Field Trips: I – Z – MOS Convention

General guidelines:

Carpooling is expected and expedient. Please help out drivers with a contribution towards the cost of gas.
Be sure to have appropriate field gear: sturdy, waterproof boots and jacket, sunscreen, insect repellent and a good supply of water.
Please do not wander off the road except on public lands. Most private land is posted, but also do not enter the woods where trees are marked with blue paint blazes along public roads.

All Day-Jennings Randolph Lake, Mt. Zion Rd., Chestnut Grove Rd, Cat Rocks, Russell Rd: (Garrett County)The Jennings Randolph Lake portion of this all-day trip is for those hoping to see Cerulean Warblers. The lake was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and collects acid mine drainage from coal mines located upstream. It also serves as a backup water supply for the metro D.C. area. It boasts both West Virginia and Maryland overlooks. In addition to the 952-acre reservoir, the enticing lure of this bird-laden trip are the fields and woods in this beautiful countryside. This out and back walk does include a walk up a relatively steep slope where Cerulean Warblers lurk in the woods.

Also on this trip are multiple stops to include a clearcut at Mt. Zion Rd that will hopefully yield Vesper Sparrow, Kentucky Warbler, and Cerulean Warbler. Chestnut Grove and nearby sites have been good for Blue-winged, Golden-winged, and Worm-eating Warblers.

Difficulty: Moderate due to walk up steep slope, boots recommended Facilities: Yes

Lister’s trip: Join local birder Aaron Graham for this fast-paced listing trip through both Garrett and Allegany counties. We will focus on Garrett in the morning and start at Swallow Falls, Herrington, and Pleasant Valley followed by Broadford, Mt Zion and Chestnut Grove before cruising to Allegany County. There, listers will hit Burning Mines and Old Legislative Road and a number of spots in between.

Swallow Falls targets are Hermit Thrush, Blackburnian Warbler, and Winter Wren. Hopes for Herrington include Red-breasted Nuthatch and migrants while Pleasant Valley goals are Purple Martins, Savannah Sparrows, Bobolinks, and Red-headed Woodpeckers. Broadford is good for migrants and could produce lingering waterfowl. A clearcut at Mt. Zion Rd will hopefully yield Vesper Sparrow, Kentucky Warbler, and Cerulean Warbler. Chestnut Grove and nearby sites have been good for Blue-winged, Golden-winged, and Worm-eating warblers. Burning Mines should generate Horned Lark.

Difficulty: Moderate due to some hills and fast pace, boots recommended Facilities: Yes

New Germany State Park*: (Garrett County) New Germany State Park’s visitors frequently call it a “best kept secret.” This mountain gem is nestled between the 2,900-ft. Big Savage Mountain to the east and the eastern Continental Divide along Meadow Mountain to the west. The park’s lake was created when settlers John and Charles Swauger dammed Poplar Lick Run to create water power for the operation of a sawmill and grist mill. The lake was expanded to 13 acres when the Civilian Conservation Corps replaced the original dam with a larger one.

Adjacent to Savage River State Forest, the park has 483 acres of diverse forests with 10 miles of multi-use trails and a small lake suitable for fishing, swimming, and paddling. There is no cell phone service at New Germany State Park.

This out and back walk through the woods is spectacular for warblers with some 28 species having been seen here within the thick, mature woods, allowed to grow unfettered for decades.

Difficulty: Easy, boots recommended Facilities: Yes

Owling: Check out nearby sites for owls. Possible species include Eastern Screech, Barred, and Great Horned owls.

Difficulty: Easy but some driving and walking in the dark Facilities: No

Penny Noble Besa property: (Allegany County) This 30-acre artist’s property in the wooded countryside of Allegany County presents the rare opportunity to enjoy a site few folks get to visit. Penny Noble Besa and her husband have graciously offered their private property for a trip or two.

