I just love birds, don’t you? So many diverse species, all of differing size, shape, and unique features, comprise the vast and versatile world of feathered favorites. For an avid birder like me, birdwatching offers a serene sense of calming catharsis I can’t find anywhere else. There’s nothing else like it!
Last weekend, April 26, was National Go Birding Day. Following up on that, May 4 is Bird Day. First established in 1894 by Charles Almanzo Babcock, Superintendent of Pennsylvania Schools, Bird Day was the first holiday in the United States to be dedicated solely to the celebration of birds in general.
Now, several distinct bird observations are celebrated at different times throughout the year. Yet, avian honoring can (and should) be done at any time, whether there’s a holiday to mark the occasion or not.
What’s more, you can basically go birding anywhere and observe an abundance of unique species. From your own backyard to a reputed nature trail renowned for its standing as a premium birdwatching destination, the Mid-Atlantic region packs plentiful possibilities. There are so many, in fact, that it could be overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of ultimate birdwatching hot spots. For this blog, I’m focusing on Delaware, Maryland, and portions of Pennsylvania specifically. I’ve also detailed featured highlights at each profiled location.
Adkins Arboretum, Maryland
12610 Eveland Rd, Ridgely, MD 21660
Highlights: As part of Tuckahoe State Park, there is an emphasis on native plants here, and specifically those that attract birds. More than 180 known species have been reported, some of which include: the Yellow-breasted Chat, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, White-Eyed Vireo, and several others. The bottomland forest is even designated an Important Bird Area by Audubon for breeding the Prothonotary Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Kentucky Warbler.
Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland
5831 Dunker Church Rd, Sharpsburg, MD 21782
Highlights: Better known for its historical significance as the Civil War site, these lands boast a broad range of different birding habitats, from meadows to grasslands, to hedges, trees, and versatile creek-like terrain. These areas have been crucial as bird refuges specific for revamping declining grassland species, including Eastern Meadowlarks, Eastern Bluebirds, Grasshopper Sparrows, Indigo Buntings, Red-Winged Blackbirds, and others.
Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary, Maryland
13030 Old Annapolis Rd, Mount Airy, MD 21771
Highlights: Donated by the Audubon Society of Central Maryland (ASCM) in the early 1990s, more than 170 different species of birds have been reported here. The Sanctuary spans an impressive 129 acres and is home to plenty of sparrows, including Song, Chipping, White-throated, White-crowned, Swamp, Lincoln’s, and Fox Sparrows. Other birds to keep a lookout for include 35 different species of Warblers, Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Purple Martins, American Woodcocks, Yellow-breasted Chats, Willow Flycatchers, and Cooper’s Hawks. Many raptor migrations occur here as well, including the occasional Golden Eagle.
Bald Eagle State Park, Pennsylvania
149 Main Park Rd, Howard, PA 16841
Highlights: The versatile landscape comprising the mountainous terrain here attracts hundreds of winged wonders. As the name denotes, the park is most famous as a Bald Eagle sanctuary. It’s a great place of diversity for all levels of birders.
Belt Woods Natural Environment Area, Maryland
Church Rd, Bowie, MD 20721
Highlights: The 40-acre spread of woodland containing Belt Woods offers a rich abundance of wildlife all around and has seen little artificial disturbance for years. The highest concentration of birding activity in general can be found on the East Coast portion.
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Delaware
591 Whitehall Neck Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977
Established in 1937 as a haven for migratory birds, this marshy area is famous for being one of the Mid-Atlantic coast’s most reputed birding destinations. Over 300 different species have been spotted here in the last few decades. Species range in migratory and permanent residents alike, including migrating waterfowl, such as Wood Ducks, Tundra Swans, Mute Swans, and Snow Geese, to shorebirds such as Sandpipers, Plovers, Glossy Ibises, Herons, Rails, and more. You can even spot Bald Eagles here.
Brandywine Creek State Park, Delaware
41 Adams Dam Road, Wilmington, DE 19807
Highlights: Comprising meadowlands, forests, and water access features, Brandywine offers the perfect combination for hosting a wealth of bird populations. The designated Hawk Watch site is excellent for sighting Hawks, Falcons, Eagles, and more. The forests are prime real estate for Songbirds, Warblers, Thrushes, and more.
