Walks take place on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Meet at park entrance at 7:30 a.m. No reservations needed.

Governor Bridge Natural Area offers a wide variety of habitats -- mature riparian woodlands, second growth scrub, open grassy fields, and small ponds and creeks. This area of Patuxent River Park is co-managed by PGAS and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Directions

From the South: Take Rt. 301 North.  Turn right on Governor Bridge Rd. just before the Rt. 50 intersection.  Follow Governor Bridge Rd. one mile to park entrance on the right.

From the North:  Take Rt. 3 South.  Just after the Rt. 50 intersection, turn left on Governor Bridge Rd.  Follow Governor Bridge Rd. one mile to park entrance on the right.

From the East or West:  Take Rt. 50 to Rt. 301 South.   Immediately get into the left lane for the left turn onto Governor Bridge Rd.  Follow Governor Bridge Rd. one mile to park entrance on the right.

If you come to the bridge, you've gone too far.

If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com or 240-603-5201.

The Prince George's Audubon Society leads mid-week bird walks every 1st and 3rd Thursday at the Luther Goldman Birding Trail at Lake Artemesia.  In the fall and winter months (Sept. - March) walks will begin at 3:00 PM, and in the spring and summer months (April - August) they will start at 6:00 PM.  Meet at the parking lot at Berwyn Road and Ballew Ave. in Berwyn Heights.  For beginners and experts.  Bird checklist available. 

Directions: From the Capital Beltway (I-95), take Kenilworth Avenue (Rt. 201) south for 0.5 mile. Turn right on Greenbelt Road (Rt. 193) following it 0.75 miles. Turn right onto Branchville Rd. after Beltway Plaza (see sign for Lake Artemesia), following it for 0.7 miles. The road will bear left and left again crossing under Greenbelt Rd. where it changes into Ballew Ave. Just after the stop sign at Berwyn Rd., turn left into the parking lot for Lake Artemesia. Use parking lot across from 5411 Berwyn Rd, Berwyn Heights, MD. The lake, not visible from the parking lot, is further down Ballew Avenue. Walk along bike path into park.

No reservations needed. 

Walks take place on the 1st Saturday of the month. Meet at the National Wildlife Visitor Center at the far left end of the parking lot at 7:30 a.m. No reservations needed.

If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com or 240-603-5201.

The Prince George's Audubon Society leads mid-week bird walks every 1st and 3rd Thursday at the Luther Goldman Birding Trail at Lake Artemesia.  In the fall and winter months (Sept. - March) walks will begin at 3:00 PM, and in the spring and summer months (April - August) they will start at 6:00 PM.  Meet at the parking lot at Berwyn Road and Ballew Ave. in Berwyn Heights.  For beginners and experts.  Bird checklist available. 

Directions: From the Capital Beltway (I-95), take Kenilworth Avenue (Rt. 201) south for 0.5 mile. Turn right on Greenbelt Road (Rt. 193) following it 0.75 miles. Turn right onto Branchville Rd. after Beltway Plaza (see sign for Lake Artemesia), following it for 0.7 miles. The road will bear left and left again crossing under Greenbelt Rd. where it changes into Ballew Ave. Just after the stop sign at Berwyn Rd., turn left into the parking lot for Lake Artemesia. Use parking lot across from 5411 Berwyn Rd, Berwyn Heights, MD. The lake, not visible from the parking lot, is further down Ballew Avenue. Walk along bike path into park.

No reservations needed. 

Walks take place on the 1st Saturday of the month. Meet at the National Wildlife Visitor Center at the far left end of the parking lot at 7:30 a.m. No reservations needed.

If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com or 240-603-5201.

Walks take place on the 1st Saturday of the month. Meet at park entrance at 7:30 a.m. No reservations needed.

Fran Uhler Natural Area features mature woodlands and open water wetland that can feature migrant warblers, Barred Owls, and the occasional Yellow-crowned Night Heron. This area of Patuxent River Park is co-managed by PGAS and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Directions: From the Beltway (I-495), take Rt. 450 north. Turn right at the 2nd light onto Lanham Severn Rd. (Rt. 564). Proceed 5 miles on Lanham Severn Rd.  After the bridge over the railroad, follow the right-of-way though a left turn onto 11th St. in old Bowie. One mile later, turn left at the light onto Laurel Bowie Rd. (Rt. 197). Pass the next light and turn right after the railroad bridge onto Lemons Bridge Rd. Proceed one mile to the Fran Uhler Natural Area gate and park on the left.

If you have questions, contact trip leader Bill Sefton at kiwisuits@msn.com or 240-603-5201.

The Chesapeake Natives will be hosting their second annual Rosaryville Native Plant Festival.

