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November 7, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

Ecosystem Eco Notes

New Seasonal Staff at Pickering Creek Dive into the Season

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Seasonal educators make up an important part of the staff at Pickering Creek.  The current full-time staff consists of six people, three of which were former seasonal staff.  Seasonal staff are with us through the school year, from September to the end of May.  They play a key role in delivery of our daily field experiences with students from Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester and Wicomico counties.  In addition to programs at the Center they conduct programming with the permanent staff at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Sire, Izaak Walton League Forest, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and Tuckahoe State Park as well as teaching programs at school classrooms with our partnering school districts.   This school year’s seasonal staff are Benni Marques and Marisa Mengel. They join six full time staff and three year-round part-time staff at the Center.
Marisa’s career in environmental education started three summers ago, when she took up a summer job working in the nature center at Martinak State Park. There, she would show people of all ages around the building and introduce them to what the park has to offer during their visit. She eventually got more involved in working with the park’s Maryland Conservation Corps crew in programming and assisting with their Park Pals and Junior Rangers programs, along with their Adventure Camp programs. Marisa fell in love with environmental education and immediately switched her major in school from Psychology to Environmental Science. This passion for the outdoors only grew as she learned more about environmental science at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where Marisa eventually graduated from this spring with a degree in Environmental Science and Geography.
Her initial plans after college were to serve as a member of the Maryland Conservation Corps starting this fall. However, due to them having to change funding, that fell through. Marisa says, “As I was looking for a job my state park supervisor sent me an email from Pickering Creek about seasonal educator positions opening and I decided to apply. I had also gone to Pickering Creek for a high school field trip and remembered loving it so I’m very excited to provide that experience to other students.”
About her interest in the outdoors Marisa says, “Growing up, I always loved playing outside and learning about environmental science at school. We wouldn’t be here without the Earth so it’s always been very important to me to protect and share with others the beauties of it, from tiny little insects to grand landmarks. Naturally, I was drawn to environmental education, where I can both conserve and educate others about my local ecosystem.”
Benni Marques is our new seasonal school-year educator. They come to us from Boston, Massachusetts and studied Environmental Studies and Religion with a minor in Public Health at Mount Holyoke College. They gained interest in environmental education while working as a Coastal Education Intern at a Massachusetts Audubon Education Center in Newburyport, MA. After graduating, they brought their interest in coastal waters and education to the Neponset River Watershed as the 2023-24 Environmental Science Fellow. Following that positions, they explored the world beyond Massachusetts and moved to Vermont to serve in ECO AmeriCorps as the LaRosa Program Assistant Coordinator. Benni was attracted to Pickering Creek because they were interested in an experienced dedicated to environmental education, wanted to continue exploring states outside of New England, and love the positive energy that students bring to exploring the great outdoors.
Benni says, “I first became interested in the outdoors when I started exploring with my dad, who would load up the family into the car and drive us around until he found something pretty for us to see. I decided that I wanted to make going outside part of my personality during the earliest phase of the pandemic when I had a lot of time to explore on my own.”
Pickering staff are with school groups every day from September through December.  If you are out at the Center for a walk any morning you may catch a glimpse of either Benni or Marisa as they head off to the wetland or forest with a group of school children.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Support Local Birds This Winter: Pickering Creek Annual Birdseed Sale