Pathways lead through hills, forest, brambles, and ponds and streams. A neighbor has granted access to an adjacent property for the conference. A stone’s throw from 15-mile Creek and Green Ridge State Forest, the property’s bird list includes chats, Blue-winged Warblers, and Ruddy Turnstones. Penny will offer free warm cider to birders to bird from the table and chairs on the woodland studio back deck.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate, hills, boots recommended Facilities: Yes

Piney Reservoir: (Garrett County) The 120-acre Piney Reservoir is a manmade freshwater lake that has an access road that takes folks along the edge of the lake to bird from the car and park at the large pull-off past the row of trees that line the road. The upper shallow end of the lake has heavy growth of aquatic vegetation during the summer months, providing habitat for waders. Flooded standing timber and a wetland at a creek mouth on the east side of the access road offers good habitat for passerines. The rocky dam breast area should be checked for swallows. Piney Reservoir is a great spot for waterfowl and occasionally for herons, shorebirds, gulls, and terns.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate, flat walking with occasionally wet woodland trails, boots recommended Facilities: No

Rocky Gap State Park: (Allegany County) Rocky Gap State Park is a 3,000-acre recreation area with resort features and a 243-acre lake. Hiking trails include streams with hemlock, mountain laurel and rhododendron growing nearby. The park boasts 217 species reported on eBird as of Fall 2018. Rocky Gap is the best spot in Allegany County for finding waterfowl. The pine woods found throughout the park host singing Pine and other warblers. There have been a number of significant bird sightings at the park. Allegany County’s only record of Piping Plover occurred at Rocky Gap’s beach. Other Western Maryland rarities recorded here include Red-necked and Eared Grebes, Red-throated Loon, American Golden Plover, Short-billed Dowitcher, Red Phalarope, Snow Bunting, and Caspian, Common, and Forster’s Terns. Habitats on this walk include forests, fields, a lake, and riparian wetlands.

Difficulty: Easy Facilities: Yes

Savage River State Forest: (Garrett County)At over 54,000 acres, 11,000 acres of which is designated as Wildlands, this state forest of mixed hardwoods is a dream for FIDS. This trip will involve multiple stops and short walks through woodland.

In 1800, there were roughly 1,000 settlers who lived in Garrett County. But by the early 1900s, narrow gauge railroads were used to facilitate logging on steeper slopes. The result was that almost all of Garrett County was essentially clear cut within a 20-year period. As a result, most of the currently non-timbered forests are the same age–about 100 years old.

Nice finds here include Hooded, Cerulean, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, and Black-throated Green Warblers, American Redstarts, Louisiana Waterthrushes, and Scarlet Tanagers.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate with possible wet areas and slope Facilities: No

Valley Meadow Farms: (Washington County) Contiguous to Sideling Hill, this 400-acre farm provides hiking, walking, and birding opportunities amidst spring-fed ponds, woodlands, and hillside meadows. There is little eBird data on the site which could offer some surprises!

The combination of hay fields and rich forest should keep the species count high on this beautiful site. The owners have graciously offered MOS access and have additional access permitted on neighboring properties up through the Pennsylvania border.

The hosts have a habit of serving tea, coffee, and homemade snacks to beleaguered travelers who just might include birders!

Difficulty: Easy to moderate walk through woods, meadows and hillsides Facilities: Yes

Warrior Mountain WMA: (Allegany County) Remotely located in central Allegany County, Warrior Mountain WMA’s 5,048 acres of forest blanket the ridge and stream valley topography.

At the peak of Warrior Mountain, a power line clearing overlooks a spectacular view of the surrounding terrain. Abandoned farms and cemeteries, some dating back to the mid-19th century, dot the landscape and old roads, perfect for a day’s hike through the forest. This trip will involve multiple stops and short walks through woodland and fields.

Throughout the spring and summer, warblers, vireos, tanagers and other brightly colored songbirds nest in the extensive forest and the fields are rife with sparrows.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate with possible wet areas and slope Facilities: No

*New Germany Breeding Bird Atlas in-the-field training trip led by Gabriel Foley (separate from regular trips to these locations, see daily schedule). Join Maryland Breeding Bird Atlas state coordinator Gabriel Foley on these educational trips to learn how to advance bird science via the Breeding Bird Atlas portal in ebird. Not unlike most of the field trips, these fun trips will combine lots of birding but with information on atlas blocks, breeding codes, safe dates and other need-to-know information about the important Maryland effort.