Attend to learn more about native plants for birds and other wildlife and see more information about the event here

Joe’s Movement Emporium and Mount Rainier Nature Center invite you to celebrate Earth Day at the Mount Rainier Nature Center. An open house where there will be gardening tips, workshops, plant give aways, live performances, food trucks, and more!

Learn more about this event here

David Curson, Audubon Mid-Atlantic, Coastal Program Director will be the speaker for this program It will be held in person at the College Park Airport Terminal Building and will also be on Zoom.

Maryland’s coastal colonial waterbirds, such as Black Skimmer and Common Tern, have been steadily declining in recent decades due largely to erosion of their nesting islands. At the same time, salt marsh birds, including Black Rail and Saltmarsh Sparrow, are in freefall as their tidal marsh habitats become submerged by climate-driven sea level rise. Audubon, and its partners, is racing against the clock to put habitat restoration strategies in place and create resilient salt marshes and coastal islands that can sustain their unique bird communities in an uncertain future. These strategies include artificial nesting islands, raising marsh levels with sediment, and ambitious planning.

See more about this speaker here.

The gathering will begin at  7 p.m. and the presentation for all will begin at 7:30. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82343103185?pwd=d1hIUEkxeVNrKzk2Z3VxTk1TRGdSdz09

Meeting ID: 823 4310 3185
Passcode: 821612

We will show locations of some lesser-known fall migrant spots here in PG County, using sketch maps and verbal descriptions. Emphasis will be on shorebirds since good venues for them are a bit scarce in this land-locked county. In addition, viewers will be invited to ask questions about good birding venues near their home, or sites suitable to bring kids in tow or stroller, or any other general question regarding area birding.

Speaker: Fred Fallon

Tuesday, June 13, 7:30 pm – Zoom opens at at 7:00 pm for informal social time before photo presentations. 
Annual Members Night.

Members of Patuxent Bird Club and PGAS will share their photos of birds and birding. This is our annual Members’ Night, when bird club members share their photos of birds and birding. Members will tell tales to accompany their photos. 

Special note to photographers: If you wish to share your photos during the meeting, you must personally participate in the meeting and show your photos yourself. Plan to share up to ten photos, saying a few words about each photo. If you wish to show photos, please send an email to Marcia Watson (marshwren50@comcast.net) no later than Monday, June 5th so that there is time to arrange the agenda and to have a practice session for sharing your photos over Zoom.

PBC & PGAS is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: PBC & PGAS Monthly Meeting

Time: Jun 13, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84922340701?pwd=K2xLSDZELzFObXdWanhjOXZDcmR5Zz09

Meeting ID: 849 2234 0701

Passcode: 245712

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,84922340701# US (Washington DC)

+19292056099,,84922340701# US (New York)

Dial by your location

+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Meeting ID: 849 2234 0701

Fred Fallon has again agreed to lead the joint Patuxent Bird Club, PGAS field trip to search for Red Knots in the Delaware Bay. Meet at the visitor center parking lot at Bombay Hook at 9 am. We will first explore Bombay Hook and then move south ending at the Dupont Nature Center near Milford. This trip has always produced exciting birds including numerous Red Knots. Advance registration not required. Just appear!

PGAS’ next board meeting will be held Wednesday, May 10 starting at 7 p,m.

This meeting is open to anyone who desires to attend. The tentative agenda is as follows: 1 President’s report, 2 Treasurer’s report, 3 Habitat committee report about both advising and website revision, 4, Migration Festival, 5, Changing our name: Everyone must talk about the process for the decision and their views, 6 old business, 7 new business including joint meetings and trips without Marcia’s leadership of the PBC. We may not reach every item on the agenda!! We will try to end the meeting at 8:15. Regardless of where we are at, the meeting will end at 8:30 pm.

Here is the zoom invitation

PBC & PGAS is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: PGAS Board Meeting

Time: May 10, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82268844474?pwd=bEdtRzdleEYySjgrb3BVZE1RR3ZlUT09

Meeting ID: 822 6884 4474

Passcode: 400193

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,82268844474# US (Washington DC)

+13092053325,,82268844474# US

Dial by your location

+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

+1 309 205 3325 US

+1 646 931 3860 US

Meeting ID: 822 6884 4474

This zoom meeting will open at 7 p.m. for an informal gathering with the presentation to begin at 7:30 pm.

In 2022, Patuxent Bird Club sponsored two people for Audubon’s Hog Island camps: Genny Davis, who was at the time a Civilian Conservation Corps intern at Patuxent Research Refuge, and Ayla McDonough, a research assistant with Patuxent River Park. The two of them will report their experiences at the camp. Each will speak for 20 to 30 minutes with time for questions.

