Westernport Road Area

Submitted by JohnC on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 20:49

I'm actually including several roads as a part of this location including Russell Road, Michael Road, and Aaron's Run Road.
The reclaimed mineland in this area is great for Henslowe's Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Whip-poor-will (summer) and
Rough-legged Hawk, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur (winter), and Short-eared Owl, Northern Harrier (year-round).
The wintering species that I'm listing here can be very very hard to find (but not impossible).

DIRECTIONS: Take exit 34 for MD Route-36 toward Westernport/Frostburg. Keep left at the fork and turn left onto Route-36.
Go about 9 miles and turn right onto Legislative Rd SW (MD-935). Follow Legislative Road for a little over 1 mile.
Turn right onto Bartlett Run Rd which turns into Russell Rd after a little less than 1 mile.

To bird this area stay on Russell Road driving slowly along. Listen in summer for Grasshopper Sparrows and Vesper Sparrows.
Russell Road has had Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings mixed in with Horned Lark flocks. There is similar habitat along
Michael Road which completes a loop by connecting with Russell Road at two different spots. Alternately continue past Michael Road to
the intersection with Westernport Road. Take a left on Westernport Road and continue straight past where Westernport Road goes
off to the right (you will then be on Aaron's Run Road). You will then ascend a small hill and just over the crest of the hill
where a field opens up on the right hand side is a good place to stop and listen for Henslowe's Sparrows in May and June and to look
for Northern Harriers, Short-eared Owls, and Rough-legged Hawks (winter).

County

Westernport Road Area Map