At a glance
Size: 49 Acres
Habitat: Coniferous forest.
Trails: No.
Notable birds seen: Wild Turkey, Pileated Woodpecker.
Parking: No.
Facilities on site: NA
eBird: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L6076244
Additional Notes
Neighbors may grant permission for one vehicle to park on their property.
Marengo Woods Sanctuary (Talbot County)
In 1989, a group of local landowners donated this 49-acre parcel to MOS in memory of Margaret Shortall and Herbert Austin. Their goal was to preserve the land in an area that was undergoing extensive logging operations. Thanks to their efforts, Marengo Woods is now part of a 100+-acre forest in an area dominated by farmland. A stone monument commemorating the donation sits at the entrance to the Sanctuary near the corner of Marengo Rd. and Gregory Rd.
The sanctuary topography is level with knolls and depressions which trap and hold storm water for extended periods. The entire property is in a mid-successional natural regeneration stage following timber harvesting in the mid-1980’s. Loblolly Pine, and White, Basket, Willow and Southern Red Oaks, 15-25 inches in diameter at breast height, are dominant in the sparse upper canopy of seed-trees. Red Maple, Sweet Gum, Tupelo and young of dominant species form a well-developed lower canopy of small trees up to eight inches in diameter. American Holly, Highbush Blueberry and Sweet Pepper Bush are numerous in the over-topped communities. The variety of plant species in the sanctuary is limited, but insect, amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal species are well represented.
How to access the site
To access the site, you can do one of the following:
- Gain permission from a neighbor to park on their property
- Have a friend drop you off
- Park at the nearby Pickering Creek Audubon Center (with their permission) and bike to the sanctuary
Directions to Marengo Woods Sanctuary
| From Route 50 | ||
| Exit onto 662 N | 1.9 miles | |
| Turn right onto Sharp Rd. | 1.6 miles | |
| Continue onto Little Park Rd. | 1.4 miles | |
| Turn left onto Todds Corner Rd. | 1.2 miles | |
| Continue onto Bruffs Island Rd. | 0.4 miles | |
| Turn left onto Gregory Rd. | 2.2 miles |
Donate to the MOS Sanctuary Fund
Sanctuary Fund Donation Form
The Maryland Ornithological Society (MOS) is pleased to announce that the children of Chandler and Eleanor Robbins have presented MOS with a generous gift of property in Garrett County, to be known as the Chandler and Eleanor Robbins Sanctuary at Red Run. In addition, MOS is purchasing additional land to increase the size of the Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary. Part of the purchase price will come from a bequest from the late Chandler Robbins. To fund the remainder of the purchase price for the Irish Grove land, MOS is seeking donations for its Sanctuary Fund. Donated funds will also provide for ongoing maintenance and operations of the new Robbins Sanctuary at Red Run, as well as the other nine MOS sanctuaries across the state. MOS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and all donations are tax-deductible.