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Mark your calendar for birdfeeder season! As our feathered friends start building up fat reserves for the colder months ahead, now is the ideal time to stock up on high-fat seeds, suet, and other treats for your backyard feeding stations. Take advantage of the Pickering Creek Audubon Center’s Annual Birdseed Sale, running from October 3-24, to easily order everything you need for winter bird feeding.
Why Feed Backyard Birds?
Providing food at your backyard feeders serves as a supplemental resource for birds, helping to sustain them and minimize their stress during harsh winter weather. The benefits extend to humans as well. Research conducted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and others shows that feeding birds can help people reduce stress and anxiety, increase mindfulness, and deepen their connection to nature. Observing and identifying avian visitors can also promote recovery from mental fatigue and enhance focus and memory. As Darryl Jones, author of The Birds at My Table, notes: “We think our feeders are for the birds. Our feeders are actually for us. But the birds don’t seem to mind. They continue to willingly bring their lives into ours and so offer wonder, hope, knowledge, and pleasure.”
Tips for Safe and Responsible Bird Feeding
  • Clean feeders regularly: Reduce disease risk by cleaning feeders at least once every two weeks. Wash them in the dishwasher or in the sink with boiling water and soap.
  • Maintain the area under feeders: Keep the ground clean to help reduce disease risk and discourage predators such as rodents and raccoons.
  • Monitor for sick birds: If any visiting birds appear sickly, remove your feeder temporarily until they disperse to prevent close-contact infections.
  • Use predator guards: Install guards to deter raccoons, squirrels, and other uninvited guests seeking food.
  • Reduce bird strike risk: Place feeders within three feet or beyond ten feet of reflective windows. Birds leaving feeders within three feet will not gain enough speed to injure themselves if they hit a window, while those beyond ten feet will have time to spot and avoid the glass, especially if windows are covered with decals or screening.
How to Order Birdseed
Ready to place your order? Visit www.pickeringcreek.org between October 3-24 to choose from a wide selection of high-quality seeds, including black oil sunflower, thistle, various seed mixes, and suet cakes. For convenience, all orders and payments will be processed online via credit card this year at www.pickeringcreek.org. If you prefer, staff are available at the office, 410 822 4903 to assist with phone-in payments.
Need help deciding what to order? Check out this article from the National Audubon Society for suggestions on what your bird bestie might enjoy: https://www.audubon.org/news/who-likes-what-favorite-birdseed-feeder-regulars-and-rarities.
Flock with Your Friends at the Seed Pick-Up Social
You can pick up your order at the Center (11450 Audubon Lane in Easton) during the Sixth Annual Seed Social, scheduled for November 5th from 3:30 to 5:30pm. This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the season and connect with fellow bird enthusiasts.
Get ready to support our local birds and enjoy the beauty they bring to your winter days. Happy bird feeding!

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Pickering Creek Adds Three New Trustees to the Board

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This year Pickering Creek has added three new trustees to its Board, while wishing its one departing Trustee well wishes.

Anne Walker served two terms on the Pickering Board of Trustees and has been the head of the annual Birdseed Sale and colead of the Mayapple Social for the last two years.  Anne’s enthusiasm for connecting people with nature was a great benefit during her tenure on the board.  She will continue to participate in Pickering activities as the chair of the birdseed sale for fall of 2025.  

Jim Van Ness joined the Pickering board in late Spring.  Jim served as Senior Associate General Counsel at the Office of the Deputy General Counsel for the Department of Defense from 1994 to 2019. Jim was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 1974, the U. S. Supreme Court Bar in 1978 and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Services Bar in 1974. When asked about why he joined the Pickering Board, Jim mentions three things: “First, the Pickering Creek Audubon Center is protecting, preserving, and, where necessary, improving some 400 acres of native habitats and wildlife as the rest of Talbot County gets carved up by development.  Second, these lands are generously managed as public property, available to anyone who wishes access the restorative powers of nature.  Thirdly, Pickering Creek is responsible for introducing hundreds of school-age children—who might not otherwise get the opportunity—to the wonders of nature and the importance of caring for the planet we live on.”

Kathi Bangert joined the Pickering Board this August.  Prior to retiring, Kathi served as Assistant Regional Director for External Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Northeast Region and was responsible for overseeing USFWS communications from to Maine to Virginia with news media, Members of Congress, regional Native American Tribes, and federal/state partners. Early in her career Kathi spent significant time with the USFWS in the Chesapeake Bay office, making her initial connection with the Bay. Kathi serves the local community in a variety of capacities with the League of Women Voters, Building African American Minds, Master Gardeners and For All Seasons.

When asked why she was interest in Pickering Kathi shared, “I am inspired by Pickering Creek’s quest to connect community and nature for the well-being of both. The Center’s environmental education partnership with local schools is a central part of its mission. Yet, beyond nature camps and classroom learning, Pickering is as much for adults and families as it is for children. Whether one wishes to take a solitary meditative walk or join with others in a bird walk or night hike, there is something for everyone. I appreciate Pickering’s innovative and inclusive approach to outreach—one that does not simply invite people to the Center, but also actively tries to reach them where they live, work, and play.  This outward-looking spirit helps to inspire and empower a diverse community to become stewards of nature in their own backyards and neighborhoods, thereby promoting greater access to the natural world for everyone.”

