Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.

JUNE

Breeding Bird Walk at Jug Bay Natural Area of Patuxent River Park
Saturday, June 2 (8 am-12 pm)
Leader: John Bjerke
Members $26; nonmembers $36
Breeding birds are excellent environmental indicators, and breeding bird surveys generate important data for monitoring the health of ecosystems. We’ll explore woods and marshes to search out both common and uncommon breeders of this wetland habitat. We’ll discuss the breeding strategies of species such as Osprey, Northern Parula, and White-eyed Vireo, among others, as well as the types of census techniques which ornithologists and citizen scientists use to determine population levels and trends. We’ll walk up to 2.5 miles at a leisurely pace on natural surface paths and boardwalk. Our leader has participated in the Maryland/DC Breeding Bird Atlas Project. Image credit: Daniel Berganza  REGISTER HERE.

Geology of Scott’s Run RESCHEDULED FROM MAY 19
Saturday, June 2 (8:30 am-12:30 pm)
Leader: Joe Marx
Members $26; nonmembers $36
Scotts Run Nature preserve is a 336-acre tract of Virginia woods, ravines and palisades just upstream from the American Legion Bridge. The landscape varies from rolling upland and a narrow stream valley to rocky cliffs and riverine floodplain. The bedrock was formed in an ocean that was extinguished during the assembly of the super-continent Pangea.  One clearly visible landform in essentially a stretch mark attendant to the opening of the Atlantic. We will hike a circuit of two miles on unpaved trails that will occasionally be rocky and steep as we observe both rocks and forest.  The pace set and distance covered on our geology hikes will be faster and farther than our usual “naturalists’ shuffle.” There will also be two stream crossings on concrete “cobbles.” REGISTER HERE

Butterflies of Finzel Swamp  FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
Saturday, June 9 (10 am-5 pm)
Rain Date: June 10
Leader: Rick Borchelt
Members $36; nonmembers $50 
Finzel Swamp is a boreal relict bo that straddles Allegany and Garrett counties just west of Frostburg in western Maryland.  Retreating glaciers 15,000 years ago left behind a flora and fauna preserved in a “frost pocket” – a special arrangement of soil, water, and topography that preserves the cool conditions of the late Ice Age. Several early summer butterfly specialties of Finzel are hard to find anywhere else in Maryland and are more reminiscent of habitats hundreds of miles to the north. These include Harris’s Checkerspot and Silver-bordered Fritillary. Long Dash and Essex (European) skippers are also possible finds at this season, as well as Baltimore Checkerspots and Gray Comma. In additional to butterflies, the area is also known for its unique botanic and birdlife diversity. We will explore several habitats within this Nature Conservancy property, mostly easy walking along the boardwalk and trails through tall-grass meadow, but the latter could be muddy and slippery. Depending on the season’s advance, the group may finish up the day at a location just south of Frostburg in search of additional western Maryland species, including late Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail. REGISTER HERE.

Natural Heritage Series: Elliott Island
Saturday, June 9 (2:30-11 pm)
Leaders: Hal Wierenga and Lynn Davidson
Members $36; nonmembers $50
Extensive wetlands border the Chesapeake Bay on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and the marshes near Vienna, MD are diverse, well-studied, and accessible. Hal Wierenga, who has conducted the state’s Black Rail study, leads this exploration of the natural history and management of the Elliott Island marsh ecosystem. We’ll identify marsh plants and search for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. We’ll also discuss the effects of human activities on the marsh environment. Our foray continues into the night, when we’ll listen for rails, frogs, owls, and Chuck-will’s-widows. Note: our group will meet in Cambridge then carpool out to our field site. Image credit: Dick Daniels  REGISTER HERE.

