Birding field trip!  Learn how the 450 bird species seen at the Poplar Island Restoration Project are monitored. 

Join Kristina Motley and Tim Carney with the Maryland Environmental Service for a unique opportunity this Fall to check out the birds on Poplar Island!  We’ll start with a classroom session, followed a week later with a birding field trip over to the island.

As you might know, Poplar Island is an ecosystem restoration project located in the Chesapeake Bay in Talbot County, Maryland which began in the 1990’s. The project beneficially reuses the dredged material from the approach channels to the Baltimore Harbor to restore lost remote island habitat within the Chesapeake Bay.  The partnership between the Maryland Port Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been in place for over 20 years and has seen the restoration of almost 400 acres of wetland habitat to date. 

This restoration supports over 250 different species of birds that have been documented on or just offshore and over 40 different bird species that have been confirmed as nesting onsite. 

Learn about Poplar Island’s bird successes at this talk given by Kristina Motley and Tim Carney from Maryland Environmental Service, followed by a birding field trip to the island.  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:  To make the tour enjoyable for all participants, please take the following into consideration: 

1. Tours run rain or shine; however, the tour may be canceled in the event of severe weather. Please note that the island weather can be more severe than on the mainland, is unpredictable, and changes quickly. Therefore, if the Poplar Island staff feels it has become unsafe, cancellations can occur the same day as the tour. Chesapeake Forum will notify you as soon as possible if there is a cancellation.
2. Participants must be prepared to board a boat and climb a few steps; however, the amount of walking is minimal.  Closed-toed shoes with appropriate soles such as sneakers or hiking shoes/boots are required. Failure to wear closed-toed shoes will result in getting turned away at the dock.
3. The boat will depart promptly at the above scheduled time. Please make sure to arrive on time so that you are not left behind. Alternative boat transportation to dock on Poplar Island is not allowed. 
4. The tour does not include a designated lunch break but feel free to bring snacks. 
5. Tours can be enjoyed by people of all ages, but keep in mind that some of the topics covered may be advanced for younger visitors. 
6. Binoculars and cameras are encouraged.  Check the weather the night before – a light jacket might be a good idea.

Please note:  Like most of our programming, Maryland Environmental Service provides this program to us for free.  The fee we charge covers a share of our programming expenses for Chesapeake Forum.

Established in 1970, Maryland Environmental Service is a unique, not-for-profit public corporation that combines public sector commitment to environmental protection with private sector flexibility and responsiveness. They are an independent, self-supporting State agency, MES enhances and protects Maryland’s environment through innovative solutions to the region’s most complex environmental challenges.

What to Expect:  Learn about Poplar Island’s birding successes at this talk given by Kristina Motley and Tim Carney from Maryland Environmental Service, followed by a birding field trip to the island a week later.  There is a 24-person limitation for this program due to the size of the boat we take out to the island.

Feedback from the last birding trip to Poplar Island:

“A wonderful and comprehensive tour of the restoration efforts on Poplar Island, punctuated by osprey, great blue herons, tree sparrows, hummingbirds, and egrets, deer, ducks, muskrats…a wonderful experience!”

“Amazing to see a decades-long project to better the environment and to realize the various organizations that have contributed expertise. Docents shared lots of information and even the various species of birds nesting along the route! Beautiful day for a trip to Poplar Island!”

“This was such an informative class! Loved learning about the development of Poplar Island and how much wildlife has come to nest there! It’s amazing how many species are found on the island now!”

“Very impressive project. Presenter was clear and engaging.”

DIRECTIONS: The birding field trip to Poplar Island will leave from the Maryland Environmental Service Tilghman Island dock (turn left on Chicken Point Road soon after crossing the bridge) promptly at 9am.  Please plan on arriving 10-15 minutes early to check in and receive a safety briefing. For your convenience, a portable toilet is available at the land base. 

2 Sessions | Wednesday | September 4 | 10:30 – 12 pm | HYBRID (choose in-person in the classroom, joining thru zoom, or waiting for the recording) | Wednesday | September 11 | 9 am – 12 pm | FIELD TRIP by carpool (21548 Chicken Point Road, Tilghman, MD 21671) | $30