Despite the urban development surrounding it, Patterson Park’s natural history remains strong, acting as a migrant trap for birds with over 223 species recorded since 2009. We may see many neotropical migrants and some residents, including green heron, black-crowned night heron, Swainson’s thrush, wood thrush, black-and-white warbler, common yellowthroat, American redstart, magnolia warbler, scarlet tanager, or rose-breasted grosbeak. The park is ranked in the top 100 hotspots in Maryland, per species, according to eBird.org.
This vibrant bird community is sustained through the efforts of native tree plantings and existing tree maintenance managed by the Friends of Patterson Park and City Forestry. The Audubon-Baltimore Program also maintains a flourishing native wetland garden through monthly volunteer events.