Becoming a Latin Lover
Sunday, June 10 (8:30-11:30 am)
Leader: Kit Sheffield
Members $26; nonmembers $36
Many of us shy away from using scientific names when we start learning our plants, but those tongue-twisters can tell us about the discovery and uses of plants, as well as their physical characteristics. Hearing these names can be confusing at first, but by thinking about common words with the same word roots, they can go from confusing to enlightening. The C&O Canal at Violette’s Lock offers up a diversity of habitats and plant species that we will observe and discuss on this gentle walk and discussion of botanical names. REGISTER HERE.

A Year in Rock Creek Park
C: Nearing the Solstice Nature Walk at Boundary Bridge, Saturday, June 16 (9:30 am-2:30 pm)
D: Fall Nature Hike in Rock Creek Park, Saturday, November 3 (9:30 am-3:30 pm)
Walks C and D: members $34; nonmembers $42
Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of the award-winning book, A Year in Rock Creek Park and the critically acclaimed, City of Trees, will offer her twelfth year of popular nature walks for ANS in the country’s oldest urban national park, created in 1890. In June, we’ll revisit the dense canopy of floodplain forest and upland woods of the Boundary Bridge area as we learn about and marvel over trees, late spring and early summer wildflowers and nesting birds. Autumn will find us hiking the Western Ridge and Valley Trails during peak fall foliage and fruiting season, stopping to study and admire oaks, maples, hickories and many other trees along the route. The Boundary Bridge Walks will cover a 2.5 mile loop on natural surface trails with moderate uphill and downhill. The Fall Hike will traverse 4-6 miles, with uphill and downhill on natural surface trails which may be rocky and uneven. REGISTER HERE

Summer Shuffles Along the Canal
Wednesdays (9-11:30 am)
Section A: June 20 – Pennyfield Lock  FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
Section B: June 27 – Riley’s Lock
Section C: Thursday, July 19 – Carderock
Section D: July 25 – Swain’s Lock
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Each walk members $25; nonmembers $35
Entire series $90/$126
Summer’s here and it may be hot, so we’ll keep our pace to a shuffle as we visit four areas along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. We’ll stop often to observe birds, wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, snakes, and whatever else we may find underfoot or overhead. Carpooling will be available from Woodend. REGISTER HERE.

Western Montgomery County Butterfly Count
Saturday, June 23
Join us for the 29th annual Western Montgomery County Butterfly Count. Participants in this citizen science project will be sent into the field in teams to count butterfly species in a given area. No experience is necessary. This mid-summer count, modeled after the Christmas Bird Counts, is organized by ANS and sponsored by the North American Butterfly Association and Xerces Society. Email Stephanie Mason at stephanie.mason@anshome.org for a participant’s information letter.

Summer Walks on the Wild Side
(8-11:30 am)
A. Sunday, June 24 – Blue Mash Nature Trail, MD
B. Wednesday, July 4 – Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (DC)
C. Sunday, July 29 – Huntley Meadows Park (VA)
Leaders: Stephanie Mason & Cathy Stragar
Each walk members $28; nonmembers $38
Entire series members $76; nonmembers $103
Join two naturalists to explore the summer richness of parks in the DC-Metro area. As summer arrives and brings with it long, hot, muggy days and nights, wetlands and meadows soak up the sunlight and come alive with plant and wildlife activity. We’ll explore these open habitats with walks of up to 2-3 miles at a slow summer pace. We’ll search for birds, butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles, amphibians, and summer plant life on natural surface paths and boardwalk. REGISTER HERE.

Summer Shuffles Along the Canal
Wednesdays (9-11:30 am)
Section B: June 27 – Riley’s Lock
Section C: Thursday, July 19 – Carderock
Section D: July 25 – Swain’s Lock
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Each walk members $25; nonmembers $35
Entire series $90/$126
Summer’s here and it may be hot, so we’ll keep our pace to a shuffle as we visit four areas along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. We’ll stop often to observe birds, wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, snakes, and whatever else we may find underfoot or overhead. Carpooling will be available from Woodend. REGISTER HERE.

