WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Maryland

By species reported, the top birding spots in Maryland are Swan Harbor Farm, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, and Mezick Ponds. Swan Harbor Farm has the longest list (243 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Swan Harbor FarmHarford County2434,020129213135200
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical ParkMontgomery County24110,919121215156199
Mezick PondsAnne Arundel County2342,996126190111185
Brandon ShoresAnne Arundel County2331,12988186145192
Masonville Cove Environmental CenterBaltimore County2322,879113175134202
Blackwater National Wildlife RefugeDorchester County2303,907135191144190
Marshy CreekQueen Anne's County2283,190127187148184
Sedgewick CoveQueen Anne's County2263,164119199120193
North Point State Park (south)Baltimore County2252,13613218395171
Turkey PointCecil County2249766284145206
Montgomery CountyMontgomery County2196,363106187133181
Point Lookout SpSt. Mary's County2191,235121170102177
Mckee Beshers WmaMontgomery County2189,478106206129177
Ocean City Inlet (north)Worcester County2172,4727014075184
Hog PointCalvert County2132,927105178132163
Bogle CoveKent County21361510714596177
Redington LakePrince George's County2115,556100177111178
Terrapin Nature AreaQueen Anne's County2111,43793178115166
Fort Smallwood ParkAnne Arundel County2102,1999719392129
North Point State ParkBaltimore County2092,437114185107165
Assateague Island National Seashore (Great Egging Island)Worcester County20987471110106191
Lake ArtemesiaPrince George's County2036,05111118296155
Bradford ParkGarrett County2012,08484178111171
Patterson ParkBaltimore County2005,45177185104163
Piscataway ParkPrince George's County2001,885104166117151
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (Seneca Creek)Montgomery County1994,380106178102130
Blackwalnut CoveTalbot County1982,04497152118161
Mckee Beshers Wma (Van Deventer Island)Montgomery County1981,69188155117144
Mondays CreekAnne Arundel County1961,446101175109161
Frostburg ReservoirGarrett County1961,43856167105147

By county