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

Milford Mill, also known as Villa Nova, 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.

Birdlife:

Over 150 species have been reported from Milford Mill 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.

Parking:

There is a small parking area at the trailhead. If it is full, you can park on a nearby street.

Special Features:

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.

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.

Nearby Sites:

Soldiers Delight NEA; Lake Roland; Liberty Reservoir CWMA; Cylburn Arboretum; Druid Hill Park.

Habitats:

Bottomland DeciduousHedgerowsUpland Deciduous Garden or ArboretumSuburban Neighborhood Freshwater Marsh or FloodplainRivers & Streams

Features:

BeginnersFree - No Entry Fee at Any TimeHiking/Walking TrailsParkingPets AllowedPicnic AreaRestroomsWheelchair Accessible FeaturesYoung People / Families

Type:

County Parks