B is for Butterfly
Saturday, June 30 (9 am-12:30 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $28; nonmembers $38
On this slow stroll through several habitats at Black Hill Regional Park, near Boyds, MD, we’ll offer an introduction to some of the butterflies of summer: their habitats, how to identify them, and where to look for their caterpillars and host plants. Our areas of exploration will be open and sunny. REGISTER HERE.

Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.

JULY

Summer Walks on the Wild Side
(8-11:30 am)
B. Wednesday, July 4 – Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (DC)
C. Sunday, July 29 – Huntley Meadows Park (VA)
Leaders: Stephanie Mason & Cathy Stragar
Each walk members $28; nonmembers $38
Join two naturalists to explore the summer richness of parks in the DC-Metro area. As summer arrives and brings with it long, hot, muggy days and nights, wetlands and meadows soak up the sunlight and come alive with plant and wildlife activity. We’ll explore these open habitats with walks of up to 2-3 miles at a slow summer pace. We’ll search for birds, butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles, amphibians, and summer plant life on natural surface paths and boardwalk. REGISTER HERE.

Natural Heritage Series: West Virginia Highlands
Saturday, July 7 (9 am) to Monday, July 9 (5 pm)
Leader: Mark Garland
Members $195; nonmembers $250
Enjoy the cooler summer weather that’s found in the mountains and explore the biological richness of the highlands of West Virginia. Our broad-based study will include discussions of local geology, plant communities, and all manner of wildlife. Highlights could include birds, wildflowers, salamanders, butterflies, and the ambiance of scenic Appalachian landscapes. We start on Saturday morning at Seneca Rocks, exploring the floodplain forest and meadows along the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River.  In the afternoon we will visit Spruce Knob (West Virginia’ highest peak), walking several trails at elevations above 4500 feet. On Sunday we will visit Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls State Parks, along with parts of the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. We’ll spend all day Monday on the Dolly Sods Plateau, where high elevation habitats include heath barren, spruce forest, and sphagnum bog.  Be prepared to walk 2 to 4 miles per day on natural surface trails which may be rocky and with some uphill and downhill. Dolly Sods, Monday’s destination, is accessed via unpaved mountain roads. Overnight options include motels, rental cabins, and campgrounds in Canaan Valley or near Seneca Rocks. Image credit: Dominic Sherony  REGISTER HERE

Bees in the Backyard
Saturday, July 7 (9 am-12:30 pm)
Leader: Nate Erwin
Members $26; nonmembers $36
Discover the diversity of native bees and other pollinators right outside your doorstep and in your garden. Join our entomologist leader in his home garden in Alexandria, VA and in surrounding natural areas for a look at what’s helping produce many of the seeds and fruits in your neighborhood. REGISTER HERE

A Year at Theodore Roosevelt Island
B: Summer Kayaking Trip around Theodore Roosevelt Island with Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Stephanie Mason, Wednesday, July 18 (10 am-1 pm)
C: Autumn Tree Walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island, Wednesday, November 7 (10 am-2 pm)
D: Late Autumn Tree Walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island, Wednesday, December 5 (10 am-2 pm)
Each walk: members $28; nonmembers $38
Join Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of A Year in Rock Creek Park and City of Trees, for a year-long exploration of Theodore Roosevelt Island, a 90-acre island in the Potomac that serves as a fitting memorial to our conservationist and naturalist 26th  president—and Audubon Naturalist Society member! During summer, ANS Senior Naturalist Stephanie Mason will join us for a kayaking trip around the island, launching from Key Bridge Boathouse on the Georgetown waterfront. We’ll paddle under the island’s graceful silver maples and sycamores, get close to the  summer wildflowers along the shore, and watch herons, egrets, wood ducks and—hopefully—the noisy kingfisher! As a bonus, we’ll be treated to stunning views of the Lincoln Memorial and the “City of Trees” on the horizon. Our fall tree walks will take us deep into the swamp and tidal inlet along the boardwalk where willows, bald-cypresses and cattails frame views of the city behind it. Melanie will share details of the island’s fascinating history during this year-long exploration and we’ll witness the ebb and flow of the Potomac tides along with the changing seasons. Fee for trip B does not include canoe or kayak rental. REGISTER HERE

