Naturalist’s Notes

February 2015 was the coldest February since 1934. The often-referenced “polar vortex” of last year doesn’t measure up to the cold of February 2015, which …

Marshy Point is home to a domestic turkey that wanders the area around the nature center with our chickens, but several dozen wild turkeys also …

The blue crab is Maryland’s state crustacean. Blue crabs are a traditional part of Summer for many Maryland residents, but these crustaceans are also an …

For those of us that live close to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, there are few birds more recognizable than the osprey. Also known …

There are around 400 bee species in Maryland, but the most recognizable is the European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera). As their name suggests, honey bees …

Dandelions are starting to show themselves all over the park—a sure sign of Spring. This cheerful little plant has often been cast as public enemy …

After a long, cold Winter, Spring has begun to awaken the natural world. The loud choruses of some amphibians are a sure sign of a …

Spring is standing on our doorstep and its signs are becoming more plentiful with each passing day. The red-winged blackbirds have returned to our park …

With another fresh blanket of snow on the ground after an especially cold and snowy winter, one of the first and noisiest signs of Spring …

Seldom seen, sometimes heard, and surrounded by stories and myth, few animals are as familiar yet mysterious as owls. When darkness falls, humans often head …