Hazards

Hazard Fact Sheets

From the University of Maryland Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk (you can find all the fact sheets here):

• Dehydration (always bring water on birding trips)

• Insects, Ticks, & Spiders (of specific concern in our area: mosquitoes, and ticks that may carry Lyme disease)

• Personal Safety (be alert and never bird alone for this course; also consider installing the UMD Guardian app)

• Plants (poison ivy)—also watch for thorns!

• Snakes (copperheads and rattlesnakes, but not likely to be encountered)

• Sunburn (apply sunscreen and wear a hat)

• Weather-related hazards: frostbite, heat exhaustion/heat stroke, hypothermia, storms (you should NOT be birding in hazardous weather!)

Hunting

Be aware of the possibility of hunting in areas where you may be birding. If you think there is a chance you will be birding near hunters, it is imperative that you wear a bright top (like a reflective safety vest) and hat so you are seen. Even better, just avoid the area. Here is the Maryland 2020–2021 hunting season calendar.