|
Cecil Birding Hotspots
Perryville Town
Park |
| Description |
Perryville Town Park lies at the
tip of Perry Point, a peninsula at
the head of the Chesapeake Bay, with the Susquehanna River to the west
and the waters of Mill Creek and Furnace Bays to the east. A loop
road takes visitors through the park,
offering good views of the water. The park has a wooded section as well
as extensive closely mown playing fields. Fall
through early spring, the park is one of the best and easiest Cecil
sites
in which to see waterfowl, and landbirding is good all year. Fall
brings flyovers of migrating hawks. The park has enough variety to
interest
novice and expert birders alike. |
| How to get there |
From the town of Perryville, take
Rt. 7 west to the junction of Firestone
Road, at the fire hall. Turn south (right) onto Firestone Rd.,
passing
over the railroad tracks and then bearing right into the well-marked
community
park entrance. |
| Map reference |
De Lorme MD State Atlas
Book: map page 77; grid C5
ADC Cecil County Map Book: map page 15; grid H4
(Firestone Rd.)
Google
map click here
|
| What to do
after arrival |
Drive slowly and watch for bird
activity along the first part of the
entrance road, which leads over a creek and through the wooded section.
Continue along the entrance road until Mill Creek Bay first comes into
view on the left (east). Pull over at the first opportunity to
scan
the water. Continue in a clockwise direction along the road that
follows
the perimeter of the park, stopping occasionally to scan the water and
to examine the line of trees along the water’s edge. At the
southwest corner of the
park, the perimeter road is blocked by a yellow gate that marks the
boundary
of the Perry Point VA Hospital. Do not
trespass on the hospital grounds. The trees and underbrush along
the
water’s edge near the yellow gate are often filled with sparrows,
finches and other birds in migration |
| Birds to look
for |
- On
the water, fall through spring: geese, ducks, loons, grebes,
gulls.
- On
the water, summer: Laughing Gull, terns.
- Wooded
area, fall through spring: Hermit Thrush, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing,
kinglets.
- Wooded
area, spring through fall: Winter Wren, Wood Thrush, vireos, warblers,
flycatchers.
- Wooded
area, year-round: wrens, White-breasted Nuthatch, assorted
woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice.
- Brushy
areas, year-round: sparrows, grosbeaks.
- Overhead,
fall: hawks, vultures, eagles, other migrants.
|
| Hours/Fees/Amenities |
Open, free of charge, during
daylight hours every day of the year.
However, the roads may be closed when snow is on the ground.
Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park,
and during the warm months portable toilets may be located adjacent to
the
playing fields. |
| What to bring |
A spotting scope is helpful for
viewing birds on the water. Ordinary shoes are usually
sufficient.
Dress warmly in the winter months. |
| Difficulty of
walking |
Very easy. No walking at all
is necessary as all parts of the
park are accessible by car. |
| Personal safety |
Since it is possible to stay close
to the car, this park can safely
be birded alone. Be vigilant, particularly near dark.
Hunting is not allowed in the park itself, although there may be
hunting
on private lands and open waters visible from the park. The park
shares the peninsula with the Perry Point V.A. Hospital, which includes
a psychiatric facility. The “No Trespassing” signs that mark the
hospital property should be heeded. |
| Nearby sites |
- On
the west side of the peninsula, a small parking lot at the entrance to
the Perry Point V.A.
Hospital offers outstanding views of the mouth of the Susquehanna and
Havre de Grace. The waters here are a favorite of canvasbacks,
redheads, mergansers, and loons during the winter and terns during the
summer. To reach the parking lot, follow Rt. 7 west through the town of
Perryville and around a curve. The parking lot is located at a
guard house, which may or may not be staffed. Do not trespass on the
Hospital grounds past the parking lot.
- On
the north side of Rt. 7 just before the entrance to Perry Point, the
grounds of historic Rodgers Tavern,owned by the Town of Perryville,
offer
a view of a small marsh on the edge of the Susquehanna. Park at
the
house and walk behind the house toward the river. The marsh, seen
from the top of a small cliff, is a possible spot for Swamp Sparrow,
Marsh
Wren, and Winter Wren.
- North
of Perryville, Frenchtown Road and Rt. 222 (River Road) offer views
of the Susquehanna, often loaded with waterfowl fall through
spring.
In the warm season, the river is good for herons and terns.
- See
also Charlestown Stone Wharf.
|
| For more
information |
Perryville Town Hall, 515 Broad
Street, P.O. Box 773, Perryville, MD
21903, 410-642- 6066 or visit the Perryville
website. |
Copyright 1998,
1999, 2007 Cecil Bird
Club; All rights reserved. May be printed for personal use
but may not be reproduced in any form for mass or commercial
distribution
without permission of the Executive
Committee
of the Cecil Bird Club.
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