Clever, with the reward of flight, showy lovely feathers, melodic songs and quirky behaviors, birds are simple to like. For many people, chicken watching grew to become a enjoyable and simple technique to join with nature and get outdoors through the pandemic. In truth, birding is now thought of the second hottest outside exercise after gardening.

However the advantages of birds go deeper than giving us a second of free leisure out our window. 

Birds rework and shield landscapes around the globe, protecting marshes, grasslands, coral reefs and forests wholesome. They’re additionally essential seed spreaders, pollinators and environment friendly exterminators. A current examine discovered they will devour as much as 500 million tons of illness and crop destroying bugs annually. (1) 

The conservation of birds is important for the well being of the planet. However they’re good for our well being too. Research present that being round birds and listening to their songs can decrease stress, cut back nervousness and increase psychological well being.(2)

However have you ever ever considered mixing your love of birds into your travels? 

Now the brand new boutique Merriweather Lakehouse Resort on Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia, Maryland is making it simpler than ever with their Birdsong Society room bundle designed particularly for chicken lovers.

Rapidly changing into a hotspot for birders and nature lovers, this immersive birding bundle permits company to be surrounded by chicken songs in and across the resort by way of a partnership with The Birdsong Society. 

For The Birds: The Birdsong Venture

For The Birds: The Birdsong Venture from The Chicken Track Society is a one in every of a sort inventive collaborative mission of musicians, artists, poets, actors and environmentalists who’ve come collectively to help the conservation and schooling of birds.

This lovely and distinctive report assortment is on the market to take heed to and luxuriate in within the consolation of your lakeside suite.

‘For the Birds’ The Birdsong Venture 20 LP vinyl report boxed set. | Picture: Higher Dwelling

E book a Birdsong Society Suite at Merriweather Lakehouse Resort, and through your keep you’ll have entry to: 

• The ‘For the Birds’ The Birdsong Venture Boxed Set: A 20 LP vinyl report assortment with 172 items of recent music, 73 works of bird-inspired poetry and a 60-page art-filled companion piece produced by Grammy Award-winning music supervisor Randall Poster impressed by the great thing about birdsong. See the total checklist of inventive contributors and artists right here.
• A Crosley File Participant to take heed to ‘For the Birds’.
• Warby Parker binoculars to borrow in your birdwatching keep.
• Complimentary snacks together with Boxed Water is Higher and Shār path combine to maintain you fueled in your bird-watching adventures. 
• A Copy of The Maryland Chicken Information to take house. This cute kids’s e book by native 11-year-old chicken lover Xaviana Leis will present you birds you’ll be able to anticipate to see in your go to and profit the Owl Moon Raptor Middle, a neighborhood Maryland wildlife rescue. 

All proceeds from the purchases of The Birdsong Venture ‘For the Birds’ by the resort profit the Audubon society’s mission to guard birds and their habitat. 

In regards to the Merriweather Lakehouse Resort 

The foyer at Merriweather Lakehouse Resort – Columbia, MD | Picture: Higher Dwelling

A part of Marriott’s Autograph Assortment (a bunch of over 180 distinctive impartial accommodations, upscale and luxurious accommodations), Merriweather Lakehouse Resort is a contemporary lakeside retreat tucked into seven wooded acres overlooking the 27-acre Lake Kittamaqundi. A preferred native spot for health lovers and nature lovers, it’s the proper place to loosen up and chicken watch.

Birdwatching from the balcony of a Birdsong Society Suite at Merriweather Lakehouse Resort | Picture: Higher Dwelling

The resort gives 212 serene luxurious visitor rooms, beautiful eating, a surprising foyer and bar, a comfortable café, and a fully-equipped health heart. Plus, the breathtaking floor-to-ceiling views will make you by no means need to depart this tranquil haven.

Visitor room comforts and facilities embody:

• Luxurious Linens
• C.O. Bigelow Lavender-Peppermint Tub Necessities
• 55′ Flat Display screen Good TV
• A Mini Fridge
• A Keurig Espresso maker

The resort can be solely a 15-minute stroll from the Merriweather Publish Pavilion which Billboard Journal and Rolling Stone have acknowledged as among the finest outside amphitheaters within the U.S. For the final 40 years, it’s drawn among the greatest acts in music, together with Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, and Taylor Swift. 

That’s why celebrating and having fun with nature, music and birds with the Birdsong Venture is a pure match right here. 

For extra intensive rest, yoga and holistic therapies, go to the 27,000 sq. foot The Pearl Spa a brief stroll down the lake from the resort.

The place to See Birds on the Merriweather Lakehouse Resort

Geese flying by at dawn over Lake Kittamaqundi at Merriweather Lakehouse Resort | Picture: Higher Dwelling

Chicken lovers can be completely satisfied to be taught that Lake Kittamaqundi and its surrounding space at the moment are house to quite a lot of chicken species, together with water birds like belted kingfishers and nice blue herons. 

