Nature Walk at Pickering Creek’s New Forest
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
3:30-5:00 PM
$5 per person
Join Director, Mark Scallion, for an exploration of the Center’s newly acquired woods. We’ll start by walking Pickering’s meadow trail and then duck into the adjacent woods for a ramble across open woodland. Highlights could include woodpeckers, owls, turkeys, foxes and more. Walks are a great introduction to the Center’s campus and programs and an opportunity for you to learn more about what the Center has to offer and for us to learn about your interests. REGISTER HERE

Waterfowl Migration
Saturday, March 11th
7 am – 8:30 am
$5 per person
Out with the old and in with the new! It’s the time of year when our wonderful winter waterfowl are off to their summer destinations and some migratory friends stop off on their long journeys. Join Pickering Creek naturalists as we enjoy a short walk into our wetlands to look for ducks, swans and geese before they’re gone until the fall! REGISTER HERE

Volunteer for Spring Trail Day
Saturday, March 18, 2023
9:00-11:00 am
Get outdoors to enjoy signs of spring as you help us prepare our trails for upcoming spring school field trips and welcoming for visitors. We will be continuing our ongoing trail maintenance and care along our Farm to Bay trail. This will include “mulching” the trail with wood chips, lining it with branches and clipping back briars as needed. There’s something for everyone and many hands accomplish satisfying progress you can see on the trail.

Whimsy: Signs of Spring
Friday, March 31st
3:30 – 5 PM
$5 per person
Say goodbye to winter and hello to warmer weather, wildflowers blooming and creatures large and small coming out of their winter daze! Join Pickering Creek naturalists as we search for signs of spring with an easy walk around our meadows and forest. Help us find our first fiddleheads and march through a meadow of mayapples as we prepare for spring to finally arrive! Recommended for ages 4-7 but everyone is welcome! REGISTER HERE

In Owls of the Eastern Ice, American researcher and conservationist Jonathan Slaght takes us to the Primoriye region of Eastern Russia, where we join a small team for late-night monitoring missions, on mad dashes across thawing rivers, drink vodka with mystics, hermits, and scientists, and listen to fireside tales of Amur tigers. Most captivating of all are the fish owls themselves: careful hunters, devoted parents, singers of eerie duets, and irrepressible survivors in a harsh and shrinking habitat.

On Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 7pm, join Pickering Creek and wildlife biologist, author, and leading Blakiston’s fish owl expert, Jonathan Slaght, for a conversation about the world’s largest owl, the stories of his field research and the conservation efforts underway to protect this secretive species.

Dr. Slaght is the Director of Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Russia Program. He manages research projects involving endangered species such as Blakiston’s fish owls and Amur tigers, and coordinates WCS avian conservation activities along the East Asia-Australasian Flyway from the Arctic to the Tropics. Slaght has been featured by the BBC World Service, the New York Times, The Guardian, Smithsonian Magazine, The New Yorker, and Audubon Magazine, among others.

Pickering Creek’s cosponsors for this program are the Talbot Bird Club and the Chesapeake Forum.

To sign up, register here: https://weblink.donorperfect.com/easternice

Nature Walk at Pickering Creek’s New Forest
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
3:30-5:00 PM
$5 per person
Join Director, Mark Scallion, for an exploration of the Center’s newly acquired woods. We’ll start by walking Pickering’s meadow trail and then duck into the adjacent woods for a ramble across open woodland. Highlights could include woodpeckers, owls, turkeys, foxes and more. Walks are a great introduction to the Center’s campus and programs and an opportunity for you to learn more about what the Center has to offer and for us to learn about your interests. REGISTER HERE

Whimsy: Everlasting Evergreens
Thursday, January 26th
3:30 – 5:00 pm
$5 per person
While the rest of our fields and forests look bare, the dark green of our evergreen trees mark a stark contrast. Come join Pickering Creek educators as we explore what makes these trees and shrubs so special! We’ll be going for an easy hike through our forests where we’ll collect pine cones for some pine cone crafts where you could take home a pine cone bird feeder, pine cone owl or pine cone door decoration! Ages 4-7 recommended but everyone is welcome. REGISTER HERE

More than 130 people stepped forward in support of our recently concluded “More Acres, More Trails, More Space to Explore” campaign, exceeding the campaign’s 2.5 million dollar goal.  This September Pickering Creek was able to acquire 63 acres of woods adjacent to the Center’s 400-acre main campus and allocate money for trail creation as well as trail maintenance and improvement across the campus.  Together we were also able to add to the Center’s endowment to ensure our ability to care for these new acres and trails and seed future land protection efforts around the Center. This marks the Center’s second acquisition of land in the last ten years, preserving invaluable undeveloped land in Talbot County for the entire community to benefit from- both wild and human.

