Howard County Bird Club
Savage Mill Trail
Habitat: Mostly deciduous trees in a rocky substrate above the Little Patuxent River at the Fall Line; a few pines among the deciduous trees along the upper trail with a scrubby area where that trail ends.
Best Months: Mid-April and early May; late September and October.
Coverage Time: One hour or less.
Trails/Paths: There are a total of 1.5 miles of trails. The main trail is a wide crushed rock path along the old roadbed of a narrow-gauge railroad. A path uphill from the main trail runs through woods and emerges near the rear of Forest Ridge Elementary School.
Notable Birds: Great Egret, Northern Bobwhite, Black-billed Cuckoo, Least Flycatcher, Golden-winged Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Cerulean Warbler,
Prothonotary Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Brewster’s Warbler.
Amenities: A few picnic tables, grills, and benches are positioned along the main trail; a portable toilet is at the entrance. Parking is along Foundry Street.
Handicapped Access: The main trail is level, crushed rock, and generally dry.
Operation and Hours: Howard County park; dawn to dusk.
Special Attractions: This is one of the most scenic trails in the county. Especially after heavy rains, the river boils over rocks along the Fall Line below the junction of the Middle and Little Patuxent rivers. The restored Bollman Truss Bridge is adjacent to the trail entrance. The historic Savage Mill on the north side of the river is of historic interest, and there are several foundations relating to the mill in view of the trail. At dusk in the fall, watch hundreds of Chimney Swifts drop into the tall chimney. A good selection of early spring wildflowers can also be found here.
Nearby Sites: Savage Park, Wincopin Trail, Patuxent Branch Trail, High Ridge Park
Compiler: Tom Miller
