Please join us for one of these enjoyable outings!  Take a look at the calendar
and plan to spend some time with other CAS members and  friends enjoying
relaxing outdoor activities!   Do you have an idea for a field trip or would you
like to help us lead one?  NOTE:  Drop us an email with your suggestions and
comments, or if you would like updates and reminders about field trips and
other upcoming events.

Contact us to register for a field trip and then come explore some of the
region's wonderful natural areas.  Beginners of all ages are welcome as all
trips include attention to novices.  
Field Trips
Chesapeake Audubon Society                             Field Trips
  
                           
                               FEBRUARY
Sunday, February 7, Day Trip to Blackwater NWR
Leaders: Ruth Bergstrom & Tim Houghton
Meet us at 9 AM on SuperBowl Sunday at one of our most popular winter
birding destinations! Come enjoy a wide variety of waterfowl in the waters off
the marshes. We'll marvel at the Bald Eagles and search for the Golden
Eagle and Brown-Headed Nuthatch. Dress warmly, bring lunch, and
something hot to drink! Don't worry, you can be back home in time for kick-
off. We will try to accommodate carpooling requests. Please let Ruth know
you're coming by emailing her at ruthb22@yahoo.com, or call 443-752-
1967.

Friday, February 12, 2010 from 8-10 AM Pickering Creek
Great Backyard Bird Count Bird Walk, Leader:  Kelsey Frey
Cost: $5/adult; Free/child (15 and under).  The Great Backyard Bird Count
is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in
counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are across the
continent and in Hawaii. We will participate in this event by hiking through
several different habitats and counting the birds we see along the way. We'll
make peanut butter covered pine cones to take home for the birds in your
yard. Pre-registration is required. Call 410/822-4903.

Saturday, February 27, 8 AM Lake Centennial
Leaders: Ruth Bergstrom and Larry Brammer
One of Howard County’s prime birding locations, Columbia’s Lake
Centennial always holds some nice surprises. American Tree Sparrows are
regulars as are the beautiful Hooded Mergansers that usually dot the lake.
We’ll take a trip around the shoreline and find out who is visiting this late
winter morning. Register with Ruth at ruthb22@yahoo.com or by calling her
at 443-752-1967.

Saturday, February 27,  8 – 9:30am Patterson Park
The monthly walk will focus on birds wintering in the park. Meet up at the
fountain, no need to register! Please join us- we have binoculars if you
don't!   Call (410)-558-Bird (2473) for more information.

                                  MARCH
Saturday, March 20, 8 AM Cromwell Valley Park
Leader:  Hugh Simmons
Come join Chesapeake Audubon President Hugh Simmons for this first day
of spring walk through the Willow Grove area of this popular Baltimore-area
park.  Resident songbirds will be starting their breeding activity and early
migrants will be passing through.  Hugh will meet us at the parking lot where
will begin our morning searching for birds in the surrounding trees.  Contact
Hugh Simmons at 410-628-4246 call before 9:00PM please or send e-mail
to hughsimmons@comcast.net.

Sunday, March 21,8-10 AM, Pickering Creek
Cost: $5/adult; Free/child,  Leader: Kristina Catanese
The forest will be alive with the chattering of birds returning to Maryland for
the spring.   Armed with a trusty pair of binoculars, you might be able to see
birds of prey, waterfowl, woodpeckers, along with many other spring
migrants.  This is one of the best times to go birding the entire year.
Binoculars and field guides provided, or bring your own.  Please register in
advance by calling 410/822-4903. Pre-registration is required. Children are
considered ages 15 and under.

Saturday, March 27, 8AM Spring Migrants at Patterson Park
This month’s walk at Baltimore’s Patterson Park will focus on early spring
migrants.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised at who visits this city park.  Meet up
at the fountain, no need to register! Please join us- we have binoculars if
you don’t!  It is a fun family activity!  Call (410)-558-Bird (2473) for more
information.

