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Links

Here are links to sites you might find interesting and useful.

Categories on this page:

Birds (General)

All About Birds

Search for birds by name, taxonomy, shape, and find information about habitat, food, nesting, behavior, and conservation. Explore topics from science to art, to history, to birding ID skills, and more. From The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Great Backyard Bird Count

An annual (usually mid-February) four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts.

eBird – Global Tools for Birders, Critical Data for Science

A local and international, real-time, online checklist program for the birding community to report and access information about birds.

  • Keep track of your bird lists and compare with other eBirders.
  • Explore interactive range maps by species or subspecies – zoom in for details.
  • Find out what birds to expect throughout the year in a region or location. Monitor arrivals and departures for a country, state/province, county, or hotspot.
  • Explore different metrics of species occurrence in a region or location.
Maryland Ornithological Society (MOS)

The Maryland Ornithological Society (MOS) is a nonprofit, statewide organization of people who are interested in birds and nature. MOS promotes knowledge about our natural resources, and fosters its appreciation and conservation. The Society also maintains a system of sanctuaries to encourage the conservation of birds and bird habitat, and to help record and publish observations of bird life.

Birding activities, publications, and programs are available to members through the state organization or a local chapter, a few of which are listed below:

Chesapeake Audubon Society

The Chesapeake Audubon Society (CAS) is an independent, local chapter of the National Audubon Society that works in the Maryland region to promote the stewardship of natural ecosystems through conservation, restoration, education, and advocacy. CAS is a group of citizens involved in the appreciation and preservation of the natural world around us.

Maryland Birders (a Flickr group)

Members can post their photos of birds seen in Maryland.

Maryland & DC Birding

An open discussion group about birds and birding in Maryland and DC.

American Bird Conservancy

The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) mission is to conserve native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ABC acts across the full spectrum of threats to birds to safeguard the rarest bird species, restore habitats, and reduce threats, unifying and strengthening the bird conservation movement.

American Birding Association

The American Birding Association represents the North American birding community and supports birders through publications, conferences, workshops, tours, partnerships, and networks.

The ABA’s education programs promote birding skills, ornithological knowledge, and the development of a conservation ethic.

The ABA encourages birders to apply their skills to help conserve birds and their habitats, and we represent the interests of birders in planning and legislative arenas.

Audubon

Audubon’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.

  • Birding in Maryland
    Maryland Birding Hotspots – Notwithstanding its small size and dense human population, Maryland encompasses enough diversity to make it one of the most rewarding birding destinations on the Atlantic Coast.

Birds (Specific)

Hummingbirds.net

A place to learn about attracting, watching, feeding, and studying the hummingbirds that breed in North America. Includes:

  • Spring migration maps for tracking hummingbird arrivals (current year and an archive of previous years’ migrations).
  • When to change nectar in your feeder.
  • Type of nectar to use – and those to avoid.
  • Hummingbird species listed by state and province.
  • Hummingbird events, such as field trips and hummingbird banding demonstrations.
Maryland Bluebird Society

The mission of the Maryland Bluebird Society is to assist in monitoring and increasing the population of the Eastern Bluebird and other cavity nesting birds by educating and informing our members and the public about Bluebirds; support research on the Bluebird and its habitat; and cooperate with other organizations with similar conservation purposes.

Sialis

A resource for people interested in helping bluebirds and other native cavity-nesters survive and thrive.

Organization for Bat Conservation

The Organization for Bat Conservation is dedicated to protecting bats, other wildlife, and the ecosystems they need to survive. We have the largest grass-roots bat conservation education program in the United States, presenting more than 1,500 live shows to over 250,000 people annually. Live animal exhibits are also provided for museums, science centers, wildlife festivals, and more, including the permanent exhibit at Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Purple Martin Conservation Association

The Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA) is dedicated to the conservation of Purple Martins (Progne subis) through scientific research, state-of-the-art management techniques, and public education, with the end goal of increasing martin populations throughout North America. Includes:

  • Scout/sub-adult arrival migration maps.
  • Information to attract and manage purple martins.
  • Forums, research and conservation information.

