Below is the text of the letter that I use to request an annual permit
to enter Bethel (see my previous post), but before we go there, I want
to note that the Cecil Bird Club does have a description of Bethel on
our website at http://www.udel.edu/cecilbirds/sites/bethel.html
Also note that you can call the DNR Bel Air Office to check on current
regs: 410-836-4557
The letter:
***********************************
Date
Maryland Division of Natural Resources
Wildlife Office
2 South Bond Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
Dear DNR:
I am writing to request a Visitor's Permit for the calendar year 2006
that will allow me to enter the C&D Canal Wildlife Management Areas in
Cecil County, including Bethel, Courthouse Point, Stemmer's Run, and the
canal levees, for the purpose of birding.
My primary vehicle is a GIVE VEHICLE COLOR, MAKE MODEL AND YEAR with MD
tag # GIVE TAG NUMBER
Enclosed is a copy of my driver's license and vehicle registration,
along with a self-addressed stamped envelope with double postage.
Please send the permit to me at:
GIVE YOUR NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS
I plan to enter the canal lands frequently throughout the year and keep
records of the birds that I see there. I would be happy to share these
records with DNR or the Army Corps of Engineers --these records could be
useful in planning for habitat management for native species of both
game and non-game birds.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
SIGNATURE
**************************************
I hope this is helpful to Ospreyers.
Marcia Watson
Cecil Bird Club
-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Marcia Watson
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 12:37 PM
To:
Subject: Re: Bethel WMA trip
Just a heads-up to anyone who plans to bird at Bethel: you need a
permit to park and enter, available from DNR's Bel Air office. The
permits are free and are called "permit to trespass on Canal Lands." No
kidding. Such permits are required to enter all the hunting areas on
C&D canal lands in Cecil County - Courthouse Point, Elk Forest, Welch
Point, and Bethel. The permits are valid for one calendar year. The DNR
office will want you to send them a written request for permit with
photocopies of your drivers license and vehicle registration. They mail
the permit back to you with a set of regulations. There are stiff fines
for parking and entering without a permit.
There have been many problems with illegal activities and off-road
vehicles at these sites and the permits are DNR's answer to control
access. I highly encourage birders to set a good example and follow the
rules on this.
That said, Bethel and Courthouse offer GREAT birding and I highly
recommend them. They are my regular patch.
A little later I'll forward the text of the letter that I send annually
to request a permit. It has the contact information etc. I can't do it
right now because I'm having computer problems and can't access my
files. And fyi, there are no instructions about this on the DNR website
- the only way to find out about it is to go to one of the sites and
read the sign at the parking lot.
Marcia Watson
Cecil Bird Club
-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Chris Starling
Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 9:57 PM
To:
Subject: Re: Bethel WMA trip
As indicated by Norm earlier, The Bethel WMA is located due east of
Chesapeake City, MD on the south side of the C&D Canal. Traveling east
out
of two, on MD 286, look for the intersection with Bethel Cemetary Road.
Parking for the WMA is at this intersection (about 1.5 miles out of
town).
the impoundments are located to the west along a trail that traverses
the
dike. It should be obvious.
As recently as week ago there has been a White-faced Ibis feeding in the
ponds a little to the east (in Delaware). The Ibis, as far as I know,
has
not crossed into Maryland, but it has been seen within a mile of the
line.
Also the ibis has only been seen on the north side of the canal in the
area
of the Route 896 Bridge, south of Glascow (Newark), Del.
good Luck!
and
Good Birding,
Chris Starling
>From: Carol Laing <>
>Reply-To: Carol Laing <>
>To:
>Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Bethel WMA trip
>Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 15:29:47 -0400
>
>Hi, I'm looking for more information on Bethel Wildlife Mgmt ARea,
>considering going, depending on where it is. I have searched google and
>can't find it. could anyone please provide info re where exactly it is,
>like what city and is it in MD. and if you have a link that would be
>superb. thanks
>
>Carol Laing
>Front Royal, VA
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Maryland Birds & Birding
> >[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> >Behalf Of Richard S. Donham
> >Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:42 PM
> >To:
> >Subject: [MDOSPREY] Bethel WMA trip
> >
> >
> >The Cecil Bird Club will sponsor a birding trip to Bethel Wildlife
> >Management Area this SUNDAY, June 25. This site offers a nice mix of
> >water and deciduous/scrub forest. This 1/2 day trip will be co-led by
> >the participants and will begin at the Big Elk Mall at 7 a.m. Richard
> >Donham
> >
>
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