Start your day with butterflies. Join us for a morning hike where we’ll be on the lookout for monarchs, swallowtails, and small skippers of various types, including those migrate north late in the summer. We can expect to see a dozen or more species this time of year. And we won’t forget to watch for birds along the way. We’ll be walking a mile or two on mowed and dirt trails that are relatively flat through mostly open meadow habitat and a bit of forest. There is also a small farm pond we’ll need to check out.
The Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary is owned and managed by the Central Maryland Chapter of the National Audubon Society. The property includes 129 acres of diverse habitat such as meadows, streams, woodlands, and wetlands. Areas within the sanctuary are either wild and left to natural processes or managed using a variety of wildlife activities. Audubon hosts a public monarch tagging event on the third Saturday of September every year at this location.
Our field trip leader David Smith is a naturalist and birder who is a board member with the Audubon Society of Central Maryland. He participates in field studies and is the Carroll County Coordinator for the Maryland & DC Breeding Bird Atlas 3.
David, like most of the people who lead NHSM field trips, is a volunteer. Your money directly supports the programs, the nature collections, and the building that make this kind of nature education possible. Donate or become a member of the Natural History Society of Maryland by visiting https://marylandnature.org/support-maryland-nature/.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (low-intensity hiking)
- Our meeting location can be found in your registration confirmation email when payment is complete.
- Dress for summer, remember your hat.
- Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking or athletic shoes to protect your toes from rocks and ticks.
- Bring water, snacks, sunblock, bug spray, and your camera with accessories.
- Bring binoculars, if you have them.
- Bring your guidebooks, if you have them.
- No pets, please.
NEW – Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.
For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.
Location
Mt. Airy