Saturday, May 14, 2022 – Baltimore Birding Weekend

Registration is open for Audubon’s Baltimore Birding Weekend!

Please read our COVID-19 Precautions and Expectations.

Descripciones de excursiones en español

MORNING TRIPS

Cox Creek/Swan Creek Wetlands (HIKING)
8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $30/person
Meeting Location: 1000 Kembo Road, Curtis Bay, MD 21226

This field trip has sold out. If you wish to be placed on the waiting list, please email baltimore@audubon.org.

Visitors to Cox Creek/Swan Creek Wetlands must wear closed-toe shoes with sturdy soles (no open-toe shoes or thin soles). All guests must depart the site immediately at the end of the field trip. If you are not driving yourself, please make certain your ride is able to pick you up at the end of the tour.

The Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment Facility (DMCF) is located just south of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, on the western shore of the Patapsco River. Thanks to the Maryland Environmental Service and partners, an 11.3-acre mitigated tidal wetland and 115-acre forest conservation easement have been created downstream of the Swan Creek Watershed. This mitigation area includes open water, low marsh and high marsh, and provides habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds. 215 species have been recorded here in May! Participants must sign a waiver prior to entering the facility, and all must be prepared for hiking on muddy trails with at least one shallow-water stream crossing. Restrooms may be available (we will update website as soon as we know!).

Catching & Banding Birds in Druid Hill Park (HIKING)
8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $30/person
Meeting Location: in front of Baltimore City Recreation & Parks Office at 3001 East Drive

Explore the open fields and hardwood forests of Druid Hill Park in search of spring songbirds. More than 140 species have been recorded here in May! We will begin by observing a bird banding demonstration, where birds are safely caught and examined by licensed bird banders from Birds of Urban Baltimore working in collaboration with the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. Participants will observe this valuable component of conservation research, while getting a close look at wild birds “in the hand,” then continue with our birding tour. We’ll begin the tour with a special opportunity to view nesting Yellow-crowned Night-Herons from the Wyman Park Bridge above the Jones Falls. This trip will include short hikes on occasionally steep trails along the Jones Falls Trail. Restrooms available nearby.

Gwynns Falls Leakin Park (HIKING)
8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $30/person
Meeting Location: Winans Meadow Trailhead (please review our Google Map for the specific meeting location, or use these GPS coordinates: 39.30457, -76.69368

The forests of Gwynns Falls Leakin Park are brimming with birds in May. This field trip will begin at the Winans Meadow Trailhead along the Gwynns Falls Trail. Birders will hike in the mature hardwood forest, and may drive to another trailhead in the park to search for more birds. 123 species have been recorded here in May. This trip will include up to three miles of hiking along hilly nature trails. Restrooms unavailable at this site.

Middle Branch Paddle (PADDLING)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Cost: $45/person for solo kayak or 2-person canoe; you will be asked for your boat choice after you register
Meeting Location: Middle Branch Park at 3301 Waterview Avenue

This field trip has been canceled due to the weather forecast. If you have already registered for this field trip, please check for an email from baltimore@audubon.org with your options.

Before this field trip, we may ask you to print, sign and bring a Baltimore City Recreation & Parks waiver with you. We will email all participants prior to this trip.

Birding by canoe on the Middle Branch. *Photo credit: Luke Franke/Audubon*

Audubon is partnering with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks to host this paddling adventure on the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River. We’ll explore the shoreline for shorebirds and herons, and keep our eyes on the skies for gulls, terns, Osprey and Bald Eagles. 89 species have been recorded here in May. If conditions allow, we’ll paddle to Ridgely’s Cove at the outfall of the Gwynns Falls. Solo kayaks and 2-person canoes are available, and you will be asked to select your choice after you register. Note: this trip may be canceled due to high winds. If canceled, participants will be notified before noon on May 13, and will be offered a choice to join other Saturday afternoon field trips or be provided with a refund. Restrooms unavailable.

AFTERNOON TRIPS

Green Mount Cemetery (HIKING)
1:00 – 3:45 pm
Cost: $30/person
Meeting Location: 1501 Greenmount Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202

This field trip has sold out. If you wish to be placed on the waiting list, please email baltimore@audubon.org.

