Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA)
5795 Trotter Road, Clarksville, MD 21029
Established in 1996 and managed by the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, the 1,021-acre Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA) is maintained for the purposes of natural resource management, education, research, and recreation. It is partially funded by a grant from the Middle Patuxent Environmental Foundation. The MPEA provides an important buffer for the section of the Middle Patuxent River between MD 108 on the north and Cedar Lane on the south. Although limited parts are accessible from residential area paved pathways, access to the main trail systems (foot traffic only) is from two entry points west of the river.
Amenities: A few widely scattered benches along the trails. All-season restrooms in the Trotter Road parking lot. Outside drinking fountains at this location are turned off in the winter. For birding, the best potential for species diversity is during peak migration periods when almost any county passerine can occur here, and a variety of waterfowl, long-legged waders, hawks, and gulls may be seen overhead. The two major trails contain numbered signposts at points of interest keyed to a brochure available at each entrance kiosk. The MPEA provides access to an impressively large area of contiguous natural habitat that is improved by the wildlife management activities of dedicated county employees and well-motivated volunteers. The deep woods areas are not heavily traveled and are well removed from road and residential noise, providing a sense of remoteness not found in many other county birding spots.
Handicapped Access: Most of the MPEA is not handicapped-accessible, although a short section at the entrance to each main trail is level and either grass or gravel. Parts of all trails are rough and contain steep slopes; portions along the river may contain standing water after heavy rains. Paved Columbia Association (CA) paths originating in neighborhoods adjoining the MPEA allow some access, but some sections are hilly. Consult a CA pathways map.
Habitat: Mostly upland deciduous woods with scattered remnant pines and Middle Patuxent River floodplain; eight-acre warm-season grass meadow; second-growth and edge; steep slopes; several small ponds; an extensive wooded wet area; Cricket Creek plus 16 smaller tributaries; and openings created by sewer lines. Portions are managed for American Woodcock. The combination makes this a premier county birding destination. American Woodcock management is a major focus. Like much of the county, the MPEA has suffered in the last four decades from an exploding white-tailed deer population. Much of the native understory has been destroyed, and large sections have been invaded by non-native plants. Managed hunts have stabilized deer numbers to some degree, and there are signs that the understory is improving. Perhaps eventually some of the ground-nesting birds that formerly nested would return.
Layout: The marked nature trails and main conservation sites are reached from either of two entry points–one off Trotter Road and the other from South Wind Circle. Both entrances feature a large display map and trifold brochures with maps and accompanying interpretive descriptions tied to the numbered marker posts found along the trails. Each brochure is specific to the entry point, and each also features a complete MPEA map. Clegg’s Meadow can be very productive with good views of the sky, considerable edge habitat, and proximity to the river. On cool spring or fall mornings, initially bird the trees and undergrowth on the left (north) side where the sun warms the vegetation first. Fall brings sparrows to the warm-season grasses. The most productive areas year-round are the trails adjacent to the river. This is particularly the case in less-than-perfect weather. On cold mornings during migration, when areas along the river are slow to receive sunlight, activity may be delayed. Once the sun warms insects, any opening containing mature trees, dense understory, and food-bearing vines can be a pocket of activity. Several consecutive days of rain or fog during thrush migration may ground several species, sometimes in large numbers.
Wildlife Loop Trail. (Red metal markers) The Trotter Road entrance has a small unpaved parking lot on the east side of Trotter, 0.9 miles south of MD 108. From this entrance, the 2.5-mile Wildlife Loop Trail leads through small
clearings and deep woods down a steep slope to the Middle Patuxent River, along the riverbank, and back up through deciduous woods to the initial marker post where it rejoins the path from the parking lot. Along this route
are early successional habitats, recently restored clearings and plantings, declining stands of Virginia pine, as well as mature oak, tulip poplar, and hickory forest on the slopes and upland, and red maple, box elder, and sycamore in the floodplain. Sections of the trail along the river can be knee-high wet grass and muddy after rain, even if the upper trails are dry. East of post 2, about 100′, look for a mown path that leads left (north) into a meadow. In addition to grasses and small trees, there is a small group of mature Virginia pines where Red-breasted Nuthatches have been found on several occasions. To make a short loop, follow this path to post 17 and return to post 1.
Connector Trail. (Orange metal markers) The brochure also identifies a well-worn route called the Connector Trail that heads south from marker post 2 down to the river. It is possible to navigate north from this point along the river for about 0.6 miles to marker post 11 on the Wildlife Loop Trail. It is also possible and easier to head south along the river and join the South Wind Trail system described below.
South Wind Trail. (Blue metal markers) To reach this trail entrance, continue south 0.2 mile along Trotter Road to a traffic circle; from it, take South Wind Circle; in 0.1 mile take the first right, which is also marked South Wind Circle. The trail entrance is 0.4 miles ahead on the right, marked by a wide mown strip and a kiosk. Park along the street.
From the kiosk, continue past the vehicle barrier (or cable gate) about 0.1 mile (just before post 1). When you reach this point, check the tree line to the left for bird activity if it is receiving morning light. Just beyond post 2, a worthwhile loop begins where a trail angles to the right through a mature hardwood forest. It passes an overlook and drops to the bottomland where the Middle Patuxent River is joined by Cricket Creek, a substantial tributary flowing from the west. The trail continues upstream along the creek for more than a quarter mile before turning uphill along a sewer line at the edge of a forest and rejoins the main trail at the initial intersection.
From this point, continue northeast toward marker post 11 at Clegg’s Meadow. Mowed trails along the meadow perimeter lead down to the bottomland (usually a very birdy location), where they are joined by a trail along the river to form an excellent loop of varied habitat and abundant wildlife. This trail along the river extends north beyond the end of Clegg’s Meadow to join the Connector Trail described above. A bridge allows safe and easy passage during times of heavy water flow in the small creek below.
In addition to the county trails on the west side of the river, there are many Columbia Association (CA) paved paths that wind through portions of the MPEA property. On the east side of the river, there are numerous access points in the neighborhoods of Clarys Forest and Swansfield in the Village of Harpers Choice. On the west side, paths from the Trotter Ridge and Pheasant Ridge neighborhoods in the Village of River Hill offer additional options.
Howard County Recreation and Parks information
Compiler: Ward Ebert