Erin Riggin joins the Pickering Board this August as well. Erin is a graduate of Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and University of Maryland, College Park, MD with a BS in Kinesiology. She currently works at Midshore Veterinary Service in Easton. Erin, an Eastern Shore native, says, “Growing up with what would now be called a “free range” childhood on Langford Creek in Kent County, I spent my days observing the wonders of the outdoors.”

She also shares, “Outdoor education programs were always a favorite of mine growing up. I looked forward to every field trip that was centered around being outside. Pickering Creek’s programs offer a unique window into the world of great outdoors for all ages. As a mother of two small children, I continue to be impressed with the inspiration, curiosity, and knowledge that the summer EcoCamp brings out in them. Hearing them recite the songs that they learned in camp together will remain a fond memory of mine.”

If you are interested in getting more involved with Pickering Creek you can get in touch with Mark Scallion at [email protected] or join one of the Center’s programs that is open to the public at www.pickeringcreek.org

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Pickering Installs New Avian Wildlife Tracking System

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Pickering Creek Audubon Center has installed a MOTUS Wildlife Tracking System at the Center as a collaborative effort to help track birds. Installing a MOTUS system at Pickering enables the Center to contribute data to a multi continental effort to understand bird populations, while giving our students access to data that is locally meaningful about birds that are recorded in their community. Students can see how local data translates to the broader world. This fall we will integrate data from the system into our programming, and students will directly access the data themselves through our in-class programming using Audubon’s Bird Migration Explorer.
The Motus Wildlife Tracking System project, spearheaded by Birds Canada, represents a collaborative effort involving hundreds of institutions, agencies, and independent researchers. Spanning from Canada to Chile, researchers have tagged over 22,000 animals across more than 200 species, including songbirds, raptors, seabirds, bats, monarch butterflies, and migratory dragonflies through a network of Motus towers. The primary objective of Motus is to integrate various individual research initiatives into a comprehensive, hemispheric network of VHF nanotag receiver stations. This innovative system enables researchers to monitor the movements of small flying animals that cannot rely on traditional satellite or GPS telemetry. All collaborators operate on a unified radio frequency, utilize shared infrastructure, access a common database, and, within reasonable limits, exchange results.
Before seeking support for installing a system we spoke in depth with the MOTUS northeast collaborative about the value of placing a tower at Pickering Creek and they felt that it would fill a needed gap with the nearest towers at Poplar Island, on the Delaware line east of Denton, MD and at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge.  In the fall of 2024, David Brinker of Maryland DNR and a Northeast MOTUS advisor visited the Center to help us select the most effective location for our antenna system.  The system is made of several antenna and relay devices and must be set in a clear line of view at least 35ft off the ground. Since there is not an off the shelf system, each site constructs its own with the guidance of the collaborative.  Different sites and site conditions dictate different antenna set ups. Easton Utilities kindly donated a 35ft telephone pole and generously installed it at the Center.  Over the course of a full day this past winter the complex antenna system was then installed a top the telephone pole, which sits adjacent to the Center’s main parking lot.
Ned Gerber and his team from Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage partnered with Pickering Creek for the on- the-ground installation, as they were installing an antenna at their sanctuary at Barnstable Hill Farm on Kent Island.  We researched the project together and completed the MOTUS installation in the same time period, making the most of our resources to install both systems at the same time. During spring migration in May, the Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage and Pickering Creek systems picked up completely different birds, illustrating the value of having these detectors at multiple locations.
Seven species have been detected, American Kestrel, Wood Trush, Ovenbird, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Whip-poor-will and Hermit Thrush. Our first detection occurred in mid-March, an American Kestrel that was banded in western Massachusetts last summer before flying south and being detected repeatedly through Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.  Its last detection was last summer around Blackwater Wildlife Refuge, the nearest tower to Pickering from the south.  No subsequent detection of the Kestrel between late last summer and this March were made.
One of the three Wood Trush detected late this spring had visited Guatemala and Jamaica over the previous winter, a Common Nighthawk that was detected at Pickering Creek had been detected as far south as Colombia and as far north as Maine.
“We expect a similar number of detections during fall migration as birds travel south for the winter.  We have already detected a Kestrel in the last week of July and expect detections of new birds to be weekly though October, “said Pickering Director Mark Scallion.

