Chesapeake Audubon Society Field Trips and Programs

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? Drop an e-mail with your suggestions and comments.

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. NOTE: please send your e-mail address if you would like updates and reminders about field trips and other upcoming events.

Trip Reports and other Special Events

FIELD TRIP INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: If on the night before or the morning of a field trip, steady rain or severe weather (i.e., heavy snow, dangerous winds, flooding, etc.) is forecast, and you have doubts about the trip being held, call the trip leader for information.

2009 Trips:

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* May *

Sunday, May 2, 7 AM Cromwell Valley Park

Trip Leader: Timothy Houghton

Cromwell Valley Park in early May! Does it get any better than this? Come prepared with visions of warblers dancing before your eyes. Tanagers, vireos, and orioles all visit (or better yet, nest) this time of year. Contact Marian, 410-852-9913 or e-mail ChesAudubonInfo@aol.com to register.

Saturday, May 9, 8 AM Adkins Arboretum

Trip Leader: Ruth Bergstrom

Join us on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for our annual walk that coincides with the Arboretum’s spring native plant sale. The Arboretum was recently designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Audubon MD-DC. 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 at 443-752-1967.

Saturday May 9, 24 hours BIRDATHON

We are putting the FUN in FUNdraising. Audubon and our centers REALLY need your support to keep us going through these tough times. Form your own team or support one of the Audubon teams from Chesapeake Audubon, Pickering Creek Audubon Center and Patterson Park Audubon Center. Instead of pledging dollars per mile as in a walk-a-thon you pledge dollars per number of species seen by the team you are sponsoring. See details elsewhere in this newsletter or contact Hugh Simmons or Ruth Bergstrom if you have questions or would like more information.

Saturday, May 16, 10-11 AM Tree ID Pickering Creek Audubon Center

Main House - Members/Non-members: $2/$4. Have you ever looked at a tree and wondered what kind it was? Join us for this morning hike at Pickering to learn about trees. You will be introduced to many native Eastern Shore trees via sight, touch and perhaps smell. Learn how to use a field guide that will help further your future explorations. To register call (410) 822-4903.

Sunday, May 17, 8AM Spring Warbler Walk

Trip Leader: Robin Schless

Come stroll the woods and meander along the stream at my house in Windsor Mill (21244). Be prepared for some wet ground. We’ll look for spring warblers and hopefully identify spring flora (natives and invasives). Coffee and sweets after! Beginners always welcome!! Contact Robin to register and for directions at rjschless@yahoo.com or 410-277-9213.

Saturday, May 23 *date change* Daytrip Bombay Hook

Trip Leaders: Hugh Simmons and Mark Scallion

What is 540 million years old and key to the survival of several species of shorebirds? Answer, the horseshoe crab. Come with us to witness this ancient but endangered spawning ritual and the shorebirds and depend on it. In addition we will bird the fields, woods, and impoundments of the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, considered one of the best birding locations on the east coast. Usually lots to see in one day, it is a great trip for beginning birders. Register with Hugh by calling 410-628-4246 before 9 PM or you can e-mail him at hughsimmons@comcast.net

Saturday, May 30, Cromwell Valley Park

Trip Leader: Hugh Simmons

The variety of habitats in this park make for excellent birding. Many birds, resident and summer breeders, will be nesting and raising young. Baltimore and Orchard Orioles are very likely. It’s a perfect time to visit the park and find a wide variety of species readily available for your viewing pleasure. Call Hugh at 410-628-4246 before 9 PM or you can e-mail him at hughsimmons@comcast.net

Saturday, May 30 – 8-930AM Patterson Park – More Spring Migrants

All bird walk programs begin at the fountain located in the corner of the park closest to the intersections of Lombard Street and Patterson Park Avenue. The walks take place from 8:00 am to 9:30 am and are open to all ages. Bird walks occur rain or shine. No binoculars? No problem. Just let the center know at 410-558-2473.

*June *

Sunday June 7, 7:30 AM Soldiers Delight Breeding Birds Walk

Trip Leader: Keith Eric Costley

On this walk we will search for evidence of breeding activities. Some of the nesting birds include the Summer and Scarlet Tanager, Yellow-breasted Chat, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Field Sparrow, Hooded, Prairie and Pine Warblers. Leader: Keith Eric Costley: 443-985-6489 or oriolekec1@comcast.net
Directions to Soldiers Delight: From I-695 Beltway exit 18 Liberty Rd go west 4 miles, bear right onto Deer Park Rd just before traffic light and water tower, go approximately 2 miles to the historical marker.

Sunday June 14, 7 AM Sweet Air Section of the Gunpowder

Trip Leader: Hugh Simmons

Both resident birds and migrants will be busy starting and raising their families along this beautiful section of the Gunpowder River. Come join Hugh for this walk in one of his favorite places and enjoy the wide variety of sights and sounds that Mother Nature offers this time of year! Call Hugh at 410-628-4246 before 9 PM or you can e-mail him at hughsimmons@comcast.net

Saturday, June 27 – 8-930AM Patterson Park – Late Migrants

All bird walk programs begin at the fountain located in the corner of the park closest to the intersections of Lombard Street and Patterson Park Avenue. The walks take place from 8:00 am to 9:30 am and are open to all ages. Bird walks occur rain or shine. No binoculars? No problem. Just let the center know at 410-558-2473.

