Oxford, MD – According to Bay Journal, a group of about two dozen bird enthusiasts gathered at the edge of a grassy field at Oxford Conservation Park on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where the air filled with the sounds of murmuring birds. The event, organized by the Talbot Bird Club, highlighted the park’s role as a vital habitat for species that thrive in rare grassland environments.
The 86-acre Oxford Conservation Park, located just outside the historic town of Oxford in Talbot County, features a landscape dominated by grasslands, which are increasingly scarce amid the region’s farms, marshes, and pine plantations. Anne Walker, co-leader of the bird walk, emphasized the park’s importance, stating, “It’s a huge asset to the area. It’s habitat that we don’t have much of. They’re often plowed under or allowed to grow up into a forest.”
Established in 2017 after being saved from development by the Conservation Fund and a private donor, the park includes a 0.6-mile walking trail that encircles wetlands and open fields. Initially planted as a corn and soybean field, the area faced challenges from invasive species like phragmites. Recent restoration efforts, led by the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and Washington College’s Natural Lands Project, have revitalized the space with native grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs to support declining bird populations, including sparrows, indigo buntings, meadowlarks, and bobwhite quail.
Dan Small, coordinator for the Natural Lands Project, noted the rapid decline of grassland-dependent birds due to modern agricultural practices. “These grasslands are few and far between, particularly on the Shore,” he said. To bolster quail numbers, teams planted a low canopy of wildflowers for predator protection and added native shrubs for shelter. In the previous year, 24 acres were converted to meadow, with plans for a controlled burn in mid-April 2026 to remove invasive Callery pear trees and establish more native grasses on the original tract.
Funding for these initiatives came from a $130,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. The park also serves a practical purpose by managing stormwater to prevent flooding in the nearby town of Oxford, which has around 700 residents and dates back to early European settlements.
Ron Ketter, another walk leader, recalled the park’s early promise but acknowledged the ongoing battle against invasives. During the February bird walk, participants spotted 205 birds across 23 species, including 75 Canada geese, 30 American robins, and multiple sparrow varieties, signaling positive progress in habitat restoration. Observers have recorded over 170 bird species at the park since 2017, according to eBird data from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
The park’s location enhances its appeal, serving as an entry point to Oxford via the historic Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, operational since 1683 and the oldest continuously running private ferry in the U.S. Visitors can explore the conservation park on foot, enjoying its quiet trails while contributing to broader environmental conservation efforts on the Eastern Shore.
Maintenance remains crucial, with regular mowing and controlled burns mimicking natural wildfire cycles to prevent the grassland from reverting to forest. Walker explained, “You have to keep it down and allow it to be messy without letting it become a forest.”
This restoration project exemplifies community-driven wildlife habitat preservation in Talbot County, near Easton, fostering biodiversity and providing recreational opportunities. As spring migration approaches, the park promises even greater avian diversity, drawing nature lovers to its restored landscapes. For more information, visit Bay Journal.