.
Workshop limited to 30 participants.
Registration is required via St. Mary’s LibNet

Leonardtown Library, 23260 Hayden Farm Lane, Leonardtown, MD 20650

Restoring Safe Skies for Birds: Mitigating Bird Collisions and Light Pollution
2025-02-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Meeting
Monthly Meeting Zoom Talk
How can we prevent the loss of a billion birds each year in the United States due to collisions with windows and structures? Jo Anna Lutmerding, biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Migratory Bird Program will discuss the growing momentum nationwide to tackle this widespread yet avoidable cause of avian mortality and how straightforward solutions—such as reducing disruptive light pollution and making windows more visible for birds—can yield substantial benefits for bird conservation. Learn about the initiatives and opportunities to expand these efforts in southern Maryland, a crucial region along a major migratory route.
If you are not already on our “Osprey” newsletter list, you can sign up at the bottom of our home page @ www.somdaudubon.org and we will send you the Zoom link prior to the talk.
Talk may qualify for continuing education hours for Master Naturalists.

Winter Birds and Tundra Specialist at Pax River Airfield
2025-02-08 08:00 - 12:00
FIELD TRIP
Leader: DEAN NEWMAN

We are fortunate to have access to sections of the navy base fronting on the confluence of the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay, which hosts airfields that provide tundra-like habitat. Previous trips have turned up winter birds such as Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspurs, Short-eared Owls, Horned Larks, Savannah Sparrows, Wilson’s Snipe, and Peregrine Falcon.

Preregistration is required by February 1 and open to U.S. citizens only.
Must bring photo I.D.

Meeting place will be the parking lot between Gate 2 and the Cedar Point Federal Credit Union.
This parking lot is immediately south of Gate 2.
We will be escorted and traveling together in a van; participant size is limited to 12.
No restrooms. RSVP Dean Newman at deannewman03@gmail.com

Patuxent River Naval Air Station, St. Mary’s County
21866 Cedar Point, Bldg. 2189, NAS Patuxent River, MD 20670. Gate #2

Winter Waterfowl Trip
2025-02-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, 10515 Mackall Rd, St. Leonard, MD, 20685, United States
Field Trip to Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum
Leader: Tyler Bell
Open fields and wooded areas provide good land birding and the river frontage close views of waterfowl including Horned Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, lots of Ruddy Ducks, both scaup, Common Goldeneye, lots of others!
Call or email Tyler for directions to the meeting spot.
Maximum of 12 participants. RSVP to Tyler Bell at 301-862-4623 or jtylerbell@yahoo.com

Great Backyard Bird Count Training
2025-02-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Port Tobacco River Park, 7740 Chapel Point Road, Port Tobacco, MD, 20677, United States
Training Meeting at Port Tobacco River Park Pavillion
Leader: Lynne Wheeler
Learn how you can participate in one of the year’s largest citizen science projects. You will be instructed on how to compile checklists for the Great Backyard Bird Count, and count birds with us at the pavilion area. Learn all about counting birds and why we do it!
Join us anytime (10 to 1). Easy unpaved terrain. No fee. Restrooms available.
All welcome. No RSVP required, just show up!
Questions contact Lynne at somdaudubon@yahoo.com or text 301-751-8097.

All the Dirt on Winter Sowing: Make & Take
2025-02-22 14:00 - 15:30 | St. Mary’s County Public Library Lexington Park, 21677 FDR Blvd., Lexington Park, MD, United States
In-person Workshop
Learn how to get a head start on your garden this year with winter seed sowing! Southern Maryland Audubon President Molly Moore and Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay Chapter President Marlene Smith will introduce the 10 simple steps to winter sowing and walk participants through creating and planting your own milk jug to take home.
Participants are invited to donate clear or translucent plastic gallon jugs (milk jugs) to refresh our supply.
Registration is required via St. Mary’s LibNet
Workshop may qualify for continuing education hours for Master Gardeners.

Croaks, Peep, and Color: Exploring the World of Amphibian Communcations
2025-03-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Meeting
Monthly Meeting Via Zoom with Program
Speaker: Kerry Wixted; Amphibian, Reptile, and Invasive Species Program Manager, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
Amphibians communicate in a variety of ways from calls to scents and even color. Explore the diverse world of amphibians and the variety of ways that they communicate. Much of this talk’s focus will be on amphibians in Maryland, but it will also cover cool species around the world, too.
The zoom link will be sent out prior to the lecture to all enrolled.

