Birders may wish to visit the North Tract’s Visitor Contact Station during the summer months to view hummingbirds. Multiple feeders attract a large number of hummingbirds. In the spring, coral honeysuckle blooms on the observation tower by Merganser pond, and the hummingbirds frequent these blossoms as well. 

One of the refuge’s primary purposes is to preserve songbird habitat. Visitors interested in seeing and hearing birds are encouraged to use trails that approach meadows and bodies of water. These habitat areas provide the best opportunities to see multiple species. 

The Wildlife Drive makes North Tract an excellent location for birding from a vehicle, especially in Spring, Summer, and Fall when songbirds are most numerous. Though the late opening prevents a birder from experiencing the dawn chorus here, many exciting species can be found by driving very slowly with the windows down, listening for birdsong. 

North Tract has become famous for hosting a pair (and occasionally more) of Trumpeter Swans that started showing up in 2018 at Merganser Pond. They have been present almost year-round since then and there is speculation that they may eventually breed. In recent years, Red-headed Woodpeckers have been documented breeding near the power line cut.

Winter:  Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, Fox Sparrow

Spring: Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, American Woodcock, Veery, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Pine Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Palm Warbler, Prairie Warbler

Summer: Wild Turkey, Green Heron, Osprey, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Barred Owl, Whip-poor-will, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Prairie Warbler, Pine Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Orchard Oriole

Fall: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Year-round: Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Eastern Towhee, American Goldfinch

North Tract offers 15 miles of trails for walking, biking and horseback riding. With fewer visitors than South Tract, it offers a quiet atmosphere for those seeking respite from the busy world. North Tract’s grounds and Visitor Information Station are currently open on Sunday only from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Due to active nearby gun ranges and the risk of unexploded ordinance, visitors must stay on roads and trails. North Tract closes for federal holidays and occasionally for scheduled hunts.

North Tract is one of the special birding gems of Anne Arundel County. It is part of the Patuxent Research Refuge, a facility of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Established in 1936 by executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Patuxent Research Refuge is the nation’s only national wildlife refuge established to support wildlife research. Containing 12,841 acres, Patuxent Research Refuge is a unique oasis of natural habitat in the middle of the Baltimore-Washington corridor. It has been referred to as the “green lungs” of the region.

North Tract is one of three tracts at Patuxent Research Refuge: the other two are South Tract in Prince George’s County and Central Tract (inaccessible to the public), which has portions in both Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties. Both North and South Tracts are open to the public. Note that there is no direct access between North and South Tracts – one has to drive on public roads to go between the two areas.

The Wildlife Drive is recently repaved and in good condition. Most trails are gravel or natural surface. While Wildlife Drive is rather hilly, the trails are not as steep and remain level most of the time with the exception of the hill on Merganser Pond Trail. Restrooms located in the Visitor Center and by Merganser Pond have wheelchair accessible bathrooms with heat and running water. 

This location is known for ticks so please wear appropriate protection and stay on the trails.

North Tract is also an excellent location to observe mammals, insects, and fungi. A variety of interesting reptiles and amphibians may be found here as well, so be sure to drive slowly in warm weather as they are often attracted to the heat of the road. 

The Beeches and Sweetgums in particular are stunning in October. Mountain Laurels bloom in May. There are small patches of evergreens interspersed with predominantly deciduous forest. Some areas of open meadow are preserved, particularly around the Vernal Ponds Trail and powerlines. 

Rules and Policies

• Stay on marked trails- for your safety and the safety of the refuge’s wildlife. Be mindful that many trails are restricted to walking only. See our trail maps. (The North Tract property contains active firing ranges and unexploded ordnance. It is critical to safety that all visitors stay on roads and trails.)
• Pets- Leash all pets. While your pet may be very behaved, please keep their leash to 10’ or shorter and in hand at all times. Remember to pick up their waste.
• Fishing-  is permitted in designated areas only. Please observe Maryland State regulations.
• Swimming- nor wading is permitted on the refuge. Streams and other wet environments are protected homes for wildlife.
• Boating- is not permitted on the refuge. (Anglers may use boats under 14’ on Cash Lake.)
• Collecting wildlife, plants, or artifacts- is prohibited. Releasing of wildlife or plants to the refuge is prohibited due to the risk of disease transmission.
• Fires- are not permitted on the refuge.
• Drones- Please do not fly drones on the refuge due to their disturbance to wildlife and visitors.
• Consumption of alcohol- is not permitted on the refuge.
• Gas motorized vehicles- must be street legal and may not travel on trails.

The Little Patuxent River Trail features a boardwalk with views of the river and excellent birding opportunities, especially during migration. In April, it is carpeted with Virginia Bluebells. 

Merganser Pond Trail has a hill with an overlook, passes though some pines, and crosses a stream. Good for migrating birds and some summer breeding species.

Telegraph Road is also worth a visit in Spring, Summer, and Fall for migrating birds and breeding species. It intersects with Wildlife Drive once near the Visitor Center, and again later on Wildlife Drive where it is instead called Duvall Bridge Road. When parking, do not block the entry as certain vehicles carrying out science and military activity require access, though the public may not drive on the trail.

At the Visitor Center, be sure to check if Lake Allen is open. Various species can be found there and it's the location with the best chance of spotting the Trumpeter Swans.