Maryland Birding
Situated in the geographic middle of the Atlantic Flyway, Maryland is a bird-watchers paradise. Here are some ideas for making the most of your birding experience here.
In Maryland, we love our birds! From our major league baseball and football teams, the Orioles and Ravens, to the literary genius of Baltimore’s Edgar Allan Poe, to wildfowl art in our museums, birds are woven into the very fabric of Maryland heritage and pride. Check out these amazing Maryland birding tips below, and download our free Guide to Birding in Maryland here.
While we care for all birds, great and small, in the Free State, we’ve selected 10 avian ambassadors that are iconic Maryland species. While this list is certainly open for debate, we don’t think any birder can argue that these 12 birds are some of our favorites to find when we’re exploring Maryland with binoculars.
Maryland’s wild areas set the stage for many dramatic avian displays, and each season delivers its own untamed theater of bird migration, courtship, nesting, and winter survival.
Maryland welcomes wildlife watchers and photographers from across the U.S. and around the globe to experience world-class birding in a variety of easily-accessible habitats. For travelers looking for a weekend or more of birding adventure, including internationally-acclaimed wildfowl art events.
If you’re new to birding or to exploring Maryland’s wildlife watching hotspots, our birding community welcomes you to join in and make new friends. Many of our local bird clubs, nature centers and conservation partners lead regular bird hikes all across the state.
For those of us who enjoy a craft beer, Maryland wine or tasty cocktail while watching our feathered friends, Maryland’s shorelines are also dotted with dozens of crab houses, dock bars and resorts! Some of the best birding in the state can be found from the decks of these watering holes. We encourage you to pack your binoculars and spotting scope, grab a few birding buddies, and enjoy a drink while you watch our wildlife from these lake and bayside bars!
Consider turning your trip into a real adventure by exploring one of our Scenic Byways.
Get Your Free Guide to Birding in Maryland
Make like Maryland's iconic brown pelicans and take a deeper dive into Maryland's birding scene with our free Guide to Birding in Maryland. With maps, seasonal info, and insights into how to spot some of the Old Line State's hardest-to-find feathery friends, it's a must for beginners and seasoned birders alike. And did we mention it's free?
