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

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