Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway
Birding The Byway Itinerary
| Departure: | C&D Canal Museum in Chesapeake City, Maryland |
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| Destination: | Terrapin Nature Park, Maryland |
| Time to allow: | 2 days |
Chesapeake Country lies along the migratory corridor known as the Atlantic Flyway. It is well known for its migratory long-legged waders, geese, and ducks, as well as numerous resident bird species. This region of the Delmarva Peninsula is home to the largest concentration of nesting ospreys on the Eastern Seaboard and provides winter habitat for Tundra Swans. Birders and nature lovers alike will find the rural landscape, numerous wildlife refuges and management areas ideal for extended birding or nature opportunities by car, foot, bike, kayak, or canoe. Bring your camera and binoculars! The Chesapeake Country offers great opportunities for exploration!
Day 1
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Start: C&D Canal Museum in Chesapeake City
Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour The C&D Canal Museum, which is adjacent to Chesapeake City, is housed in the old canal pump house and is open to the public, free of charge. The museum contains exhibits and canal artifacts. One of its main features is the oldest canal engine of its kind in the United States, still on its original mount.
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Stop 2: Courthouse Point Wildlife Management Area
Directions from previous place: Drive south on Route 213 from Chesapeake City
Turn onto Court House Point Road which leads to the WMADistance from Previous Site: 8 miles / 12.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 17 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This isolated area is noted for its winter water fowl, and for summer terns. The agricultural areas are habitat for Northern Harriers, Horned Larks, American Pipits, Vesper Sparrows and numerous other species.
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Stop 3: Earleville Wildlife Management Area
Directions from previous place: Return to Route 213 South
Turn onto Glebe Road
Turn onto Schoolhouse road to enter the WMADistance from Previous Site: 12 miles / 19.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This 190 acre tract is ideal for upland game viewing and seasonal hunting. The area also hosts a number of bird species which are counted annually during the Christmas bird count held by the Maryland Ornithological Society. Fall and spring migration bring warblers and small land birds to this area as well as American Pipits. The area is also noted for its populations of wood ducks, Bobtail Quail, and Wild Turkeys. Another similar area nearby is Stemmer’s Run WMA off of Pond Neck Road and Stemmers Neck Road.
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Stop 4: Mount Harmon Plantation
Directions from previous place: The driveway to Mount Harmon Plantation can be found off of Grove Neck Road, just down the road a piece from Stemmers Neck Road
Distance from Previous Site: 4 miles / 6.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour All 200 acres of this colonial plantation are a designated nature preserve. Nature trails twist and turn into creeks and inlets of the Sassafras River. Wildlife is abundant in the woods, fields, ponds, and creeks throughout the plantation. A pair of American Bald Eagles nest in the vicinity and can be seen hunting over the plantation.
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Stop 5: Turner’s Creek Park & Sassafras River National Refuge Management Area
Directions from previous place: Leave Cecil County into Kent County by way of the byway (Route 213 South)
Turn onto Turner’s Creek Road, which will lead to the next birding destinationDistance from Previous Site: 20 miles / 32.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 30 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This 146 acre park and adjacent river are prime habitat for waterfowl and many other species. The park consists of trails, old roads, fresh and saltwater ponds, wooded ravines, farm fields, and a variety of forests for a valuable nature experience.
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Stop 6: Chesapeake Farms
Directions from previous place: Return to the byway into Chestertown and take Route 20 West towards Rock Hall
You will see signs along Route 20 for the next destination after you pass the turn for Route 21Distance from Previous Site: 20 miles / 32.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 30 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours The 3,300 acres of Chesapeake Farms are devoted to the development, evaluation, and demonstration of advanced agricultural practices and wildlife management techniques, which are designed to be environmentally sound, productive, economically viable, and socially acceptable. There are 16 stops along this self-guided tour which is open to the public during daylight hours from February 1st through October 10th. The wetlands provide habitat for wood ducks, ospreys, great blue herons, and other water fowl. Juvenile eagles are more commonly seen at the farm than adults.
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Overnight Point: Rock Hall
A town that has been shaped by the people who earn their living from the Chesapeake Bay.
Total Distance Traveled in Day 1: 64 miles / 102.4 km
Day 2
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Stop 1: Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Directions from previous place: Return to Route 20 West
Turn south onto Route 445 until you enter Eastern Neck Island NWRDistance from Previous Site: 10 miles / 16.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 15 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 4 hours The 2285 acres of this refuge is an island at the confluence of the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay. It hosts a number of different habitats including 1000 acres of tidal marsh, 600 acres of upland forest, and 600 acres of croplands. The refuge serves as an important migration stopover and wintering area for thousands of waterfowl representing nearly 3 dozen species. These include: Canada geese, tundra swans, canvasbacks, mallards, widgeons, ruddy ducks, black ducks, lesser scaups, buffleheads, pintails, oldsquaw, scoters, and a diversity of other waterfowl. Great blue and green-backed herons, and great and snowy egrets frequent the marshes and mud tidal flats. Numerous marsh and shore birds including killdeer, yellowlegs, sandpipers, and woodcock can be seen spring through fall. The refuge also provides habitat for the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel. There are 3 observation decks within the refuge which are fantastic locations for photography and panoramic views of the Chesapeake Bay.
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Stop 2: Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
Directions from previous place: Return to Chestertown via the byway and resume your birding tour south on Route 213
Continue south on the byway which becomes Route 18 south of Centreville
In Grasonville, turn onto Perry Corner Road and follow the brown and white signs for CBEC.Distance from Previous Site: 45 miles / 72.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour Suggested Time at This Site: 4 hours Wildfowl Trust of North America, Inc: Formerly known as Horsehead Wetlands Center, this 500 acre tract located on the Chesapeake Bay hosts an extensive collection of waterfowl, birds of prey, and a diversity of bird species along walking trails, ponds, tidal marshes, and woodlands. CBEC hosts educational programs, offers canoeing, birding, and has a visitor’s center, gift shop, and picnic area.
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End: Terrapin Nature Park
Directions from previous place: Return to the byway
Go south along Route 18 through Stevensville
Take SkipJack Parkway to Log Canoe Circle to the entrance of the trail loop for Terrapin Nature ParkDistance from Previous Site: 8 miles / 12.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 15 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This is a linear park that spans Kent Island east to west. The trail affords natural vistas and unique opportunities to view wildlife in an environmentally sensitive designed setting. From the bay waters to the canopied forest, the trail experience offers something for everyone.