Summer Shuffles Along the Canal
Wednesdays (9-11:30 am)
Section C: Thursday, July 19 – Carderock
Section D: July 25 – Swain’s Lock
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Each walk members $25; nonmembers $35
Summer’s here and it may be hot, so we’ll keep our pace to a shuffle as we visit four areas along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. We’ll stop often to observe birds, wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, snakes, and whatever else we may find underfoot or overhead. Carpooling will be available from Woodend. REGISTER HERE.

Six-legged Songsters of Summer
Thursday, July 19 (7:30-10 pm)
Leader: Cathy Stragar
Free, but registration is required.
Sticky summer has arrived, and the songs of insects such as cicadas, crickets, and katydids begin to swell into a noisy and riotous chorus. Join naturalist Cathy Stragar at our Woodend Sanctuary for a slide introduction to the most common of these songsters: who they are, why they sing, and how they make their amazing sounds. We’ll take a short walk outside after darkness falls. She’ll also describe how to get involved with the fourth annual Cricket Crawl citizen science activity in late August. REGISTER HERE

Summer Stroll at Suitland Bog
Saturday, July 21 (9 am-Noon)
Leader:  Sujata Roy
Members $26; nonmembers $36
Suitland Bog is a tiny Coastal Plain “magnolia bog,” the best preserved of over 30 bogs that once occurred in the Beltsville-Suitland (MD) area. Happily, it was preserved from development in the 1970’s after much of the surrounding area was mined for sand and gravel. Technically not a bog but a fen, this unique gem provides a home to the carnivorous pitcher-plant as well as other unusual plants in a 60-acre protected area inside the Beltway. Our trip to this protected area, which we’ll explore by boardwalk and woodland trail, is by special permission and is limited to 14 people.  Suitland Bog was preserved from development in the 1970’s after much of the surrounding area was mined for sand and gravel. REGISTER HERE

Butterfly Specialties of the Eastern Shore
Saturday, July 21 (10 am-5 pm)
Rain date: July 22
Leader: Rick Borchelt
Members $36; nonmembers $50
Several butterflies of conservation concern in Maryland can be seen on the Eastern Shore in mid-summer: from Great Purple Hairstreak and Bronze Copper in freshwater marshes, to coastal skippers along tidal areas south of Blackwater NWR, to Palamedes Swallowtail along the Pocomoke River. We’ll be caravanning to four or five locations during the day, depending on what is being reported, as many of these butterflies have narrow flight windows that vary from location to location. We’ll stage from the Choptank River Bridge in Talbot County, just before Cambridge. Possible destinations from that point include New Bridge and Decoursey Roads in Dorchester Co., Hickory Point near Pocomoke City in Worcester Co., and the butterfly garden and restored meadow habitat at Blackwater NWR. Carpooling is encouraged and will be facilitated. REGISTER HERE

Fern Basics
Sunday, July 22 (9 am-12:30 pm)
Leader: Kit Sheffield
Members $26; nonmembers $36
What makes a plant is a fern? What are some of the common ferns in our area?  And importantly, how can you start to tell them apart? Join our leader, who is especially fond of ferns, on a ramble through the Fern Valley native plant garden in the US National Arboretum to learn more about these ancient and beautiful plants. REGISTER HERE

Sunset Stroll in the Hollow
Sunday, July 22 (6:30-8:30 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $25; nonmembers $35
Enjoy a slow evening stroll through the field, forest, and wetland habitats of the Hughes Hollow area, south of Poolesville, MD. As the sun sets, we’ll look and listen for owls, frogs, foxes, beavers, bats, and insects, discussing the adaptations of these crepuscular and nocturnal animals. REGISTER HERE

Summer Shuffles Along the Canal
Wednesdays (9-11:30 am)
Section D: July 25 – Swain’s Lock
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Each walk members $25; nonmembers $35
Summer’s here and it may be hot, so we’ll keep our pace to a shuffle as we visit four areas along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. We’ll stop often to observe birds, wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, snakes, and whatever else we may find underfoot or overhead. Carpooling will be available from Woodend. REGISTER HERE.

