Pickering Creek Audubon Center will debut its Thanksgiving Nature Play Trail on Saturday November 18th.  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 a walk off some of the Thanksgiving Feast,” says Pickering Creek Director Mark Scallion.  The trail will be in place from Saturday November 18th through Sunday December 3rd.  Keep an eye on the weather and remember boots if it has been rainy!

After enjoying the Thanksgiving Nature Play 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.   

For all our guidelines please check:  https://pickeringcreek.org/visit/planning-a-visit/

A gathering in Easton, Maryland of 70 Chesapeake Bay Oyster Reef Recovery Initiative volunteers was led by the staff of founding sponsor, Eglseder Wealth Management Group, Inc. on Thursday, October 5 to deliver an estimated 337,000 oyster spat-on-shell to 300-plus volunteer oyster growers.

After coffee, doughnuts, and lunches were handed out, volunteers loaded buckets and cages of oyster spat-on-shell in their trucks and trailers and delivered them to the docks of the Initiative’s volunteer oyster growers.

The spat-on-shell are housed in protective cages that are suspended from the grower’s docks throughout the fall and winter. In late spring, volunteers meet again to collect each grower’s oysters and plant them in a protected oyster sanctuary on the Tred Avon River.

The Chesapeake Bay Oyster Reef Recovery Initiative was founded in 2011 by Eglseder Wealth Management Group, Inc., and was established as part of the state’s Marylanders Grow Oysters program to encourage people to become involved in Maryland’s oyster restoration efforts and clean-up of the Chesapeake Bay.

To learn how to become an oyster grower, please visit www.oystersforthebay.com or contact Program Manager Suzanne Anderson at 410-822-9143.

 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge will offer furbearer trapping rights on a sealed bid basis for the 2024 season.

Fifteen trapping units will be available.  An individual may bid on one or more units, but only three units will be awarded to any bidder.  The successful bidder must personally trap the unit; subleasing is prohibited. Bid invitations, maps, and other details are available by calling Matt Whitbeck, Wildlife Biologist, at 410-221-2034. Inspection of the units will be allowed from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., December 4-7 and December 11-14, 2023, with a scouting permit.

Bids must be received at the refuge office by 5:00 pm on December 14, 2023. Successful bidders will be notified by mail. The Refuge must receive full payment on or before December 29, 2023, for successful bidders to receive their permit.

Trapping for muskrat, raccoon, fox, skunk, and opossum will begin on January 1, 2024, and end on March 15, 2024, unless extensions have been made by both the state and the refuge.

Trapping on Blackwater NWR is a management activity designed to control the population levels of furbearers as well as provide an economic benefit to local trappers. Uncontrolled muskrat populations can seriously damage marsh vegetation, which is vital to waterfowl, other migratory birds, and the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

With summer behind us, our local birds have finished their breeding season, and the fledglings are striking out on their own. Many species are 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 cleaned up and back out in the yard. To prepare feeders for the season, you can run them through the dishwasher, or wash with boiling water and soap to get them ready. Regularly cleaning them this way throughout the season will help your birds stay healthy and avoid your feeder being a source for disease transmission.

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 16th to the Nov 6th. Friends of the birds can order seed from Pickering 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.  Different seeds and feeder types attract different types of birds.  Our carefully selected 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 program is primarily designed to help people get interested in bird feeding, have a source for high quality seed and interact with fellow bird lovers at the birdseed social. Purchasers are welcome to make an additional donation to support the Center’s many programs.  This year all payments will be made by credit card online. The largest order wins a free birdfeeder!

Order forms will be available beginning October 16^th at https://pickeringcreek.org

Orders must be placed by November 6.

Seed pick up will be at our Third Annual Birdseed Social on Tuesday Nov 14th 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.

The Queen Anne’s County Department of Parks and Recreation announces the upcoming Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Public Open House on Thursday, October 26, 2023. This event is a culmination of community engagement through the Master Plan Survey, and we extend our appreciation to everyone who participated.

The purpose of this open house is to provide an interactive platform for the community to engage, ask questions, and offer input regarding the Queen Anne’s County Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan. The event is designed to allow attendees to drop in anytime between 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm at the Planning Commission Meeting Room located at 110 Vincit St., Centreville, MD 21617.

There will be no formal presentation during the open house, and attendees will have the opportunity to partake in engaging activities, learn about the proposed plan, and interact with staff.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, October 26, 2023
• Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
• Location: Planning Commission Meeting Room, 110 Vincit St., Centreville, MD 21617

The Queen Anne’s County Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan is a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing the pedestrian and bicycle network across the county. By focusing on safety, accessibility, and overall enjoyment, the plan seeks to create a community where residents and visitors can embrace active transportation options seamlessly. The outcomes of this plan will establish a foundation for future projects and funding opportunities dedicated to improving active transportation throughout the county.

For further information about this event and the Queen Anne’s County Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, please contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at 410-758-0835.

