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Signature Dish

Great places to see the Mid-Atlantic’s migrating birds

BY NEVIN MARTELL

The Washington Post

Fall migration is underway, when billions of birds fly southward to warmer climates along the Atlantic Flyway, a migratory route starting in Greenland and extending down into South America and the Caribbean. Activity in the Mid-Atlantic region peaks in September and October, though flocks of winged travelers continue to pass through into winter. Because many of the birds are not native to the area, this autumnal commute marks a rare chance to see such a wide variety at once.

To get the most out of your birding expedition, you need two pieces of equipment: a good pair of binoculars and a guide to help identify the species you’re seeing. If you prefer books, “The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America” and the “Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America” are both highly esteemed among birders. Beginners may be best served, however, by downloading the Merlin app, which allows users to identify birds by taking a picture or recording a sample of their birdsong.

Here are eight spots across the region that are renowned for their bounty of birds.

ROCK CREEK PARK

The large field dominating the corner of Military Road NW and Glover Road NW in the heart of the park is a favored pit stop along the flyway. Expect to spot a variety of warblers — such as yellow-rumped warblers and black-throated blue warblers — as well as a selection of vireos, including red-eyed vireos and blue-headed vireos. Seth Horstmeyer, a D.C.-based bird photographer who posts many of his pictures to his Instagram @ horstmeyerseth, likes the contrast between the grassy expanse and the surrounding woodlands. “There are birds throughout the forest, so the open tree line makes it easier to spot

David Barber/Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Official bird counters were treated to a rainbow last year at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s North Lookout in Pennsylvania.

them,” he says.

Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Field in Rock Creek Park is at the intersection of Military Road NW and Glover Road NW. 202-895-6000. Free.

TURKEY POINT AT ELK NECK STATE PARK

Situated at the top of the Chesapeake Bay, this peninsula juts out between the North East and the Elk rivers. More than 220 species of birds have been recorded there, but bird nerds often go just to see birds of prey. Common sightings include bald eagles, ospreys and a variety of hawks, such as sharp-shinned hawks, cooper’s hawks and red-shouldered hawks. If you’re lucky, you might spot a golden eagle, northern goshawk, peregrine falcon or a merlin.

Open daily, sunrise to sunset. 4395 Turkey Point Road, North East. 410287-5333. Free.

OCCOQUAN BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

A verdant blend of wetlands, woodlands and grasslands spread across more than 640 acres and perched at the convergence of the Potomac and Occoquan rivers, this onetime military research facility is a favorite rest stop and habitat for a bounty of birds. Bill Williams, president of the Virginia Society of Ornithology, recommends it for waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as various warblers and vireos. Keep your head on a swivel for a flash of color, and you just might see a yellow-billed cuckoo, green heron or red-headed woodpecker.

Open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Sept. 30; open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 through March 31. 14050 Dawson Beach Road, Woodbridge, Va. 703-490-4979. Free.

VIOLETTES LOCK (LOCK 23) ON THE C&O CANAL

This picturesque stretch of the canal is one of Montgomery County’s primo birding spots, with more than 270 species documented there. The waterway is complemented by the forested banks, so winged commuters have plenty of roosting options. In the fall, there’s a chance you’ll peep various warblers — including prothonotary warblers, blue-winged warblers and chestnut-sided warblers — alongside waterfowl, such as wood ducks and Canada geese, and a plethora of vireos, such as white-eyed vireos and warbling vireos.

Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Violettes Lock Road, Darnestown. 301739-4200. Free.

HUNTLEY MEADOWS PARK

The 1,500-plus-acre park with sprawling wetlands is one of Williams’s favorites. From the comfort of the wooden boardwalks weaving across the marshy terrain and an observation tower, birders can spot vireos, sparrows and warblers, as well as raptors, such as red-shouldered hawks and bald eagles. Herons and egrets also come through, so keep your eyes peeled for green herons, little blue herons, great egrets and snowy egrets.

Grounds open daily, dawn to dusk. 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria, Va. 703-768-2525. Free.

HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY

Birders consider this one of the premier destinations on the East Coast for watching raptors (hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures), which follow mountain ridges as they head south. Roughly 18,000 of the majestic birds pass through the sanctuary every fall, with as many as 3,000 visiting in a single day. Depending on when (See BIRDS 18)

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BY SHUAN BUTCHER

Special to The News-Post

Like St. Patrick’s Day, when everyone seems to be Irish, during the fall, more people tend to claim their German ancestry — thanks to Oktoberfest events happening in communities across the globe, including Frederick.

Most Oktoberfests promise to satisfy thirsty patrons, air old-time drinking songs, and provide great food.