Point Lookout State Park Field Trip
2025-03-22 09:00 - 12:00 | Point Lookout State Park, St. Mary’s County, 11175 Point Lookout Road, Scotland, MD, 20687
Leader: Phin Rouland
Catch some of the earliest signs of migration at one of Maryland’s peak hotspots. Attendees will meet at the picnic area parking and together we’ll walk down to the Point. We’ll scan both the Chesapeake and Potomac waters for any remaining winter waterfowl as well as for spring arrivals including Osprey, Brown Pelican, and tern species.
At the point we’ll target Northern Gannet which are in peak numbers passing by on migration. We’ll spend what time is left around the picnic area and on trails around Fort Lincoln. Highlights could include arriving swallow species, Bluegray Gnatcatcher, and Yellow-throated Warbler.
Flat but unpaved, around a 2-mile walk. Gate fee $3 per car. Restrooms available. Limit 12.
RSVP to phin.rouland@gmail.com
Meet Location: 10444 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland, MD 20687 Google Map to Meet Location

March on the Mattawoman - Special State Park Event
2025-03-29 10:00 - 15:00 | Smallwood State Park, 2750 Sweden Point Road, Marbury, 20658, United States
10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Bird Walks by Lynne Wheeler
Family fun! Come and welcome back our Osprey, family fishing activities, hands-on kids’ activities, explore the Discovery Center, food truck, demonstrations, and bird walks.
Park entrance fee $5/vehicle. Pre-registration required. See https://forms.gle/Bu1skNSQ9PnxxiF17

The Cherry Blossom Festival
2025-03-29 12:00 - 16:00 | Lexington Manor Passive Park, 21675 S. Coral Drive, Lexington Park, MD, 21677, United States
Family Fun at the Lexington Manor Passive Park
This free, family-friendly event will feature bird feeder making craft hosted by Southern Maryland Audubon, winter sowing seeds in milk jugs, vendors and food trucks, and more.
Note: Parking will be available at Lancaster Park off of Willows Road.

How Mockingbirds Dupe Us
2025-04-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Meeting
Monthly Meeting Program via Zoom
Speaker: DAVE GAMMON, Professor of Biology, Elon University
Mockingbirds have fascinated humans for thousands of years with their ability to imitate the sounds of other species, but scientists began to study vocal mimicry in this species for only a few decades. For the past 20 years Dave’s research has focused on basic questions like “Which species get mimicked by mockingbirds and why?” and “How do mockingbirds vary over time in their production of mimicry?” In this talk Dave will share an update on some of his latest research. The zoom link will be sent out prior to the lecture to all enrolled.

Maryland Osprey Festival in North Beach
2025-04-05 10:00 - 16:00
Family Friendly Event with Raptors and Vendors
Southern Maryland Audubon will host an exhibit and activities. This family-friendly event will also feature live raptors, vendors and activities for all ages. (admission charge)
MARYLAND OSPREY AND NATURE FESTIVAL
North Beach Maryland Boardwalk
9023 Bay Ave, North Beach, MD

Virginia Osprey Festival in Colonial Beach, VA
2025-04-12 09:00 - 16:00 | Town Hill in Colonial Beach, VA, Town Hill (Intersection of Colonial Avenue and Washington Avenue), Colonial Beach, VA, 22443, United States
Lots of Family Fun
Southern Maryland Audubon will host an exhibit and activities. This family-friendly event will also feature other nature and wildlife displays and demonstrations, vendors, food trucks, trolley and golf cart tours, and activities for all. (admission charge) https://www.virginiaospreyfoundation.org/

St. Mary’s County Earth Day Celebration
2025-04-26 10:00 - 14:00 | Summerseat Farm, 26655 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville, MD, 20659, United States
Free Community Event
Southern Maryland Audubon will be hosting bird walks and bird info exhibits. Event will include children’s activities, vendors, food trucks, live music and tons of info on how to live a more sustainable life.
For information about the event.