* July *

Sunday July 12, 8:30AM Bike the NCR Trail

Trip Leader: Ruth Bergstrom

Bring your bikes and family to enjoy a slow-paced ride under the tree canopy on the NCR Trail near Monkton. Last year we enjoyed hearing the songs of many birds including the Acadian Flycatcher, House Wren, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Red-shouldered Hawk. Special activity for any participating children. Email Ruth to register at ruthb22@yahoo.com or call her at 443-752-1967.

Sunday July 19, 7 AM City Birding at Lake Roland

Trip Leader: Hugh Simmons

Robert E. Lee Park, Baltimore, MD is a great location for both resident and migrant birds and both should be busy raising families this time of year. The usual bridge entrance off Falls Road is closed but we can still access the park from the North Entrance. Call Hugh at 410-628-4246 before 9 PM or you can e-mail him at hughsimmons@comcast.net to register and for directions to the correct entrance.

* August *

Sunday August 9, 7 AM Cromwell Valley Park

Trip Leader: Hugh Simmons

Cromwell Valley is always one of our most popular trips and we encourage you to visit this birdy location with us. This time of year can provide some surprising sightings as migrants begin moving around while residents are still in the family mode. Please register with Hugh Simmons

at 410-628-4246 before 9 PM or you can e-mail him at hughsimmons@comcast.net

Sunday August 30, 8 AM Turkey Point Migration at Elk Neck

Trip Leader: Marian Argentino

A natural funnel for migrating birds, the Turkey Point Area has the greatest concentration of both hawks and passerine species in Elk Neck State Park. We’ll scan for raptors, warblers and flycatchers, all heading south and mixing with the many resident species that call the park home. Bring a snack and we’ll enjoy the view of the Chesapeake Bay and the Elk River from the 100-ft high bluff where the lighthouse stands. Call Marian Argentino, 410-852-9913 or e-mail ChesAudubonInfo@aol.com to register.

* September *

September date & time to be determined A SWIFT NIGHT OUT

Trip Leader: Ruth Bergstrom

This is a yearly event to raise awareness and interest in Chimney Swifts. As summer ends, these birds congregate in communal roosts prior to their migration in the fall and we may witness hundreds of birds diving into their favored chimney at dusk. Last year the site was near the Baltimore Conservatory. If you would like to be a part of this exciting event, please email the trip leader at ruthb22@yahoo.com to be informed of the meeting date and time.

Saturday September 12, 8 AM Baltimore’s Cylburn Arboretum

Trip Leader: Tim Houghton

Please join us for a fall migration visit to one of Baltimore’s premier birding hotspots. Enjoy the beautiful gardens of the arboretum; be amazed at the variety of birdlife around you and be guided by one of our knowledgeable leaders. This should be a great walk! Please register with Tim by

email (thoughton@loyala.edu ) or phone (410-510-7504).

Saturday September 19, 8 AM Terrapin Park (Eastern Shore)

Trip Leader: Marian Argentino

Join Marian at this beautiful location for a great morning of birding on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Located by the Bay Bridge, this park offers easy trails filled with both migrating and resident songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors. This could be the perfect place to spend this first morning of fall. Join us by contacting Marian at ChesAudubonInfo@aol.com or call her at 410-852-9913 for more information.

Sunday September 27 Time TBD Ladew Topiary Gardens

Trip Leader: Tim Houghton

Tim will lead us in a search for migrating songbirds in this beautiful Harford County location.  Ladew management has waived the entrance fee for the bird walk as long as we remain on the nature trail and that’s where the birds are! Afterwards, we could eat at the little cafe on the grounds which opens at 11:00.   (There would be an additional fee to view the gardens should you choose to do that on your own after the bird walk.) Register with Tim by either email (thoughton@loyola.edu) or phone (410-510-7504).

Chesapeake Audubon Field Trip Leaders

Marian Dodson Argentino, Field Trip & Program Director for CAS, is an ardent nature enthusiast who greatly enjoys being outdoors
 discovering whatever the day has to offer. Although her primary interest is birding, she misses few opportunities to learn about all of the
 flora and fauna that crosses her path. She invites you to come along. Who knows where you might go or what you might see next?

Hugh Simmons is President of Chesapeake Audubon, and is known for his friendly and helpful attitude. Hugh knows his birds, and where to find them.

Bryan MacKay is the author of Hiking, Cycling and Canoeing in Maryland: A Family Guide (2008) and Baltimore Trails: A Guide for Hikers and Mountain Bikers (2002). He especially enjoys introducing people to unique natural places.

Timothy Houghton moved to Maryland last summer and is now teaching literature and writing at Loyola University. He has led walks in many in his previous states of residence, most recently Kentucky, where his last hike was to find the Swainson’s Warbler. Tim’s favorite season of birding is during spring songbird migration and he especially loves warblers.

Mark Schilling, a former staff member, lives on the Eastern Shore and participates annually in the NJ Audubon World Series of Birding. He specializes in birding by ear, and particularly enjoys having novices on his trips.

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