Come experience the changing of the seasons at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) by participating in one of our Guided Birding tours in the fall of 2023.  You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy identifying and learning about the many species of birds that inhabit the refuge.

Fall birding tours at Blackwater NWR highlight the returning migratory waterfowl. Don’t miss the opportunity to observe and identify our diverse array of feathered friends, from woodpeckers and wading birds to numerous species of waterfowl and raptors, including the bald eagle.  Guided Birding tours take place on the following Sunday mornings: October 29, November 26, and December 17, led by Refuge Volunteer Terry Allen, and on December 10, led by Refuge Volunteer Ron Ketter.  Participants will meet at the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center at 8:00 a.m. Tours may last 3 to 4 hours.  The birding party typically tours via personal vehicle, stopping at various hotspots around the refuge’s Wildlife Drive.

Binoculars and field guides are highly recommended for an enjoyable experience. Be sure to dress for the weather.  There is no fee or advanced registration for these activities.  For further information, please call the Blackwater NWR Visitor Center at 410-228-2677 or visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 32,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwood and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland for a diversity of wildlife.  To learn more, visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or @BlackwaterNWR.

 

The weather at this time of year is delightful for outdoor activities.   Join the staff at Pickering Creek for enjoyable outdoor explorations this fall. Registration in advance is required and can be made at https://pickeringcreek.org/programs/upcoming-programs/

Monday Paddle on Pickering
Monday, October 16, 2023
5:00-6:30 PM
$10 per person Finish out a Monday with a leisurely canoe paddle along the shores of Pickering Creek. Soak in the sights and sounds of the creek by canoe with a friend or family member as the early evening light dances on the waters of Pickering Creek.  Families welcome! Canoes & Lifejackets provided. 

Nature Walk with the Director at Pickering Creek’s New Forest
Thursday, October 19, 2023
5:00-6:30 PM
$5 per personJoin 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.

A Little Bird Told Me
Monday, October 30, 2023
8:00-10:00 AM
$5 per person

Join Pickering Creek naturalist to observe and enjoy birds in a whole new way.  Learn how to “listen” to what birds say through their vocalizations and behaviors in this guided field experience. Activity will be light with some time spend sitting or standing quietly.  Participants will sharpen their observations skills and walk away understanding some basic bird behaviors that will offer a peek at what is going on in the landscape around them in real time.

 

Bird Walk with e-Bird Monitoring
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
8:00-10:00AM

Have fun bird watching for science at Pickering Creek. Bird watchers of all skill levels are encouraged to assist volunteer leaders with bird monitoring along the Center’s trails during this monthly bird survey. Help us collect data that allow us to track long-term trends on how birds use the Center. Currently we have spotted and identified over 230 species at Pickering Creek!

 

Nature Walk with the Director at Pickering Creek’s New Forest
Wednesday, November 15, 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 interest.

Bird Walk with e-Bird Monitoring
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
8:00-10:00AM

Have fun bird watching for science at Pickering Creek. Bird watchers of all skill levels are encouraged to assist volunteer leaders with bird monitoring along the Center’s trails during this monthly bird survey. Help us collect data that allow us to track long-term trends on how birds use the Center. Currently we have spotted and identified over 230 species at Pickering Creek! 

 

ShoreRivers is proud to announce that 30 brand-new Tree Stewards are being added to its roster of volunteers who are trained and ready to help plant and care for native trees across the Eastern Shore.

Tree Stewards are volunteers who help identify potential planting locations, develop community partnerships, coordinate site visits and assessments, create planting plans, and assist with maintenance of trees. Tree Stewards are essential to ShoreRivers small-scale restoration efforts and are crucial for continuing to build community connections.

This volunteer program began in 2021 as a training opportunity offered by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, for which ShoreRivers was the only host organization on the Eastern Shore. The training covers topics including tree biology and proper tree planting techniques, and concludes with an in-person tree planting. Thanks to these new Tree Stewards, 12 new natives are standing tall at Easton Point Park and more are on the way.

“Planting native trees improves water quality and reduces nutrient and stormwater runoff, shades impervious surface to better regulate water temperatures, and sequesters carbon in our atmosphere—and their benefits don’t stop there,” says Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards. “These trees, especially when planted in urban and developed areas, fill habitat gaps for birds and insects, keep our neighborhoods cooler, increase home values, filter our air quality, and lower our energy bills!”

With funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and an outstanding showing from this dedicated volunteer base, ShoreRivers has already worked alongside its Tree Stewards to plant a total of 300 native trees across our watershed. The 12 planted as part of the recently completed Tree Stewards training were the first of 1,000 that ShoreRivers has committed to planting in five urban centers in our watershed—Chestertown, Easton, Cambridge, Federalsburg, and Denton—thanks to additional funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust. If you know of a location that might be suitable for a native tree planting, please email [email protected].