Bumpy Oak Swamp, Maryland
5625 Myrtle Grove Rd, La Plata, MD 20646
Highlights: If you’re looking for the optimal owl outing, specifically, then this is your go-to. From the Great Horned to the Eastern Screech, expect to see and hear such novelties whenever you come here at dusk. Barred Owls are also abundant here, as are other bird species you can spot during the daytime hours.
Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware
15099 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958
Highlights: In all, literally thousands of acres make up Cape Henlopen’s versatile habitat, including forests, shoreline, and more. Many forms of wildlife live here year-round, including various permanent shorebirds. You also have myriad migratory species you can see during various seasons. The lengthy lineup includes Hawks, Falcons, Vultures, Sandpipers, Skimmers, Plovers, the Red-Throated Loon, American Kestrel, Great Cormorant, Least Tern, and many others.
Codorus State Park, Pennsylvania
2600 Smith Station Rd, Hanover, PA 17331
Highlights: More than 200 different bird species have been observed throughout this York County-based oasis, which has even been designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. Some species you can expect to find here include Warblers, Thrushes, Osprey, Ruddy Ducks, Wood Ducks, Mergansers, Scaups, Sparrows, Swallows, Herons, Bluebirds, Kingfishers, Hawks, and even Bald Eagles.
Conowingo Dam, Maryland
4948 Conowingo Rd, Darlington, MD 21034
Highlights: Bald Eagles are the stars at this 100-acre park and fishing destination in Darlington. But there are plenty of other species to observe and photograph here as well. Included in the lineup are Vultures, Warblers, Orioles, Gulls, Cormorants, Herons, and about 200 or more species in addition.
Cranesville Swamp, Maryland
Cranesville Rd and Lake Ford Rd, Oakland, MD 21550
Highlights: Made up of 1,600 acres of largely unbridled terrain, the land in this marshy compilation feels straight out of the Pleistocene Epoch. The spacing of the surrounding hills creates a “frost pocket” by trapping moisture and cold air, forming an arctic microclimate.
As a result, you can even spot rare species not common in other parts of the region. One novelty includes the Northern Saw-Whet Owl. The swamp also boasts such sights as the Alder Flycatcher, Canada Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Northern Waterthrush, and several others.
Dans Mountain, Maryland
17410 Recreation Area Rd SW, Lonaconing, MD 21539
Highlights: Located in Allegany County, this mountain contains what is the largest contiguous state-owned forest in all of Maryland. And that makes for many viable setups for several bird species, especially differing Hawk variations.
Edward H. McCabe Preserve, Delaware
27037 Round Pole Bridge Rd, Milton, DE 19968
Highlights: With more than 100 bird species observed here, the vast stretches of the Edward H. McCabe Preserve comprise 143 acres of hiking trails, tidal marshes, riverine systems, woodlands, fields, and other unique habitats.
Flag Ponds Nature Park, Maryland
1525 Flag Ponds Parkway, Lusby, MD 20657
Highlights: This area is uniquely diverse in creatures and environmental terrain. You have freshwater ponds, beaches, and even forestry, all of which provide for varied birds of a feather. You can even find those now elusive Terns here along with other coastal shorebirds, waterfowl, and birds of prey.
Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania
1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Highlights: Like Antietam, this area is more popular as a Civil War site. But these grasslands also offer the same sanctuary to various birds. Some common species you can observe here include the Bobolink, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Eastern Meadowlark. Furthermore, the western part of the park was designated an Important Bird Area by Audubon in order to protect certain endangered species known to nest here, including the Loggerhead Shrike and Short-Eared Owl. Nearby Eisenhower National Historic Site, also an IBA.
Great Cyprus Swamp, Delaware
Great Cypress Swamp, Frankford, DE 19945
Highlights: Boasting its status as the largest remaining forested area on the Delmarva Peninsula, the swamp spans about 10,000 acres and is fairly remote and inaccessible. This adds to the shelter provided to myriad bird species of all different varieties.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Pennsylvania
1700 Hawk Mountain Rd Kempton, PA 19529
Highlights: As a notable research and educational facility, this raptor sanctuary opened in the 1930s as the first of its kind. The focus is largely on birds of prey—Hawks, Falcons, and others.
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Maryland
1361 Wrighton Rd, Lothian, MD 20711
Highlights: Spanning an impressive 1,500 acres, this DC-area preserve plays host to plentiful creatures of all kinds, including many you wouldn’t expect to find. As for budding bird interests, here you can find Ospreys, Rails, Soras, Glossy Ibises, Barn Owls, and less-common breeds of Seagulls.
