Howard County Bird Club
Centennial Park Detailed Information
Centennial Park is frequently referred to as the “crown jewel of the Howard County park system.” Opened in 1986, it is one of the county’s premier birding locations thanks to its central location, sizable lake, excellent path system, and fine view of the sky. Its 1.8 million annual visitors attest to its popularity. This park received a Medallion Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Habitat: The 54 acre lake ranges from 32 feet in depth at the dam (east) end to a foot or less at the wildlife (west) end. Islands in the west end can have attractive muddy edges depending on the season and rainfall. Young or maturing deciduous trees and scrub dominate the north side of the lake where there is little development (except near the North Area parking lots). Two ponds can be found on this side. The level of the one nearest the dam fluctuates dramatically and is often nearly or completely dry by late fall. The one west of the cove bridge retains water year-round and is surrounded on several sides by deciduous trees. The south side of the lake contains extensive areas of mown grass and recreational attractions. It also has some pieces of meadow habitat that are mowed every few years on a rotating basis to halt succession. Several dozen conifers have been planted along MD 108 and Centennial Lane. Floodplain deciduous woods can be seen east of the dam on the north side of the outlet stream. Most of the tract is private property, but the edge is within the park. A paved extension of the loop trail east of the dam (Centennial Park Access Pathway) continues past Pavilion H, across Woodland Drive, and over the Little Patuxent River as far as Old Annapolis Road. It provides access to floodplain habitat.
Layout: The four park entrances are North, South, East, and West. The South Area off MD 108 is considered the main entrance with extensive parking areas, park offices, and most of the pavilions. It is the center for many planned activities. Fields (some lighted) for team sports are concentrated in the West Area entered from Centennial Lane. The East Area consists of a pavilion designed for 300 people along with an associated activity area (the gate to this area is closed in winter). The North Area‘s more limited courts, softball field, and parking are
somewhat removed from the lake. The entrance is from Old Annapolis Road. An interconnecting path system allows access to all parts of the park.
Best Time to Visit: Weekdays; before mid-morning on weekends and holidays; anytime on cold, windy, or rainy
days (especially during waterfowl migration); and mid-morning to late afternoon when searching for swallows, terns, and hawks. Although this park can be productive evenings as well as mornings, birders tend to avoid the
throngs of walkers, joggers, bikers, roller-bladers, and people with buggies, strollers, dogs, and small children that appear on pleasant spring and fall days. During school vacations, visitor numbers rise. During peak periods, parking may be difficult. The greatest number of boats are on the lake on weekends (closed to boats December through February), although even during the week they sometimes pose a problem for migrant waterfowl. Charity events, organized runs, and special Recreation and Parks activities are frequent on weekends spring through fall.
Birding: At the South Area concession stand and restroom facilities, there is a Howard County Bird Club information board and a box containing a sheet on which to list sightings. Portions of the board are changed on a
regular basis to reflect park rarities, interesting sightings, and Bird Club activities.
During spring and fall migration, birders stop briefly whenever they pass the park in order to check the lake. Quick, frequent stops can also be rewarding during the winter when one or more holes in the ice concentrate waterfowl. This park’s list of rare or seldom-seen species justifies the time and attention it receives, especially since many of the unusual species spend less than a day. Some people never stray from the loop trail around the lake. This path, with its many access points to the lakeshore, provides the majority (but not all) of the good sightings. It is possible to spend half a day at this park following all of the side trails. The south side has several paved paths through weedy upland fields where a variety of passerines, especially sparrows, feed and nest and which has produced American Woodcock in spring and an Orange-crowned Warbler one November. After crossing the dam to the north side, a mown opening on the right with a bench contains a short trail to a small hidden pond that birders
refer to as the Vernal Pond because it has water in spring but may be dry by fall. Puddle ducks of several species as well as an occasional Black-crowned Night-Heron have been spotted here. Several hundred yards beyond this pond along the main loop (at a small triangle of grass with an information board) a paved path goes gradually uphill to the north. Where that path splits continue straight to reach the North Area. Check the conifers along this
road, although so far they have not been productive. Circle the parking lots and recreational activities on a paved loop. It passes a sediment pond and some fine tangles, even providing a glimpse of a nearby farm field. Go back over the bridge returning to the split; follow the paved path as it curves west to a green metal post. This opening is a good location for birds of the underbrush. On sunny spring and fall mornings, it is also one of the better migrant
locations. Continue on the gravel path down the hill through young maple woods. Near the bottom, rejoin the loop
trail or continue ahead to a wooded pond with cattails that birders call the Wood Duck Pond (it once contained a
nesting box). Rusty Blackbird, Black-crowned Night-Heron, and Olive-sided Flycatcher have been recorded here. Behind the left side of the benches surrounding the fire circle, there is a faint trail into the mature deciduous woods where a Great Horned Owl has nested.
Frequently, birders lack the time to explore the park completely—they may not even have time to walk around the lake. In that case, park at the boat ramp in the South Area and walk east toward the dam until it is possible to look into the bridge-covered cove on the north side. From that vantage point, scanning the deep water east toward the dam will pick up most divers. Backtrack west walking around the concession-building cove and the amphitheater to the wildlife end in order to check muddy island edges and shallow areas between the islands. Most of this south side is open which allows an excellent view of the sky. During periods of waterfowl migration when boaters may still be on the lake, some birds may be disturbed enough to move to the shallow west end. It is odd to see diving ducks among the Mallards, but it is a regular occurrence. Waterlilies line the lake edge from late spring into early fall. At least one Common Moorhen has been spotted among the plants on the south side. Unusual shorebirds at one time were a regular feature of the mudflats around the islands; unfortunately, several dozen nesting pairs of Canada Geese tend to attack anything within reach. An occasional yellowlegs or Wilson’s Snipe, as well as Spotted and Solitary sandpipers are still seen annually. The seasonal bird list will be a useful guide, but one never knows what new or exciting bird will appear. Winter can be especially rewarding. Any regularly occurring duck, grebe, cormorant, or swan may put in an appearance. In winter, large flocks of Canada Geese congregate to bathe and preen helping to keep open a substantial hole in the ice, even after most other ponds and lakes freeze. This helps to concentrates remaining county waterfowl. Occasionally a Snow Goose or even a Cackling Goose can be picked out of the flock. Be cautious about the latter species as small Canadas are resident. Once a Greater White-fronted Goose stayed a few days. Gulls congregate on the ice; scanning the gulls for rarities is encouraged but, so far, not highly rewarding. One Glaucous Gull is the sole rarity to date. During heavy snow or periods of ice, the park is closed.
Highlights: Besides the numerous birds, the scrubby fields attract a fine variety of butterflies, especially since the Howard County Bird Club funded creation of Emy’s Meadow, a memorial to our past treasurer. The meadow is the first “Pollinator Plot” the club created to enhance meadow habitat. Centennial’s diverse habitats have also made it a prime location for dragonflies and damselflies. Only Font Hill Wetland Park has a longer dragonfly list.
Handicapped Access: Much of the paved paths system is level or has gentle grades. Away from the main loop trail there are steeper sections. Most of the unpaved paths are on the north side of the lake.