Saturday, March 27 At Dusk for Woodcocks in Baltimore County
Leader: Bryan MacKay
This year, we’ll try to catch sight and sound of the long-billed male American
Woodcocks performing their unusual courtship ritual in a usually reliable
area of the Southwest Area Park near Lansdowne, Baltimore County. The
woodcock is chunky, has short legs and as his plumage usually matches the
ground where he’s roosting, mating season is about the only time they are
easily sighted. For details about time and place, contact Bryan MacKay  at
410 747 7132 evenings 6-10 PM, or mackay@umbc.edu

                                       APRIL
Saturday, April 10, 8 AM Harford Glen Environmental Center
Leader: Ruth Bergstrom
Please join us for an easy walk around the environmental education center
of Harford County in Bel Air. We'll walk the trails that skirt the many ponds
and streams and look for Wood Duck, early migrating Warblers, and other
gems. Let Ruth know you're coming by emailing her at ruthb22@yahoo.com
or call 443-752-1967.

Sunday, April 18, 8 AM for  "Eat, Greet,  and Tweet" in Windsor
Mill
Leader: Robin Schless
Come walk in the woods at Robin’s house in Windsor Mill (21244), looking
for spring migrants and early wildflowers--everybody's welcome. Beginners
like myself are encouraged to come!! Meet other Chesapeake Audubon
members in an informal setting with coffee, juice, and sweets for energy.  
Talk about bird feeding, viewing, and outdoor interests. Bring binoculars—
Call for directions. Robin Schless, 410-277-9213 or rjschless@gmail.com

Sunday, April 25, 8 AM   Ladew Gardens in Harford County
Leader: Tim Houghton

Tim will lead us in a return walk to beautiful Ladew Gardens to search for
songbirds migrating to their breeding grounds.  The bird walk is free as long
as we remain on the nature trail and that’s where the birds are! (There
would be an additional fee to view the gardens should you choose to do that
on your own after the bird walk.) There’s a little cafe on the grounds which
opens at 11:00 should you care to have lunch. Register with Tim by either
email (thoughton@loyola.edu) or phone (410-510-7504).

                                          MAY
Sunday, May 2, 8 AM Rock Run Mill, Susquehanna State Park
Leader: Tim Houghton
Get ready for a walk that in Tim’s own words was awesome last spring. It's
become his favorite place for migrants and warblers.  Orioles will be
returning to nest along with flycatchers and vireos.  This is one local area
where the Cerulean Warbler reliably nests year and year.  The park itself is
beautiful and worthy of a visit on its own. Register with Tim by either email
(thoughton@loyola.edu) or phone (410-510-7504).

Saturday, May 8, 8:30 AM Adkins Arboretum
Leader: Ruth Bergstrom
Meet us on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for our annual walk that coincides
with the Arboretum’s spring native plant sale. Audubon MD-DC has
designated the Arboretum as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Come explore
the woodland and meadow paths with us in this 400-acre native plant
garden. Register by emailing Ruth at ruthb22@yahoo.com or calling her on
443-752-1967.

Saturday and Sunday, May 15th and 16th. Birdathon  

Saturday, May 29 Daytrip to Bombay Hook and Horseshoe
Crabs.
Leader:  Hugh Simmons
Any visit to this refuge near the Delaware Bay is sure to bring wonderful
birds on the water, in the trees, and on the ground.  Join Hugh for our
annual spring visit that will feature shorebirds, waders, songbirds and more.  
We’ll also visit other bayfront areas to look for horseshoe crabs. Bring lunch
and snacks for the day with you.  Please register by May 26. Contact Hugh
Simmons at 410-628-4246;call before 9:00PM please or you send e-mail to
hughsimmons@comcast.net
Loch Raven
Photo by Hugh Simmons
Harford Glen
Photo by Hugh Simmons
Photo by Hugh Simmons
Bombay Hook
Birding at Pickering Creek
Photo by Hugh Simmons