Harford Bird Club Field Trips

The Harford Bird Club -
A Chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society

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Here are the Harford Bird Club field trips for the next few weeks. If you would like further information about a particular field trip, please contact Colleen Webster.

Sunday April 13 Perryman. Explore this locally popular birding destination well known for it's large fields and bayside access. The timing of this trip presents a great opportunity to find Wilson's Snipe, Horned Lark, American Pipit, Savannah Sparrow and a good mix of puddle ducks. Meet Dave Z at the Aberdeen Walmart parking lot, southeast corner at 7:00 am. Contact Dave Ziolkowski for more information.

Friday April 18 Owl Prowl. Debbie Bowers knows where the owls are! Join her this night just before the full moon to call in a few of the silent hunters from the small screech to the large Great Horned. Meet at 7:45 in the Rock State Office parking lot. Trip limited to the first eight to request a spot. Contact Debbie to make your reservation,

Saturday April 26 Susquehanna State Park. Enjoy the early spring wildflowers and migrant songbirds that have made this State Park so popular with local naturalists. The birdlist will likely include Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-throated Warbler, and Louisiana Waterthrush while flower enthusiasts can expect to see blooming Trout Lily, Purple Trillium, and Jack-in-the-Pulpit. Les Eastman will keep you looking up to find those migrants while Colleen Webster will be battling to keep your vision down on those flowers. Meet up with them at 7:00 am at the mouth of Deer Creek as it enters the river. Contact Les for more information.

Sunday April 27 Winters Run Road. A quiet three mile stroll along this primary Harford County waterway boasts a low-traffic tree-lined pathway with some farmland and meadow habitat attracting a variety of birds with the promise of heron, kingfisher, and an abundance of passerines during the spring. Join leaders Dave Larkin and Lynn Davis at 7 am at the route 24 and 95 Park and Ride. Contact Lynn for more information.

Saturday May 3 Upper Gunpowder Delta Catch some spring migrant action in a birdy place on the Baltimore Harford Counties line with leader Dave Z. Possible Tanagers, assorted warblers, sparrows, swallows, and some ducks and other water-dwellers! Park at Midway Liquors on Rt. 40 at 7:30 am. Contact Dave Ziolkowski for more information.

Saturday May 10 May Count If you would like to participate, contact Mark Johnson.

Sunday May 11 Girls Gone Wildflower Reprised (special Mother's Day edition) For a good time, birds, flowers and crazy spring fashions, meet leaders Sue Procell and Colleen Webster at Susquehanna State Park. Come if you are a mother or have a mother! We expect a hilly walk but with plenty of birds and blossoms. Meet at 7:30 am at the gravel parking lot just off the end of Lapidum Road across from the canal and near the boat ramp parking lot. Contact Colleen for more information.

Saturday May 17 Shorebird Banding Join genius bander Mark Johnson as he nets more than a few migrating shorebirds at the ponds at Swan Harbor Farms. For an added bonus, bring your own picnic, (we supply the grill) and enjoy yourself from 7 am until 1:00. Good comraderie, food, and many close-up looks at your favorite shorebirds. For more information, contact Mark.

Saturday May 24 Susquehanna State Park, Davis Tract For a look at Yellow and Blackbilled Cuckoos, Olive-sided and Empidonax Flycatchers, Cape May & Cerulean Warblers with Zebra Swallowtails and others to boot meet leader Les Eastman, the true guide to this park, at the Level Firehouse parking lot at 6:30 am. For more information, contact Les.

Monday May 26 Hidden Valley/Upper Deer Creek Administered by Rocks State Park, however, the lightly used trails of this section recall an Appalachian park as they wind around large hemlocks and substantial cliffs. Join local resident and natural historian Dennis Kirkwood in a search for Worm-eating Warbler, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Scarlet Tanager. Meet at Hidden Valley (N. end of Madonna Rd.) at 7 a.m. A side trip to The World Famous Bradenbaugh Flats will bring Grasshopper Sparrow and Willow Flycatcher. Contact Dennis Kirkwood for more information.

Saturday June 7 Post Conference Rarity Round-Up A trip so elite and sophisticated, all we can tell you is that the leaders are Dave Z and Randy Robertson! Meeting place will be determined, but start time is 7 am. Contact Randy for more information.

Saturday June 21 Fort McHenry Western Kingbird Search Celebrate the official beginning of summer by trekking down to catch a glimpse of the Western Kingbird lurking along the shoreline of the Harbor. Meet the young, talented leader Mike Burchette at the 152 and 95 Park-n-Ride at 7 am. Contact Mike for more information.

Saturday June 28 Secretive Marshbirds This is your opportunity to hear and see some of those shy rails, Least Bitterns and other camouflaged birds that squirrel away in the ponds at Swan Harbor Farm. Meet leaders Tom Gibson and John Gallo at the Swan Harbor parking lot at 7:30 pm and contact Tom for more information.

Friday July 18 Summer Social and Meeting Join us at the lovely Anita C. Leight Estuary Center at 6:30 pm for our popular wine and cheese social followed by a talk by Jean and Dennis Kirkwood. All who wish a brief birdwalk, can show up 30-40 minutes early for an impromptu bird walk on the trail or along the shore. For more information, contact Russ Kovach.

Saturday July 26 Hart-Miller Island Learn from the master as Gene Scarpulla leads you on a journey to one of the premier birding hotspots in Maryland. Summer specialties at Hart-Miller include Common Moorhen, Peregrine Falcon, and a spectacular assortment of herons, terns, and shorebirds. Participants will take a boat out to HMI at 7 AM, and not leave the island until 5 PM. The day will be spent hiking between 6-8 miles with rest rooms and water available at only one location. Insect repellent, sunscreen, a spotting scope, appropriate clothing and a supply of water/food are all necessary. This all-day excursion is not a trip to be taken lightly, but the rewards can be unforgettable -- come prepared! Space is limited. Contact Dave Webb to register and obtain rendezvous information.

Saturday August 2 Stream Cleanup, Summer Picnic and Birding, what a combo! Join us for a unique, fun, wet and worthwhile field experience. We will be giving back to the environment and community by cleaning up a stretch of one of our favorite birding streams (specific site to be announced later). This first time event will be held at 10:00 AM with a break for a picnic lunch at 12:30 PM and wrap up around 3:30 PM or whenever the job is done. Bring an outfit you do not mind getting wet and dirty, work gloves, and don't forget your binos and a picnic lunch and drinks for the day. Contact Tom Gibson for further details or to confirm your participation. Last minute participants welcome.

Saturday August 16 Shorebird Rarity Chase at Bombay Hook Join Dennis Kirkwood on a 3/4 day adventure to this birding mega- hotspot for shorebirds and the hottest rarities. Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Stilt Sandpiper, and Wilson's Phalarope top the list of regular fall highlights but that's not all as this is also a great time to pick up seaward strays and western vagrants. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and lunch. Scopes helpful, but not necessary. Meet at 7:00 AM at the MD 155 and I-95 park-n-ride. Contact Dennis for further information.

Saturday August 23 Butterflies and Dragonflies of Harford County Join Rick Cheicante for this very leisurely half day foray to one of Harford County's local butterfly and dragonfly haunts. Butterflies may include the showy swallowtails, Monarch, and Viceroy as well as the diminutive hairstreaks and challenging grass skippers. Odonate hopefuls include Common Green Darner, Eastern Pondhawk, Black Saddlebags and the resplendent Halloween Pennant. Contact Rick Cheicante for all the details. Sunny day only!

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