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Something of the Marvelous Explores Hope House

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Pickering Creek Audubon Center’s Something of the Marvelous spring fundraiser for 2025 is a dollar-for-dollar matching challenge with every dollar being matched up to $70,000!
These funds support Pickering Creek’s science and nature education programs in Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester counties for students from at least one grade level in each school system, ensuring that every student in the grade level, regardless of background, has great outdoor learning experiences with Pickering’s talented staff of educators and scientists.
In addition to supporting school programming, these matching gifts help connect adults and families with the habitats and wildlife that call the midshore home, and support summer EcoCamp scholarships.  And finally, generous gifts provided by the community to this matching challenge ensure that Pickering is open to the public for free everyday to enjoy the center’s beautiful trails!
Two marvelous donors have stepped forward to collectively offer this year’s dollar for dollar match.  Both are long-term supporters of the Center’s work to connect people to nature.  Each supporter who contributes over $125 before June 2 will be eligible to explore Peter Stifel’s Hope House as well as the magnificent grounds.
Dr. Peter Stifel has been supporting Pickering Creek Audubon Center for over thirty years, holding Pickering Creek’s first large scale Dine and Dance fundraiser twenty-two years ago as well as Tour Toast and Taste in 2015.  That first event was the beginning of a deepening awareness in the community about the important work Pickering Creek Audubon Center does on behalf of its citizenry, especially youth.  The programs Pickering provides connect children with birds, wildlife and the Chesapeake Bay watershed while encouraging them to become active participants in restoration efforts to help the Bay.
When asked why he would invite over 200 people to see the inside of his home, Dr. Stifel said he agreed to host the event for the same reason as he hosted Pickering Creek’s first event.  “It is important to get these kids out of the classroom and into open spaces with rocks, frogs, crickets, eagles, orioles and mud,” said Dr. Stifel, referencing the many youth education programs Pickering Creek offers.  “Peter has supported Pickering Creek in more ways than we could ever count.  He is truly a champion of our mission to connect people with nature in this community,” said Pickering Creek Director Mark Scallion.
Attendees will enter the property across from Fairview just outside the village of Tunis Mills.  Along the 1.8 mile wooded lane guests will pass the former state champion Loblolly Pine and Cherrybark Oak and sweeping views of Woodland Creek.  The final curve brings into view one of the great historic mansions of Talbot County.
Home to illustrious members of the Tilghman and Lloyd families, Hope is one of the genuinely unique dwellings of its day and one of the best executed restorations of the early 20th century. Hope resembles Mt. Clare Mansion, in Baltimore, the home of Charles Carroll and his wife, the aunt of the builder of Hope.   Constructed about fifty years after Mt. Clare, Hope’s original configuration consisted of the present central section with shorter roof, with two frame wings connected by “ogee-roofed hyphens.”
The property was surveyed in 1804, and became known as “Hope” in its entirety. Upon the death of Peregrine Tilghman in 1807, the property was willed to his eldest son, Robert Lloyd Tilghman, a wealthy and prominent citizen of the county. Robert Lloyd Tilghman died in 1823, at young age.  His widow, Henrietta Maria, and his eldest son, Robert, remained on the estate and managed it until 1863.
“Hope” was then sold to Thomas Crane in 1863, and from that time, the estate passed through many hands. Time did not treat the house well, but William J. Starr rescued it in 1905 for $13,000.  At that time, the building was practically open to the weather, and Mrs. Starr complained that her husband had bought little more than a staircase.  The Starrs stabilized the central portion of the house, made extensive additions to the hyphens and wings ending up with a structure over 200 feet from end to end. Mrs. Starr laid out a magnificent garden on the waterside.  Without their work the house would probably have been lost.
