Howard County Bird Club
Rockburn Branch Park Detailed Information
This large park’s varied habitats attract a fine mix of migrating birds and breeding species. The historic buildings add interest.
Habitat: Rockburn has scrubby areas, mature deciduous and coniferous woods, grassy sections, streamside vegetation, and good views of the sky. Floodplain is limited. The easternmost section, where native pines still exist, are most reminiscent of Coastal Plain locations, while the westernmost section’s rolling topography is more like that of the Piedmont. The floral and faunal communities are shaped by very to extremely acidic Sassafras and Russett soils. Forming in ancient sandy Coastal Plan sediments from the eroded Appalachians, they typify
eastern Howard County with diversity in texture, water holding capacity, and shallow watertables. Wetland soils such as Fallsington and common floodplain soils Codorus and Hatboro occupy the dales and the Rockburn Branch valley altering plant communities with saturated soil conditions.
Layout: This park has two sections and two entrances. Entrance to the West Area is from Montgomery Road; entrance to the East Area is from Landing Road. Both areas contain a network of trails along with active recreational facilities. The lighted ball diamonds and the artificial turf fields are in the East Area; the county’s only disc golf course is in the West Area as are the historic buildings.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall migration are prime times. Because some Neotropical species breed here, it can also be worth a late spring or early summer visit.
Birding: Woodland birds predominate in the East Area because the trails tend to be through mostly mature deciduous or pine woods. The West Area has much more scrub and second-growth with smaller amounts of mature deciduous trees so edge species predominate; the view of the sky is better in this section.
West Area – From the Montgomery Road entrance adjacent to Rockburn Branch Elementary School, pass the restored Pfeiffer’s Corner School (c. 1883) on the left and park in the lefthand lot just beyond it. All trails in the West Area are accessible from this location. Begin by scanning the vegetation adjacent to the parking lot, and
then check the mature conifers surrounding the historic Clover Hill mansion (dating to the early 19th century). A brief detour north along the gravel road brings you to the McKenzie Barn that dates to 1860. A paved path begins just north of the parking lot heading west gently downhill. The trail is adjacent to mature trees on the left;
openings on the right providing a good view of the sky. Eastern Screech-Owls have been heard in this area. After crossing Rockburn Branch, the crushed gravel road rises toward the Doyle farmhouse (built prior to 1878). This building is used as a “haunted house” at Halloween so is often referred to by that name. Scrubby habitat produces sparrows in all seasons; during the breeding season Indigo Buntings, White-eyed Vireos, and usually a
Yellow-breasted Chat can be heard or seen. Once a Wild Turkey was heard. The house is surrounded by mature conifers that can hold migrant warblers (Cape May is among the best); occasionally a Philadelphia Vireo has been spotted in nearby deciduous vegetation. Follow the road as it skirts the rear of the house; at this point a deadend road lined with dogwoods heads south through scrubby habitat. After searching that area, return to the original road as it continues downhill past a barn. At the base of the slope, several substantial rocks on the right mark a sewer line. Follow this partially overgrown deadend trail several hundred yards. It is almost always worthwhile.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and an assortment of warblers have been spotted here. Return to the main road following the mature deciduous trees on the right near the stream. To the left, on the hillside below the house, there is a mix of grass and scrubby vegetation. Sedge Wren and Mourning Warbler have both been seen here (in the days when the hillside was less groomed). Take a few minutes to look at the restored Doyle springhouse. After re-crossing the branch, bear left and follow a mown path as it skirts the branch or goes through the disc golf course. After reaching the main crushed gravel road, turn left. Within a short distance, bear left again (no trail) following the scrubby edge of the open, grassy area looking for sparrows. After passing the pavilion, turn right and return to the parking lot along the road. With the parking lot in sight, there is one more worthwhile stop. At a gated opening, bear left downhill to reach a small pond at the base of a slope behind Rockburn Elementary School. This is the only such water in or near the park. It attracts an occasional Great Blue Heron or Green Heron, sometimes a Belted Kingfisher, and potentially any migrant or resident passerine. During the summer months, there are a
variety of pond dragonflies present. Covering this section of the park can easily occupy one to two hours. If you choose not to drive to the East Area but wish to walk instead, several paths provide a connection. The most obvious is from the parking lot adjacent to the pavilion.
East Area – As you leave the West Area, turn left on Montgomery Road and continue 1.2 miles to a left turn on Landing Road. The park entrance is 0.9 miles on the left. Continue to parking lots at the top of the hill. This is the
center of the sports complex; the park office and restrooms are in the brick building. At one time birders always began on what birders still call the “woodchip” trail (although there are no longer woodchips there). It begins north of the entrance road, west of the pumping station and runs along Rockburn Branch. It is marked by a square wooden post incised with TRAIL in yellow letters. It can still be productive, especially at the height of
migration, but when development took place north of the stream, floodplain habitat shrank–and with it some of its attractiveness for migrant and resident birds. When this trail crosses the transmission line, do not re-enter the woods; instead, turn east (left) and follow the mown path along the south side of cut to the office/parking area. The grassy path will become a gravel road behind the lighted fields. After returning to the parking area, (or if you chose not to start on the woodchip trail), walk to the south end of the paved parking area beyond the office (a cul de sac). From there, take a paved path east aroun7d the rear of fenced ballfield 3. Continue more than halfway around the next field (no. 2). At that point, follow a dirt path downhill into the woods and across a bridge. The trail
follows a stream and crosses the powerline. After re-entering the woods, follow wooden trail signposts throughout the East Area. Where trails cross or parallel the powerlines, it is always worth checking for perched or soaring hawks. One of the trails extends close to Landing Road looping through some remnant pine forest—fine Coastal
Plain habitat where Pine Warblers and Red-breasted Nuthatches are often found at appropriate seasons. At one time a Barred Owl was regular. Nesting Neotropical species can still be found in the East Area, perhaps the choicest being Hooded Warbler. All thrushes, including Gray-cheeked, and Wild Turkey have also been noted in this part of the park. Trails in the East Area are used frequently by mountain bikers.
Highlights: Extensive trails providing access to varied habitats combined with samples of Howard County history make Rockburn Branch Park an attractive destination.
Handicapped Access: Not all trails can be accessed by individuals with limited mobility. Some trails in the East Area are rocky or rutted and contain moderate grades. The West Area trails are more varied. There are paved, grass, packed earth, and crushed rock trail segments. Most have gentle grades.