Our nature preserves are open to the public 365 days per year from sunrise to sunset, providing natural places that offer peace and respite for all. Willistown Conservation Trust owns and manages Hartman Meadow, Ashbridge, Kirkwood, Kestrel Hill and Rushton Woods Preserves. We maintain these lands to preserve and enhance … Learn more about our nature preserves.
Avian Adventures with Aaron | October 14th
Fall bird migration is coming to a close! Fear not, the riparian trails and pipeline meadows of Ashbridge Preserve provide ample opportunity to observe a healthy cohort of wildlife- birds, mammals, and fish can be found here year-round. We’ll saunter through the closed canopies and wildflower fields in search of late-season migrants like Cedar Waxwings, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, and Yellow-rumped Warbler while eagerly anticipating the arrival of our earliest wintering birds such as White-throated Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, and Purple Finch. Exciting rarities could include Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Pine Siskin (and maybe even a beaver!). Join us as we revel in the warm colors and cool temperatures of mid-October.
About Aaron Coolman | Motus Technician and Avian Migration Ecologist
As his title suggests, Aaron wears a lot of hats. With a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Ohio State University, experience in residential garden design, former work as a USFWS Biotechnician, and history as a volunteer for the Maryland DNR Heritage Program, Aaron is a perfect fit at our organization and has been working with WCT since 2022. A nature enthusiast, Aaron spends much of his free time birding, gardening, volunteering for various conservation groups, and photographing…you guessed it…nature!
