Scheduling Your BURB Tour
May 7th: Spring Urban Hawkwatching
Baltimore, being situated between the hilly piedmont and the Chesapeake bayshore is well-situated to observe the migration of birds of prey; spring is an exciting time for hawkwatching, with rare, wandering species, like Mississippi Kite, a tantalizing prospect. Join us to turn our eyes to the sky at either the Patterson Park Observation hill or the Druid Hill Park water tower, depending on conditions, to look for northbound raptors.
12pm-4pm
May 21st: Adventures on the Delaware Bayshore
One of the greatest spectacles in the natural world unfolds on the Delaware Bay every spring when migrating shorebirds descend on the masses of horseshoe crabs spawning in the Bay’s and beaches. We will visit multiple locations along the bayshore as we look for long-distance migrant species like Red Knot and Ruddy Turnstone and learn about the unique ecological balance between these species. You don’t want to miss this ecological spectacle!
9am-1pm
June 11th: Maryland’s Western Wilderness
The mountains and steep valleys of Western Maryland are a world apart from the rolling hills and coastal swamps the rest of the state knows. In summer, songbirds arriving from the tropics bring this rugged wilderness alive with birdsong and technicolor plumages. We will target rare and declining species, such as Cerulean and Golden-winged warblers, as well as commoner species, including Blackburnian Warbler and Blue-headed Vireo.
8am-12pm
September 9th: Maryland Migration
Fall migration is when the diversity of birdlife peaks in many places, including across Maryland. As our local species wrap-up breeding and long-distance migrants move south, join us as we hit hotspots in and around Baltimore City. We will focus on species that are difficult to find outside of fall migration, including Philadelphia Vireo and Mourning Warbler and talk about some of the factors that influence the behavior and habitat selection of migrating birds.
8am-12pm
November 4th: Eastern Shore Arrivals
While migration is winding down for many songbirds in November, waterfowl migration is really just heating up! We will venture to the Eastern Shore and study the massive flocks of ducks that stage in the upper Chesapeake in late fall; tens of thousands of scaup and Ruddy Ducks, along with lesser numbers of other species, including Redhead and American Wigeon await us. Don’t miss this, one of our most underrated natural spectacles!
9am-1pm
October 8th: Fall Urban Hawkwatching
Baltimore, being situated between the hilly piedmont and the Chesapeake bayshore is well-situated to observe the southbound migration of birds of prey. Hawks, eagles, vultures, and falcons trek across our skies and early-October is often the peak of these movements. We will spend an afternoon at either the Patterson Park Observation hill or the Druid Hill Park water tower, depending on conditions, and learn how to count and identify overhead raptors; if conditions are favorable, we could be treated to Broad-winged Hawks by the thousands, and more!
12pm-4pm
All group BURB Tours have a cost of $40; this goes directly to supporting our programming and work addressing issues of environmental justice in Baltimore City.
To sign-up for any of the above-listed BURB Tours, email us:
info@birdsofurbanbaltimore.org
Details about payment and specific meeting location will be provided via email upon sign-up
Check back as we continue to add more BURB Tours to our schedule!
Birds of Urban Baltimore is a non-profit whose costs, from staff salaries to equipment, are wholly covered by grants and private donations. Please consider donating today, so we can continue to provide quality and professional services to Baltimore’s communities.