Birding in North Beach

Wetlands Overlook Park

Wetlands Overlook Park offers wetlands, marsh and a woodland boardwalk trail through Beech and Oak Forest with blueberry bushes along the dirt path. Great views of the wetland habitats are good for bird photography. The ¼ mile trail ends behind the Burnt Oaks apartments. Please return from your walk back on the path to the park. There are restrooms located at the Visitor Center.

Waterfront and Pier

Birding at the North Beach Waterfront and Pier offers expansive views of the Chesapeake Bay and its abundant waterfowl. Birdwatchers can look for winter Tundra Swans, duck species such as Buffleheads, Scoters, Grebes and long-tailed ducks as well as the resident Mallards. Bald Eagles nest nearby along the marshlands in high trees. In the warmer months, birdwatchers can look for Brown Pelicans, Gannets and flocks of migrating Canada Geese. Forster’s Terns and many species of Gulls perch on the railings of the boardwalk and fly above the pier. The summer highlight is North Beach's two osprey platforms located near the end of the pier. Photographers and birders can get great views of the baby ospreys as they are fed fish by their parents. Ospreys return to the Chesapeake Bay from South America wintering grounds close to March 17 each year and head out at the end of summer close to Labor Day.

Birding in North Beach is convenient to bathrooms at the Sally Donaldson Welcome Center and at Wetlands Overlook Park. There are many restaurants in town for a delicious lunch and “Tally Rally” after a birding trip. Enjoy!

Birding Beyond North Beach

If you are interested in exploring birding beyond North Beach, you will find plenty of common and notable bird species in other areas of Calvert County, including tidal wetlands, freshwater marshes, beaches, forests, meadows, bay and river shorelines and even a cypress swamp. Explore the interactive map of the Calvert Birding Trail.