Directions to Ridgely S.P.
Miliff@aol.com
Fri, 28 Aug 1998 03:39:30 EDT
Hello all,
I neglected to post directions to Ridgely Sewage Plant with my post today.
Take Rte. 404 east from Rte. 50. Cross the Choptank and go left at the first
stoplight on Rte. 480. Continue on 480 for several miles to Crouse Mill Rd.
(dirt). Take Crouse Mill about 1 mile (and look for birds on the way - I had
a Loggerhead Shrike in a cedar off the road last October). When you cross the
Railroad tracks and meet pavement, make a sharp (90 degree) right on the
pavement. Go about a mile again and look for the entrance to the sewage plant
on your left. It will be the first available turn.
Those seeking Baird's Sandpipers and other stuff there should be aware that
the Ridgley S.P. is open ONLY on weekdays 9-5. Some birds can be seen by
standing on one's roof and looking over the fence...but not many. If there on
a weekday, I just drive in (every time I have asked permission it has been no
problem at all). One can drive around the cells and get quite close to the
birds - the Baird's yesterday and a Red Phalarope last October both allowed
approach within 10 feet.
I also forgot to mention some notable birds: we had 3 Upland Sandpipers at
Ocean Ciy Airport (on the way to Assateague) as well as a loner at Ridgley
Sewage Plant. Ducks seen were two Ruddy Ducks each at Hurlock and Ridgely
Sewage Plants, an American Wigeon at West Ocean City pond, and a SnowGoose
(ad. white) at Ridgely. The Wood Stork was at Pt. Lookout still at 7:30 pm
Aug 27, but the only other decent bird was a Black Tern feeding with the
hundreds of Commons.
Good birding,
Marshall Iliff
miliff@aol.com
Annapolis, MD