THIS TRIP IS FULL. Join us for a youth bird walk from 8am -10am at Gunners Lake.  The walk will focus on the identification of ducks at this premier location for winter waterfowl.   All children must be accompanied the entire time by an adult.  We will meet on the path near Wisteria Drive at Gunners Lake.  The paved trail around the lake is 1.25 miles. Abundant street parking is available. Bring binoculars if possible and dress for the weather.  This youth walk will be mentored by Brooke Levey and Ed Vigezzi.  Reservations required. Limit: 10 youth. RSVP: Brooke Levey ([email protected])

THIS TRIP IS FULL. WAITLIST ONLY. Bundle up for a 2-hour LATE AFTERNOON search for wintering sparrows and raptors, including possible Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls. Mostly open terrain with some ponds, which we will check if they are not frozen over. Reservations required at least a week ahead of the trip for names to be submitted to the county. Limit: 16. Meet at 3:30 p.m. on landfill entrance drive at 6001 Rt. 108, Laytonsville, Md. For reservations and more information, contact the LEADER: Mark England at 240-308-4114 (cell) or [email protected].

This trip is currently FULL, with WAIT-LIST ONLY. This little body of water has established a deserved reputation over the years for a nice variety of wintering waterfowl and rather close views of the birds. If the lake is frozen over at the time of the trip, we will switch to a nearby larger body of water. Walking will be along a level, paved path. We will start at 8 a.m. along the north side of Wisteria Drive, where there is ample parking. Specific maps giving directions will be sent to participants. Limit: 10. LEADER: Mike Bowen at 202-236-0510 or [email protected]. Anne Cianni will co-lead.

THIS TRIP IS FULL. Discover upper Rock Creek’s watershed with a variety of habitats. We’ll start along open fields and marshy areas next to Bowie Mill Park with the opportunity to see sparrows, hawks, and early migrants. Turkeys and a woodcock have been spotted in this area. For those wanting a longer foray, a 4-mile loop that includes the stream valley will be possible, and likely we’ll see woodpeckers and other resident woodland species. The path at this point along Rock Creek is meandering and narrow with some steep sections. We will start at 7:30 a.m. at Bowie Mill Park (https://tinyurl.com/ym8rn8zb) next to Sequoyah Elementary School with the option to do the shorter paved walk or the longer loop. Limit: 12 in two groups of 6 each. LEADER: Anne Mytych at [email protected].

THIS TRIP IS FULL. A bit early for spring migration but who knows? Wheaton RP always surprises us. Ducks, woodpeckers, flycatchers, raptors (sometimes a Merlin!), bluebirds, towhees are all possible, and if you don’t know WRP you will enjoy the variety of terrain and landscape. Limit: 12 in two groups of 6 each. CO-LEADERS: Evelyn Ralston at [email protected] and Martha Morris at [email protected].

Morning walk through the varied habitats of this excellent 250-acre park, including two ponds, fields, and deciduous and coniferous woods. We’ll be looking for overwintering songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors. We will start at 8 a.m. in the parking lot at 8711 Snouffer School Road, Gaithersburg, Md. Walk will last about two hours. No restrooms or water at the park.  No reservations needed. For more information contact the Leader: Dave Powell [email protected]

We all love birds and would like more of them in our yards, but how do we go from lawn to habitat? Francesca undertook a 10-year journey to convert a rather barren Bethesda yard into a lawn-less, bird-centered habitat. She will talk about her favorite plants, including the unkillable native 10, and discuss the must-remove dozen. Whether your goal is to enhance the current landscape, create a hybrid native-cultivated plant environment, or take on a wholesale redo, Francesca will explore ways to provide the essentials—shelter, water, and food—that will increase the biodiversity of your yard and the birds who visit.