Wildlife Rescue

In this section:

  1. Rescue Guidelines
    • Think Twice Before Rescuing Young Wildlife
  2. Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators
    • All Creatures Great and Small Wildlife Center in Columbia, Maryland
    • Frisky’s Wildlife and Primate Sanctuary in Woodstock, Maryland (near Ellicott City)
    • Search by Maryland county for rehabilitators
  3. Wildlife Problems
    • Howard County Animal Control
    • Maryland DNR: Report nuisance, injured or sick wildlife

* * *

 

Think Twice Before Rescuing Young Wildlife

Unless the animal appears injured or in distress, there is no need to rescue them. Signs that a wild animal needs help:

  • Evidence of bleeding
  • An apparent or obvious broken limb
  • A featherless or nearly featherless bird on the ground
  • A dead parent nearby
  • Audible distress calls (fawn crying, etc) given over a prolonged period of time.

Read about species-specific signs for baby birds, deer (fawns), foxes, rabbits, and squirrels.

Columbia, Maryland

All Creatures Great and Small Wildlife Center

  • By appointment only: 410-740-5096
    “Please do not drop off ​an animal until we have spoken to each other on the phone and arranged a time for you to arrive. To do otherwise could (and has in the past) place the animal in mortal danger.”
  • See their website for helpful rescue guidelines.

A home-based, all volunteer, non-profit organization founded by Judy Holzman, a state and federally licensed master wildlife rehabilitator, that cares for small mammals and birds that are ill, injured or orphaned.

Woodstock, Maryland (near Ellicott City)

Frisky’s Wildlife and Primate Sanctuary

  • 8am to 8pm only
  • 410-418-8899
  • See their website for helpful rescue guidelines.

A non-profit, state-licensed, wildlife rehabilitation center that takes in injured, orphaned, abandoned, or displaced wildlife.

Search by Maryland county for licensed wildlife rehabilitators.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Find a Wildlife Rehabilitator

In Maryland, there is a large network of volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitators who take care of orphaned, sick or injured wildlife until they can be released safely back to the wild.

If you should come across wild animals that appear to be sick or injured, you may search by County to locate a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators in your area who may be able to help, or you may call Wildlife Services toll-free to get this information at: 1-877-463-6497

Operators are available from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays.

Howard County Animal Control

Howard County Animal Control investigates animal cruelty cases, rescues endangered animals, accepts unwanted pets, administers a pet adoption program, conducts humane education programs and operates the county’s animal shelter.

Animal Control also responds for injured or deceased deer on county roadways and on private property, if the deer is within 250 feet of a dwelling.

Other information includes:

  • View adoptable pets online
  • Make a donation online
  • Animal licensing
  • Learn about Animal Control laws
  • Standards of care
  • Cat Adoption Guide / Dog Adoption Guide
  • Monthly rabies clinic
During business hours, residents should call:
410-313-2780
or for after hours animal-related emergencies:
410-313-2929
Wildlife Problems in Maryland: Report nuisance, injured or sick wildlife.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Wildlife Problems
including information on:

  • Bats in houses
  • Black bears
  • Chimney swifts
  • Deer damage
  • Deer fawn FAQs
  • and more ...

Sometimes, it is necessary to learn how to prevent frequent visits by wildlife to your home or neighborhood. It may even become necessary to remove Nuisance Wildlife from your property.

To find out about safe and legal ways to deal with these problem animals or to locate individuals or companies who are licensed by the Wildlife & Heritage Service to handle wildlife complaints, use the above link, or you may call Wildlife Services toll-free to get this information at: 1-877-463-6497

Operators are available from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays.

Nature

Howard County Conservancy

The mission of the Howard County Conservancy is to protect the open spaces, rural environment, and agricultural resources of Howard County; to promote the preservation and improvement of the natural environment and historic sites; and to engage in and promote education and the scientific study of our agricultural resources and the natural environment.

Robinson Nature Center

The Robinson Nature Center is a unique nature education facility situated on 18 acres of land adjacent to the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, which provides over 1,000 acres of forest, meadows and river valley to explore.

Stream ReLeaf

The mission of the Stream ReLeaf program is to create and enhance riparian forest buffers (protective strips of trees, shrubs, and other vegetation along a stream) to improve water quality and wildlife habitat throughout Howard County.

Free, native trees and shrubs are provided by the county to homeowners who commit to planting the trees and shrubs on their property within 75 feet of the stream.

