About
Caroline W. Wilson MOS Sanctuary is an 85.8-acre bird sanctuary owned by the Maryland Ornithological Society (MOS), off Altamont Tower Road near Mountain Lake Park. It protects woodland and wetland at the headwaters of the Little Youghiogheny River and is open to the public for birders and walkers who don't mind a quiet, undeveloped place.
Forest, Wetland and Headwaters
The sanctuary is entirely wooded. Moist hardwood forest grades into drier white oak woods, and about a quarter of the property is wetland, with shrubby wet areas toward the southern end. A high-quality stream runs through it, fed by five smaller streams, at the headwaters of the Little Youghiogheny. MOS lists Alder Flycatcher and Ruffed Grouse among the notable birds seen here. The Nature Conservancy gave the property to MOS in 1988, and it is one of the society's ten sanctuaries across Maryland.
Getting There on Foot
The property is landlocked and can be reached only on foot. Access is from the railroad tracks along the north boundary: from MD 135, turn onto Altamont Tower Road, then turn right toward the tracks, where there's room on the right for several cars. MOS publishes a trail map on its sanctuary page. One of the trails follows an old road that neighbors maintain for dirt bike and ATV use, so you may share it with machines. There are no facilities on site, so bring water and anything else you'll need, and wear boots for the wet ground.
Supporting the Sanctuary
Upkeep is funded through the MOS Sanctuary Fund, which also helps the society acquire more land. The sanctuary is also an eBird hotspot, so you can log your sightings there.
Download the trail map from the MOS page before you go, since the access point is easy to miss.
Address
Altamont Tower Rd, Mountain Lake Park, MD 21550