Audrey Carroll Sanctuary

“I have always been fascinated by birds, especially their songs. When you listen closely, you can hear the voice of the earth.”

- Nina Simone

The Audrey Carroll Audubon Sanctuary is in Mt. Airy and was bequeathed to the Audubon Society of Central Maryland (ASCM) from the estate of Audrey Carroll in 1991. The 129-acre sanctuary is comprised of meadows, streams, woodlands, and wetlands. We maintain the sanctuary for the benefit of birds, wildlife, and the education and enjoyment of guests.

Throughout the sanctuary, we use a variety of wildlife management best practices to preserve its biodiversity and conserve specific types of habitats, while other areas are left to natural succession processes. We also maintain the trails to provide guests an accessible experience. Please stay on the trails for guest’s and wildlife’s safety.

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Sanctuary Rules for Guests:

  • Stay on the trails

  • No pets, hunting, or littering

  • No collecting or foraging of any kind

  • No bikes, ATVs or vehicles of any kind

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Sanctuary Fast Facts

  • 13030 Old Annapolis Road, Mt. Airy, Maryland

  • Open to the public and free of charge

  • Trail Map

  • Calendar of naturalist-led walks

Tree Swallow by Joe Schuller (Audrey Carroll)

Bird Notes

  • eBird Hotspot: 173 species

  • Spring migrants: Various Warblers, Vireos, Scarlet Tanager, Thrushes, Woodcock and Black-billed Cuckoos.

  • Summer breeding birds: Field Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue-winged Warbler, Easter Bluebird, Tree Swallow, Wood Thrush, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, Red-headed Woodpecker, Purple Martin, Indigo Bunting and Cooper's Hawk.

  • Fall migrants: Various raptors, Lincoln Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Purple Finch.

  • Overwintering birds: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker by Brian Smith (Audrey Carroll)

Black-capped chickadee by Brian Shoemaker (Audrey Carroll)