Join Bill Telfair for this bird survey walk along a 3-mile stretch of the canal towpath (MP 71 – 73)!

PVAS Host: Bill Telfair

This event is free and open to the public.  Anyone with an interest is welcome to participate. This is a good walk for those still working on their bird identification skills, but intermediate/advanced birders are also encouraged to help. Registration is required.

For over 20 years, birds along the entire 185 miles of the C&O Canal have been counted. This survey is designed to provide a snapshot count of birds present on the C&O Canal.

The count will take place regardless of the weather (only a very severe storm will alter scheduled survey) so please dress appropriately and wear comfortable footwear to walk the full three-mile route.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Bill Telfair at wbchtelfair@sbcglobal.net or 408-966-8895.

• Walking Distance: 3 miles
• Pace/Activities: Leisurely (meandering, many breaks to stop and observe).
• Terrain: Asphalt and gravel. The route is generally flat.
• Restroom: There are restrooms (non-flushing) available towards the start of the walk at Antietam Creek.
• Parking/Where to Meet: Participants should gather across the Potomac River from Shepherdstown at the large National Park Service parking area on Canal Road (past the railroad bridge) at 8:00 am SHARP. For those that are comfortable, carpooling with masks will be arranged down to Antietam Creek (MP 70). However, if you prefer not to carpool, you can team up with a family member or friend and leave one car at the large parking area and drive the other car down to Antietam Creek parking. The group will carpool or drive down to Antietam Creek (MP 70) and walk back toward the Rumsey Bridge (MP 73).
• What to Bring: Please wear sturdy walking shoes, bring along drinking water, and dress for the weather. Please bring binoculars if you have them.

Register Here!

About Bill: Bill has been birding since he was 8 years old. He has been on EBird since 2003, with a life list of 1,820 and a US list over 500. He has participated in Christmas Birds counts in both CA and WV, as well as the C&O bird count for 10 years.