Howard County Bird Club
Henryton Road Detailed Information
Habitat: Floodplain and upland deciduous forest; some field and edge. Scrubland is accessed by walking upstream about 1.5 miles and then 0.5 miles upslope. (See also Sykesville/River Road.) Because it is often much cooler near the river, an extra layer of clothing is often appreciated on spring mornings.
Layout: Henryton Road leads downhill from Old Frederick Road (MD 99) to the South Branch of the Patapsco River. The road dead ends almost at the river where a bridge once crossed. Parking is on the turnaround. The area is also popular with fishermen and horse riders. Do not block the road and bridge 100 yards south of the turnaround area.
The river in this area forms the boundary between Howard County and Carroll County. As one faces the river, River Road is upriver about 3.3 miles; Marriottsville Road is downriver about 1.3 miles.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall migration. Because some Neotropical species breed here, it can also be worth a late spring or early summer visit. The area is popular with fishermen and horse riders, particularly on weekends.
Birding: As you turn onto Henryton Road, begin listening for field birds such as Eastern Meadowlark. There is a mall pullout on the left if you choose to stop here. Shortly, the road enters woods and begins descending into the river valley. The road is narrow with few shoulders. At the weight-restricted bridge, there is a bypass to the left (west) used by overweight vehicles. In the early morning this opening receives light before lower portions of the road. If you pull over here, remain on the shoulder of the bypass to allow overweight vehicles to pass. Continue down the road listening for Worm-eating Warblers along the slopes on the left and Louisiana Waterthrushes in the stream valley to the right. Park at the turnaround.
Birding during the warmer seasons can provide many rewards. Spring and fall bring waves of Neotropical migrants, many of which favor mature woodlands and bottomlands. Many flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, warblers, and tanagers found in Maryland fit this category. Generally, the peak migration periods run from April 25 to May 25 and from August 20 to October 15. In the spring, the best dates are usually in the middle of the period.
Nesting birds include some of the species which need extensive woodlands. Yellow-throated Warblers are found high in the sycamores. Cerulean Warblers are also treetop birds. Both species nest at Henryton in small numbers. Louisiana Waterthrushes sing along the streams and river. Listen for the fast, high-pitched trill of Worm-eating Warblers near the steeper, deeper woodlands. Acadian Flycatcher, three vireo species, Wood Thrush, Veery, Ovenbird, Kentucky and Hooded warblers, and Scarlet Tanagers should be sought here in late spring and early summer. This is also a good location for Pileated and Hairy woodpeckers. In late spring, watch the high riverbanks on the opposite shore for nesting Rough-winged Swallows. Wild Turkeys have been reported.
After parking at the end of the road, cross the guardrail and bird the short section of blocked-off road ending at the river. This higher vantage point gives mid-level views into the trees and across the river. Be alert for perched raptors as you approach the end of the abutment. The brushy shoulders of the abutment and parking area are good for sparrows in an otherwise open forest. If you arrive before sunrise, you may wish to first walk downstream a short distance where an east- facing slope receives the first sun. There is a choice of three trails downstream. The trail beginning to the right of the abutment at the parking lot runs very close to the river and crosses a rocky area before leveling out. Another downstream trail leads east from the parking lot along the slope. Shortly from that path, a third trail branches to the right upslope, leading in 0.3 miles to a meadow where field birds such as Wild Turkey are possible. Most birders will stay on the middle trail which leads along the slope above the river, giving mid-level views into the floodplain trees and down to the river. Listen for Kentucky Warbler and Pileated Woodpecker. After a few hundred yards the trail turns up a stream valley away from the river. If your intention is to walk west, then this is a good point at which to turn around. (This trail will be described in more detail below.) Return to the parking lot by the same trail or by descending the open slope to the river and returning on the river trail.
Upstream – After returning to the parking lot, descend the road shoulder on a horse trail and follow the river to a small stream. This section is often quite birdy. It is also an area where tick precautions are necessary as downed trees and narrow trails make contact with grass and brush inevitable. Follow the trail up the small stream away from the river, watching the banks for Louisiana Waterthrushes. The banks afford habitat for sparrows and other ground birds. When the water is low, you may be able to cross the stream at a horse crossing; otherwise, follow the trail back toward the road and away from the river to a bridge where Eastern Phoebes are often found. After crossing the bridge, turn right following the trail to the river and continue upstream. Scan the river ahead for Wood Ducks and listen for the rattle of Belted Kingfishers. You may catch a glimpse of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo or warblers flitting around the trees. After 0.3 miles the river trail intersects the road. If pressed for time, this can be a good point at which to loop back. Turn left and follow the road back to the parking lot.
A good trail continues west along the river. Side streams and rocky outcrops vary the terrain. Listen for Louisiana Waterthrushes along the river and streams. A mile from the parking lot the first of several trail junctions is reached providing access upslope into upland scrub habitat. The professionally produced PVSP “Complete Trail Map” is
recommended. One can continue along the river for another mile before the main trail leaves the river and goes upslope.
Downstream – After the first quarter-mile, the trail closest to the Patapsco River runs along one of the wilder sections of the river and contains the most difficult section of downstream trail. As a reward, this is also quite a birdy area. Watch your footing as the trail is often slippery and sloped toward the river. After negotiating this stretch where the river makes a sharp bend, the floodplain opens up again and travel becomes easier. At 0.8 miles from the parking lot the trail joins the tracks where they come in through the Henryton tunnel from the Carroll County side. From here it is 0.4 miles to Marriottsville Road.
One can return upstream along the river or continue a short distance along the tracks to a trail junction where a trail leads upslope. The trail will gain elevation, winding through open forest up a stream valley. Although the trail stays in the woods, a broad field is off to the side and a short detour will afford views of this open space. Birds
such as Brown Thrasher, Indigo Bunting, and even Wild Turkey are possible. After it reaches its highest elevation, the trail winds down through another wooded stream valley, reaching the Henryton parking lot again after 1.1 miles. Again, a PVSP trail map and compass/GPS are recommended for travel away from the river.
Highlights: Extensive mature deciduous woodlands give local naturalists a chance to observe many of the county’s rarer birds and wildflowers. Yellow-throated Warblers can sometimes be found without leaving the parking lot. Cerulean Warblers can usually be found in late spring as much as a mile west of Henryton Road. Migrant thrushes are regular. From late May into early June, mountain laurel is in bloom on steep slopes.
Handicapped Access: There is good birding from the asphalt turnaround and parking area. A short distance north on Henryton Road a gravel road with moderate inclines can be followed west for 0.3 miles. Paths along the river upstream are generally level, but they can contain muddy spots and downed trees; occasionally small streams cross the path. Downstream trails are moderate to steep and difficult. None of these are recommended for the mobility impaired.