Over the last 30 years, Pickering Creek has played a major role in providing space in the community for people seeking places to enjoy nature for exercise, respite, and outdoor exploration and learning.  “Over the next three years we will work to create trails throughout the new woods, adding new dimension to Pickering’s already fantastic trail system, and fully integrating those trails within our main campus,” says Director Mark Scallion.  New interpretive panels, trails maps will be sprouting up during that time to both celebrate the expanded property lines as well as ‘mulch the pathway’ to new and exciting learning adventures.

When brother and sister George Olds and Margaret Strahl donated Pickering Creek’s main campus in the early 1980s they envisioned a place where everyone in the community would feel welcome as they explored nature as it is intended. In 2016, shortly after the completion of the Center’s Master Site Plan, Pickering Creek Audubon Center received a generous donation of a home within a 10-acre woods across the Creek from the Peterson Family.  The Petersons envisioned that their gift would expand Pickering’s ability to reach new people and encourage others to imagine the fantastic impact for the community that comes from expanding the center’s acres and protecting it boundaries.

In 2018, a significant lead gift allowed us to begin evaluating our ability to acquire the 63 acres adjacent to the center which were at the time being prepped for sale and/or development. Our process was slowed by covid and then a decision to amicably part ways with the National Audubon Society, however the urgency did not let up. As one of the projects key supporters stated again and again, “They are not making land anymore.”

Together, we envisioned protecting important forested land for wildlife, protecting the Center’s wild experience for everyone from school kids to trail hikers.  Beyond that we saw the opportunity to offer more trails to explore at Pickering Creek.  And since we see the best classroom that was ever built is the great outdoors itself– and not a building– creating an even bigger classroom for adventures at Pickering Creek would be an excellent choice for the community.  The property features large oaks and tulip poplars and is home to turkey, barred owls, beaver, spring peepers and wood ducks.

The addition of these acres will add tremendous opportunities for discovery for our school year program participants as well as summer camp kids.  We envision campers canoeing across the creek to these woods and having wild experiences exploring a remote woodland seemingly disconnected from the rest of the world they usually explore.  A new great place with logs to climb over, toads to catch, salamanders to search for and big trees to lie under.

Over the next three years the Center will add new trails for individuals and families to explore and seamlessly connect them to main campus trails accessed from the main parking area near our farm buildings.  Expect the first trails to open in late 2023.

Pickering will be offering guided walks through these woods on the second Wednesday of every month in the afternoon from December through next May.  These guided opportunities will share big trees, beautiful creek views and the peaceful quiet of these delightful woods that have only been enjoyed by a very small handful of people and myriad wildlife over the last 50 years.  Sign up for a walk at www.pickeringcreek.org

Pickering Creek Audubon Center will debut its Thanksgiving Kids Interactive Trail on Friday November 19^th.  The trail circles the Pickering Creek pond and features eleven stops that encourage kids and families to explore nature through short fun activities.  The trail is self guided and starts at the Center’s main parking lot. At the stops it asks kids to do interactive activities like: “Hop like a rabbit down the trail, if you see a Hawk or Eagle overhead freeze until it passes.”  Each location asks students to engage a different sense as they explore nature around them.

“This is a great way to explore the fall season as a family while engaging kids and giving adults a chance to stretch their legs and walk off some of the Thanksgiving Feast,” says Pickering Creek Director Mark Scallion.  The trail will be in place from Friday November 19th through Sunday December 4th.  Keep an eye on the weather and remember boots if it has been rainy!

After enjoying the kids interactive trail, further explorations lie beyond, with over four miles of trails and several beautiful vistas over Pickering Creek and the Center’s expansive wetlands, Pickering Creek has miles of trails for exploration and enjoyment.

Pickering Creek’s Trails are open daily from 7am to 5pm during the winter months. The trail is sponsored by the Talbot Optimists Club.  For all our general guidelines please check:

https://pickering.audubon.org/visit/planning-visit

As summer winds down, our local birds have finished their breeding season, and the fledglings are striking out on their own. Several birds will be switching their diets from insects to high fat seeds and suets to help them get ready for wintering here or migrating south.  That means it’s time to get your bird feeders back out and clean them. You can run them through the dishwasher, or wash with boiling water and soap to get them ready.  

Bird feeding helps sustain birds through the harshest winter days as well as provides exciting interactions with birds as you get to see beautiful cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, goldfinch, titmice, finches and more bouncing around your feeding station every time you peek out your window. You’ll have hours of endless entertainment as you watch your favorite cardinals and goldfinches come to the feeder as well as see surprises like white-breasted nuthatches and fox sparrows.  

