Meeting Topics & Speakers

Birds

Mixed Flocks of Winter Songbirds
- Speaker
  - Audubon
  - Maryland Ornithological Society (Carroll County has a chapter
- Find in large tracts of mature forests
  - C&O canal
  - Rock Creek Park
  - state parks
  - our feeder
Unusual Birds of Snowy Winters
- Lapland Longspur
- Snow Buntings
- Snowy Owls – Mr. Brinker
- Crossbills
- Northern Goshawk
- Look for along edges of country roads
  - Frederick County back, farm roads
  - back roads around Blackwater or Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuges
roadside Hawks
- in winter, along any highway
Bald Eagles Nesting
- Blackwater
- Piney Run

Possible speaker: TV meteorologist who lives in Mt. Airy
Coldest week of the year
- January 12th to 26th
- Majority of coldest days on record January 17th to 22nd
January Thaw
- Not scientifically proven but great days to head out

Speakers: Mr. Steve may be able to help with suggestions
Evergreen Plants
- Trailing Arbutus
- Partridge Berry
- Spotted Wintergreen
- Find along Appalachian Trail, especially near Annapolis Rock
reindeer moss
- crunches under feet when step on
- Cranesville Swamp
- Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area
- Assateague Island
cranefly orchids & anthocyanin pigments
- Tuckahoe State Park
- Pocomoke River State Park
liverworts
- primitive land plants
- shady rocks bathed by spray from small creeks

celebrate winter: ice fishing, ice boating, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, hike to see frozen Muddy Creek Falls or … ?
Herrington Manor State Park cabin camping
- dozen miles from Deep Creek Lake
- 2 night minimum stay; 3 night on holiday weekends
- 2 ($77/night), 4($87) & 6 ($97) person cabins
- one extra person per cabin on cot $15/night
- Most Jan 2016 weekends booked, some availability Jan 23rd & 24th. February 6th to 7th & Feb 20 to 21 and Feb 27 to 28 have some availability.
- Cross country ski or snow shoe rentals $10/hr or $25/day
Blackwater Falls State Park, WV
- near Timberline, 1 hour south of Deep Creek
- 2 person cabin $159/night; 4 person $179/night; 8 person $211
- 2 night minimum; 3 night on holiday weekends
- see website for ski & snow shoe rental costs
- cannot book 2016
New Germany State Park
- $97/night for 5 person cabin
- rates & availability about the same as Herrington Mano
Timberline
- downhill & cross country skiing
- borders Dolly Sods
- 2015-16 Rates
  - All rates are per person and include 2 night’s bunkhouse lodging, 2 day lift ticket (night skiing included if available), 2 day ski rental, 5 meals & beginner lesson
    - Dec. 11-17 $109
    - Dec. 18-28 $159
    - Dec. 29 – Jan 11 $199
    - Jan. 11- Feb. 28 $209
    - Feb 12-15 $219, President’s Day Weekend, $269 3 days
    - Feb 29 – Mar. 20 $169

day trip
about 2 1/2 drive
regular admission: $10 (5 to 18), $20 adult
$7 teen programs (9th – 12th grades), adults $16 but 1 adult free with every 10 youth
K-8 & scout programs also available
Need 15 for group discount or youth/teen program