APRIL 2024

APRIL 14 (Sunday)
HUGHES HOLLOW

Half day. We will meet at Hughes Hollow parking lot in the McKee-Beshers WMA at 7 a.m. We will explore the wetlands and fields of Hughes Hollow. Species to be expected include Red-headed Woodpeckers, Wood Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, and many other marsh-dwellers, as well as a chance for several warblers including Prothonotary. Limit: 16. LEADER: Jim Nelson at [email protected].

April 14 (Sunday)
YMBC WALK:  BLUE MASH NATURE TRAIL

8-10am This walk will focus on early migrators. We will meet in the parking lot on Zion Rd. The trails are grassy/natural surface, so plan your footwear accordingly, especially if it has rained recently. The trail is approximately two miles and includes two ponds. Mentor: Stephen Davies    All children must be accompanied the entire time by an adult. Reservations are required via  http://tinyurl.com/YMBCSpring24   If you are interested in being a mentor or learning more about it, please contact us at [email protected].

April 17 (Wednesday)
APRIL MONTHLY MEETING

Dianna Rose presents “As the Crow Flies: What It Means When Birds Utilize Parkland Habitat”.  Montgomery County, Maryland, seeks to achieve the “right” balance for development, recreation, and conservation across an urban environment gradient. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is charged with meeting this challenge. The M-NCPPC’s Department of Parks identifies, protects, and restores lands and waterways that support important aquatic and terrestrial natural resources. To determine which lands become a priority for protection, park habitats are surveyed and classified by the bird species that utilize them.

Dianna Rose works for Montgomery Parks as a Natural Resources Specialist 3 and Analyst formulating management plans for Parks’ vegetation ecology unit. She works on inventory and monitoring of vegetation and wildlife, as well as developing management plans for the Parks’ meadows and reforestation programs. Dianna holds a BS in Biology from Florida Gulf Coast University and a master’s in Environmental Biology from Hood College, Maryland.

APRIL 20 (Saturday)
CROYDON CREEK NATURE CENTER

THIS TRIP IS FULL.  WAITLIST ONLY.  Come discover this lovely park during spring migration. Lots of migrants pass through, including many warblers. Meet in the parking lot at 7:30 a.m. Limit: 16. CO-LEADERS: Anne Mytych at [email protected] or 240-506-0236 or Emily Huang at [email protected].

 APRIL 28 (Sunday)
OCCOQUAN BAY NWR

THIS TRIP IS FULL.  WAITLIST ONLY.  Half day. Explore the diverse habitats in this one-square-mile refuge at the confluence of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers in Woodbridge, Virginia. A variety of raptors and migratory warblers, vireos, thrushes, and flycatchers should be present, and rails and bitterns are possibilities. Meet at the parking lot in the center of the refuge at 7:30 a.m. Limit: 16. LEADER: Gerry Hawkins at 571-277-8406 or [email protected] or Emily Huang at [email protected]. Directions: From Maryland, take Rt. 495 south to I-95 south, LEFT Exit 161 (Woodbridge), follow Rt. 1 south, cross the Occoquan River, turn left at the light onto Dawson Beach Rd., and follow this road to the end.

MAY 2024

May 3 (Friday)
BIRDING BY EAR AT HUGHES HOLLOW

Tune up your ears as we listen for and learn to identify the songs and calls of migrant and local breeding birds. The trip will be geared to new birders. Meet at 7 a.m. at the parking lot at Hughes Hollow. Limit: 6. LEADER: Leo Dilling at [email protected].

May 5 (Sunday)
YMBC WALK:  RACHEL CARSON CONSERVATION PARK

8-10am The walk will focus on woodland species. We will meet in the parking lot just off of Zion Rd. The trails are grassy/natural surface, so plan your footwear accordingly, especially if it has rained recently. The trail is approximately two miles. Mentors: Lauren Carey and Stephen Davies    All children must be accompanied the entire time by an adult. Reservations are required via  http://tinyurl.com/YMBCSpring24   If you are interested in being a mentor or learning more about it, please contact us at [email protected].

