Please join us for a Winter Bird Walk in Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, a 1,200-acre wilderness park in West Baltimore with mature and secondary forest as well as riparian habitats and some field habitat. Leaders: Elise and Paul Kreiss (410) 367-8194. Advance registration recommended by emailing ekreiss@verizon.net.

NOTE: This activity was originally planned for Sunday, Feb. 16th.

Winter specialty species that we might encounter include White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Dark-eyed Junco, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Golden-crowned Kinglet. There are also many birds in the park all year, including: Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Robin, Blue Jay, Carolina Wren, Carolina Chickadee, American Crow, Tufted Titmouse, and Downy Woodpecker. Less common but also present year round are the Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawk, Song Sparrow, Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Eastern Bluebird and Pileated Woodpecker. are also among the species in the park that may be seen year round.

Birding in the winter is challenging because birds are vocalizing less, and a number of breeding and migrating species have left the area. Remaining birds are focused on finding food, rather than on more visible activities such as courtship.