WILDLIFE AT MASONVILLE MASONVILLE COVE WILDLIFE FUN FACTS Did you know that.. Muskrats, a water rodent commonly found at Masonville Cove, have webbed back feet, laterally flattened tails, and the ability to hold their breath underwater for 15-20 minutes. A Bald Eagle’s grip is 10 times stronger than a human’s. A Squirrel’s front teeth never stop growing and they can smell and find food buried beneath a foot of snow. A Canada Goose can sleep while they’re migrating and can fly for up to two weeks at a time Dolphins used to live in the Chesapeake Bay. In 2018, there were 1,129 dolphin sightings reported through Chesapeake Dolphin and these numbers are increasing every year! Wildlife Sightings LEARN MORE Tips for Spotting Wildlife LEARN MORE Birding at Masonville LEARN MORE US Fish & Wildlife Surveys LEARN MORE More Resources LEARN MORE Wildlife Sightings by Ela Carpenter (onsite US Fish and Wildlife Biologist) COYOTES AT MASONVILLE COVE US Fish & Wildlife Survey survey cameras have reported sighting coyotes on the Masonville Cove campus. BABY EAGLETS On April 20th, 2021 it was reported that the eagles eggs have hatched and there are baby eaglets in the nest! On April 20th, 2021 it was reported that the eagles eggs have hatched and there are baby eaglets in the nest! January 15, 2021- On m y second day of work I was out in the field with Robbie doing the seasonal mammal camera surveys. I was happy to see a pair of coyotes visiting MC on a regular basis! My understanding is that in the past we haven't seen coyotes here too often. Attached are a photo and videos, one in MC and the other on the gravel road outside MC. There were a couple of sightings of a pair at Cox Creek as well, but I don't know if it's the same pair. As a Baltimore native I'm so happy to have this opportunity to study wildlife in my hometown and share it with others. I'm looking forward to working with and learning from all of you. Coyote Canis Latrans Now on Sale Tips for Spotting Wildlife at Masonville Cove Bring binoculars Be quiet and aware of your surroundings Don't make a lot of noise Be respectful of the wildlife at Masonville Birding at Masonville Ebird Maryland-Masonville Cove List of Top Bird sightings at Masonville Cove: Ruddy Duck European Starling European Grosbeak Savannah Sparrow Bonaparte’s Gull Wood Duck Lesser Scaup Spotted Sandpiper Barn Swallow Bufflehead DNR Birding Hotspots in Maryland US Fish & Wildlife Surveys More Resources DNR’s Useful backyard wildlife habitat resources Learn about creating urban wildlife habitats by designating a green space near your home as a Baltimore Greenspace If you find injured wildlife in your neighborhood, consider reaching out to a local wildlife refuge center to help rehabilitate them.

Join us for a fun-filled day of free, family-friendly activities in recognition of Urban Wildlife Conservation Day! Immerse yourself in nature with a variety of outdoor games, guided nature walks, fishing, birding, kayaking, and more. RSVP REQUIRED BELOW FOR KAYAKING & GUIDED NATURE WALKS. 2025 Urban Wildlife Conservation Day Celebration at Masonville Cove Join us for a fun-filled day of free, family-friendly activities in recognition of Urban Wildlife Conservation Day! Immerse yourself in nature with a variety of outdoor games, guided nature walks, fishing, birding, kayaking, and more. RSVP REQUIRED BELOW FOR KAYAKING & GUIDED NATURE WALKS.

Welcome to the community fishing and field day! ¡Bienvenidos! Join us for a fun day outdoors. Spend time on the pier, explore our fields and birding, and enjoy guided fishing lessons. All fishing supplies and snacks will be available for free. Community Fishing & Field Day Welcome to the community fishing and field day! ¡Bienvenidos! Join us for a fun day outdoors. Spend time on the pier, explore our fields and birding, and enjoy guided fishing lessons. All fishing supplies and snacks will be available for free.