The Starr’s daughter, internationally renowned lithographer, Ruth Starr Rose married in 1914 and lived at “Hope House” until the mid-20th century and began her career by painting nearby residents of Copperville and Unionville emphasizing their daily life and spirituality.  A selection of her works will be on display on June 7.
In 1950, the property was sold to Elsworth Ford and Consuelo Vanderbilt.  Ford had electric service added to the house providing heat by steam as well as lighting replacing the necessity of the home’s thirteen fireplaces.  Upon Ford’s death in 1952, Vanderbilt all but abandoned the home for a life in France.
In 1965, Mr. and Mrs. W. Flaccus Stifel bought and extensively restored the “Hope” estate which had sat largely uncared for over the prior thirteen years.  Their son, Peter, a retired University of Maryland Professor Emeritus of Geology, continues to maintain it today as a working farm, a natural haven, and one of the showplaces of Talbot County.
The exterior of the house will showcase three unique cars owned by Dr. Stifel.  A 1910 Thomas Flyer, a sister car to the one that won the Race around the World, a 1908 Maxwell and 1923 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Tourer. Photo opportunities with these vehicles will be available.
Guests of Something of the Marvelous will tour several first-floor rooms of Hope House, which are decorated with both colonial and contemporary furniture, art and unique surprises.  Ward Bros Decoys, a weight that held the radio aerial from the Hindenburg Zeppelin and highly sought after colonial furniture from the 1760’s are just a nibble of the treasurers on view at Hope.
At the conclusion of the interior tour guests move to enjoy spacious green behind the home, exploring gardens, creek views and a delightful stroll beneath large shade trees beside Hope Cove leading to a viewpoint with expansive views of the Miles River alongside the burial ground of the Starr and Stifel families.
Timed entrances scheduled from 3-7 on June 7th will include complimentary beverages, nibbles, time to explore, and a special thank you gift.
Unlike Pickering Creek’s pre-Covid era Tour Toast and Taste, Something of the Marvelous has no tent, no auction, and no dinners for sale.  It is all outdoors- just soaking in the marvelous blooms and scenery of the amazing Hope House!
For over 30 years, Pickering Creek Audubon Center has provided environmental education opportunities to students of the Eastern Shore, moving them from awareness of their watershed to conservation action in their communities.  Since establishing a well-reputed elementary education program in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools 25 years ago, Pickering has added meaningful watershed experiences for middle and high school students to our continuum of education along with community outreach education about our region’s unique ecosystems. Pickering Creek reaches the people of the Eastern Shore throughout their academic careers outdoor learning experiences that encourage them to continue interacting with the outdoors frequently.
School groups, families, wildlife enthusiasts and photographers from far and wide visit Pickering Creek Audubon Center throughout the year to participate in hands-on outdoor learning, volunteer experiences and immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the Eastern Shore.
This year’s Something of the Marvelous is generously sponsored by Bruce Wiltsie and Bill Davenport, Matt Miller and Beth Wehrle, Coard and Sunny Benson, Richard and Beverly Tilghman, James and Ina Van Ness, Mark and Susanna Scallion, Anne and Ron Walker, the Chesapeake Audubon Society, James Olds and Robin Buckley, Steve and Julie Burleson, Kimberly and Glenn Baker, Rodger and Priscilla Waldman, Linda and Peter Yungbluth, Terry and Bill Witowsky and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hill.
More information is available online at www.pickeringcreek.org/marvelous