Pickering Creek Audubon Center’s annual birdseed sale will be held from Oct 17th to the Nov 2nd. Friends of the birds can order seed during this time period. A large variety of seeds including black oil sunflower and thistle will be available as well as a variety of seed mixes and suet cakes.  Our seed provider provides a high quality seed, typically with less chaff and other debris than what you will find in seed purchased at big box retailers.  This year all payments will be made by credit card online, staff are available at the office if you prefer to call your payment in.  The largest order wins a free birdfeeder!  

Order forms will be available beginning October 17^th at https://pickeringcreek.org 

Seed pick up will be at our Second Annual Birdseed Social on Monday Nov 7th from 3:30 to 5:30pm at Pickering Creek.   Come have a drink and snack on us, meet fellow bird lovers, and pick up your seed! We will have Pickering Creek staff onsite to answer any bird questions you might have.

Monday Paddle at Pickering Creek Audubon Center

Mondays, September 19th & 26th & October 3rd & 17th

5:00- 6:30 pm

$5 per person

As the evenings cool down, summer ends and the trees begin their preparations for fall, it is a great time to enjoy being on the water! Join us for a leisurely canoe paddle along the shores of Pickering Creek. See the Barn Swallows swoop up their last meal of the evening, rays flap in the water, and the Eagles and Osprey soar overhead. Families welcome!

Nature Walk with the Executive Director: New Forest

Thursday, October 13, 2022

5:00-6:30 PM

$5 per person

Join Director Mark Scallion for a trail walk at the Center. Walks are a great introduction to the Center’s trails and programs and an opportunity for you to learn more about what the Center has to offer and for us to learn about your interests. This month will venture onto Pickering’s new acquired 63 acre woods. We’ll adventure to a different part of the Center each month, so come as often as you like!

Adults Only Twilight Adventure

Friday, October 21st

6:00 – 8:00 PM

$5 per person

Explore Pickering in the waning light of a day as the brilliant fall colors in our meadows and woodlands soften and fade into shadows of the evening. Join Pickering staff for a ¾ mile evening walk along our forest trails that take you from the front of the farm to the waterfront. Sharpen your senses and sense the outdoors in new ways as we look for signs of our wild neighbors that become more active at dusk. End the evening with marshmallows over a campfire and a leisurely wagon ride back to the parking area.

For more information, please visit https://pickeringcreek.org/programs/upcoming-programs/

For over 30 years, Pickering Creek Audubon Center has been the destination for students from Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester and Wicomico Counties to discover and connect with the natural world through exploration, science and engaged learning. During that same time, its 400 acres has offered a haven for individuals, community groups and families of all kinds who seek the peace, enjoyment, exercise and magical sightings that nature provides.

The Center completed a Master Site Plan in 2016 and Strategic Plan in 2020.  One of the highlights of both of those plans is expanding the habitat and trails that are part of Pickering.  As a result of their Master Site Plan, eleven acres were donated to the Center in 2016.  In 2018, Pickering leadership began a process with a neighboring landowner who holds two of the four highest priority parcels for the Center.  The definition of high priority parcels is twofold.  First, those that pose both a risk to guests experience at the center as well as disrupt local habitat if they are logged or are developed as home sites. Second, parcels that have the best opportunity for creating more outdoor exploration opportunities for our community on new trails.  The pandemic stalled the process for a while, but last fall discussions began again with the landowner.  Over the course of the pandemic other neighborhood parcels have been logged, which underscores the importance of preserving remaining forest habitat in the County as well as gives a stark reminder of what can happen on parcels near the center.  Discussions with the neighbor highlighted his desire to recoop his original investment through either logging the parcels or developing three home sites on them.

A steadfast supporter of the center offered a generous opening gift to get the process started.  In March the two parcels, totalling 63 acres were put under contract for Pickering and our fundraising effort began.  We have now raised 80% of the funds required to acquire the parcels, create trails, integrate the parcels into the centers overall campus, ensure we can maintain them over time and seed future protection of neighboring lands.

When students from near and far visit the Center we seek to give them a phenomenal outdoor experience that allows them to practice scientific methods in the field as well as truly experience the wonder and natural beauty of wild, undeveloped space. What makes that experience work so well is the Center’s ability to showcase the flowers and trees and frequent wildlife sightings that get kids (and adults) excited about being outside. Nothing beats seeing a northern harrier scream by or watching two eagles tangle with each other overhead. These experiences are as much a result of our own property management as the land use of our neighbors.

Pickering Creek Audubon Center surrounds these parcels on three sides, sharing in total 1.28 miles of common border. South of the parcels is our main campus’ back meadow, which includes a new trail and viewing platform. North of the parcels is Pickering’s Peterson Woods. On the eastern side, across Pickering Creek’s headwaters, and only 125 feet at its closest and 325 feet at its farthest, visible from our main campus’ “Farm to Bay Trail” that winds its way through the woods, which serves as the primary classroom for 70% of our school groups.

