The Music of Summer

Summer on the Eastern Shore is a nature lover’s paradise. One needs only to step outside their door to hear a symphony of bird song. The vast array of noisy little dinosaurs perched in the trees can sometimes be overwhelming. There may be a few bird calls you know by heart, but for those that aren’t so recognizable, there’s a phone app called Merlin Bird ID by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (merlin.allaboutbirds.org) that’s excellent at identifying the tweets, blirps, and warbles of birds you haven’t met yet.

Adkins Arboretum in Ridgely (www.adkinsarboretum.org) features the ultimate natural bird surround sound, no amps or speakers required. With 5 miles of trails through 400 acres of forest, meadow, and wetland, you’re almost guaranteed to see – or hear – something you haven’t before.

If you’re into meeting new birds, attend a mellow Slow Birding program at Adkins scheduled throughout the year. Jim Wilson shares his passion for birds with an evening of listening to the conversations of the avian residents. Not into sitting still? Check out any of Adkins’ guided walks throughout June, where you’re guaranteed to hear a melodious little friend or two.

Summer’s music isn’t exclusive to birds, and Adkins has a lock on that, too. On June 12th, Adkins will host Forest Music from 2-4 pm. Musicians from Chestertown’s National Music Festival (nationalmusic.us) will present a unique concert experience, responding to each other’s playing in a conversation that “winds through the trees”. With complimentary light refreshments and wine for sale, Forest Music promises a fantastic summer music experience that even the birds will enjoy.

Whether you prefer the twitter of birdsong in the air, the lilt of musical instruments through the trees, or the annoyed honk of a great blue heron, Adkins has your summer tunes covered.