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2020-2021 Calendar of Events
The Cecil Bird Club will be holding limited field trips through early summer. All dates should be considered tentative and subject to current pandemic restrictions. It is highly recommended that you contact trip leaders a day or so before the scheduled trip. Email addresses are listed at the end of this page. New participants are welcome – membership is not required to participate in field trips. All are free and open to the public. Please read Trip and Meeting Participation Guidelines below.
April
Saturday April 17th – Elk Neck State Forest – 8:00 a.m.
Over 140 species have been reported at Elk Neck State Forest. Migrating passerines, particularly thrushes, flycatchers, vireos, and warblers, are plentiful during spring and fall migration. Breeding birds include at-risk species such as Whip-poor-will, Wood Thrush, Hooded Warbler, Ovenbird, Worm-eating Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager. Other breeding species include Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Acadian Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-and-white Warbler, Orchard Oriole, Baltimore Oriole, Blue Grosbeak, and Indigo Bunting. To access Elk Neck State Forest drive through the town of North East. At the far end of town turn left on Irishtown Road. Proceed approx 2 miles. Entrance will be on the left. Meet in the parking lot on the left as you enter the State Forest. Leader: Ken Drier
May
May 1-9, 2021
Bird Count DOS Bird-a-thon
The Delaware Ornithological Society holds an annual Bird-a-thon to raise awareness (and funding!) for shorebirds, especially the Red Knot, whose numbers have declined precipitously in just a few years. Our club has participated many times, and it is always fun. We have counted as many as 82 species! No trip leader on this one and no formal trip. Everyone is on his/her own. Enjoy yourself in Delaware. If you want to count species and/or donate to DOS, contact Paula or Maryanne.
Sunday May 2nd – Fair Hill – 7:30 am
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area (Fair Hill NRMA) has designated approximately 100 acres of grassland as preserved habitat for ground-nesting birds. This unique program will benefit Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks, Grasshopper Sparrows, and Northern Bobwhite, bird species whose numbers are in decline. Fair Hill NRMA and its contracted hay farmer have collaborated on a strategic mowing schedule that leaves the prime nesting area uncut through mid-July.
meeting place is at the North Appleton Parking lot. Parking Lot #3 (2895 Appleton Road) – Also known as the North Appleton Parking Lot. From the Rt. 273/Rt. 213 intersection: Drive East on Rt. 273 until the intersection with Appleton Road. Turn left on Appleton Road, drive approximately one mile to the intersection of Appleton Road and Black Bridge Road. Parking lot is located on your left.
Trip Leader: Ken Drier
Saturday May 15 – Fair Hill – 7:30
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area (Fair Hill NRMA) has designated approximately 100 acres of grassland as preserved habitat for ground-nesting birds. This unique program will benefit Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks, Grasshopper Sparrows, and Northern Bobwhite, bird species whose numbers are in decline. Fair Hill NRMA and its contracted hay farmer have collaborated on a strategic mowing schedule that leaves the prime nesting area uncut through mid-July.
meeting place is at the North Appleton Parking lot. Parking Lot #3 (2895 Appleton Road) – Also known as the North Appleton Parking Lot. From the Rt. 273/Rt. 213 intersection: Drive East on Rt. 273 until the intersection with Appleton Road. Turn left on Appleton Road, drive approximately one mile to the intersection of Appleton Road and Black Bridge Road. Parking lot is located on your left.
Trip Leader: Ken Drier
Saturday, May22
Field Trip for Beginners Courthouse Point Road – 7:30 am
Courthouse Point MHA is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers and managed for hunting by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Possible sightings include Northern Harrier, Little Blue Heron, Wild Turkey, Marsh Wren, Scarlet Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Swamp Sparrow. This is one of the best spots in the county for the ever-elusive Yellow-breasted Chat.
Meet near Dunkin’ Donuts in Big Elk Mall, intersection of Rt. 40 and Rt. 213 in Elkton at 7:15 a.m. for a half-day trip. Easy walking on mostly level ground. Sunscreen and bug spray are strongly recommended. Binoculars and enthusiasm are required!
Note: Parking permit is required for each car. There is no fee. Request permit online from Maryland Division of Natural Resources, or mail your request to Gwynnbrook Wildlife and Heritage Service Office, 3740 Gwynnbrook Avenue, Owings Mills, MD 21117.
Trip Leader: Maryanne Dolan
June
Saturday, June 5 – 8:00 am
Field Trip Woodlawn Wildlife Area
Woodlawn is a restored landfill that is a model for transforming an eyesore into a sight for sore eyes. Join us for a leisurely stroll around the fields and woods of this re-awakening natural area.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Woodlawn Parking Area for a ½ day nature walk. Carpooling is encouraged Directions:
From I-95, take the Perryville, Rtes 275/222 exit north. Follow 275/222 north a few miles to Rte 276. Turn right, follow about 1 mile, turn left on Firetower Rd. Preserve (with parking lot) is on the left, just after the intersection with Waibel Rd.
From Port Deposit, take MD-276 (Tome Highway) towards Rising Sun. Take a left onto Firetower Road (past the Mobil station and across from the Land Hope Farms store). Less than a mile later, you will pass the entrance to the county transfer/recycling center. Immediately after the center’s entrance, The Woodlawn Wildlife Area gate is on the left.
From Rising Sun, take Rt 276 (Tome Highway) south to Rt 269, Barnes Corner Road. Turn right (west) onto Barnes Corner and then right at the first intersection onto Harrisville Rd, which becomes Firetower Rd at the West Nottingham Academy gate. Continue south on Firetower Rd to the entrance to the Wildlife Area, just past the intersection of Colora Rd on the right.
Trip leader: Ken Drier
Contacts: Ken Drier (kdrier@zoominternet.net)
Sean McCandless (seanmcandless1@gmail.com)
Paula Conescenti (paulagc@comcast.net)
June Mundis (jmundis@zoominternet.net)
Maryanne Dolan (maryanne.dolan@gmail.com)
Trip and Meeting Participation Guidelines
• All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise indicated (some destinations have an admission fee or will require payment of road/bridge toll).
• Due to limited parking, reservations may be necessary for some field trips, and carpooling is always encouraged.
• It is a courtesy to contact the trip leader (shown in the last column) if you are planning to attend a field trip.
• Please try to arrive at the field trip meeting place ten to fifteen minutes before the stated time to ensure you are not left behind.
• Trips designated as half-day are usually over by noon.
• It is a good idea to pack a lunch and drink for any trips designated full day.
• In inclement weather:
o Field trips may be canceled due to heavy rain or snow. The trip leader will call you if you have indicated you will attend.
o Bird counts may be canceled because of weather—if in doubt, contact the trip leader.
o Meetings may be canceled because of severe weather and dangerous driving conditions; such cancellations (meetings only, not field trips) will be announced via e-mail.
• For general trip information, to suggest a destination, or to volunteer as a trip leader, contact Ken Drier
• For more events, check the statewide MOS calendar.
• Most importantly, have fun!
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