CANCELLED FOR FORECAST HEAVY RAINS. Layer up for a morning walk through the ponds and tidal wetland of this nearby national park. Here is a Google link for directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pWWVCJ5jvxB42Tnd9. There is NO fee for entry. After meeting in the parking lot at 8 a.m., we'll look for sparrows, woodpeckers, water birds, and raptors. The terrain is flat and easy to walk but may prove muddy in spots and difficult to negotiate using a wheelchair. We will meet at the parking lot at 8 a.m. Restrooms are available. Bring a warm beverage. This trip is cancelled if it is snowing or sleeting. No reservations are required. Leader: Cheryl Hogue, [email protected]

YMBC WALK

THIS TRIP IS FULL - WAITLIST ONLY. Bundle up for LATE AFTERNOON (3:30 to 6:00 p.m.) 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. Meet at 3:30 p.m. on the Landfill entrance drive at 6001 Rt. 108, Laytonsville, Md. Limit: 16. LEADER: Mark England at [email protected].

THIS TRIP IS FULL. WAITLIST ONLY. Join us for a leisurely morning walk from 8 to 10 a.m. on the C&O Canal towpath. We will meet at Great Falls at 8 a.m. and will walk downriver as we look for ducks, woodpeckers, kinglets, and sparrows. Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, and Winter Wren are possible. This walk is geared toward beginning birders, but all are welcome. Limit: 8. LEADERS: Gene Murray at [email protected] and Susan Higginbotham at [email protected].

THIS TRIP IS FULL - WAITLIST ONLY. Bundle up for LATE AFTERNOON (3:30 to 6:00 p.m.) 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. Leader will have scope for distant birds. Meet at 3:30 p.m. on the Landfill entrance drive at 6001 Rt. 108, Laytonsville, Md. Limit: 9. Reservations required at least a week ahead of the trip for names to be submitted to the county. Preference given to new birders and those who have never been to Oaks Landfill. LEADER: Mark England at [email protected].

YMBC WALK

THIS TRIP IS FULL.  Join us for a morning of winter marsh and woodland birding. Targets are sparrows, woodpeckers, and ducks. Be prepared for possible wet/muddy conditions. Beginners and young birders are encouraged to join. Limit: 12. LEADER: Roy Howard at [email protected]. Kathy Brown at [email protected] will co-lead.

Morning walk for all birders and especially new birders are welcome. We'll leisurely walk around the 3 ponds and some of the adjoining woods. Likely to see the resident kingfisher, herons, raptors, sparrows and woodpeckers. Recent sightings have included Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers. Come join us and see what we find. Park on Dennis Ave & meet us here at 8am: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BJupuEmjEW2inrxu6 Walk will last about two hours. There are no restrooms or water facilities at the park. No sign-up necessary for this Pop-up trip. If it’s snowing, sleeting or steady rain the trip is cancelled. New Birders: Bring a pair of binoculars. Contact Paul if you don’t have any. Leaders: Paul Orsinger [email protected] and Katie Moore [email protected]

Bundle up for LATE AFTERNOON (4:00-6:15 p.m.) search for wintering sparrows and raptors, including probable 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. Preference given to new birders, those who have never been to Oaks Landfill, and those who have not yet been this winter. Meet at 3:30 p.m. on the Landfill entrance drive at 6001 Rt. 108, Laytonsville, Md. Limit: 16. LEADER: Mark England at 240-308-4114 or [email protected].

THIS TRIP IS FULL. WAITLIST ONLY. Morning walk through the varied habitats of this excellent 250-acre park, including two ponds, fields, deciduous and coniferous woods. We’ll be looking for overwintering songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors. Meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot at 8711 Snouffer School Road, Gaithersburg, Md. Limit: 12. LEADER: Mark England at [email protected].

Cheryl Hogue presents “Creating My Own Bird Expeditions: Tucson, Big Bend, and Sax-Zim Bog”

We will bird the Ocean City inlet in the morning, looking for sea ducks, gulls, wintering shorebirds, and anything else that might be around (hopefully Razorbill). After that, we will check a few local areas around OC and then, depending on what is being seen in the area, head further north, possibly to Indian River Inlet or a little further inland. We will meet at 8 a.m. in the Ocean City Inlet parking lot, so participants will need to either get up early or stay overnight in the area. Scopes would be useful. Carpooling will likely be needed on the day to visit different locations. Limit: 12. LEADER: Clive Harris at [email protected].

THIS TRIP IS FULL. WAITLIST ONLY. Bundle up for LATE AFTERNOON (4:00-6:15 p.m.) search for wintering sparrows and raptors, including probable 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. Preference given to new birders, those who have never been to Oaks Landfill, and those who have not yet been this winter. Meet at 3:30 p.m. on the Landfill entrance drive at 6001 Rt. 108, Laytonsville, Md. Limit: 16. LEADER: Mark England at 240-308-4114 or [email protected].

THIS TRIP IS FULL - WAITLIST 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. Meet 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: 12. LEADER: Andy Martin at [email protected].