The Maryland Ornithological Society (MOS) is a statewide organization of local chapters. Each chapter sets its own dues, a portion of which goes to the state Society. The MOS and chapter membership year begins September 1.

  • If you’re already a member or your membership has expired, please log in here and follow the steps on the next page.
  • If you’d like to join MOS, choose a chapter close to your residence or workplace, whatever is convenient for you. You may elect to be a Member-At-Large but if you live in Maryland we hope you’ll support your local chapter. After joining MOS you also may join another chapter with Affiliated status, paying just that chapter’s portion of dues. Life membership in MOS is also available and would be very much appreciated and gratefully acknowledged.
  • If you’d like to give a membership as a gift to someone, either a new member or renew an existing member, you may do so here.
  • MOS strongly encourages online dues payments. However, if you must pay by check please refer to this page.

MOS publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Yellowthroat, and our periodical journal Maryland Birdlife. Individual chapters may also publish a newsletter. All of these are benefits of membership. You will also receive notice of our annual convention held in a location in Maryland near good birding sites. Members-At-Large receive MOS publications but obviously no chapter newsletters unless they choose to join a chapter as an Associate.

The benefits received from Maryland Ornithological Society membership dues are not considered to be substantial as determined by criteria in IRS Publication 526. Therefore, members may claim a tax deductible charitable contribution for the full amount of their membership dues.

MOS doesn’t release its membership list to any other organization and uses it only for official communication with members. Members may select several preferences for correspondence and notifications via our membership portal. MOS adopted and follows its official Privacy Policy.