Howard County Bird Club
Middle Patuxent Environmental Area
Detailed Information
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.
Habitat: The combination of upland, steep slopes, and floodplain along with deciduous woods, edge, second-growth, a warm-season grass meadow, river, streams, ponds, wooded wetlands, and a few pines make 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. It is
hoped that, eventually, some of the ground-nesting birds that formerly nested will 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 particular entry point, although each also features a complete MPEA map.
Wildlife Loop Trail. (Red metal markers) The Trotter Road entrance has a small unpaved parking lot on the east side of Trotter 0.9 mile 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 river bank, 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 habitat, 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 rains 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 generally along the river for about 0.6 mile to marker post 11 on the Wildlife Loop Trail. It is also possible, and somewhat 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 ind Circle. The trail entrance is 0.4 mile 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 treeline 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 bottom-land 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 bottom-land (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 though 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.
Best Time to Visit: For birds, early to mid-morning in the spring and fall, mornings in winter as well as in summer for breeding birds. For butterflies and dragonflies in late spring and summer, late morning and
afternoons are best. Normal MPEA hours are dawn to dusk. From time to time, off-hours group events for owls,
American Woodcock, frogs, etc., are organized by MPEA staff or by other groups with special permission.
Birding: Breeding birds include Wood Duck, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, White-eyed, Yellow-throated, and Red-eyed vireos, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Wood Thrush, Northern Parula, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Kentucky Warbler. Veeries and Yellow-billed Cuckoos are relatively plentiful. The three county-breeding owls all occur here with Barred Owls the most conspicuous. 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.
Clegg’s Meadow can be very productive with good views of the sky, considerable edge habitat, and close proximity to the river. Breeding birds in the vicinity include Tree Swallow (usually found in the Purple Martin gourds
visible from any vantage), Eastern Bluebird (a monitored nesting box trail in suitable locations produces a variety of cavity nesting species annually), White-eyed Vireo, Indigo Bunting, Common Yellowthroat, and Baltimore Oriole. 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. Although numbers are not always high, a fine variety of species have been recorded including Savannah and Grasshopper sparrows. Field, Song, White-throated, and White-crowned can be counted on with an occasional Fox, Lincoln’s, and Swamp at appropriate seasons.
Generally, the most productive areas year-round are the trails adjacent to the river. This is particularly the case in less-than-perfect weather. Exceptions are the breeding season preferences of the field and wood-edge species such as Eastern Bluebird, Field Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole, etc., and the flyover sighting opportunities for hawks, gulls, Cedar Waxwings, etc. 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. Because the MPEA has no large areas of open water or open shoreline (and the ponds are not along main trails), it does not offer much opportunity for waterfowl or shorebirds that are common in many other county parks and recreation areas.
Highlights: 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: The MPEA is designated for foot traffic only and is not suitable for handicapped visitors requiring mobility aids. The entrances to both the Wildlife Loop Trail (gravel) and the South Wind Trail (grass) are level, but both trails contain steep slopes and rough or wet portions. Using CA paved paths from neighborhoods on the east and west sides of the river is a suggested option.
Deer Hunts: Managed deer hunts are held on a few days in fall and winter. Dates are posted at trail entrances and elsewhere on this website.