Trip Day 12, May 5, 2021 At Woodbine MD, Rollin Pines RV

It rained most of the night but not as hard as the day before. It did look like it would end by 11:45, so we still made plans to head out about that time. The sky began to clear about an hour before that so we made a lunch, and were ready to travel by 10:15 AM.

The Patapsco State Park. This is a Park that wanders along  the river of the same name for some 25-30 miles. That’s quite a Park! It was easily reached only 25 miles down the road so we were there before the temps rose much after the rain. It did get to 73F today.

We were met at the gate by”Virginia” the Ranger on duty as personnel is vastly reduced at all parks. She gave us the information we wanted and some birding tips, and then asked if I was “military”. That meant we were guests with no charge, A pleasant surprise. There are about 4 miles of roads (paved) in the park and some gravel nearer the camping grounds called Hollyfield Camp ground. 

Stopping at a likely spot (there were few autos in the park at that time), we parked and scoped the birds from that vantage point near a surrounding mixed forest and shrub area which encompasses the  parking lot. (Parking lots can be great bird sites as the open area allows some of them ability to fly through to bushes and the like.) Visibility is much greater.

Here was our best birding so far as we picked up a few new species for our list. The outstanding bird was the SCARLET TANAGER in its bright red colors and black highlights. Other new birds were the BROWN CREEPER (a tiny bird), an EASTERN PHOEBE, our first YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER,  (a flock) and we finally sighted a HERMIT THRUSH after many hours of listening to it sing its bugle like call. There was also an EASTERN TOWHEE. That was  a good  stop.

Park HQ.    As all State Park buildings are closed in MD the staff is skeleton, and serves the public only when scheduled are called.

 Visiting the Park HQ for lunch in the parking lot we picked up some of the more common birds and retraced our drive again this time including the Campground which is set back in the hills above the Patapsco River.  Each camping site is remote from each other site by 20-30 feet or more.

It was only four hours on the road , but well spent and the day turned out fine.

Tonight the temps are scheduled to drop to the low 40’s  F and tomorrow will be cooler. If we keep on schedule we will visit a Dam in Southern Howard County where there is a massive 10,000 shrub display of Azaleas. I  can’t wait to see Ruth’s photos of that. 

On the left are the two flags at the Patasco HQ. there are three fenced native  flower gardens there. 

This is the abundant Tulip tree in bloom

 We did finally see one Hermit Thrush  (above) after weeks of hearing them.They are elusive.

 

 

On the way back we made a short stop for gasoline and some sandwich fixins, (Jim likes turkey and “hot” cheese slices with his onion.)

So tomorrow to the Brighton Dam or also known as                 the Triadelphia Reservoir.. Stay tuned.-Jim 

The Old Ranger Trail in Patasco S.P. (above) 

Patapsco State Park  roads to Hollyfield Camp ground.

Ruth's hamburger deluxe on wed evening. Grilled , they are tops.  A little mustard (for me), onion and tomato .