Learn about Masonville Cove's history and transformation from rural village, to neglected landscape, to the vibrant habitat you see today. HISTORY OF MASONVILLE COVE 1890s Town of Masonville founded early 1900s Masonville is home to a few hundred residents 1940s Baltimore's economy and population are booming; over 859,000 people live in Baltimore 1950s Increased industry has pushed out Masonville community residents 1960s Patapsco River is heavily polluted due to industry and large populations 2003 Masonville is evaluated as a placement site for dredged material 2005 Starting in this year, hearings and meetings are held to discuss dredged material placement and restoration 2007 Cleanup and restoration begin at Masonville Cove 2009 Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center opens 2013 Masonville Cove is designated the nation's first Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership 2018 Captain Trash Wheel is installed at Masonville Cove 2019 Masonville Cove celebrates a DECADE OF DEDICATION to the community by offering a series of special events 2023 Masonville Cove celebrates 10 years as an Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership EARLY COMMUNITY & GROWTH Masonville began as a small community located at the south-west side of Baltimore, Maryland. At the end of the 1800s, Masonville was a town with a few homes and several businesses that served the local community. The town experienced new prosperity and growth when railroad lines were laid running through Masonville to industries in nearby Brooklyn and Curtis Bay. Masonville and its surrounding neighborhoods grew as Baltimore's economy boomed and new immigrants arrived. Thriving operations at the Port of Baltimore, railroads, and factories were key in driving and supporting this new growth. However, as the economy boomed, land along the railroad became more valuable to industry. And as industry encroached, the people living in Masonville began to leave. By the 1950s, Masonville had been converted from a community to an industrial area. CONSEQUENCES OF CHANGE While a benefit to the economy and human communities, the impact of industrial operations and large human populations took its toll on the Patapsco River. By the mid-1960s the river was effectively lifeless due to pollution; open sewers, foam from detergents, and algae blooms fed by excess fertilizers running into the river had polluted the water to the point that almost nothing lived in it. Change also struck at Baltimore's staple industries. With no central command, port facilities began to deteriorate. This changed in 1956 when the Maryland Port Authority (now the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration) was created. However, when the economy contracted it caused industries to close, leaving behind pollution and empty lots. Highways and rail lines still cut Masonville off from neighboring communities. Meanwhile, the Cove area became a dumping ground for industry and nearby residents. The area became littered with tires, steel, concrete, and other debris. A TURNING POINT Although the town of Masonville had disappeared as industry advanced into the area, Masonville Cove remained a home for many species of wildlife. With habitat loss due to human development an increasingly common problem for wildlife throughout the Atlantic region, Masonville became an important habitat and resting stop for wildlife (especially migratory birds). Local environmentalists advocated to preserve the area for its natural beauty and importance in the regional ecosystem. In 2002, the Maryland Port Administration at the Port of Baltimore pulled together a group of volunteers from the community and civic organizations, non-profit organizations, environmental interest groups, and local and state representatives to form the Baltimore Harbor Team. This team makes recommendations on potential placement options for dredged material (sediment removed from shipping channels to ensure safe passage for ships with the deepest drafts). The Harbor Team proposed a study of the Masonville site, a preferred option. In 2004, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Port offered to restore and preserve Masonville Cove and to construct an education center as a part of a harbor dredging project. Throughout 2005-2006, public hearings and community meetings were held to review an environmental impact statement for the proposed project, and to receive feedback about future environmental and community enhancements from the surrounding community. Partnerships with the community continue today through the operation of the Masonville Citizens Advisory Committee . Meetings—which are open to the public—are held twice a year. RESTORATION & RENEWAL Restoration of Masonville Cove began in 2007. The early years saw the removal of derelict vessels from the water and more than 61,000 tons of trash and debris, some of it dating back to the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904. The Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center opened in 2009 and today houses staff from the Living Classrooms Foundation, which provides environmental education experiences for area students. Although the changes at Masonville Cove are incredible, the work of restoring and enhancing Masonville Cove continues to this day. Volunteers continue to make a difference at the Cove by participating in shoreline cleanups, and in 2018 Captain Trash Wheel arrived at Masonville Cove to help keep litter out of the Patapsco River. Today Masonville Cove is home to the nation's first Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership, over 280 bird species (including Baltimore City's first returning pair of nesting bald eagles), and one world-class trash-eating machine. It serves an important role in education, community engagement, and outdoor recreation.

Join Katie Detrich for a free guided meditation experience at Masonville Cove! Bring a pillow and blanket if you like! Yoga mats will be available. Enjoy the environment, herbal tea and healing sounds. November Morning Yoga (11/8) Join Katie Detrich for a free guided meditation experience at Masonville Cove! Bring a pillow and blanket if you like! Yoga mats will be available. Enjoy the environment, herbal tea and healing sounds.

Get outside and make a difference by collecting debris from the stream and living shoreline at Masonville Cove in South Baltimore. Masonville Cove Cleanup Get outside and make a difference by collecting debris from the stream and living shoreline at Masonville Cove in South Baltimore.

