David Force Detailed Information

David Force Natural Resource Area (NRA), named for a former county commissioner, is a “suburban oasis” bordered by neighborhoods and a golf course. The southeasterly flowing Little Patuxent River (LPR) bisects the area from Turf Valley Road east to Bethany Lane.

(A) South Area: At this time, this is the only one of the four sections described which has maintained trails. Interconnecting paths go through deciduous upland and floodplain forest as well as scrubby fields. Some fields are mown to stop woody succession; others have been planted with saplings. Wetlands, an old farm pond, a white pine grove, and an unmaintained wildlife demonstration garden are also present. (B) West Area: A partly overgrown trail follows a sewer line along the south side of the LPR, past a woodland pond, across a hill, then opens to a red cedar plantation. Beyond lies a cattail marsh surrounded on three sides by a red maple swamp. Continuing eastward eventually leads to South Area trails. (C) East Area: Floodplain bordered by mature deciduous woods on a high ridge. The trail follows a sewer line with the LPR on the left. It soon comes to a steep gully. Retrace your steps or, for the more adventuresome (and nimble), scramble across this ditch and continue. There is no direct connection to other areas so it will be necessary to retrace your steps. (D) North Area: This is the least explored section. Deer trails wind through dense, young deciduous forest, across a gas pipeline, and continue through mature deciduous forest along a well-beaten path along a tributary that feeds into the LPR. Near this point on the LPR there is a waterfall.

Layout: Primary access is via Pebble Beach Drive (South Area) with parking along the street. Refer to the kiosk for a map of trails and other information. The West Area is located off Turf Valley Road; parking is in the gravel lot on the right just north of the bridge. Bethany Lane has two access points: East Area: From US 40, drive north .2 mile, park in a tiny gravel lot on the left (west) side beyond the bridge. North Area: Immediately south of the I-70 overpass, park on the shoulder. Look for openings on the west side of the road. In addition to a few faint deer trails and poorly delineated paths, bushwhacking will be necessary. Using a copy of the map for this site, work our way west to a tributary. A well-beaten path adjacent to it continues south to an intersection with the LPR. A left turn (east) returns the hiker to the East Area entrance along Bethany Lane.

Best Time to Visit: Migration periods spring and fall for birds; the LPR has interesting dragonflies during the warmer months; meadows and streamside vegetation attract a variety of butterflies, mostly from late spring to early fall.

Birding: Birders concentrate their efforts on the more accessible South Area (A):

Optimal birding is during spring and fall migrations.
Scan the sky for flyovers, then walk through young, deciduous forest; its low canopy allows easy viewing.
Managed hunts in this and other areas control the number of deer therefore enabling regrowth of understory vital to Ovenbirds, Wood Thrushes, and other low-nesting or ground-nesting birds.
An opening in an Osage orange “living fence” leads to a shrubby field with a mown path that winds past a forest edge. At one time, Great Horned Owls nested in the mature woods to the south.
Whitewash on trunks of white pines indicates the presence of wintering owls. An American Woodcock was flushed from the ground one fall. Sparrows hide in brambly areas. White-eyed Vireo, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, and American Goldfinch can also be found here.
At the pond, Red-winged Blackbirds nest. Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, and Green Heron are among the common visitors.
Continue northward through low-canopied trees; a water-filled ditch on the right attracts migrating birds. Blue-headed Vireo, American Redstart, and other passerines have been seen here.
Cross the wooden bridge and scan the field behind the houses; then walk east along the wood edge about 50 ft. A faint path (sometimes overgrown) leads to a loop trail which provides several attractive elevated views of the river.
Backtrack across the bridge and continue north along the mown path to the river. Vine-covered shrubs on the far bank conceal a variety of sparrows.
A long-gone beaver dam once flooded the area causing the death of many trees. These snags are excellent perches. A variety of hawks use them. They offer nest sites for various woodpeckers, as well as for other cavity nesters: Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and White-breasted Nuthatch. Carolina Wrens work the undergrowth.
Belted Kingfishers cruise up and down the river; their distinctive rattling call can be heard from afar.
Late-summer and early fall, check patches of jewelweed for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
Continue west along the river on a narrow beaten trail that turns uphill. Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, and Scarlet Tanager should be looked for during the summer, along with permanent residents.
To ease the strain of “warbler neck,” look down at spring ephemerals. Commonly seen are Spring Beauty, Bloodroot, Jack-in the-Pulpit, Cut-leaved Toothwort, Rue Anemone, Star Chickweed, Wild Ginger, and Trout Lily.
This trail circles back to the entrance.

West Area:

Check the sky for flyovers and overhead lines for perching birds. Scan the golf course pond for waterfowl.
Walk east along the sewer line towards a woodland pond. Avoid aggressive Mute Swans (not wild birds) that wander from the golf course to nest here. After the first warm spring rain in March, Spotted Salamanders mate and deposit egg masses in the water.
Follow faint trails along the base of the hillside through opening to a field attractive to Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Indigo Bunting, American Goldfinch, and a variety of sparrows. Watch for flying golf balls from across the stream; look down and you will see an abundance of strays.
In spring, scan cattails for Red-winged Blackbirds; several American Bitterns have been seen here. Nearby red maples may have Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers sipping sap from drilled holes; chickadees and titmice may also drink from these holes.
In summer, check large shrubs or saplings for nesting Willow Flycatchers.

East Area:

Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures sometimes sit in trees near the road waiting for dinner. One winter a deer carcass kept them busy for about a month. Both vultures can be seen kettling over the area, sometimes roosting on a cell tower and in pines. Check beneath the bridge for nesting Eastern Phoebes.
Spring (March-early June) before the lush growth of summer is the best time to explore this area. Waterproof hiking shoes or boots are advisable, especially if it has rained the prior week.
During migration numerous warblers including Northern Parula, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Blackpoll, Black-and-white, American Redstart, and Louisiana Waterthrush can be seen and/or heard.
High banks have attractive nesting sites for Belted Kingfishers. Confirmed breeding—claw marks at the entrance and a fishy odor—indicate usage.
Louisiana Waterthrushes also have been confirmed nesting along this part of the Little Patuxent.
On steep hillsides, woodpeckers nest; in the floodplain, Barred Owls have been confirmed.
Backtrack to the gravel parking area.

North Area: This area is mostly unexplored.

Highlights: All woodpeckers endemic to Maryland have been seen here. Migrant passerines, spring wildflowers, and varied habitats make this an attractive location.

Handicapped Access: This park has little access for the handicapped. Trails are rough and some are moderately steep.

Deer Hunts: Note that controlled deer hunts are held on a few days in fall and winter. Check specific dates elsewhere on this website.