SOMD Audubon

USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey
2021-09-01 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom Meeting
Prairie Warbler, photo by Michael Stubblefield, Audubon Photography Awards
The United States Geological Survey’s Breeding Bird Survey is considered the primary source of trend information for North American birdlife and is active in tracking Maryland birds. David Ziolkowski, a program biologist with the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, will discuss how the survey works and what it has revealed about changes in bird numbers and ranges, including those in southern Maryland.
Instead of in-person meetings, SMAS is hosting virtual lectures using Zoom. We will send invitations via email with a link for joining each online event. If you do not get our Osprey newsletter via email, you need to sign up first. Please scroll to the bottom of this page and submit your email address to subscribe.

Celebrate SMAS's 50-Year Anniversary!
2021-07-10 13:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Smallwood State Park, 2750 Sweden Point Road, Marbury, 20658, United States
SMAS will host its annual meeting and picnic on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Smallwood State Park. This year’s event is extra special because it marks the 50th anniversary of our founding in 1971! We are also celebrating our new Osprey nest cam, which we helped install in this same park earlier this spring. Come on out to pavilion #3 (near the tobacco barn & playground), at 1:00 pm for food, fun, awards, our annual election, and a bird walk. As usual, we will have a pot-luck lunch, so bring some food to share, and wear your favorite tie-dye ensemble to help us celebrate!

Please note that Smallwood State Park charges a nominal entry fee of $3 per person (Maryland resident) or $5 per person (out-of-state resident) that must be paid in cash at the gate.

Native Plants for Birds and Butterflies
2021-05-05 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
Great Spangled Fritillary on Wild Bergamot blossom. Photo by Lynne Wheeler
Native plant gardens are quite literally for the birds. While many of us like songbirds, insects are often less appealing. But backyard species like caterpillars play a crucial role in supporting our most beloved bird species. When you create native plant gardens, you support insect diversity—more bugs for birds!
Join Dr. Chris Puttock as he explains the importance of native plants. Chris has three decades’ experience in conservation and restoration. He is the chair of ESRAG (Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group) and is executive director of Chesapeake Natives, a nursery producing plants to sustain the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Instead of in-person meetings, SMAS is hosting virtual lectures using Zoom. We will send invitations via email with a link for joining each online event. If you do not get our Osprey newsletter via email, you need to sign up first. Please scroll to the bottom of this page and submit your email address to subscribe.

Virtual Osprey Festival
2021-04-24 10:00 - 12:30 UTC
Two adult Osprey in a nest
Join us via Zoom or FaceBook Live for our first Osprey Festival!
Keynote speaker Greg Kearns, park naturalist at Patuxent River Park’s Jug Bay Natural Area, will discuss his 38 years of Osprey research in Ospreys of the Patuxent. Known for his dynamic speaking style, Mr. Kearns will discuss local Osprey and their biology, nest platforms and other efforts to increase Osprey numbers, tracking of Osprey migration, and his public banding program.
Greg Kearns teaches about Osprey with a juvenile bird. Photo by Tiffany Farrell
Our second speaker will be Reese F Lukei, Jr., volunteer research associate for the Center for Conservation Biology, College of William and Mary. He has banded over 1,000 Osprey since about 1982. Mr. Lukei will talk about the Ospreys of Hampton Roads, Virginia, including where to look for them, what they eat, and problems they encounter living in our environment. Lukei is also the co-founder of Osprey Watch, and he will share details about this community science project.
During this festival, the SMAS Raptor Conservation Committee will launch Osprey Watch and our partnership with the Center for Conservation Biology. Learn how you can get involved in monitoring Osprey nests in Southern Maryland!
Instead of in-person meetings, SMAS is hosting virtual events using Zoom. We will send invitations via email with a link for joining each online event. If you do not get our Osprey newsletter via email, you need to sign up first. Please scroll to the bottom of this page and submit your email address to subscribe. The Osprey Festival will also be available though FaceBook Live.

Help Document Breeding Birds in Maryland!
2021-04-07 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
The third Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA3), now in its second of five years, is in full swing. Under the auspices of the Maryland Ornithological Society and Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the project had an extremely successful 2020. In this presentation, Atlas Coordinator Gabriel Foley will provide an overview and update. This is an excellent opportunity to learn how to observe and identify breeding behaviors in the field and to hone your skills.
Instead of in-person meetings, SMAS is hosting virtual lectures using Zoom. We will send invitations via email with a link for joining each online event. If you do not get our Osprey newsletter via email, you need to sign up first. Please scroll to the bottom of this page and submit your email address to subscribe.