Native Plant Gardening for Homeowners  
Summer Walk: Thursday, July 26 (10 am-Noon)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $20; nonmembers $28
Explore the Blair Native Plant Garden, located just outside the Sanctuary Shop, with our Senior Naturalist who helped develop the garden and its educational focus. Find out more about the values of gardening with native plant species, including: lower maintenance; more value to native birds, butterflies and other insects, including pollinators; reduced negative impact on local ecosystems, and more. We’ll discuss native alternatives to popular non-native species such as English ivy, as well as resources for broadening one’s knowledge and understanding of plants natives to the mid-Atlantic. You’re welcome to bring along a bag lunch to eat with the leader after the walks, which are scheduled to highlight seasonal aspects of the Garden.
REGISTER HERE

Summer Butterfly Stroll
Saturday, July 28 (9 am-1 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $28; nonmembers $38
On this slow stroll through Little Bennett Park in upper Montgomery County, MD, our Senior Naturalist will offer an introduction to some of the butterflies of summer — their habitats, how to identify them, and where to look for their caterpillars and host plants. We’ll hope to see common species such as Tiger Swallowtails and Pearl Crescent, while we keep an eye out for less common species such as Sleepy Orange and the Buckeye. Our areas of exploration will be predominantly open and sunny with tall vegetation. Image credit: Kenneth Dwain Harrelson REGISTER HERE

Summer Walks on the Wild Side
(8-11:30 am)
C. Sunday, July 29 – Huntley Meadows Park (VA)
Leaders: Stephanie Mason & Cathy Stragar
Each walk members $28; nonmembers $38
Join two naturalists to explore the summer richness of parks in the DC-Metro area. As summer arrives and brings with it long, hot, muggy days and nights, wetlands and meadows soak up the sunlight and come alive with plant and wildlife activity. We’ll explore these open habitats with walks of up to 2-3 miles at a slow summer pace. We’ll search for birds, butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles, amphibians, and summer plant life on natural surface paths and boardwalk. REGISTER HERE.

Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.

Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.

AUGUST

Introduction to Dragonflies and Damselflies
Thursday, August 2 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Sunday, August 5 (3/4 day field trip)
Leaders: Lisa Shannon and Richard Orr
Members $46; nonmembers $64
Lecture only $24/$32
Grab your binoculars and prepare to set your sights not on birds—although “mosquito hawk” is a common moniker—but on those six-legged, aerial acrobats of wetland habitats:  the dragonflies and damselflies.  At our evening lecture, Lisa Shannon will discuss ID, biology, and behavior of the more common species of Odonates in our area.  Dragonfly expert Richard Orr will join her on our field trip to the Patuxent Research Refuge (North Tract) near Bowie, MD, where everyone will have a chance to test their identification skills. Image credit: Matthew Field REGISTER HERE.

Morning Paddle on the Potomac
Saturday, August 4 (9-11:30 am)
Leader: Sujata Roy
Members $24; nonmembers $34 (does not include canoe/kayak rental fee)
Spend a summer morning with a wildflower teacher paddling along the shoreline of the Potomac River. We’ll be looking for seasonal blooms, such as cardinal flowers, monkey flowers, Virginia dayflowers, vervains, mallows, shrubby St. John’s-wort, swamp milkweed, pickerelweed, and many other colorful riparian species. We will also hope to glimpse a bald eagle or osprey flying overhead, in addition to herons, turtles, dragonflies, butterflies and other wildlife. Rent a canoe or kayak at Fletcher’s boathouse, or bring your own. Both single and double kayaks and canoes are available. Bring binoculars and your wildflower field guide in a zip-locked bag. Registration fee does not include boat rental. REGISTER HERE.

Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.