Howard County Bird Club
Hipsley Mill
Patuxent River State Park
Hipsely Mill Road, Woodbine Maryland 21797
Size: A portion of the 6,700 acre Patuxent River State Park.
Habitat: Maturing deciduous floodplain and upland forest; small amount of field edge.
Best Months: May and June; September and October (on non-hunting days in fall).
Coverage Time: Under one hour to several hours.
Trails/Paths: Downstream and upstream trails are accessible from the Howard County side of the river. The Downstream Trail leaves the small parking lot and generally follows the river to the mouth of Cabin Branch. To reach the Upstream Trail, cross Hipsley Mill Road and walk uphill away from the river about 50 feet. Look for an unmarked trail entrance on the left (west) side of the road.
Notable Birds: Wild Turkey, American Woodcock, Yellow-throated Vireo, Veery, Orange-crowned Warbler, Cerulean Warbler (downstream), American Redstart, Worm-eating Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler are all nesting species.
Amenities: Small dirt parking lot 50 feet east of the river on the south side of the road. May be muddy in wet weather. No facilities.
Handicapped Access: Very little. Although trails along the river are flat, they are narrow, rough, and often muddy. Birding in the vicinity of the bridge and parking lot can be productive.
Operation and Hours: State park hours are dawn to dusk.
Special Attractions: Trout are stocked in the Patuxent River.
Hunting: Except for a narrow strip along the road, managed hunting takes place between October and February except on Sunday. Check with the Department of Natural Resources at http://www.dnr.state.md.us for seasonal hunting dates.
Nearby Sites: Long Corner Road, Annapolis Rock Road, Howard Chapel Road.
Compiler: Scott Berglund