Head to the lake’s pier to identify one of many many species of geese like ring-necked geese, geese, northern shovelers, pied-billed grebes, and hooded mergansers that go to the lake.  

Then discover the 1.4-mile wooded and paved path across the lake accessible behind the resort. If you’d like extra time in nature, take the connecting path (a 20-minute stroll) over to close by Wilde Lake, one other attractive native spot for herons and different water birds like cormorants. 

Finishing the loop round each lakes is ‌4.6 miles lengthy. 

An incredible blue heron flies by a Birdsong Venture Suite at Merriweather Lakehouse Resort | Picture: Higher Dwelling

E book a room with a balcony the place you’ll be able to see and listen to water birds like cardinals, wrens, chickadees, warblers, blue jays, geese, geese from the consolation of your personal balcony. We had been even fortunate sufficient to see a blue heron gliding by at nightfall.

A double-crested cormorant takes a swim in Lake Kittamaqundi | Picture: Higher Dwelling

 ? Tip: Test right here for day by day chicken sightings at Lake Kittamaqundi

Finest Time to See Birds at Lake Kittamaqundi

You’ll have the perfect probability of seeing essentially the most number of birds early within the morning, beginning at daybreak and within the late afternoon by way of nightfall. However we had chicken sightings strolling the paths all through the afternoon throughout our keep.

Birds are ‌least lively at midday. Complete Meals is a brief stroll from the south finish of Lake Kittamaqundi (2 minutes) so it is a nice time to seize lunch and take a espresso to go to benefit from the lakeside. 

The place to Eat on the Merriweather Lakehouse Resort

When starvation units in after a full day of birding, the resort has some implausible eating choices.   

The Osprey Cafe: Seize Recent Connoisseur Espresso + Pastries 

The Osprey Cafe at Merriweather Lakehouse Resort | Picture: Higher Dwelling

Should you don’t need a sit-down breakfast, however want somewhat one thing within the morning, the stylish lobby-side Osprey Cafe serves up gourmand Lavazza espresso drinks, like latte’s, breakfast sandwiches and snacks 7am to 2pm. 

The espresso is scrumptious, however the rotating number of contemporary baked pastries, together with croissants and muffins, baked by in-house pastry Chef Brian Holland are a scrumptious deal with.

Take your order to go or seize a seat in entrance of the fireside and benefit from the lake views. 

 ➡ See The Osprey Cafe menu.

The Rookery Bar: Craft Cocktails + Scrumptious Bites 

After a enjoyable day of birding, head over to the resort’s Rookery Bar & Lounge for a seasonally impressed craft cocktail and a chunk when you take pleasure in a mesmerizing sundown over the lake.

The Rookery Bar at Merriweather Lakehouse Resort | Picture: Higher Dwelling

Strive a few of their current refreshing fall impressed additions to the drink menu, just like the Autumn Lak Sangria made with white wine and fall fruit, or the Pearadise cocktail made with bourbon, pear liqueur, bubbly ginger ale, and tangy lime juice. 

For one thing with a contact of candy, the pumpkin spice espresso martini made with vanilla vodka, Kahlua and garnished with cinnamon is the proper after dinner drink.

Should you’re hungry and might’t pull your self away from the lake views and pleasant vibe, order up some dishes from their inventive bar menu that features apps, salads, burgers and sandwiches. 

Corn and Crab Chowder at Lāk – Columbia, MD | Picture: Higher Dwelling

You may’t go improper with the Bavarian Pretzel with beer, cheese and stout mustard. However for those who’re a crab lover, the Corn and Crab chowder is a should. Creamy candy corn and a beneficiant quantity of lump crab are in a wealthy creamy wealthy broth and “garnished” with three mini crab muffins. It’s the crab chowder of all chowders and it’s unimaginable. 

The Rookery Bar opens at 4 pm every evening and, together with craft cocktails, additionally has an excellent craft beer and wine choice. See the newest menu.

Lāk: A Stellar Eating Expertise for Breakfast or Lunch 

For a particular eating expertise, Lāk (pronounced “lake”) is the Merriweather’s Lake Home Resort’s cool and trendy, American advantageous eating restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner day by day, and brunch on the weekends. 

Now Chef Kristina Brown, previously of the 4 Seasons Baltimore, is working to make it a premier Columbia eating vacation spot. 

Brown’s philosophy within the kitchen: “I imagine meals must be stored easy and attractive. Along with the Merriweather culinary group, we’re creating dishes that talk for themselves with out added distractions or over-the-top components.”

Made out of-scratch, with regionally sourced and grown Howard County components when doable, at Lāk you’ll be able to style the emphasis on taste and freshness in each chunk. 

Strive the plump and scrumptious Outdated Bay brined colossal black tiger Shrimp Cocktail for a tremendous begin. Or get your greens with the Chopped Kale Salad topped with apples, pecans and goat cheese after which tossed with a tangy, candy and spicy cranberry chipotle French dressing.