Spring into Birding: A Walk on the Boardwalk
2025-04-27 08:00 - 11:30
Leaders: Lynne Wheeler and Pam Brumbley
Join us for a bird walk on the Marsh Boardwalk at Piscataway Park. This is a beautiful and easy walk on a boardwalk that traverses tidal marshland along the Potomac River. It is approximately a 1.6 mile out-and-back trail. We will meet in the back parking area near the entrance of the trail; look for a gravel lane on the right (north) side of the road, at a break in a post-and-rail fence. Drive down the lane to a parking area. Along the way, the trail to the boardwalk has wooded borders where we should see migratory birds. Once we access the boardwalk, we expect to see other avian species such as Red-headed Woodpeckers and Great Blue Herons along the marsh, gull species on the Potomac River, and field species at the end. Bald Eagles and raptors are prevalent. Pack a lunch if you would like to follow us after the walk to National Colonial Farm – Piscataway Park for an eat-and-chat session. RSVP to Lynne Wheeler at somdaudubon@yahoo.com or text 301-751-8097.
Marsh Boardwalk at Piscataway Park, Prince Georges County
Accokeek Creek Marsh Boardwalk, 2904 Bryan Point Road, Accokeek, MD 20607

Southern Maryland Heritage Festival
2025-05-17 11:00 - 2025-05-18 17:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
Family Fun at Historic Sotterley
A family-friendly celebration of Southern Maryland’s rich history and culture, and the incredible people who make it unique. Southern Maryland Audubon will be hosting bird walks, up close and personal views of an occupied Bald Eagle nest through scopes, children’s nature events and bird tips.
Note: The Heritage Festival has admissions charge. For more Information.

Annual Meeting and Picnic
2025-06-08 13:00 - 16:00 | Maxwell Hall, 17388 Teagues Point Rd., Hughesville, 20637, United States
Business Meeting and Potluck Lunch Picnic

Business Meeting:
• Elections
• Presentation of AwardsActivities:
• Bird Walk
• Native plant sale
• Southern Maryland Audubon t-shirts, mugs and more sale
• Tours of historic Maxwell Hall
Please RSVP to assist us in planning for the picnic: Signup Genius

My Summer with Ospreys via Zoom
2025-09-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Meeting
My Summer with Ospreys: A Therapist’s Journey Toward Hope, Community, and Healing Our Planet
Speaker: PAMELA LOWELL – MSW, LICSW, Therapist, Award Winning Author, Naturalist, Artist and Avid Birder
Description: As a trauma specialist, Pamela Lowell expertly guides us to the connections between therapy, the life of an artist, and the natural world as a place of healing. Lowell, an avid birder, jumped at the chance to accompany Mass. Audubon in their weekly Osprey nest monitoring project on the Westport River. She hoped to get some photos of cute Osprey chicks that she could use in her paintings. But what happened next was nothing short of transformation. In journal format, Lowell weaves together a deeply personal and exciting narrative as a passenger on the Lucky Me–along with a cast of dedicated staff and volunteers. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy descriptions of the nest monitoring process, banding, and translocation of Osprey chicks. Pamela perfectly captures our dilemma of being poised between desperate worry and the urgent need to do something specific to help our planet. With her original illustrations throughout, this book inspires us all to be better stewards and healers of our ever-changing world.
A zoom link to attend this meeting will automatically be sent out twice to all that have signed up for our Osprey newsletter.

Birding the Fields and Trails of Sotterley
2025-09-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
Leader: Dean Newman
Join us for an excursion to this scenic and historic Patuxent River property, sponsored jointly by SMAS and Historic Sotterley. Bald Eagles, migrant songbirds, and lingering meadowlarks and sparrows can be found via Sotterley’s trails and river views. The walk starts promptly at 9:00 a.m.; please arrive 10-15 minutes prior in the parking lot in front of the Visitor Center. To take your experience to the next level, download the “Merlin Bird ID” app from Cornell Lab. It’s available from Google Play and the App Store. Please bring binoculars if you have them. If not, loaners will be provided. Suggested to wear comfortable walking shoes and attire weather appropriate. For all levels of birdwatchers.
Bathrooms are available.

Slow Birding--Designed for Birders Who Don't Want to Walk but Enjoy Coffee and Snacks
2025-09-20 09:00 - 11:00 | For Location contact Jan de Regt Email: Jederegt@gmail.com
Leader: Jan de Regt
Come join Jan on a laid-back birding adventure sitting on a back deck drinking coffee and enjoying snacks. There’s no walking involved. Bring your own binoculars if you have them. If not, a limited number of loaners will be provided. For maximum enjoyment, download the Merlin Bird ID app to your smart phone and install the “US: Southeast” bird pack. These apps are free, and there’s no massive email assault to deal with. Jan will show you how to use the program to identify all the birds without a bird guide. If you’re interested, email Jan at jederegt@me.com and she’ll give you the address where the event will take place.

