Did you know Tundra Swans are mainly spotted in Maryland during winter, from November to March. Come check out some migrating Wood Ducks, Snow Geese, and Tundra Swans with us in Kent County !
Much of the upper Chesapeake Bay region was historically covered in a mosaic of swamps, prairies, and open woodlands—a habitat mosaic that is just beginning to be restored by dedicated research and management. The smaller Sassafras Natural Resource Management Area (SNRMA) has similar experiences atop wooded hillsides and rocky bluffs overlooking the Sassafras River and along its wetland banks. Located on an island at the southern tip of the county, Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (ENNWR) has nearly 2,300 acres of refuge for migratory birds, including the elegant and pristine tundra swan that flock to the area in late November. Some species that are uncommon in other parts of our state thrive in these carefully maintained habitats, including White-crowned Sparrow, American Woodcock, Wild Turkey, and Wood Duck. If we’re particularly lucky, we may even run into a covey of Tundra Swans and Northern Bobwhite, a regionally imperiled species that has been eliminated from most of its former range. All walks are open to all skill levels!
Get to know your Naturalist Guide:
Mike Hudson, Program Manager: Mike is an educator and biologist who was born and raised in southeast Baltimore City. He has a bachelor’s degree in Biology, with a concentration in physiology and organismal science from Washington College. During college he worked at Foreman’s Branch Bird Observatory, a migration banding station on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, while also teaching in the college’s writing center and general biology labs. Since then he has worked as a field biologist across the United States and as an educator at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Lastly Mike is an ornithologist with Birds of Urban Baltimore (B.Ur.B). He was also an Editor of North American Birds, has taught at numerous bird camps, and is a sought-after speaker on topics of bird identification and natural history. https://www.birdsofurbanbaltimore.org/
Mike has spent much of his life in Baltimore and believes that access to the natural world is of critical importance for all communities. It is this belief that informs and compels his work with Birds of Urban Baltimore.
Mike splits his time between Baltimore’s Charles Village neighborhood and his partner’s home in Harrisburg, PA. He has a gecko, Chester and cat, Minnie, whom he shares his home with.
What to wear/bring:
- Dress in warm layers with non-cotton articles of clothing, and don’t forget to wear gloves, hats etc.
- Bring your binoculars or telescope and magnifying glass or a hand lens.
- Please wear sturdy closed toe shoes or boots. Bring guidebooks if you have any!
SPACES ARE LIMITED — The tour should take approximately 3 hours to complete. Full refunds will be honored when you cancel more than 7 days before the start of the event. The exact meeting space will be provided when registration and payment is complete.
CANCELLATION: Cancellations allowed one week ahead of program start. Refunds will not be given for cancellations made less than one week before start of program.
Please contact Tanelle at twilliams@marylandnature.org with any questions.