Bald Eagle Nest Cam Chat
2021-03-19 17:00 - 19:00, 2021-03-17 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Bald Eagle nesting season has arrived in Southern Maryland, and our local nest cam captures the action! Join us online to meet our nest monitors. These experts are thrilled to explain Bald Eagle behavior in real time while watching our resident pair, Hope and Chandler. Learn about this couple’s story and ask your burning questions about eagles. The chicks should be hatching soon!
These moderated chat sessions will occur on the following weekly schedule: Monday evenings from 5 until 7, Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11, and Friday evenings from 5 until 7.
This free event is available via our YouTube live streaming video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI9mWmmc7M.

Bald Eagle Nest Cam Chat
2021-03-15 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
Bald Eagle nesting season has arrived in Southern Maryland, and our local nest cam captures the action! Join us online to meet our nest monitors. These experts are thrilled to explain Bald Eagle behavior in real time while watching our resident pair, Hope and Chandler. Learn about this couple’s story and ask your burning questions about eagles. The chicks should be hatching this week!
These moderated chat sessions will occur on the following weekly schedule: Monday evenings from 5 until 7, Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11, and Friday evenings from 5 until 7.
This free event is available via our YouTube live streaming video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI9mWmmc7M.

Bald Eagle Nest Cam Chat
2021-03-12 16:00 - 18:00, 2021-03-10 09:00 - 23:00, 2021-03-05 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Bald Eagle nesting season has arrived in Southern Maryland, and our local nest cam captures the action! Join us online to meet our nest monitors. These experts are thrilled to explain Bald Eagle behavior in real time while watching our resident pair, Hope and Chandler. Learn about this couple’s story and ask your burning questions about eagles. The chicks should be hatching soon!
These moderated chat sessions will occur on the following weekly schedule: Monday evenings from 4 until sunset, Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11, and Friday evenings from 4 until sunset.
This free event is available via our YouTube live streaming video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI9mWmmc7M.

Bald Eagle Nest Cam Chat
2021-03-08 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Mama eagle “Hope” protected her eggs in recent snow.
Bald Eagle nesting season has arrived in Southern Maryland, and our local nest cam captures the action! Join us online to meet our nest monitors. These experts are thrilled to explain Bald Eagle behavior in real time while watching our resident pair, Hope and Chandler. Learn about this couple’s story and ask your burning questions about eagles. The chicks should be hatching soon!
These moderated chat sessions will occur on the following weekly schedule: Monday evenings from 4 until sunset, Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11, and Friday evenings from 4 until sunset.
This free event is available via our YouTube live streaming video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI9mWmmc7M.

Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird
2021-03-03 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Zoom Meeting
Author Katie Fallon with a vulture chick
Vultures are often overlooked, underappreciated, and unloved, despite the vital role they play in healthy ecosystems. Worldwide, vultures are more likely to be threatened or endangered than any other group of raptor, but in the United States Turkey and Black Vultures may be increasing in number. Speaker Katie Fallon discusses the life and times of the noble Turkey Vulture, including its feeding, nesting, and roosting habits, migratory behaviors, and common misconceptions.
Fallon is the author of Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird (2020, 2017). A member of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators, Katie has worked with birds since 1998. Over the last twenty years she has given educational presentations featuring live raptors, vultures, parrots, and corvids.
Instead of in-person meetings, SMAS is hosting virtual lectures using Zoom. We will send invitations via email with a link for joining each online event. If you do not get our Osprey newsletter via email, you need to sign up first. Please scroll to the bottom of this page and submit your email address to subscribe.

Bald Eagle Nest Cam Chat
2021-03-03 09:00 - 11:00, 2021-03-01 16:00 - 18:00, 2021-02-26 16:00 - 18:00, 2021-02-24 09:00 - 11:00, 2021-02-17 09:00 - 11:00, 2021-02-15 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Bald Eagle nesting season has arrived in Southern Maryland, and our local nest cam captures the action! Join us online to meet our nest monitors. These experts are thrilled to explain Bald Eagle behavior in real time while watching our resident pair, Hope and Chandler. Learn about this couple’s story and ask your burning questions about eagles!
These moderated chat sessions will occur on the following weekly schedule: Monday evenings from 4 until sunset, Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11, and Friday evenings from 4 until sunset.
This free event is available via our YouTube live streaming video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI9mWmmc7M.

