Sunday, May 10
We’re excited for spring migration in Baltimore! We are finalizing our field trip plans. Registration will open before March 17 for the 10th Annual Baltimore Birding Weekend.
Please note that some field trip descriptions listed below may change before registration opens.
MORNING TRIPS
Hanlon Park and Druid Hill Park (HIKING/DRIVING)
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $30/person
Guides: Nico Sarbanes & Guide TBD
Meeting Location: TBD
Our birding tour begins at Hanlon Park, where we will explore the forest to search for songbirds darting through the lakeside trees. We will also scan the open water and shoreline of Lake Ashburton for waterfowl and shorebirds.
The excursion then shifts to the budding canopy of Western Druid Hill Park’s mature forests where, beneath the towering trees, the air should be filled with the intricate melodies of spring warblers. We will move quietly along the winding woodland trails, keeping a keen eye out for glimpses of these colorful and musical migrants as they navigate the fresh spring growth. Together, these two locations ensure a comprehensive look at Baltimore’s vibrant spring migration across two of its finest green spaces.
Bird Banding in Patterson Park (HIKING)
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $30/person
Guides: Bud Poole, Brenda Miller & Eric Fishel
Meeting Location: Across from 2901 E Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21224 – park on the street and meet your guides at the corner entrance of Patterson Park, across from the Patterson Public House. Use GPS coordinates: 39.292108, -76.576341
We will begin with a bird banding demonstration in Patterson Park, where birds are safely caught and examined by a licensed bird bander from Birds of Urban of 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 a bird walk. Baltimore’s oldest park features 134 acres of open lawns and fields, mature trees, and a shallow wetland. Species may include Green Heron and Spotted Sandpiper in the park pond, and more than a dozen spring warblers in the trees. This hike will feature up to two miles of hiking on slightly hilly park paths. Restrooms available.
Druid Hill Reservoir & Horseshoe Falls (HIKING)
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $30/person
Guides: Jim Rapp & Scott Housten
Meeting Location: meet your guides in front of the Baltimore City Recreation & Parks Office Building, located at 3001 East Drive, Baltimore, MD 21217. There is parking along East Drive. GPS Coordinates: 39.320395, -76.634617
We’ll hike a ~2.5 mile loop as we search Druid Hill Park and the Jones Falls Trail for spring birds. During our hike, we’ll scope the Druid Hill reservoir for gulls, grebes and waterfowl. In the forests and fields, we’ll look for spring songbirds, woodpeckers and raptors. On our way to the Jones Falls Trail, we’ll stop on the Wyman Park Drive bridge to scan the treetops for nesting Yellow-crowned Night Herons. We’ll work our way down the trail to gaze upon scenic Horseshoe Falls (also known as Round Falls). We’ll make a stop at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in the park before heading back to our vehicles at 11:00 am.
Please note:
- No cancellations are accepted after April 25, 2026. For a further explanation of our refund policy, please click here.
- Trips will go rain or shine, unless torrential rains or dangerous conditions prevent us from viewing wildlife.
- If the trip is canceled, we will notify you via email. Please note that the email will be sent to all participants BCC, so you may need to check your email spam folder. A full refund will be provided within 15 days.