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The magic of frogs and forts at Pickering Creek EcoCamp

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Meander through mud, wallow in the wetland, and frolic in the forest at our summer EcoCamp! Our exciting, unique, and hands-on activities allow campers to engage with nature at their own pace, by providing a welcoming and safe environment to explore. Campers learn about nature and gain outdoor skills through hiking, swimming, playing games, fishing, and creating crafts. Small groups of campers will discover the wetlands, forests, creek, and pond along with an experienced counselor and EcoCamp alumni (our enthusiastic Junior Naturalists). Test your skills at spotting wildlife, playing camouflage, catching frogs, building forts, and canoeing.
Pickering Creek Audubon Center’s EcoCamp has a philosophy that campers will have rich learning experiences in a fun and safe outdoor environment. EcoCamp’s small groups and low student to instructor ratio provide for an exceptional outdoor summer camp experience. Camp leadership has significant experience leading the Center’s ever popular summer programs and this summer’s camp staff features a number of excellent returning staff.  Pickering Creek offers exceptionally well-trained and experienced instructors and leaders for all its programs.
Each camp is one week long and focuses on a unique nature-inspired theme. Pickering Creek offers camps for two groups: Fledglings (students entering K-1st next fall) and Larks and Shrikes (these groups are mix of students entering 2nd -7th grades). All camp days operate from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Fledglings will get a gentle introduction to the outdoors through hikes and activities especially tailored for their abilities. Walks are shorter in length and activities vary throughout the program to keep them interested and active.  Fledglings spend some quiet time outdoors away from the older, more active campers after lunch and have an optional snack time in the afternoon.
The Larks and Shrikes campers engage nature with longer hikes, free explorations, and lessons on identifying the many animals that call Maryland home. Campers hike and play throughout the Center’s 450 acres, and seine for aquatic wildlife in Pickering Creek.  These older campers will hone their survival skills with shelter building, orienteering, canoe trips, tracking, and camouflage games.
Week 1 (June 16-18+20): Pollinator Power: The bees are buzzing, and the butterflies are fluttering! Come explore the world of pollinators as the summer flowers bloom all around us! Along with our usual camp explorations and water days, enjoy games and activities designed to help campers learn how important pollinators are to the world we live in and observe the beautiful varieties that call Pickering Creek home; from the bright Tiger Swallowtail to the bee-utiful honeybees! Note that this is a four day camp with no camp on Juneteenth.
Week 2 (June 23-27): Science Explorers: Who says science is boring? Naturalists are a kind of scientist who explore the world of nature! Campers will explore nature through experiments, observations and science-based games.  Dig through an owl pellet to decide what it ate; keep count of animals we see in our habitats and discover the biodiversity all around us.  Join us for a week of discovery and hands-on science fun!
Week 3 (July 7-11): Secret Forest: Walk where few have walked before and explore the lesser-known spaces of Pickering Creek. Campers will find spaces where the wild things are, the trees are taller, and the mud is deeper! We’ll try to spy new wildlife and use navigation skills to make maps and keep track of the places we explore. Campers will visit off-trail parts of the New Forest, yet to be explored by any camper!
Week 4 (July 14-18): Nature Ninjas: We are Nature Ninjas! This week, we’ll practice the art of camouflage and close observation. Answer questions like: What kind of wildlife lives here, how can we tell, what does it eat?   We’ll learn how to be calm, quiet, and prepared. We will be “One with Nature” and learn to activate our Quiet Mind.
Week 5 (July 21-25): Unhuggables: This week we will explore our forests in search of salamanders and bugs, our wetlands to find frogs and crayfish and our creek front in the hopes of catching fish and turtles! Join us as we celebrate all the creatures that call Pickering Creek home, including reptiles, amphibians and insects. Campers this week will have a special animal talk about reptiles and the ways they move!
Week 6 (July 28-Aug 1): Wet & Wild: It’s getting hot! Come explore the muddy freshwater wetlands, look for the little streams and puddles to play in and fish in Pickering Creek. This week campers will spend a lot of time playing water games and cooling off in all the different kinds of water at EcoCamp. Be prepared to get wet and muddy as we wade through these habitats collecting and watching wildlife, creating dams and new pools, and learning how water is the center for all habitats – big and small!
Week 7 (Aug 4-8): EcoCamp Village: Imagine a home-away-from-home for campers. If we lived at Pickering Creek, how would we live? We’ll build shelters in the forest, make baskets from vines and gather acorns and walnuts in the forest. As we seine in the creek, we will learn about all the animals that depend on the fish in the water for food. Skills like knot-tying and face-painting will abound as we learn to work together in our exploration of Pickering Creek!
Optional van transportation for a fee will be available from the Kohls parking lot in Easton to Camp each day on the following weeks:  June 23-June 27, July 14-July 18, July 28- Aug 1.
Online registration will begin on March 3, 2025 at 10:00am. Find information on transportation, registration, and scholarships at www.pickeringcreek.org. Contact Susanna Scallion, camp registrar at [email protected] for questions. Spaces will fill fast so don’t wait!

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Flock Together for the Great Backyard Bird Count: Find birds in your community and share the joy

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Share in the joy of birds during the annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) at Pickering Creek Audubon Center and help make your community stronger for you and the birds. Bird and nature lovers everywhere unite in the effort to tally as many of the world’s bird species as possible over these four days.  Visitors are welcomed enjoy bird walks guided by experienced birders at the Center on Friday February 14 from 8-10am. Combined with other bird counts, GBBC results help create a clearer picture of how birds are faring —whether individual species are declining, increasing, or holding steady in the face of habitat loss, climate change, and other threats.
The 28th annual Great Backyard Bird Count is taking place February 14 through 17, 2025.
“The GBBC continues to bring together millions of people every year,” said David Bonter, co-director of the Center for Engagement in Science and Nature at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. More than a half-million people participated during the 2024 GBBC—double the number of participants in the past five years. They reported 7,920 species of birds from 200+ countries and subregions.
“Participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count is an easy and great opportunity to bird with your friends and neighbors,” said Brooke Bateman, senior director of Climate and Community Science at the National Audubon Society. “More and more we see how birds can bring communities closer all across the world. The more we enjoy birds together, the more likely it is that we take steps to protect them and the places they need.”
“This free annual event also acts as a stepping stone for people looking to contribute to our understanding of bird populations around the world,” says Jody Allair, director of communications at Birds Canada.

