The first MBP field trip of 2022 was a great success!

With temperatures in the high 60s for most of the day, we were able to spend a pleasant day in the field; quite a rarity for mid-February. Eleven participants started the day in Cambridge at the Oakley Street waterfowl flock. We all agreed that the large Aythya flock is one of the must-see birding spectacles on the East Coast. We observed various species such as Lesser Scaup, Canvasback, Redheads, American Wigeon, and Mallards. A handful of Ruddy Ducks were hanging in the back of the flock, and Long-tailed Ducks were scoped far out in the Choptank. Myrtle Warblers were chipping in the trees along the street, while Song Sparrows were singing from bushes in a few of the yards. An additional surprise was a pair of Green-winged Teal spotted by trip participant Claire Wolfe. The local Snow Goose flock that likes to loaf out in the Choptank River took to the air while we were perusing the ducks. Watching thousands of Snow Geese suddenly take to the air was breathtaking. Oh, and just for fun, let’s just throw in a very photogenic Snowy Owl that everyone was able to enjoy from a distance!

After we had our fill of ducks and owls, we headed to Federalsburg. Here we parked at the local boat ramp and enjoyed a leisurely walk along the Marshy Hope wetlands. This is THE place to observe Seaside Alder (Alnus maritima), a very rare wetland shrub that only grows on the Delmarva Peninsula, Georgia, and Oklahoma! We were able to compare Seaside Alder to the more common Smooth Alder (Alnus serrulatus), which helped in identifying the two species in the field. We also observed a cool oak gall formed by the wasp Andricus quercusstrobilanus. Along the river shore there were Red Maples (Acer rubrum) covered in American Mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum). Some of the mistletoe was low enough that we could see the white berries. The bright red rose hips of native Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) brightened the wetlands. At the southern end of walk we examined a large patch of Eastern Pricklypear (Opuntia humifusa) and Wild Yucca (Yucca filamentosa). 

Back at the boat ramp parking lot we said goodbye to some of our crew while the rest of us ate lunch. After lunch, we walked out into a field near the parking area where a few very interesting plants grow. To our surprise, we found both Small Bluets (Houstonia pusilla) and Southern Bluets (Houstonia micrantha) in bloom, along with the early blooming non-native Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta). In the same field, we saw a large patch of very young Low Spearwort (Ranunculus pusillus). 

From Federalsburg we headed to the Chesapeake Forest Lands of North Tara Road. Most of the forest here is public property and there are many fire roads that offer relatively easy walking in winter. During the warmer months this area is full of ticks and chiggers, so please take the proper precautions if visiting this area. We also walked through a sandy mixed Loblolly/hardwood forest. Along the way we searched for fungi and liverworts. Stereum lobatum, Nowellia curvifolia, and Hymenochaetopsis olivacea are just a few of the fungi and liverworts that we observed. A few evergreen plants were documented like Spotted Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculate) and Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). We also observed two of Maryland’s more common lycophytes: Southern Ground Cedar (Diphasiastrum digitatum) and Flat-branched Tree Clubmoss (Dendrolycopium obscurum). The trail ended along the banks of the Marshy Hope where we were rewarded with incredible views of the river while being serenaded by Carolina Chickadees and Brown-headed Nuthatches.

I would like to thank all the trip participants. We had a wonderful group, and had a really great time. Stay tuned for more trip announcements. Once the weather gets a little warmer we are really going to start ramping up field trip opportunities. Please keep watch on the MBP socials and the MBP Blog for more information on upcoming MBP excursions across the state.

— Jim Brighton, Trip Leader