Little Creek Wildlife Area, Delaware
3010 Bayside Drive, Dover, DE 19901
Highlights: With more than 4,700 acres to its credit, Little Creek Wildlife Area consists of both agricultural fields and tidal marshes. Over a hundred bird species have been observed here, both permanent residents and migratory birds. Some more elusive ones include Red Knots, Northern Harriers, Short-Eared Owls, Terns, American Bitterns, and others.
Lums Pond State Park, Delaware
1068 Howell School Rd, Bear, DE 19701
Highlights: More than 160 bird varieties have been documented here. One of the rarer finds, which are more common here, is the Golden Eagle. Other favored features include the American Goldfinch, Cooper’s Hawk, Redwing Blackbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, and others.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, Pennsylvania
100 Museum Rd, Kleinfeltersville, PA 17578
Highlights: As one of just six designated Important Bird Areas in the state, the diverse land creates the perfect habitat for so many birds. It is a haven for various forms of waterfowl, grassland nesting birds, and several wetland-dependent species.
Middle Run Natural Area, Delaware
407–499 Smith Mill Rd, Newark, DE 19711
Highlights: Comprising more than 800 acres of natural wonder, this wildlife oasis is an especially favorite spot for birdwatching. Hundreds have been documented here, including the Yellow-Breasted Chat, White-Eyed Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker, Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Towhee, Orioles (Baltimore and Orchard), Indigo Bunting, Prairie Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Acadian Flycatcher, House Wren, and Tree Swallow.
Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, Maryland
10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD 20708
As part of the extended network making up the National Wildlife Refuge System, Patuxent Wildlife Refuge spans 12,841 acres and is divided into three sections. Among the South Tract, Central Tract, and North Tract, the latter is where you want to head for prime birding observations. It comprises 20 miles of trails and access roads to lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water in addition to marshes and other terrain. Observable bird species here include Herons, Terns, Warblers, Swallows, Ducks, Geese, Kinglets, Eastern Phoebes, and more. Even Bald Eagles can be sighted.
Point Lookout State Park, Maryland
11175 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland, MD 20687
Highlights: With its location on the confluence of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay, you get to observe an abundance of lesser-seen birds en route to migration north or south, depending on the time of year. Raptor migrations are popular here. Another favored feat is spotting Brown Pelicans.
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Delaware
11978 Turkle Pond Rd Milton, DE 19968
Highlights: Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge sits along 10,000 acres of Delaware Bay shoreline and comprises vast and versatile terrain of many kinds. It also happens to be home to over 260 bird species. Popularly observed ones here include the American Oystercatcher, Brown Thrasher, Red Knot, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and several others.
Prince Gallitzin State Park, Pennsylvania
966 Marina Rd, Patton, PA 16668
Highlights: The impressive 1,635-acre Glendale Lake and 26 miles of shoreline are just two featured callouts to diverse habitat here. In all, the area caters to hundreds of different animal populations, including beautiful bird variations. Some common sights to behold include
Herons, Ducks, Rails, and plentiful shorebirds of all kinds.
Rock Creek Regional Park, Maryland
15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville, MD 20855
Highlights: The area encompasses 1,800 acres and two impressive lakes, all of which attract myriad bird populations. A bird survey conducted in 1998 documented 10,000 individuals of over 60 neotropical migrant species passing along the West Ridge within the park. Furthermore, 180 species reside here permanently, including Warblers, Flycatchers, Vireos, Thrushes, and more.
Samuel S. Lewis State Park, Pennsylvania
6000 Mt. Pisgah Rd, York, PA 17406
Highlights: This 85-acre park in York County provides a treasure trove of diversity where animal species are concerned. It’s also home to Mt. Pisgah and its 885-foot-high ridge. It goes without saying that these are prime nesting grounds for so many different kinds of birds.
White Clay Creek State Park, Delaware
750 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE 19711.
Highlights: From songbirds to raptors, this is an absolute sanctuary for birds of all sorts. The park’s reputed Possum Hill is especially premium for birdwatching on location.
This is by no means the extent of excellent birding sites to explore throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. In general, each and every location you go to can offer optimal birding possibilities. You just have to get out and start observing!