Masonville Cove is home to Baltimore City's first known pair of nesting Bald Eagles! Watch our live stream of their nest to see if you can spot them! The eagles have successfully raised four eaglets at Masonville Cove so far, and are expected to raise their third nest in Spring 2021. BALD EAGLES AT MASONVILLE BALD EAGLE FACTS Bald eagles are one of the largest and most iconic birds in America. Adults have chocolate-brown feathers on their bodies and bright white feathers on their heads and tail feathers. Younger eagles are entirely brown or have a mix of brown and white feathers until they are about five years old. Eagles of all ages have bright yellow eyes, bills, and legs. Size Adult eagles are one of the largest raptors in North America. They can grow to be 2 to 3 feet long, weigh nearly 14 pounds, and have a wingspan of 6.5 feet. Range Bald eagles can be found throughout North America. They are particularly widespread in the winter, during their nonbreeding season. Habitat Eagles live in coastal areas and near water. This includes rivers, lakes, marshes, and reservoirs. They also rely on forested areas with tall trees for nesting. Diet Bald eagles are primarily carnivores (meat eaters) and rely on fish they catch in the waters near where they live. Eagles are opportunistic, though, and will also eat reptiles, mammals, other birds, and even dead animals. Life Span Eagles reach maturity at about 5 years old. This is also when they will have their full adult plumage with the distinctive white feathers on their heads. Eagles can live about 15 to 30 years in the wild. Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/ OUR EAGLE WEBCAM NEEDS REPAIR MEET THE EAGLES Masonville Cove is home to Baltimore City's first known pair of nesting Bald Eagles! The eagle pair was first spotted at Masonville Cove in December 2018. While single eagles are frequently seen near Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay, seeing a pair together at that time of year was a strong indication that they were looking to nest. It was incredibly exciting to watch the eagles start to build a nest in a large tree on the campus soon after. The eagles successfully hatched and raised two eaglets in Spring 2019. During the time the eagles were nesting, USFWS and other Masonville Cove partners monitored the eagles' behavior and took steps to make sure the eagles weren't disturbed by people. USFWS banded the eagles late in the spring. Masonville's adult eagles were back again in Spring 2020. They chose to use the same nest they built in 2019, and went on to raise two more healthy eaglets! In 2021 the pair returned to Masonville and created a new nest out of sight from our eagle camera. Away from the limelight, the adult eagles successfully raised three healthy eaglets. It's incredibly exciting and rewarding to see the eagles at Masonville, since it shows the quality and value of the Cove habitat for wildlife. In 2022 the adult eagles returned but did not produce a nest. In 2023 the adult eagles successfully nested and raised three healthy eaglets! The eaglets stayed near Masonville until they were ready to migrate for the season and enjoyed the plentiful fish and habitat they called home. In 2024 the adult eagles returned but failed to successfully nest. In 2025 the adult eagles successfully nested and raised two healthy eaglets! The eaglets stayed near Masonville until they were ready to migrate for the season and enjoyed the plentiful fish and habitat they called home. We look forward to bringing more updates on the 2026 nesting season! Stay tuned for future updates, pictures, and videos of our feathery friends! BALD EAGLE SPOTTING TIPS Some restrictions are in place at Masonville Cove to help prevent the eagles from being disturbed while they are nesting. You can still view the eagles from the back deck of the Education Center and from the Captain's Trail on the campus. The best places to view the nest are the back deck and mid-way down the Captain's Trail. Look toward the treeline along the Sycamore Trail. The nest is toward the top of the tree. It looks large and branchy. If the eagles are on the nest you may be able to see them with binoculars or a birding scope. The eagles won't always be on the nest, particularly early in their nesting period. Look for the eagles flying around the cove or perched on the limb of a tree near the water. You can spot the eagles by looking for large, black or brown birds with white heads. Eagles will stand out because of their size (they are much, much larger than most other birds that live at Masonville Cove) and their white heads. PLAY OUR "EAGLE EXPEDITION" GAME Imagine what life would be like as a Bald Eagle! Would it be easy to survive, or would there be challenges? In this interactive game students pretend to live like eagles and learn about how wildlife conservation efforts have helped eagles. This lesson can be paired with a short distance learning presentation from Port of Baltimore educators. LEARN MORE ABOUT EAGLES Cornell Lab of Ornithology Audubon Field Guide National Geographic Kids Smithsonian National Zoo

Join us for a fun-filled day of free, family-friendly activities in recognition of Urban Wildlife Conservation Day! Immerse yourself in nature with a variety of outdoor games, guided nature walks, fishing, birding, boat rides, and more. RSVP REQUIRED FOR BOAT RIDES, YOGA, AND GUIDED NATURE WALKS 2026 Urban Wildlife Conservation Day Celebration at Masonville Cove Join us for a fun-filled day of free, family-friendly activities in recognition of Urban Wildlife Conservation Day! Immerse yourself in nature with a variety of outdoor games, guided nature walks, fishing, birding, boat rides, and more. RSVP REQUIRED FOR BOAT RIDES, YOGA, AND GUIDED NATURE WALKS

A list of resources and lessons for all ages to do from your home. FREE ONLINE ACTIVITIES TO DO FROM HOME ABOUT OUR ONLINE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES The following resources were created for families to explore and learn about Captain Trash Wheel, Bald Eagles, and nature at Masonville Cove. To schedule a virtual field trip, please see the Schedule a Field Trip page for more information. EXPLORE THIS SECTION How does Captain Trash Wheel Work? Online game Other educational resources Other educational resources Scavenger Hunt and Activities to do while visiting Masonville Cove Eagle Expedition Take part in these scavenger hunts with your kids in English and Spanish while exploring Masonville Cove. Monthly Scavenger Hunts at Masonville Cove English July August September October Español November December January February Scavenger Hunts Other Edu Resources Other Online Educational Resources Environmental Educator's E-Learning Portal MAEOE's Resource Library DNR's At Home Learning Resource Page Living Classrooms Distance Learning Library Washington Post Parent's Guide to Activity Resources

Join Katie Detrich for a free guided indoor meditation experience at Masonville Cove! Bring a pillow and blanket if you like! Yoga mats will be available. Enjoy a candlelit atmosphere, herbal tea and healing sounds. March Afternoon Yoga (3/22) Join Katie Detrich for a free guided indoor meditation experience at Masonville Cove! Bring a pillow and blanket if you like! Yoga mats will be available. Enjoy a candlelit atmosphere, herbal tea and healing sounds.