PBC & PGAS is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: PBC & PGAS Monthly Meeting

Time: May 9, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89223887725?pwd=K3lzN2w3OGpsL0gzVi93SHZMcVhRQT09

Meeting ID: 892 2388 7725

Passcode: 725505

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,89223887725# US (Washington DC)

+13052241968,,89223887725# US

Dial by your location

+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Meeting ID: 892 2388 7725

Tuesday, April 11, 7:30 pm – Zoom opens at at 7:00 pm for informal social time before speaker
Bird Songs Evolution in Male and Female Birds
Presented by Dr. Karan Odom

The guest speaker, Dr. Karan Odom, is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Maryland College Park. She is a behavioral ecologist interested in the evolution of elaborate traits. Specifically, she examines how complex bird song varies between females and males throughout songbird species and what selection pressures have influenced the evolution of elaborate female traits.

PBC & PGAS is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: PBC & PGAS Monthly Meeting

Time: Apr 11, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84463284250?pwd=MWlRZEpiV2dvMjI2MUdvNEQwcEVjZz09

Meeting ID: 844 6328 4250

Passcode: 356203

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,84463284250# US (Washington DC)

+13052241968,,84463284250# US

Dial by your location

+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

+1 305 224 1968 US

+1 309 205 3325 US

Meeting ID: 844 6328 4250

We will meet at 7 am at the BARC (Beltsville Agricultural Research Center) Log Lodge. Note that the gate on Powder Mill Rd may be closed, so you may have to arrive by the South, i.e., by Beaver Dam Rd. 

Google Map location of the parking lot: https://goo.gl/maps/ez3eTewfV3VL7p8A7

We will likely bird near the lodge for ~1/2h then move to different locations (based on where birds have been seen recently), so arrive before 7:30.

We will bird until 10 but you will be able to leave anytime. Space for this trip is limited. Please email Michel Cavigelli <michel.cavigelli@yahoo.com to reserve your spot.



Be ready for spring by attending our virtual Audubon Wildlife Habitat Information Session! Learn about available resources and support from the Prince George’s County Audubon Society to transform your yard into a sustainable ecosystem that’s a safe home for native plants, insects, and birds. Email audubonwildlifehabitat@gmail.org to register and receive the link.

Tuesday, March 14, 7:30 pm – Zoom opens at at 7:00 pm for informal social time before speaker
Maryland Biodiversity Project
Present by Jim Brighton 

The guest speaker, Jim Brighton, is the co-founder, with Bill Hubick, of the Maryland Biodiversity Project (MBP), a unique statewide initiative to create an atlas of all the state’s living things. MBP is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Jim will talk about milestones reached during the first 10 years and some exciting new projectsPBC & PGAS is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: PBC & PGAS Monthly Meeting

Time: Mar 14, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88372682105?pwd=dHdVd1preTNRZVQvYURnbUFmWnRJdz09

Meeting ID: 883 7268 2105

Passcode: 459198

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,88372682105# US (Washington DC)

+13052241968,,88372682105# US

Dial by your location

+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

+1 305 224 1968 US

+1 309 205 3325 US

Meeting ID: 883 7268 2105

Prince George’s Audubon Society and the Patuxent Bird Club are honored to present Fred Shaffer as our featured February speaker.  Fred Shaffer has worked for M-NCPPC for over 25 years and for the majority of that time has focused on bicycle, pedestrian, and trails issues. He has also worked with the National Park Service for over twenty years to implement the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail in Prince George’s County.  During all this time Fred also studied and photographed almost all of the Gulls of North America.  He has presented his unique perspective on Gull identification complete with photos, charts, descriptions, and plumage information in his book Gulls of North America.  Fred’s presentation has captured his audiences.  Wherever he may be, Fred is always willing to share his knowledge with others.  Thank you Fred for agreeing to talk with us. 

February Bird Club Meeting Information

The February meeting of the Patuxent Bird Club and Prince George’s Audubon Society will be held on Tuesday, February 14, starting at 7 PM. 
- The meeting will be held via Zoom - scroll down for link.. 
- Prior to the speaker, there will be time for informal chat among members and a brief business meeting. 
- The public Is welcome to attend. 

The guest speaker, Fred Shaffer, is the author of the recently published Gulls of North America. Fred's presentation will focus on how his daily bird walks at Schoolhouse Pond in Upper Marlboro led to an interest in gulls found throughout North America and beyond.

Pre-registration is NOT required to join the online meeting, which will be held via Zoom.  Please use this link to log-in:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85179561046?pwd=ODcyOUNpKzhQMnd3a00vNlFJS3pMdz09 

Meeting ID: 851 7956 1046
Passcode: 812137
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,85179561046# US (Washington DC)
+16469313860,,85179561046# US

Dial by your location
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

 Audubon Mid-Atlantic will be hosting I Bird I Vote at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation on Saturday, February 11, 2023.  Plan to attend this in person event (and possibly streamed) at the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, 6 Herndon Ave., Annapolis, MD 21403.  The links in this post are not active. Please contact Tess Wilson at tess.wilson@audubon.org for an active link or alternative registration information.

