Howard County Bird Club
Daniels Road
Patapsco Valley State Park
Daniels Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Size: Daniels Road provides access to a portion of the 14,000-acre Patapsco Valley State Park, (PVSP), which runs 32 miles along the Patapsco River.
Habitat: Floodplain and upland deciduous woods, forested stream valley, open areas.
Best Months: Spring, summer, and fall. Because some Neotropical species breed here, late spring and early summer can be particularly productive.
Coverage Time: Up to a half day.
Trails/Paths: Access point for several miles of trails along the river and in upland forest.
Notable Birds: Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Little Blue Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Eastern Screech-Owl, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Veery, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Golden-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Summer Tanager, Lincoln’s Sparrow.
Amenities: No facilities.
Small personal watercraft launch area above dam. One small paved parking lot; additional gravel parking areas.
Handicapped Access: Parking is on asphalt or gravel. The mostly gravel road/trail along the river upstream is level. Other trails are dirt with moderate to steep slopes.
Operation and Hours: State park hours are 8:00 a.m. till dusk. This is not a fee area.
Special Attractions: Large variety of warblers in spring, summer, and fall. The historic dam, fish ladder, and historic church add interest.
Nearby Sites: Old Frederick Road PVSP, Hollofield PVSP, Mount Pleasant, Woodstock Road PVSP
Compiler: Scott Berglund