Howard County Beekeepers Association

HCBA provides its membership with a forum for sharing knowledge in honey beekeeping, and is dedicated to educating and promoting the benefits of honey beekeeping to the public.

Audubon Naturalist Society

The largest and oldest independent environmental organization in the Washington, DC, region, the Audubon Naturalist Society inspires residents of the greater Washington, DC, region to appreciate, understand, and protect their natural environment through outdoor experiences, education, and advocacy. ANS also manages three wildlife sanctuaries: Woodend, Rust, and Webb.

Patuxent Research Refuge

With land surrounding the Patuxent and Little Patuxent Rivers between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD, the Refuge has grown from the original 2,670 acres to its present size of 12,841 acres.

Patuxent Research Refuge is divided into three areas:

  1. North Tract, which offers hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, trails, and many interpretive programs
  2. Central Tract (not open for visitor activities), where the offices and study sites of the many research biologists are located at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
  3. South Tract, where the National Wildlife Visitor Center and its trails are located.
Maryland Native Plant Society

The Maryland Native Plant Society’s mission is to promote awareness, appreciation, and conservation of Maryland’s native plants and their habitats. We pursue our mission through education, research, advocacy, and service activities.

Whipps Garden Cemetery

At the Whipps Cemetery Park, Howard County Master Gardeners and community volunteers plant and maintain heritage and native species in a variety of different settings, interspersed by pathways, benches, and around the tombstones. The plants are typical of those grown in Maryland gardens of the 1800s.

The cemetery is maintained entirely by volunteers, primarily the University of Maryland Extension Howard County Master Gardeners. It’s supported by donations and fund-raisers, for example:

  • Annual Plant Sale – featuring many hard-to-find perennials, registered daylilies, and many other plants donated by the Howard County Master Gardeners.
  • Daffodil Day – featuring horticultural talks by Master Gardeners in Whipps’ Woodland Theatre, garden tours, and potted bulb sales.
University of Maryland Extension

University of Maryland Extension (UME) educational programs and problem-solving assistance are available to citizens and are based on the research and experience of land grant universities such as the University of Maryland, College Park.

Topics include the following:

  • 4-H & Youth
  • Agriculture
  • Environment & Natural Resources
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home Gardening
  • Money
  • Water & Chesapeake Bay
  • Have a question? You can Ask an Expert
Natural History Society of Maryland

“Exploring & Preserving Maryland’s Natural Treasures”

We offer many programs – from social events to advanced courses.

We conserve our natural history collections, educate citizens, and inspire youth to study the natural sciences. We host collections of plants, animals, fossils, and minerals, dating back to the early 1800s; and are developing a new natural history museum.

Our goal? That every Marylander learns to observe, identify, and appreciate the natural world that exists in our state.

Are you a naturalist?  Do you:

  • Collect rocks and shells?
  • Notice the phases of the moon?
  • Compare the shapes and colors of autumn leaves?
  • Photograph nature on hikes?
  • Watch birds at a bird feeder?
  • Write observations in a nature journal?
  • Have a favorite tree in your backyard?
  • Read nature writing (Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Rachel Carson)?
  • Listen to frog calls at night?
  • Sketch wildlife and flowers?
  • Follow animal tracks in the snow?
  • Download apps to identify birds or plants?
  • Observe a ladybug as it lands on your finger?

These are just a handful of the characteristics of a naturalist. Chances are, if you answered “yes” to any of these, you have the makings of a naturalist!

We are an organization that shares these interests, too!

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

The Department of Natural Resources leads Maryland in securing a sustainable future for our environment, society, and economy by preserving, protecting, restoring, and enhancing the State’s natural resources.

  • Birding in Maryland
    Maryland offers some great birding opportunities – if you know where to look!
Maryland Amphibian & Reptile Atlas (MARA) 2010-2014

MARA is a five-year, joint project of the Natural History Society of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The goal of the MARA project is to document the current distributions of Maryland’s amphibian and reptile species using a systematic and repeatable approach. The Atlas will establish a baseline for future efforts to determine changes in the distribution of amphibians and reptiles in Maryland. The information gained through your volunteer effort will be used to promote the conservation and protection of Maryland’s 90+ species of frogs, toads, salamanders, turtles, lizards, and snakes. Understanding the current distribution patterns of amphibians and reptiles within the state is needed to create effective conservation strategies.