Frederick’s Oktoberfest, on

Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at the Frederick

Fairgrounds, is no different.

And it has something special to celebrate this year: its 25th anniversary.

Frederick Oktoberfest was originally organized by Community

Living, and now the Rotary Club of

Carroll Creek, with support from the

Rotary Club of Southern Frederick

County and Smoketown (Brunswick) Rotary, organize the event.

Event proceeds are donated back to several local nonprofit organizations and causes.

“People can come out and eat, drink, and enjoy music knowing that proceeds benefit the community,” said Rotary Club of Carroll Creek member Jeff Griffin, who is chairman of this year’s event.

Griffin anticipates at least $65,000 to $70,000 to be distributed this year.

Frederick’s Oktoberfest is particularly notable because of our local German heritage that has existed since before the city’s founding. John Thomas Schley, from Mörzheim, Germany, was one of Frederick’s earliest European settlers to arrive here in 1745. He

Jeff Behm photos

Scenes from past Oktoberfests in Frederick.

built what is believed to be the first house in the city, located at the intersection of East Patrick Street and Maxwell Avenue. He was considered a prominent member of the new town, keeping a tavern, serving as a schoolmaster and leading the Reformed Church, which is the Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ in downtown Frederick today.

Then, there is the Brunner family, from Schifferstadt, Germany, who came to Frederick County around 1736 and farmed over 300 acres west of town. In 1758, the second generation of the family built a stone house along Carroll Creek that still stands today and is appropriately named Schifferstadt.

The City of Frederick has sister city relationships with both Morzheim and Schifferstadt.

German influences can be found throughout the festival. There will be four beer stations featuring local craft beers from Brewers Alley, Smoketown Brewery and Flying Dog Brewery. Of course, there will be some international offerings as well, including the Spaten and Hofbrauhaus selections from Germany. Steins will be for sale, or attendees can bring their own.

Food offerings will include schnitzel, brats, sauerkraut, red cabbage, hot German potato salad, pretzels and streudel. Students from the FCC Hospitality, Culinary, and Tourism Institute are heavily involved in the planning, preparation and service at the event.

Attendees can eat inside, outside in tents or in the sunshine.

In addition to the food and beverages available, there will be lots of entertainment and other activities.

“The event is back to what it was like before the pandemic,” Griffin said.

Music will be offered all day on indoor and outdoor stages with the Dan McGuire Band and Mike and The Continentals, as well as some newcomers to the festival.

Friday, which is for adults only, runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Festivities will officially get underway at 6:30 p.m. that day with a keg tapping ceremony with local elected officials and other dignitaries.

Saturday, the festival runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition to the musical groups, there will also be a strong person contest and a yodeling competition. A sports tent with televisions will be onsite for those not wanting to miss their favorite college football games and maybe even a soccer match or two. Kids activities will be available on Saturday, and Heritage Frederick will lead some German heritage activities.

A few additional vendors will be set up, including one selling Germanroasted nuts, a chainsaw artist and an alpaca farm.

The event is held rain or shine as activities are held indoors and most outdoor festivities are under tents. Admission rates vary. But if you wear an authentic Dirndl or Lederhosen, admission is free. Volunteers also get free entry.

FRIDAY

6 p.m. — Doors open 6 to 7:30 p.m. — Alpenländers Quartet 6:30 p.m. — Keg Tapping Ceremony with elected officials and dignitaries 8 to 10 p.m. — Dan McGuire Group

SATURDAY

11 a.m. — Doors open Noon to 5 p.m. — Liab’ und Schneid (outside stage) Noon to 5 p.m. — Enzian Volkstanzgruppe (inside stage) 1 p.m. — Yodeling Contest (inside) 3 p.m. — Mr. Jon (Kids Zone) 5 p.m. — Men’s/Women’s Stein Hoist Contest (outside stage) 5 to 10 p.m. — Mike and The Continentals (inside stage) 5 p.m. — Mr. Jon (Kids Zone) 6 to 10 p.m. — Kiti Gartner and the Drifting Valentines (outside stage) For more information, visit frederickoktoberfest.org.

“Around 400 volunteers are needed to run this event,” Griffin said. “This is the largest event for the Rotary Club and is annual gathering for the community.”

Jeff Behm

Live music will be performed on two stages

OCTOBER 8, 2022 OCTOBER 9, 2022

THE MARYLAND THEATRE

SPONSORED BY: Featuring MICHELLE CANN Piano ELIZABETH SCHULZE Conductor

Described as a “compelling, sparkling virtuoso,

” pianist Michelle Cann will perform Florence Price’s “Piano Concert in One Movement. ” Additional works include Gao Hong’s “Celebration” and Robert Schumann’s “Rhenish” symphony.

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