“Joining your community to count birds means that we can track the long-term changes in bird populations,” says Bonter, “and we wouldn’t be able to do that without you. The world is changing fast, and birds often reflect the impact of environmental change first.”

Anyone can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count. To take part in the 2025 GBBC, each participant or group counts birds for any length of time (but for at least 15 minutes) and enters the birds they can identify at each site they visit. That could be their backyard or neighborhood or locally at Pickering Creek Audubon Center. All are invited to participate in guided bird walks led by experienced birders at the Center on Friday, February 14 from 8-10am. Enjoy watching birds along our trails and contribute to the effort as extra eyes on the sky spotting birds.  Sign up to participate at https://pickeringcreek.org/programs/upcoming-programs .
First-timers should make it a point to read complete instructions on the GBBC website where they will also find helpful birding tips and birding app downloads. The GBBC website also features a new map for marking local GBBC community events like the guided bird walks at Pickering Creek Audubon Center.
You’re also invited to tune in to a special webinar about how to participate in the GBBC. Register for one of two free events happening on Thursday, February 6, at 7:00-8:00 p.m. Eastern Time or Wednesday, February 12 3:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Register: https://dl.allaboutbirds.org/2025gbbcwebinar.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada and is made possible in part by founding sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited.

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Pickering Creek welcomes school year seasonal staff

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Pickering Creek’s school year programming with students from Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester and Wicomico counties kicked off this fall.  Center staff typically see two school groups per day comprising of four classrooms.  In addition to fantastic outdoor experiences at Pickering Creek Audubon Center, staff also lead or co lead programming at Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, Tuckahoe State Park, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Pemberton Park, Izaak Walton league Forest as well as at our partner schools. Four full time program staff and three part time program staff are joined this year by two full time seasonal staff.
On field experiences, kids have delightful exploratory experiences in the wetlands, meadows and forests at Pickering and wander widely across the Center’s 450 acres. Each visit is tied to a larger learning experience and to school system science curriculum. Our two seasonal staff play a role in delivery of those programs.
Andrew Niemann joined Pickering Creek this summer as an EcoCamp counselor and has continued as a seasonal school year educator. Before Pickering Creek, he double majored in environmental science and biology at Washington College which gave him experience with working in nature and a familiarity with the environments of the Eastern Shore.
He was drawn to working in environmental education because he has always liked to learn and explore in nature. He wanted to work with kids since their curiosity and enthusiasm is infectious. Andrew hopes continue working with kids in nature after my time at Pickering Creek. Andrew shares, “I have had great experiences at Pickering Creek, starting with camp where I was able to watch kids become more comfortable in nature over the course of the week and get opportunities to freely and safely play in such a cool setting. It’s always great to help a kid catch their first fish or meet their first frog. The opportunity to work with such knowledgeable people, as well as other opportunities for learning like visiting a bird banding station or meeting a herpetologist from the DNR have helped me gain a lot of knowledge on a much wider range of subjects than before. I’m looking forward to all of the things I will continue to experience while living and working here over the next months!”
Hugh Bennett is a self-proclaimed musician, environmentalist, and the newest members of the seasonal staff at Pickering Creek. His background of study is in environmental conservation, so he is excited to be a part of the team and put his education into action. After exploring the country in a van for many months earlier this year, planting roots on the eastern shore has been a delight. As Hugh began searching for somewhere to pursue his career, Pickering Creek’s seasonal opportunity crossed his radar. Hugh says, “From the eastern shore locals, I heard nothing but amazing things about Pickering Creek and what it has to offer as an organization. I applied for the school year educator position and am so happy I did.”
Growing up on a healthy plot of land in piedmont North Carolina, ecocentrism was on the back doorstep. Time spent in nature helped Hugh develop a love and appreciation for the outdoors. “Pickering has the same aura that takes me back to my childhood wonder. Being able to have a job in environmental education is an opportunity in which I am very grateful. Learning occurs EVERYDAY… And that is special”, exclaims Hugh, “The experiences I am having at Pickering are invaluable. Working in the outdoors, learning new skills, and being a environmental educator are building blocks to a future I seek. “
Seasonal staff play an important role as educators at the Center and four of the six full time staff at the Center got their start as seasonal staff. Pickering Creek seasonal staff have graduated to full time positions at the National Aquarium, Delaware Sea Grant, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, PA Dept of Environmental Conservation and Massachusetts Audubon to name a few.  If you are interested in a seasonal position our next application period will begin in February for summer 2025 positions.