MAY 5 (Sunday)
IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE, BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE CHAPTER, CONSERVATION FARM

THIS TRIP IS FULL.  WAITLIST ONLY.  Half day. Once again, the B-CC Chapter is generously providing us access to this large private property south of Poolesville. Woods, hedgerows, streams, fields, and ponds provide a wide range of bird habitats, and migration should be well underway. Trip will start at 7 a.m. at the League’s Chapterhouse. Limit: 10. LEADER: Anne Mytych at [email protected] or 240-506-0236

May 8 (Wednesday)
MONTHLY MAY MEETING – ANNUAL MBC SOCIAL AT WOODEND (IN-PERSON ONLY)

Join us for our annual social at the Woodend headquarters of Nature Forward! The evening begins with a social hour at 6:00 p.m., with dinner at 7:30 p.m. Smokey Glen Farm of Gaithersburg will once again cater a delicious meal. The evening will feature our recognition of this year’s Guest of Honor, Chris Wright, as well as awesome slide shows by our members.   Register at https://mdbirds.org/join/chapters/montgomery-bird-club/mbc-payment/.  Don’t miss the fun!

MAY 11 (Saturday)
LITTLE BENNETT REGIONAL PARK  
THIS TRIP IS FULL.  WAITLIST ONLY.  We will be looking for warblers and other migrants on the Wilson Mill and Kingsley Trails. Possible Kentucky Warbler. We’ll meet at 8 a.m. at the parking area for Wilson Mill Trail at https://maps.app.goo.gl/GLJgXdCdZkcGyUzv8. Limit: 8. LEADERS: Katie Moore at [email protected] and Paul Orsinger at [email protected].

MAY 12 (Sunday)
RICKMAN/WOODSTOCK EQUESTRIAN PARK
Join us as we explore this location for some spring early morning birding on the west side of Route 28 (https://rb.gy/qpdqda). We’ll bird the broad fields and separating woods, beginning at 7 a.m., hoping for warblers and sparrows, vireos, woodpeckers, and raptors. Limit: 10. LEADER: Scott Young at [email protected]. Dave Roberts will co-lead.

MAY 16 (Thursday)
BLUE MASH AND OAKS LANDFILL
THIS TRIP IS FULL.  WAITLIST ONLY.  Half-day trip starting at the Blue Mash Nature Trail, where we will look for a variety of songbirds and other species. Then we will drive over to the adjacent Oaks Landfill to look for raptors, Blue Grosbeaks, and possible Dickcissels and Grasshopper Sparrows. Meet at 7 a.m. at 20500 Zion Road, Laytonsville, Md. Limit: 12. LEADER: Mark England at [email protected].

JUNE 2024

June 2 (Sunday)
YMBC WALK:  HUGHES HOLLOW

7-9am We will scout out the impoundments as well as woodland area. To get to Hughes Hollow, follow River Road towards Poolesville and turn left at the second entrance to Hunting Quarter Road (across from Hughes Rd). Follow the road and a parking area will soon be on your right. Plan to wear long pants and footwear for wet/muddy conditions, especially if it has rained recently. Mentor: Dave Powell    All children must be accompanied the entire time by an adult. Reservations are required via  http://tinyurl.com/YMBCSpring24   If you are interested in being a mentor or learning more about it, please contact us at [email protected].

JUNE 8 (Saturday)
PATUXENT RIVER at BROWN’S BRIDGE

THIS TRIP IS FULL. WAITLIST ONLY.  On a morning walk, we’ll look for Cliff Swallows building mud nests beneath this bridge in the northeastern part of the county. We will also explore wooded trails on WSSC property bordering the reservoir to observe other possible breeding birds including Scarlet Tanager, flycatchers, and thrushes. Be prepared for bright sunlight at the bridge and possible biting insects in wooded areas. Trip will be cancelled in case of heavy rain or thunderstorms. Meet at 7:30 a.m. Limit: 10. LEADER: Paul Orsinger at [email protected].