Fellow birders,

I received a number of off-list requests for more information on how to
reach Mount Calvert.

I take the DC beltway to route 4 (Pennsylvania Ave) and follow it east to
Route 223 (Woodyard Road) south.  After exiting, take an immediate left
onto South Osborne Road; follow it until it ends in an intersection with
Route 301, the Crain Hwy.

After turning left onto 301 north, take the first right (Croom Road).
Follow it about 2 miles to the Mount Calvert Spur where you should turn
left and left again onto Mount Calvert Road which you should follow to its
end.  On Croom Road, you should pass power lines, railroad tracks and an
intersection with Croom Station Road.  If you see Croom Airport Road, you
are heading toward the Jug Bay portion of Patuxent River Park and have
stayed on Croom Road just a little too long.

When you reach the historic site, there is a sign that says "private
drive".  That sign is for the driveway of the last house on the right even
though the sign is oriented to look as if it is for the Mount Calvert
historic site.  Although this is a common tactic in this part of the
state, every interaction I have had with people at or near the historic
site has been cordial once they know I'm a birder and not a vagabond in
search of a good place for a party.  I've heard rumors that others are not
always as fortunate so please be courteous.

Once I'm on the property, I take the only right turn and park in the
"so-called" parking lot.  Here, you are on the shore to the Western
Branch.  From near the pier you have the most unobstructed though lowest
altitude view of the marsh.  You will probably want to spend some of your
time in search of higher altitude views.  The shorebirds, herons, etc have
been in this marsh straight ahead between the Western Branch and the
Patuxent river, which follows the distant tree line.  The gulls, on the
other hand, sometimes rest in the Patuxent river a little to your right
and are perhaps closer to the observation platform at the Jug Bay Wetlands
Sanctuary.

Dave
David Mozurkewich
Seabrook, PG MD USA
mozurk @ bellAtlantic.net

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