Harford Bird Club Birding Hot Spots

Anita C. Leight Estuary Center

Located on the shores of Otter Point Creek, the Estuary Center is open to the public Thursday through Sunday, year round.  Offering 2 miles of hiking trails through dappled upland forests of black gum and maple trees.  Go to http://www.otterpointcreek.org/visitor-information/ for more information about the hours of operation and trail maps.

Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Wood Ducks, Red-winged Blackbirds, Belted Kingfishers, Osprey, Turkey Vultures and more are common along this water edge habitat!

Conowingo Dam

There is no better place in the lower 48 states to photograph eagles on a regular basis than Conowingo Dam. The Harford Bird Club counted 148 different Bald Eagles at this location on a single day in mid-November. Conowingo offers plenty of parking and public restrooms.

Eden Mill Park

Eden Mill Park is a Harford County park comprised of 117 acres nestled along Deer Creek in northern Harford County, MD.  The park is open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk for your enjoyment.  http://www.edenmill.org/Trails-and-Maps.html

Bradenbaugh Flats

The World Famous Bradenbaugh Flats consists mostly of open farm fields and pasture with lots of grassland and hay fields. A large pond and a constructed wetland complex add variety to the landscape. Nesting birds of note include Horned Larks, Grasshopper and Savannah Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Blue Grosbeak, and Willow Flycatcher. In the winter, large flocks of Horned Larks occasionally include Snow Buntings, American Pipits, and Lapland Longspurs. Three falcon species, Kestrel, Merlin, and Peregrine frequent the Flats in migration and winter and Bald Eagles nest close by. All birding is roadside as all property is private. Contact Dr. Dennis Kirkwood at 410.692.5905 or at NewarkFarms@gmail.com with specific questions.

Perryman Park

Boasting more than 175 positively identified species this flat area has a nice variety of habitats. There is a nice parking area and a paved walk-able loop. Vast fields, forest edge and water nearby make various sparrow species stop here on their journey. Sightings have included Savannah Sparrow, Vesper’s Sparrow and Lincoln’s Sparrow.

Forest Green Lake Preserve

Also referred to as Club House Road Pond, this location is a Harford County Park. Forest Greens consists of 145 acres of undeveloped lake, tidal inlet and woodlands near the Bush River offering trails and a pond that have attracted over 130 species.

Harford Glen

Owned and operated by Harford County Public Schools, this 400 acre facility proudly boasts more than 200 species. Miles and miles of trails, wetland, running streams and creeks, forest and meadow bring a wide variety of species to the location. Due to school safety and security regulations, the gated facility is open from 7am to 7pm on the weekends between April 1 and October 31. The facility is opened seven days a week from 7am to 7pm once Harford County Public School students have been dismissed for summer break. If the gate is closed, the facility is closed to the public.

Susquehanna State Park

Warblers galore in the spring! The close proximity to the rapidly flowing Susquehanna River make this the ultimate stopover for the little ones on their migration. Walking along Stafford Road, following the Green-ways path (which was an old railroad bed) and circling the Deer Creek Picnic Area will award you handsomely. Forests, meadows, forested creeks and more will not disappoint. Miles and miles of well marked trails.

Swan Harbor

With approximately 530 acres, this mega-hot spot is a must see in Harford County. Located right along side the Chesapeake Bay waterfowl, birds of prey and migrants are plentiful. Two ponds developed by Ducks Unlimited Inc. host a variety of shorebirds. Snow Buntings have been known to make an appearance at this spot in different years.

Tydings Memorial Park

Ample parking and a half mile promenade along the Chesapeake Bay will allow you to see waterfowl, terns, shorebirds and birds of prey. In the little forested section of the promenade, you may find warblers during the spring and fall migration seasons. This location is handicapped accessible. There are public flush toilets at the marina parking lot. There is a seasonal restaurant at the marina.