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New solar panels power Pickering Creek campus

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Pickering Creek has installed a 45-kW solar system consisting of 89 solar panels in two separate arrays this fall.  The panels were installed by Solar Energy Services of Millersville, MD during September and October of this year.
The first array is visible to all who enter the Center’s main parking lot.  Perched on the roof of the Center’s tractor and hay wagon storage barn are 43 solar panels.  The second array, consisting of 46 panels is adjacent to an agricultural field and is visible from Sharp Rd, but largely hidden behind an emergent meadow near the center’s garden.
These panels will power all the electrical needs of the Center’s six primary buildings as well as electrical needs of the rest of the campus.  The Center recently converted many of its structures to energy efficient heat pumps for both heating and cooling, so the energy generated from these panels will support the use of those new heat pump systems.
“We’ve thought about solar panels for a long time and we are excited to bring them online and share any of our experiences with other nonprofit partners who might benefit from installing solar at their locations,” said Mark Scallion, Director of Pickering Creek.  We are also thankful to Easton Utilities and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation for their assistance in facilitating the process.
The Center will host a tour of the panels for those interested in learning more on November 13th at 9am.  At the tour we’ll connect nonprofit leaders to financial incentives offered by the federal government through the Inflation Reduction Act.  We’ll have an installer on site to answer any technical questions about using solar at non-profit facilities.  We’ll look at both roof and ground mounted systems.
If you are interested in attending the tour, please RSVP to Mark Scallion at [email protected]

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Pickering Creek Audubon Center Unveils New Autumn Wetland Trail Guide

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Pickering Creek Audubon Center is excited to announce the debut of its new Autumn Wetland Overlook Trail Guide, available October 1st. This trail guide enhances the visitor experience along the Center’s mile-long wetland trail, which winds through over 90 acres of shallow water wetlands and meadow habitats and features four scenic viewing platforms.
The trail is marked by knee-high, numbered posts that correspond with the newly released interpretive brochure. The guide highlights seasonal attractions such as blooming wildflowers and potential wildlife sightings, making it an ideal tool for families and nature enthusiasts alike. “Using our new guide is the perfect way to introduce kids and adults to our local ecosystems, with fall being one of the best times to enjoy these trails,” says Michele Johnson, Pickering Creek Educator.
Located in the heart of the Atlantic Flyway, Pickering Creek’s wetlands are a vital habitat for birds. These wetlands provide crucial nesting grounds and migratory resting points for millions of birds each year. “Our bird monitoring data shows us that when habitat is improved, the birds eventually show up. This trail is one of the best places on the shore to observe birds throughout the year. The viewing platforms are especially great for seeing wading birds and waterfowl in the fall,” says Mark Scallion, Director of Pickering Creek.
Visitors walking the trail can observe the benefits of the wetland restoration efforts that began in 2002. These efforts, carried out in collaboration with the Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage, local students, and volunteers, have focused on restoring and maintaining healthy habitats for the diverse wildlife species that inhabit the wetlands.
“We want visitors to feel that Pickering Creek is a place for everyone and every season, where each visit offers a new adventure. This trail is a testament to community-based conservation and education, which we’ve highlighted along the Wetland Overlook Trail,” says Megan Swadley, Pickering Creek Educator.
Pickering Creek is open daily in October from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM, check the Center’s website for November hours. Trail guides are available to pick up at the trailhead and in the Welcome Center.  Visitors are advised to wear boots, as periodic wet spots may occur on the trail, especially later in the fall season.

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