At a Glance
Hours: Sunrise to sunset.
Cost: Free.
Tips: Note that the park is heavily used and that a few birders have encountered aggressive dogs and their owners. Go early in the morning with friends, or go on a field trip with the Baltimore Bird Club (free).
Best Seasons: Spring and fall migration.
Breeding Bird Atlas Block: Baltimore West NW
Local MOS Chapter: Baltimore Bird Club
Milford Mill aka Villa Nova Park
970 Milford Mill Road, Pikesville, MD 21208-4618
(410) 487-0700
Note: As of May 2024, Milford Mill/Villa Nova Park is temporarily closed for repairs to the trail. It is expected to re-open in mid-summer 2024.
Milford Mill, also known as Villa Nova Park, is a small Baltimore County park found just inside the Baltimore Beltway, west of the City of Baltimore. The park, with about 95 acres, features a level one-mile loop trail that goes through forested habitat, following a stream for the first half-mile. The stream and surrounding land are part of the Gwynns Falls watershed, one of four important watersheds in Baltimore. The roar of the Baltimore Beltway is not far away, especially at the end of the trail. Nevertheless, Milford Mill is one of the best migrant traps for spring passerines in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Fall migration can also be good.
Note that the signage at the trailhead indicates that the loop trail through the park is called the “Milford Mill Gwynns Falls Trail.” Do not confuse this trail with the longer (15 miles) “Gwynns Falls Trail” that lies further to the southeast, within the City of Baltimore, running through Leakin Park, Gwynns Falls Park, and other smaller parks, all the way to the Inner Harbor. See the detailed Gwynns Falls Trail Map for that longer trail, which is covered by a separate set of eBird hotspots.
Birdlife:
Over 160 species have been reported from the Milford Mill hotspot on eBird. The park is best known as a migrant trap, and is at its best during spring and fall migration. Milford Mill is especially well-known as a place to look for warblers, with 34 species having been reported to date (fall 2019). Hooded, Cape May, and Blackburnian Warblers are often found in mid-May, though not guaranteed. Look also for thrushes, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and other birds of forest and edge habitats.
Wheelchair Access:
At least part of the loop trail is paved and is wheelchair-accessible. Portable, accessible restroom at parking area.
Pet Policy:
Pets must be on a leash at all time; pick up after your pet and take the bagged waste with you when you leave.
Special Features:
The park is popular with local residents for fishing, dog-walking and running. There may be advisories regarding eating certain fish taken from Gwynns Falls, which has a long history of water quality impairment. Consult the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Fish Consumption Advisory for Baltimore County. ◾ Gwynns Falls, which flows through the park, is one of the important tributaries of the Patapsco River.
Local MOS Chapter:
The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Baltimore Bird Club. The Baltimore Bird Club is the founding chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, and remains an important hub of birding activity in the state. The club offers monthly meetings with informative presentations and a full schedule of field trips and bird walks, all free and open to the public.
Parking:
There is a small paved parking area at the trailhead. If it is full, you can park on a nearby residential street and walk-in.
Directions:
From the Baltimore Beltway/I-695, take Exit 18 and go west on MD Route 26/Liberty Road. Make a right at the first traffic light to go north on Washington Avenue. Washington Avenue ends at Milford Mill Road; at that point, turn right (east) onto Milford Mill Road. The small parking area for the Park is on the right immediately after the overpass that crosses over the Beltway.
Nearby Sites:
Baltimore City: Cylburn Arboretum ■ Druid Hill Park ■ Fort McHenry National Monument ■ Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center ■ Patterson Park
Baltimore County: Cromwell Valley Park ■ Holt Park ■ Irvine Nature Center ■ Lake Roland ■ Liberty Reservoir – Baltimore County ■ Loch Raven Reservoir ■ Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area
Habitats:
Bottomland DeciduousHedgerowsUpland Deciduous Garden or ArboretumSuburban Neighborhood Freshwater Marsh or FloodplainRivers & Streams
Features:
BeginnersBicycle Trails (Bikes may be prohibited on some trails)FishingFree - No Entry Fee at Any TimeHiking/Walking TrailsParkingPets AllowedPicnic AreaRestroomsWheelchair Accessible FeaturesYoung People / FamiliesType:
County Parks