Another Birding the Fields and Trails of Sotterley
2025-09-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Historic Sotterley, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood, MD, 20636, United States
Leader: Dean Newman
Join us for an excursion to this scenic and historic Patuxent River property, sponsored jointly by SMAS and Historic Sotterley. Bald Eagles, migrant songbirds, and lingering meadowlarks and sparrows can be found via Sotterley’s trails and river views. The walk starts promptly at 9:00 am, please arrive 10-15 minutes prior in the parking lot in front of the Visitor Center. To take your experience to the next level, download the “Merlin Bird ID” app from Cornell Lab. It’s available from Google Play and the App Store. Please bring binoculars if you have them. If not, loaners will be provided. Suggested to wear comfortable walking shoes and attire weather appropriate. For all levels of birdwatchers.
Bathrooms are available.

Migration on the Point
2025-09-27 08:00 - 12:00 | Point Lookout State Park, St. Mary’s County, 11175 Point Lookout Road, Scotland, MD, 20687
Leader: TYLER BELL
Join us at Southern Maryland’s premier birding hotspot as fall migrants funnel south to cross the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. Loblolly pines, mixed hardwoods, beaches, marshes, and broad water views regularly deliver a wide variety of species and occasional rarities.
Directions: From Lexington Park drive south on Rte. 235 for 13 miles. Go left on Rte. 5 for 0.7 miles then left into the Ridge Post Office parking lot. We will arrange carpooling from there. Pt. Lookout State Park is a fee area. Bathroom facilities available. Flat, easy terrain. Mosquitos can be problematic so bring bug spray. Sunscreen recommended. Maximum of 15 participants.
RSVP to Tyler at jtylerbell@yahoo.com or 301-862-4623.

The Bug Guy! via Zoom
2025-10-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Meeting
You Can Aid and Abet Mother Nature’s Hit-Squad to Keep Insect Pests at Bay
Speaker: DR. MICHAEL J. RAUPP, aka The Bug Guy!
Your landscape and garden can be a refuge for beneficial insects that provide the vital ecosystem service of biological control, the natural system of putting a beatdown on plant-damaging pests. Meet wicked wasps, bodacious beetles, fierce flies, and other arthropod allies as they provide vital functions and enhance the sustainability of landscapes and gardens. Learn simple steps to enhance the abundance and contributions of beneficial insects and ways to conserve them in gardens. Explore organic approaches to managing key insect and mite pests including the use of Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listed insecticides.
Raupp is a professor emeritus and extension specialist at the University of Maryland. He is also a fellow of the Entomological Society of America.

A Lazy Bird Walk for Late Migrants
2025-10-11 08:00 - 11:00 | Mount Aventine Chapman State Park, 3452 Ferry Pl, Indian Head, MD, 20640, United States
Field Trip: Mount Aventine Chapman State Park
Leader(s): Lynne Wheeler, Pam Brumbley
Bring your eyes, ears, and lazy bones as we leisurely walk along the road and trails of Chapman State Park, one of our Charles County birding “Hot Spots.” This officially designated Important Bird Area offers biodiversity of great significance and interest, as well as beauty. Maximum 12 participants. Difficulty level low – medium. RSVP to Lynne at 301-751-8097 at somdaudubon@yahoo.com.
Note: Rain date Oct. 12th.

Slow Birding at Lexington Manor Passive Park
2025-10-25 09:00 - 11:00 | Lexington Manor Passive Park, 21675 S. Coral Drive, Lexington Park, MD, 21677, United States
Field Trip: Slow Birding
Leader: Jan de Regt
Come join us at the Community Garden at Lexington Manor Passive Park for a morning of slow birding. We will set a leisurely pace on smooth, accessible surfaces — ideal for walking as well as for assistive devices such as scooters, walkers, and wheelchairs. We’ll observe the birds around us, discuss their behaviors and preferred habitats. Bring your own binoculars or borrow one of a limited number of binoculars available for use during the walk. If you’re interested, email Jan at jederegt@gmail.com to register.