Bald Eagle Nest Cam Chat
2021-02-22 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Mama eagle “Hope” protected her eggs in recent snow.
Bald Eagle nesting season has arrived in Southern Maryland, and our local nest cam captures the action! Join us online to meet our nest monitors. These experts are thrilled to explain Bald Eagle behavior in real time while watching our resident pair, Hope and Chandler. Learn about this couple’s story and ask your burning questions about eagles!
These moderated chat sessions will occur on the following weekly schedule: Monday evenings from 4 until sunset, Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11, and Friday evenings from 4 until sunset.
This free event is available via our YouTube live streaming video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI9mWmmc7M.

Bald Eagle Nest Cam Chat
2021-02-19 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Bald Eagle “Hope” incubating in the snow!
Bald Eagle nesting season has arrived in Southern Maryland, and our local nest cam captures the action! Join us online to meet our nest monitors. These experts are thrilled to explain Bald Eagle behavior in real time while watching our resident pair, Hope and Chandler. Learn about this couple’s story and ask your burning questions about eagles!
These moderated chat sessions will occur on the following weekly schedule: Monday evenings from 4 until sunset, Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11, and Friday evenings from 4 until sunset.
This free event is available via our YouTube live streaming video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI9mWmmc7M.

Bald Eagle Nest Cam Chat
2021-02-12 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Bald Eagle nesting season has arrived in Southern Maryland, and our local nest cam captures the action! Join us online to meet our nest monitors. These experts are thrilled to explain Bald Eagle behavior in real time while watching our resident pair, Hope and Chandler. Learn about this couple’s story and ask your burning questions about eagles! Bonus: Hope laid two eggs this week!
These moderated chat sessions will occur on the following weekly schedule: Monday evenings from 4 until sunset, Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11, and Friday evenings from 4 until sunset.
This free event is available via our YouTube live streaming video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI9mWmmc7M.

Bald Eagle Nest Cam Chat
2021-02-10 09:00 - 11:00, 2021-02-08 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Bald Eagle nesting season has arrived in Southern Maryland, and our local nest cam captures the action! Join us online to meet our nest monitors. These experts are thrilled to explain Bald Eagle behavior in real time while watching our resident pair, Hope and Chandler. Learn about this couple’s story and ask your burning questions about eagles! We are on watch for egg laying this week. Eggciting!
The moderated chat sessions will occur on the following weekly schedule: Monday evenings from 4 until sunset, Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11, and Friday evenings from 4 until sunset.
This free event is available via our YouTube live streaming video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI9mWmmc7M.

Bald Eagle Nest Cam Chat
2021-02-05 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-02-03 09:00 - 11:00, 2021-02-01 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York)
Bald Eagle nesting season has arrived in Southern Maryland, and our local nest cam captures the action! Join us online to meet our nest monitors. These experts are thrilled to explain Bald Eagle behavior in real time while watching our resident pair, Hope and Chandler. Learn about this couple’s story and ask your burning questions about eagles!
The moderated chat sessions will occur on the following weekly schedule: Monday evenings from 4 until sunset, Wednesday mornings from 9 to 11, and Friday evenings from 4 until sunset.
This free event is available via our YouTube live streaming video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI9mWmmc7M.

The Secret Life of Cardinals
2021-02-03 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Zoom Meeting
Portrait of male Northern Cardinal by Dr. Jodie Jawor
The Northern Cardinal is one of our most recognizable and charismatic birds. Even John James Audubon praised it, writing, “In richness of plumage, elegance of motion, and strength of song, this species surpasses all its kindred.” In this Zoom program, Dr. Jodie Jawor will talk about the ecology and behavior of cardinals, drawing on her many years of studying them.
Jodie M. Jawor earned her Ph.D. in biology from the University of Dayton. She has worked with Northern Cardinals at various locations across the eastern United States. She has also worked with Pyrrhuloxia, a close relative of cardinals, in New Mexico.
Instead of in-person meetings, SMAS is hosting virtual lectures using Zoom. We will send invitations via email with a link for joining each online event. If you do not get our Osprey newsletter via email, you need to sign up first. Please scroll to the bottom of this page and submit your email address to subscribe.

Online Chat & Bald Eagle Nest Cam Action
2021-01-29 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-01-29 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Hope and Chandler restore their nest
Bald Eagle nesting season has arrived in Southern Maryland, and our local nest cam captures the action! Join us online to meet our nest monitors. These experts are thrilled to explain Bald Eagle behavior in real time while watching our resident pair, Hope and Chandler. Learn about this couple’s story and ask your burning questions about eagles!
This free event is available via our YouTube live streaming video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPI9mWmmc7M.