Dear Friend, 

Audubon Mid-Atlantic invites you to attend Maryland’s annual I Bird I Vote Conservation Summit on Saturday, February 11th, 2023 from 9:00am until 4:00pm. We’ll be meeting in person at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation headquarters in Annapolis, MD. 

Environmental advocates including Maryland Senator Sarah Elfreth, Maryland League of Conservation Voters’ Political Director Kristen Harbeson, and National Audubon Society’s Senior Director of Govt. Affairs Jesse Walls and Senior Director of the Migratory Bird Initiative Jill Deppe will join together to speak on policy priorities that will address the impact that climate change and habitat loss have had on birds. Other speakers will include Audubon Mid-Atlantic staff, elected officials, and leaders of Maryland environmental organizations.

This event will provide an opportunity to learn how to advocate for Maryland’s birds and the places they need to survive. Registration is $30 per person, and will include coffee, snacks, lunch, and admission to all sessions. 

The day will start with an optional bird walk led by Audubon Mid-Atlantic's Dave Curson at 8:00am, followed by Audubon chapter updates and mingling over coffee and snacks with National Audubon Society’s Gregoriah Hartman.

We’ll begin the day’s programming with a warm welcome from Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s leadership and a strategic plan update and welcome from Audubon Mid-Atlantic Executive Director Suzanne Biemiller.  

11:00am – We'll hear from Sen. Sarah Elfreth and other elected leaders about their priorities for Maryland’s Environment. (More to be announced soon.)

After a boxed lunch and networking hour, we’ll reconvene to hear from: 

1:00pm: Kristen Harbeson of Maryland League of Conservation Voters, Josh Hastings of Forever Maryland, and Mark Southerland of Safe Skies Maryland – 2023 Bird and Conservation Policy Panel for Maryland.

2:00pm: Jesse Walls and Jill Deppe, Audubon – National Audubon Society 2023 Federal Policy Priorities and an overview of the Migratory Bird Explorer Tool. 

3:00pm: Dave Curson, Audubon Mid-Atlantic Director of Bird Conservation – Local Conservation Update on Audubon’s Coastal Conservation Work. (Additional speakers to be announced soon.)

4:00pm: Jim Brown, Audubon Mid-Atlantic Policy Director – Closing Remarks 

*exact times subject to change

If you have any questions, please email Tess Wilson (tess.wilson@audubon.org). 

Register for your spot today, and we’ll see you in a couple weeks! 

 Tuesday, January 10 , 7:30 pm – Zoom opens at at 7:00 pm for informal social time before speaker 
Saving Grassland Birds in Southern Maryland, presented by David Moulton.

Mr. Moulton is a board member of the Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust.  That organization is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.  The Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust preserves rural lands for current and future generations through conservation easements and environmental stewardships.  It concentrates its efforts in southern Maryland.  The Maryland Board of Public Works approved an award of over $2 million to acquire conservation easements in Northern St. Mary’s county.  We look forward to learning how the trust’s efforts help save and preserve the state’s grassland birds.

 The zoom link:

PBC & PGAS is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: PBC & PGAS Monthly Meeting

Time: Jan 10, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83759963457?pwd=ckxtZG5CVEZOdjMxdm01VENqOEUwZz09

Meeting ID: 837 5996 3457

Passcode: 290442

Dial by your location

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 646 931 3860 US

Meeting ID: 837 5996 3457

Sign into zoom at 7 for our informal gathering, then enjoy the film.

The film takes you in the field with eagle researchers in Wyoming as they strive to discover how the birds are adapting to the many challenges facing them: climate change to sprawl, lead poisoning, energy development. Rappel into eagle nests; go behind the scenes at wildlife rehabilitation centers; hear stories of Indigenous peoples’ connections to the eagle. Cinematographers Melissa and David Rohm carefully constructed their vision for the film by capturing some truly unique and stunning portraits of the eagles and their habitat in the sagebrush steppe. The film is narrated by well-known naturalist Kenn Kaufman.

This program, sponsored by Patuxent Bird Club and PGAS, will be presented via Zoom and is free and open to the public. There is no need to pre-register for this meeting. Simply sign in to Zoom using this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82208474909?pwd=WUw4RCt1R3pTVFZkbnJFREdHSnRhQT09

If joining by phone, dial +1 301 715 8592 (Maryland & Washington DC area), meeting ID 858 4996 8649.

Or use one of the following depending on your location:

+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston