At a Glance
Hours: Open 24 hrs/day, 365 days/year
Cost: Free.
Tips: Trails are natural surface and may be uneven although the terrain is mostly flat. ◾Trails may be (probably will be) wet and muddy. Wear sturdy waterproof hiking boots or shoes. ◾ Take precautions against ticks and other biting insects. ◾ This is an active hunting area for deer and other game. Be aware of hunting seasons and plan your visit accordingly. There is Sunday hunting on some lands. ◾ No restrooms.
Best Seasons: Birding is good all year-round but avoid during hunting season.
Breeding Bird Atlas Blocks: Two blocks: Dividing Creek SW (most of the WMA); Princess Anne SE (only a small area at the SW corner of the WMA).
Wellington Wildlife Management Area
32511-33039 Dublin Road, Princess Anne, MD 21853
GPS Coordinates: 38.158600, -75.616936
(410) 651-2065
Wellington WMA is owned by the State of Maryland and is managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) primarily as a hunting area, but is open to the public for other activities, including birding and general nature observation. The property consists of 683 acres acquired over the years as separate tracts, the most recent being 255 acres purchased in 2020. Most of the WMA acreage is on the south side of Dublin Road, but there is a smaller section (about 134 acres) on the north side. Both sections have natural surface foot-trails (see map at link in orange box in the At a Glance section of this webpage) and read further for trail descriptions.
Within the WMA there are field areas totaling about 180 acres, and the fields are what you will see first when you arrive at the parking areas. But most of the property (about 500 acres) is wooded and Wellington is best known for these forests. In fact, Wellington WMA is part of one of the largest remaining forested tracts on the Eastern Shore. Within the forests there are extensive palustrine (wooded) wetlands. There are also several small manmade ponds on the property. The WMA is in the Pocomoke River watershed and contains small, slow-flowing tributary streams, including the Moore Branch of Kings Creek; the wetlands at the headwaters of Moore Branch constitute the Dublin Swamp Irreplaceable Natural Area. The topography is very flat, with elevations only 15 to 25 feet above sea level throughout the WMA. No hills to climb here!
A section of the WMA is undergoing restoration, with funding provided by the annual Easton Waterfowl Festival in partnership with Ducks Unlimited and DNR. The aim is to convert 130-acres of agricultural fields that had been ditched to reduce flooding into moist soil wetlands that support native plant communities and provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.
The property includes a DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service Field Office that serves DNR sites in Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester Counties. (This is a working office, not a visitor center, and is fenced off.)
There are four designated gravel parking areas along Dublin Road, as shown on the DNR map. An easily visible foot-trail starts at each parking lot. The trails are not signed or marked with blazes, but are fairly straight, flat, and east to follow.
- On the north side, an out-and-back trail goes north into the forest and then splits into a T. Pick up this trail from the gravel parking area across the road from the field office. The main-stem of the T is 0.3 miles long and each side branch is about 0.2 miles. There might be traces of older trail extensions from the sidebars of the T that will return you to Dublin Road, but bushwhacking may be required if the trail peters out.
- On the south side, three trails go south from Dublin Road into the heart of the WMA; the west-most trail and the middle trail (near the Field Office) form a loop (total 2.5 miles) that extends to the south border of the property, into Dublin Swamp, which is the section designated as an Irreplaceable Natural Area. Both the west trail and the middle trail are mostly wooded, but the middle trail goes through a field before entering the woods.
- The third trail on the south side, the east-most trail, is an out-and-back trail about 0.6 miles long. This trail extends from the parking area south, with fields on each side and ends at the edge of a woodlot.
The mixed forest is primarily composed of hardwoods such as American Beech, American Holly, and various oaks and maples, and includes wet-adapted species such as Swamp Chestnut Oak, , Pin Oak, Willow Oak, American Sweetgum, Sweetbay Magnolia, and Cherrybark Oak. Scattered single Loblolly Pines are also present, and there are a few Loblolly stands, mostly in the north section. The field areas contain a good mix of grasses and blooming plants that support pollinators and other animals.
The DNR website states the site management goals for Wellington:
- The agricultural fields are planted with crops to provide habitat and winter food for upland wildlife species.
- Several small ponds have been created and are managed to provide habitat for waterfowl, aquatic mammals, and amphibians.
- Certain fields are managed dove hunting areas.
- Some fields have been planted with native warm season grasses, cool season grasses, and/or been left fallow to provide habitat for ground nesting wildlife species.
Birdlife:
There is one eBird hotspot:
Wellington WMA – 150+ species
As described above, the avifauna includes birds of forests, fields, and wetlands. eBird’s list of “Iconic Birds” for Wellington WMA includes Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Wood Thrush, Yellow-breasted Chat, Grasshopper Sparrow, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, and Summer Tanager.
A caveat: Wellington WMA is relatively under-birded, with only 111 checklists and 67 eBirders as of August 2026. Coverage in winter is problematic, because of hunting. But, greater coverage to the extent possible would provide a more complete record of the birds at this site. There are some species not currently reported that might be expected, based on the habitat and location.
A seasonal breakdown of notable species:
Year-round species (including resident breeders): Canada Goose; Killdeer; Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks; Eastern Screech-Owl; Woodpeckers: Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, Pileated, Northern Flicker; Carolina Wren; Brown Thrasher (sporadic through most of the year); Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Bluebird; American Robin; American Goldfinch; Chipping Sparrow (only absent in dead of winter); Eastern Meadowlark (sporadic through most of the year); Red-winged Blackbird; Brown-headed Cowbird (absent late summer and late winter); Common Grackle; Northern Cardinal.
Breeding season: Wood Duck; Wild Turkey; Yellow-billed Cuckoo; Laughing Gull; Acadian Flycatcher; Great Crested Flycatcher; Eastern Kingbird; White-eyed Vireo; Red-eyed Vireo; Swallows: Tree, Barn, Purple Martin; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; Wood Thrush; Grasshopper Sparrow; Field Sparrow (also in winter); Yellow-breasted Chat; Orchard Oriole; Warblers: Ovenbird, Worm-eating, Black-and-white, Prothonotary, Common Yellowthroat, Pine (present most of the year except dead of winter), Yellow-throated; Summer Tanager; Blue Grosbeak; Indigo Bunting.
Wintering: Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks; Northern Harrier; Great Horned Owl; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; American Kestrel; Merlin; Eastern Phoebe (also in spring); Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets; White-breasted and Brown-headed Nuthatches (both may stay long into spring); Brown Creeper; Northern House Wren (not present in breeding season); Winter Wren; Hermit Thrush; American Pipit (scarce); Sparrows: Fox, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated, Savannah, Song, Swamp, Eastern Towhee; Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Migrating birds of passage (spring and fall): Tundra Swan; American Wigeon; Mallard; Northern Pintail; Chimney Swifts (may be too far from dwellings for breeding season sightings); Ruby-throated Hummingbird (might be present during breeding season but not detected); Black-bellied Plover; Semipalmated Plover; Short-billed Dowitcher; Wilson’s Snipe; Spotted Sandpiper; Solitary Sandpiper: Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs; Ruddy Turnstone; Least Sandpiper; Pectoral Sandpiper; Semipalmated Sandpiper; Glossy Ibis; Least Bittern; Snowy Egret; Great Blue Heron; Green Heron; Belted Kingfisher; Osprey; Barred Owl; Yellow-throated Vireo; Veery; House Finch; Purple Finch; Pine Siskin; White-crowned Sparrow; Bobolink; Baltimore Oriole; Warblers: Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-winged, Nashville, Connecticut, American Redstart, Cape May, Northern Parula, Bay-breasted, Chestnut-side, Black-throated Blue, Palm, Prairie; Scarlet Tanager.
Wheelchair Access:
The trails at Wellington WMA are not suitable for wheelchairs, but a rollator/walker might be possible in the drier areas. There is no restroom. Birding from the parking areas is possible but would provide limited diversity.
Pet Policy:
Other than hunting dogs, pets should be leashed to minimize disturbance to wildlife and vegetation; pick up after your pet.
Special Designations:
- Wellington WMA lies within the larger (181,000 acres) Pocomoke-Nassawango IBA Important Bird Area (IBA), as designated by the National Audubon Society. Audubon considers this IBA to be the “premier site for Forest-Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS) on the Delmarva peninsula,” noting that the IBA “hosts significant populations of 12 at-risk bird species because of its large size and varied habitats. Of the 24 species of FIDS found on Maryland’s coastal plain, 21 breed regularly at this site and another two species may do so. The extensive forested wetlands provide prime habitat for four at-risk birds.” Read more about the Pocomoke-Nassawango IBA Important Bird Area (IBA).
- As discussed above, a portion of Wellington WMA, as well as adjacent parts of Chesapeake Forest Lands, has been designated by the State as the Dublin Swamp Irreplaceable Natural Area. (See map of this INA.) INAs are designated by the State Legislature and encoded in Maryland Law. The purpose of the INA Program is to preserve Maryland’s native biodiversity on state-owned lands. INAs are defined as areas with habitat necessary to support a unique natural community or a plant or animal species listed as Threatened or Endangered by the State. INAs (1) have an assemblage of native plants or animals that is rare or declining in Maryland or (2) support an unusually pristine example of a native ecosystem type.
- Because of its biodiversity, Wellington WMA is becoming popular with naturalists of all types. See iNaturalist for an ever-growing list of observations.
The local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society is the Tri-County Bird Club, serving Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, and offering field trips and meetings with informative programs, all free and open to the public. Consult the online calendar on the MOS website for details on meetings, field trips, and other events. Or check the club’s Facebook page.
Multimedia:
MD DNR has a short YouTube video, “Eastern Region Wildlife Management Areas – Maryland Department of Natural Resources” that includes photos of a selection of WMAs on the Eastern Shore and covers various management and wildlife aspects. Although the video does not contain any information specific to Wellington WMA, it will give you a good feel for the habitats of WMAs on the Eastern Shore.
Parking:
There are four designated parking areas, all located along Dublin Road. Three are on the south side of the road and the other is on the north side across from the DNR field office. All four are gravel surfaced and easy to spot.
- Parking Area #1 – the west-most parking area on Dublin Road, located on the south side of the road where a woodlot meets a field. GPS: 38.159268, -75.621534
- Parking Area #2 – on the north side of Dublin Road, across from the DNR Field Office. It’s located at the edge of a strip of field in front of the woods. In addition to the trailhead for the T-shaped trail that goes into the north tract, there is also access to the south-side “middle” trail by crossing the road and walking along the east boundary fence of the Field Office. GPS: 38.158793, -75.616833
- Parking Area #3 – on the south side of Dublin Road, on the east side of a hedgerow that meets the road. GPS: 38.157706, -75.612582
- Parking Area #4 – on the south side of Dublin Road, between two fields and directly across the road from a driveway into a farm. GPS: 38.156646, -75.609334
- Wellington Wildlife Management Area is located in Somerset County, southeast of the town of Princess Anne and north of Pocomoke City.
- Street address: 32511-33039 Dublin Road, Princess Anne, MD 21853
- GPS Coordinates: 38.158600, -75.616936
From points north on the Eastern Shore: Use US Route 301 or MD Route 213 southbound to reach US Route 50 Ocean Gateway, and then follow directions as above from the Western Shore.
From points north in Delaware: Use US Route 113 southbound toward Berlin and Ocean City. The follow directions as above from the Western Shore, picking up the directions at Salisbury.
From points south on Delmarva, such as Pocomoke City, MD or the Eastern Shore of Virginia: Use US Route 13/113 northbound to reach Pocomoke City. At the Route 13/113 split, bear left to continue north on US Route 13. In 2.2 miles, after crossing the Pocomoke River turn right to go north on Costen Road. In 1.7 miles, turn right to go east on Duke Weidema Road and then make an immediate left to go north on Follow Ditch Road. Stay on Follow Ditch Road for 3.2 miles, where it ends at a fork with Dublin Road. Take the left fork to go west on Dublin Road. Parking Area #4 for Wellington WMA will be ahead on the left in less than a mile.
From Ocean City: Use the Route 90 bridge or the Route 50 bridge to leave Ocean City, traveling west. At the intersection with US Route 113, follow signs to take 113 south toward Berlin and Snow Hill. Approaching Snow Hill, bear right to take Business Route 113 into town; this will be approximately 15 miles from Route 50 or 17 miles from Route 90 at Ocean City. From Business Route 113, in 1.4 miles, turn right to go north on MD Route 12/Snow Hill Road. Follow Route 12 for 1.2 miles, then turn left (west) onto MD Route 364/River Road/Nasswango Road/West Dividing Creek Road (the road name changes several times), and drive southwest for 11 miles. Then turn right to go north on Courthouse Hill Road. Stay on Courthouse Hill Road for 2.5 miles. At the village of Cokesbury, the name of the road changes to Cokesbury Road; stay straight and continue north on Cokesbury. In 1.6 miles, Cokesbury will end at a T-intersection with Dublin Road. Turn left to go west. In 0.7 miles, at an intersection with Follow Ditch Road on the left, Dublin Road makes a sharp left bend and then a sudden sharp right to turn northwest. Make that maneuver and Parking Area #4 for Wellington WMA will be ahead on the left in less than a mile.
Nearby Sites:
Somerset County: Deal Island Wildlife Management Area ■ Fairmount Wildlife Management Area ■ Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary ■ Janes Island State Park ■ Rumbley Boat Ramp ■ Smith Island
Wicomico County: Cedar Hill Marina & Park ■ Ellis Bay Wildlife Management Area ■ Nanticoke River Wildlife Management Area – Nutter’s Neck ■ Nassawango Creek Preserve and Furnace Town ■Pemberton Historical Park ■ Pirate’s Wharf Park ■ Roaring Point & Nanticoke Harbor ■ Tyaskin Park & Wetipquin Park ■ Salisbury Landfill & Naylor Mill Road Pond ■ Schumaker Pond & Salisbury City Park
Worcester County: Assateague Island National Seashore & Assateague Island State Park ■ E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area ■ Heron Park (formerly Berlin Falls Park) ■ Isle of Wight Park & Wildlife Management Area ■ Nassawango Creek Preserve and Furnace Town ■ Ocean City Inlet & Sunset Park ■ Ocean City: Skimmer Island (4th Street Mudflats) ■ Pocomoke River State Park – Shad Landing & Milburn Landing ■ Pocomoke State Forest – Hickory Point Cypress Swamp Natural Area ■ South Point ■ Sun Outdoors Ocean City (formerly Castaways Campground) ■ Truitts Landing & Other Bayside Landings ■ West Ocean City Park-n-Ride & Homer Gudelsky Park ■ West Ocean City Pond
Habitats:
Bottomland Deciduous ForestsConifersHedgerows Agricultural Crop Fields or Fallow FieldsHay Meadows, Pasture, Grass FieldOld Fields, Shrubby Meadows Forested SwampFreshwater Marsh or FloodplainFreshwater Pond, Lake, or ReservoirMud Flats (Tidal or Non-Tidal)Rivers & Streams
Features and Amenities:
BeginnersFishingFree - No Entry Fee at Any TimeHabitat Restoration ProjectHiking/Walking TrailsHuntingNative Plant Garden or Meadow/Pollinator PlantsParkingPets AllowedWater ViewType:
Audubon Important Bird AreasChesapeake Bay Eastern ShoreHunting AreasState Natural Areas & Wildlands