The landowner of these parcels purchased the two parcels in 2006 at the peak of the real estate market, envisioning them as a place for family hunting and recreation and possibly a retirement home in the future. Much has changed since 2006. The real estate market has declined significantly, depressing the value of the parcels, and the interests of the owners have evolved. The landowners have since subdivided the two parcels into three parcels, and have indicated interest in doing some degree of logging, stating that “the woods are ready but the market is not.” The landowner’s intent is to begin installation of septic systems, utilities and an entry drive through to the three parcels, as shown by some of the permits now in hand to carry out these “upgrades” in an effort to recoup the initial investment with a sale to owners ready and able to build up to three houses.

In Pickering’s eyes, the parcels are perfect for Pickering Creek and this community exactly as is.
Any of the modifications to these parcels proposed by the owner diminish their ultimate value for Pickering and this community, which means the time to act is NOW. We have seen firsthand the effects of timbering in the neighborhood recently. Timbering that occurred adjacent to our Peterson Woods parcel has not only diminished the beauty of the place in the near 5-10 year term, but has also caused significant expense in clearing the subsequent blow downs of remaining trees and limited our ability to use that portion of our campus in the ways we would like. We need to avoid these and other detrimental outcomes with the parcels that border the main campus of Pickering Creek. Two waterfront homes overlooking the Centers main campus would significantly diminish the wild and remote experience in the great outdoors that Pickering is known for and provides for the community.

From the most basic of needs, acquisition of these parcels would protect the wild experience for school students, summer campers, hikers, paddlers and essentially all of our guests to the Center. It would protect the gem that Pickering Creek is to Talbot County, and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

We have negotiated with the owner an acceptable price, and have a contract in place, contingent on raising sufficient funds by September 2022 to purchase these 63 acres. Including funds to design and implement a trail system with associated signage which is fully incorporated into the existing Pickering campus, assure future care of the property and seed future land protection around the Center we need to raise $2.5 million.

An additional 63 acres of woods to explore will offer the community and students who visit Pickering at least two miles of new trails through a spectacular woodland adding to the existing trail system and connecting the main campus with the Peterson Woods. New trails will offer great walks through mature woods, and all the wildlife sightings that come with undeveloped land that provides critical habitat in the vicinity. Bushy tailed red fox and a gang of wild turkeys has been spotted marching through the woods, along with countless songbirds and this spring’s salamander eggs in the vernal pools. Spring woodland wildflowers abound, chorus frogs happily sing on spring nights, Barred Owls nest in beech tree hollows and mountain laurel flourishes. There are two notable creek overlooks, with views of the Center’s main campus woods directly across the creek. Two streams with amphibian laden vernal pools run through the property adding nice diversity to the habitats we already have. All of this could be protected from development and logging, and shared instead with visitors young and old.

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of having the resource of trails and outdoor exploration for our community. Since the pandemic began, we have seen drastically more people using the Center’s trails, many of whom are first time trail users. The trails provided a chance for many to decompress, be away from their home in a safe place, spend time safely with family and friends, and find solace during difficult times.

With your help, Pickering Creek Audubon Center will be able to offer increased green space for the public to explore and expand the places for children to explore as they develop their understanding of natural systems and the part they play in them. By connecting people of all ages to birds, the habitats they need to survive, and the unparalleled beauty of the Chesapeake Bay region, we can inspire this and future generations to steward their surroundings. To learn more visit: https://pickeringcreek.org/getinvolved/morespacetoconnect/

Starry Night: Perseids & Summer Constellations
Friday, August 12, 2022
8:30 – 10:00 pm
$5 per person
The perseids are some of the year’s most exciting meteor showers and the best place to see them is somewhere without a lot of external lights. That’s why Peterson woods is an ideal getaway for viewing not just the perseids but also our fantastic summer constellations! Relax and enjoy the view from the Peterson woods lawn as Pickering Creek naturalists regale stories of the constellations, facts about the perseids and hopefully catch some shooting stars to boot! REGISTER HERE

The Art of Nature: Nature Journaling
Saturday, August 27, 2022
10 – 11:30 am
$10 per person
A practice spanning centuries, nature journaling is a great way to sharpen your observation skills, think critically and practice drawing! Without nature journals we wouldn’t have the works of some of the great ecological thinkers like Aldo Leopold, Charles Darwin, Jane Goodall & Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Learn how to do your own nature journal with detailed observations and sketches while enjoying a hike around Pickering Creek led by Pickering Creek naturalists. Journaling materials will be provided but feel free to bring your own as well! REGISTER HERE