Discover upper Rock Creek’s watershed with a variety of habitats. We will start along open fields and marshy areas next to Bowie Mill Park with the opportunity to see a variety of sparrows, hawks, fall migrants, and turkeys if we’re lucky. Previous lists included 8 species of sparrows including Fox, White-crowned, Swamp, and Savannah Sparrows. For those wanting a longer foray, a 4-mile loop that includes the stream valley will be possible, and we will likely see woodpeckers and other resident woodland species. The path at this point along Rock Creek is meandering and narrow with some steep sections. We will start at 8 a.m. at Bowie Mill Park (https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/bowie-mill-local-park/) next to Sequoyah Elementary School with the option to do the shorter paved walk or the longer loop. Limit: 16. For reservations (required) and more information, contact the LEADER: Jo Cox at [email protected] or 240-506-1723. Kathy Reitz will co-lead.

THIS TRIP IS FULL. Come explore this “new” park on a former golf course. The area offers multiple habitats, including a small marsh, wooded areas, and lots of meadow areas for potential winter sparrows. In its first 10 months as a park, birders identified 147 species. Some areas have steep hills. We will start at 8 a.m. in the parking lot. Limit: 10. For reservations (required), more information, and directions, contact the LEADER: Anne Mytych at 240-506-0236 or [email protected]. Brooke Levey will co-lead.

Join us for this year’s annual walk in honor of former MBC presidents. We will especially remember those who are no longer with us. Longtime birders and new birders, new members and nonmembers—all are welcome. We will start at 8 a.m. For reservations (required), more information, and directions, contact the LEADER: Andy Martin at [email protected] or 301-529-2066.

In January 2020, Suzanne traveled from Sofia in Bulgaria to Vitosha Mountain to photograph Spotted Nutcrackers, then to eastern Rhodope Mountains to photograph Golden Eagles and Griffin Vultures, and finally to Lake Kerkini in northern Greece to photograph Dalmatian Pelicans, the largest flying land birds in the world.

Join us for a morning of marsh and woodland birding. Targets are fall migrants such as warblers, sparrows, and ducks. Beginners and young birders are especially encouraged to join. We will gather at 7:30 a.m. at the Hughes Hollow parking lot. No reservations required. For more information, contact the LEADER: Dave Powell at [email protected].

CANCELED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION. Explore in carpools this now-closed landfill adjacent to the Blue Mash Nature Trail. Mostly open terrain on a gravel road, including two pond views. In addition to sparrows, raptors, and waterfowl, shorebirds are possible if there are mudflats at the big pond. The leader will have a scope for distant birds. Limit: 16. We will start at 8 a.m. For reservations (required), contact the LEADER: Mark England at [email protected] or 240-308-4114.

THIS TRIP IS CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER. All are welcome on this half-day trip, but we especially encourage those new to birding to join us. Starting at 7:30 a.m., we’ll slowly walk some of the woodland trails looking for migrant and resident birds. Limit: 6. For reservations (required) and directions, contact the LEADER: Gemma Radko at [email protected].

THIS TRIP IS FULL.  Come discover (or rediscover) a Montgomery County birding gem. Some 140 species of birds have been recorded in this park. Multiple warblers, thrushes, and Common Nighthawks are possible. Some moderate hiking. We will start at 7:30 a.m. in the Nature Center parking lot. Limit: 10. For reservations (required) and more information, contact the LEADER: Emily Huang at [email protected].

THIS TRIP IS FULL. Join us for some early morning autumn birding as we explore the Equestrian Park on the west side of Route 28 (https://rb.gy/qpdqda). We’ll begin at 7:30 a.m. and bird the broad fields and separating woods for warblers and sparrows, vireos, woodpeckers, and raptors. Limit: 12. For reservations (required) and more information, contact the LEADER: Scott Young at [email protected]. Dave Roberts will co-lead.

Half day. We will gather at 8 a.m. in the Violette’s Lock parking lot at the end of Violette’s Lock Road. We will then carpool to Pennyfield Lock and walk back up the C&O Canal towpath to Violette’s. This walk should net an interesting mix of late warblers, other land bird migrants, and maybe a few early winter visitors, as we scan the skies and river for raptors and waterbirds. Limit: 10. Because we will be carpooling, do not sign up if you are not vaccinated against COVID-19 or if you are uncomfortable carpooling. For reservations (required), contact the LEADER: Jim Nelson at [email protected].

THIS TRIP IS FULL. This half-day trip is targeted at newer birders. We will start in the Hughes Hollow parking lot at McKee-Beshers WMA at 7:30 a.m. We will explore the wetlands and fields of Hughes Hollow. Species to be expected include migrant warblers, Green Heron and other waterbirds, and possibly raptors. Limit: 8. LEADER: Clive Harris at [email protected].

THIS TRIP IS FULL.  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. Limit: 10. For reservations (required), time, and directions, email the LEADER: Cheryl Hogue at [email protected].