How to Go Bird Watching in Maryland

Maryland has outstanding bird watching hot spots. Maryland's high quality birders have helped the state earn the reputation as one of the finest bird watching areas along the Atlantic coast. Bird watchers can enjoy thousands of acres of well-preserved habitat. Hundreds of bird species call Maryland home or pass through on their annual migrations.

Things You'll Need

  • Bird watching guide
  • A spotting scope or binoculars
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Notebook
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Instructions

    • 1

      Enjoy the wide range of bird species at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of nine refuges located on the Delmarva Peninsula. The Blackwater Refuge provides a home for over 150,000 migrating ducks and geese each year. Many bird species nest in the Refuge, including Ospreys, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Black-crowned Night Herons, Willets and Glossy Ibis.

    • 2

      Travel to Maryland's Assateague Island for the chance to view dozens of the over 300 migratory and resident bird species that have been identified in the area. The area is unrivaled for high quality birding along the eastern seaboard and in all of America. Spring is an especially good time for bird watching, when numerous migratory species visit the island. Boat travel is one of the best ways to see the island's less accessible areas.

    • 3

      Journey to Deal Island for the best opportunity to photograph shore birds. The island is also home to one of the two breeding populations of Black-necked Stilts in Maryland. Bird watching visitors to Deal Island may even see the rare European Widgeon.

    • 4

      Journey to the Susquehanna State Park and enjoy both the bird watching and the beautiful habitat in the Susquehanna River Valley. Journey down to the area along the river near the Chesapeake Bay for the greatest variety of bird species.

    • 5

      Print out and bring along any maps, directions or brochures necessary to enjoy Maryland's sensational bird watching. The sites listed below offer updated information concerning sightings, species and bird watching events held throughout the year.