Birdathon

It's Spring and Birdathon time! The birds have returned to our two Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries in Frederick County, and we need to assure the sanctuaries continue to meet their needs.

As you read this, our intrepid bird census takers, Bob Schaefer and Dave Smith, will have already begun their annual Spring survey of the Fred Archibald Audubon Sanctuary [140 acres], May 1, and they will do the same at the Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary [129 acres] May 8.

It has been almost 20 years since we took title to the farm that became the Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary and almost 10 years since we were willed what became the Fred Archibald Audubon Sanctuary. Time flies! Would you believe we have Wild Turkeys at both sanctuaries! I recall when there were none in that part of Maryland. The sanctuaries have flourished with warm season grasses, forest restoration, experimental projects with American Chestnut and Elm trees, extensive Bluebird and Tree Swallow nest box projects, a healthy and expanding colony of Purple Martins at each sanctuary, a Monarch tagging program to help understand the status of migrating Monarchs, a butterfly garden of plants specifically targeting the needs of native butterflies, over 170 identified bird species at Audrey Carroll and 135 at Fred Archibald, and many, many Eagle Scout projects that have benefited the two sanctuaries and helped the Scouts achieve their goals. Visit www.centralmdaudubon.org/ for more information.

The combined Spring Census of all the species of birds has found from 80 to 90 species on these annual May counts as an indication of the habitat value of these great places. We hope you will support this Audubon effort. The birds and other critters need your support. Come visit!

Thank you!

To participate just download our pledge sheet!

Birdathon Pledge Sheet