Eastern Neck NWR

For many years, DC Audubon has conducted the Eastern Neck portion of the Lower Kent County Christmas Count. (Also see here.) This is a long all day trip, leaving the District at 5:00 AM, heading over to the Eastern Shore north of the Bay Bridge. This will be a great opportunity to see thousands of waterfowl, especially Tundra Swans. The refuge has several habitats and it is possible to see over 70 species on and around the island. On last year's count, we topped 90 species.

Directions for Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge: Take Rte. 50 east and cross the Bay Bridge at Annapolis. Continue on Rte. 50 to you get to Rte 213 North all the way to Chestertown. As you leave Chestertown passing the Washington College campus on your left, look for Rte. 20 and turn onto it. This is a left. Go all the way following the signs to Rock Hall. As you get into town look for the sign for the refuge which is a left onto Rte 445 which leads onto the refuge. We traditionally have breakfast at the Rock Hall Snack bar at the corner of Rtes 20 and 445. We will begin at the bridge on the refuge and slowly work our way down the road to Vogel's Wharf. Dress appropriately, take a map and snacks and beverages.

As with all Christmas counts, there is a $5 fee for all participants over the age of 18, in order to offset the data compilation costs.

If you plan on participating, please RSVP to Peter Vankevich (pvank 'AT' netacc 'dot' net or 202 468-2871). If you can drive and want to have some fellow birders help with gas and company, please let me know.

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