Green Mount Cemetery is a place of national significance. Please help us maintain its beauty and dignity by observing these rules of etiquette. A printed copy of the sign-in sheet will be provided at the beginning of your tour.

One of the oldest cemeteries in the United States is one of Baltimore’s newest eBird hotspots! Join us for a walk through the some of the most famous gravesites in Baltimore while we add species to the growing eBird list, which currently stands at 73 species in May. Green Mount Cemetery is the final resting place to such luminaries as Johns Hopkins, Enoch Pratt and eight Maryland Governors, as well as John Wilkes Booth, assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, and Elijah Bond, inventor of the ouija board. This hike includes up to three miles of hiking along paved paths. Restrooms unavailable.

Herring Run Park (HIKING)
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Cost: $30/person
Meeting Location: meet at the Belair-Edison sign, located at the corner of Belair Road and Chesterfield Avenue. The sign is located across Chesterfield Avenue from Just Dentures, 2887 Chesterfield Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21213. Parking is available along Chesterfield Avenue.

Herring Run Park is a 375-acre forested treasure in the middle of Baltimore City. The woodlands that border the Herring Run stream valley provide habitat for species such as Black-throated Green Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, and Great Crested Flycatcher. 121 species have been recorded here in May. This trip will feature up to three miles of hiking on slightly hilly park paths. Restrooms unavailable.

Middle Branch Paddle (PADDLING)
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Cost: $45/person for solo kayak or 2-person canoe; you will be asked for your boat choice after you register
Meeting Location: Middle Branch Park at 3301 Waterview Avenue

This field trip has been canceled due to the weather forecast. If you have already registered for this field trip, please check for an email from baltimore@audubon.org with your options.

Before this field trip, we may ask you to print, sign and bring a Baltimore City Recreation & Parks covid-19 waiver with you. Park staff may take a temperature reading of each participant upon arrival. We will email all participants prior to this trip.

TALLY RALLY

Tally Rally at Union Craft Brewing (SOCIAL)
4:30 – 6:30 pm
Cost: Free, but please email baltimore@audubon.org with your RSVP
Meeting Location: 1700 West 41st Street #420, Baltimore, MD 21211

The Tally Rally at Union Craft Brewing will be held outside on the patio. There is no fee for attending the tally rally, but drinks and food will be available for purchase. Although the Tally Rally is free, we would like to give Union a head count for planning. Please email your RSVP, including the number in your party, to baltimore@audubon.org.

Tally Rally at Union Brewery. *Photo credit: Luke Franke/Audubon*

Audubon’s Baltimore Birding Weekend is more than a great opportunity to explore the city and see unique local birds…it is also a time to meet unique local birders! Birders will enjoy great food and craft beer at Union Craft Brewing. See what birds have been reported on the Friday and Saturday ABBW trips, and learn about local birding hotspots from our Audubon guides. Join us to swap birding stories and add to the ABBW checklist for the weekend. The Tally Rally at Union Craft Brewery will be held outside on the patio. There is no fee for attending the tally rally, but drinks and food will be available for purchase. Please note: Kids are welcome but must remain with you.

Please note:

Please review our COVID-19 Precautions and Expectations.
To get early bird pricing, register before midnight on April 13, 2022.
Food and drink are not included in the cost for trips and tally rallies.
No cancellations are accepted after May 1, 2022.
Trips will go rain or shine. If the trip is canceled due to dangerous conditions, a full refund will be provided.
Please read our waiver and photo release form prior to registering for field trips. The waiver and photo release are available in English and Spanish.

Tenga en cuenta:

Por favor revise nuestras Precauciones y Expectativas de COVID-19.
Para obtener precios de venta anticipada, regístrese antes de la medianoche del 13 de abril de 2022.
Los alimentos y bebidas no están incluidos en el costo de los viajes y del conteo.
No se aceptan cancelaciones después del 1 de mayo de 2022.
Los viajes se harán con lluvia o sol. Si el viaje se cancela debido a condiciones peligrosas, se proporcionará un reembolso completo.
Por favor, lea nuestro formulario de renuncia y publicación de fotografías antes de registrarse para las excursiones. El permiso y la autorización para fotos están disponibles en inglés y español.