Plumtree Path
Dorsey’s Search Loop Trail (eBird hotspot)
Columbia Road, Ellicott City Maryland 21042
Size: Howard County open space along Plumtree Branch on the south side of Columbia Road from the Little Patuxent River east.
Habitat: Young deciduous vegetation mixed with some mature trees along Plumtree Branch, as well as beaver-enhanced wetlands with some open grassy areas, cattail patches, and a small amount of open water.
Best Months: Mid-April through May; September and October, occasionally worthwhile till freeze-up.
Coverage Time: 1/2 to 1 hour.
Trails/Paths: A 0.63 mile paved path with a few short dirt paths into the floodplain or wetland. There are two entrances along Columbia Road: one is about 100 feet west of Rams Horn Row (not quite opposite the Gwynn Acres Path entrance); the second is 0.6 mile east of the first entrance, between Old Dragon Path and the bridge.
Notable Birds: Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, American Bittern, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Virginia Rail, Sora, Warbling Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, Marsh Wren, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Rusty Blackbird.
Amenities: None.
Handicapped Access: The path is generally level except near the eastern terminus which has a slight grade.
Operation and Hours: Howard County open space. Dawn to dusk. Intersecting paved paths belong to the Columbia Association and are posted as closed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Special Attractions: Wetlands are the best feature of this path.
Nearby Sites: Gwynn Acres Path, Centennial Park, Meadowbrook Park.
Compiler: Joanne Solem