Half Rack of New Zealand Lamb at Lāk – Columbia, MD | Picture: Higher Dwelling

For a hearty and satisfying entrée good for the cooler months, we adored the superbly seared Half Rack of New Zealand Lamb served over decadent creamy polenta and completed with a pink wine demi-glace. Should you’re fortunate to go to on an evening with the Quick Rib particular, order it. Chef Kristina’s brief rib is braised till fork tender after which served over ultra-creamy potatoes, contemporary sauteed spinach and topped with hearty mushrooms and delicate micro greens. It’s good.

Seasonal pumpkin brownie at Lāk – Columbia, MD | Picture: Higher Dwelling

For a candy end, go for the scrumptious seasonal pumpkin brownie served in a skillet and topped with whipped cream. It’s nearly too fairly to eat. Nearly.

➡ See Lāk’s menu and hours.

Different Native Spots in Columbia, Maryland For Birdwatching

Wilde Lake:  After you’ve explored Lake Kittamaqundi, take the path on the north finish of the lake (to the left if leaving from the again of the resort) to close by 22-acre Wilde Lake that flows downstream into Lake Kittamaqundi. It is a good spot for seeing water fowl like double-crested cormorants, herons and turtles sunning themselves. The trail round Wilde Lake is gorgeous and 1.46 miles lengthy. 

It’s a few 20-minute stroll from Merriweather Lakehouse resort or you may as well take a 2 minute drive over.  See the path map. Birding data.

Double-crested cormorants having fun with the solar on Wilde Lake | Picture: Higher Dwelling

Centennial Park: An 8 minute drive north of the Merriweather Lake Resort this award-winning 337-acre park is house to quite a lot of wildlife equivalent to white-tailed deer, beavers, foxes, turtles, 37 species of waterfowl (herons included) and quite a lot of songbird species. See the path map. Birding data. 

Lake Elkhorn Park:  Solely 3.4 miles from the Merriweather Lakehouse Resort, this park includes a 37-acre lake the place you’ll be able to hike the two.5-mile paved path and seven.3 miles of interconnecting paved paths good for birdwatching and seeing different wildlife like foxes and deer. The park is open from dawn to sundown and has ample parking and restrooms. See the path map. Birding data.

The Robinson Nature Middle: Lower than 10 minutes south of the resort, on 18 acres, this Nature heart with two-stories of hands-on displays has a 1.1 mile nature path with river views and entry to historic mill ruins. See the path map. 

What to Carry With You

Birdwatching alongside the paths of Lake Kittamaqundi | Picture: Higher Dwelling

The binoculars within the room are a candy gesture, however for those who’re critical about birding, convey alongside a extra highly effective pair. They begin at about $20 on Amazon.

And if you need birding footage, convey alongside a digital camera with a zoom lens. Even the most costly cell telephones don’t have sufficient zoom energy to get birds which might be too far-off. 

Put together to decorate in layers if visiting throughout colder climate. Don’t neglect to convey your complimentary water and path combine with you on the lake path.

About Columbia, Maryland

Named the “most secure metropolis” by Forbes Journal, Columbia, Maryland is an ideal vacation spot for many who need to join with nature, however nonetheless be minutes from quite a lot of eating, purchasing and leisure choices. Its rising downtown space, generally known as City Middle, is house to the Mall of Columbia. A five-minute stroll from the resort, the mall has over 200 locations to buy and eat. 

The Lakefront District in Columbia, Maryland | Picture: Higher Dwelling

One of many distinctive traits of Columbia is that it maintains 3600 acres of open house, 114 miles of trails, and 5 lakes for anybody desirous to chicken or just benefit from the outdoor. 

The Merriweather Lakehouse Resort in Columbia, Maryland | Picture: Higher Dwelling

Columbia’s Lakefront District, the place the Merriwether Lake Resort is, is a well-liked spot for festivals and different outside occasions all year long. A couple of minutes from the resort is Columbia’s well-known Merriweather Publish Pavilion. This outside live performance venue inside 40-acres of preserved land known as Symphony Woods, was named the second finest amphitheater within the U.S. by Billboard journal.

Ultimate Ideas

For a calming lakeside luxurious getaway that mixes birding journey and conservation with luxurious lodging, implausible eating on Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia Maryland, e book The Birdsong Society at Merriweather Package deal by way of February 29, 2024.

RESERVE NOW

Merriweather Lakehouse Resort Location and Parking

• • Resort: Merriweather Lakehouse, Autograph Assortment
  • Resort Handle: 10209 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD 21044
  • Web site: https://merriweatherlakehouse.com/
    
  • Tel: +1 410-730-3900
  • Parking: Parking on the resort is free and simple. Self-park within the storage straight throughout from the resort. 
  • Proximity to Main Cities: Solely half-hour south of Baltimore and 1 hour from D.C.