The best weekend of the Maryland birding year.
The 16th annual Rarity Roundup will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12 in Worcester County. During the event, birders will search for various species and provide information for a database. The number one goal of the event is to find rarities.
“There’s a pattern this time of year — early to mid-November has produced amazing species along the Mid-Atlantic,” Mark Hoffman, one of Rarity Roundup’s organizers, says.
During the event, 60 birders, many from the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area, will cover territories established throughout the entire county.
“It’s probably the best coverage we’ve ever had,” Hoffman says.
As with any tally, the most fun is seeing what ‘write-in’ type species each team has. If birders find a true rarity, organizers encourage participants to leave their territories and give chase. Hoffman says during most counts, birders stay in their territories all day. Encouraging birders to see these rarities for themselves makes this event unique.
Berlin Falls Park will be a hotspot for those seeking rare birds this weekend. The newly made public park has seen Cave Swallow, Brewer’s Blackbird, and White-faced Ibis. A few other birds participants hope to see are Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Grebe, Western Tanager, as well as Ross’s Goose and Harlequin Duck.
Although Rarity Roundup is documented as a one-day event, many birders make a weekend out of it.
On Friday night, the group will get together at Culture Authentic Eatery and fuel up before Saturday’s excitement. Following Saturday’s roundup, the group will gather at Full Moon Salon for dinner and drinks. On Sunday, many participants will spend the day on the coast as well, chasing birds and finding new rarities.
To learn more about the Rarity Roundup, visit www.facebook.com/BerlinFallsPark.
