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Clever, with the present of flight, showy stunning feathers, melodic songs and quirky behaviors, birds are simple to like. For many people, chicken watching grew to become a enjoyable and simple approach to join with nature and get exterior throughout the pandemic. Actually, birding is now thought of the second hottest out of doors exercise after gardening.
However the advantages of birds go deeper than giving us a second of free leisure out our window.
Birds remodel and shield landscapes around the globe, preserving marshes, grasslands, coral reefs and forests wholesome. They’re additionally essential seed spreaders, pollinators and environment friendly exterminators. A latest research 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 anxiousness 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 Lodge on Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia, Maryland is making it simpler than ever with their Birdsong Society room package deal designed particularly for chicken lovers.
Shortly changing into a hotspot for birders and nature lovers, this immersive birding package deal permits company to be surrounded by chicken songs in and across the resort by a partnership with The Birdsong Society.
For The Birds: The Birdsong Challenge
For The Birds: The Birdsong Challenge from The Chicken Track Society is a one in every of a form artistic collaborative challenge of musicians, artists, poets, actors and environmentalists who’ve come collectively to help the conservation and schooling of birds.
This stunning and distinctive report assortment is out there to take heed to and luxuriate in within the consolation of your lakeside suite.
E book a Birdsong Society Suite at Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge, and through your keep you’ll have entry to:
- The ‘For the Birds’ The Birdsong Challenge 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 fantastic thing about birdsong. See the complete checklist of artistic contributors and artists right here.
- A Crosley Document Participant to take heed to ‘For the Birds’.
- Warby Parker binoculars to borrow to your birdwatching keep.
- Complimentary snacks together with Boxed Water is Higher and Shār path combine to maintain you fueled to your bird-watching adventures.
- A Copy of The Maryland Chicken Information to take residence. This cute youngsters’s e-book by native 11-year-old chicken lover Xaviana Leis will present you birds you may count on 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 Challenge ‘For the Birds’ by the resort profit the Audubon society’s mission to guard birds and their habitat.
In regards to the Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge
A part of Marriott’s Autograph Assortment (a gaggle of over 180 distinctive impartial motels, upscale and luxurious motels), Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge is a contemporary lakeside retreat tucked into seven wooded acres overlooking the 27-acre Lake Kittamaqundi. A well-liked native spot for health fans and nature lovers, it’s the proper place to chill out and chicken watch.
The resort provides 212 serene luxurious visitor rooms, beautiful eating, a surprising foyer and bar, a comfy café, and a fully-equipped health middle. Plus, the breathtaking floor-to-ceiling views will make you by no means wish to go away this tranquil haven.
Visitor room comforts and facilities embody:
- Luxurious Linens
- C.O. Bigelow Lavender-Peppermint Bathtub Necessities
- 55′ Flat Display screen Sensible TV
- A Mini Fridge
- A Keurig Espresso maker
The resort can also be solely a 15-minute stroll from the Merriweather Put up Pavilion which Billboard Journal and Rolling Stone have acknowledged as among the finest out of doors amphitheaters within the U.S. For the final 40 years, it’s drawn a few of 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 Challenge 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 Lodge
Chicken lovers can be completely satisfied to be taught that Lake Kittamaqundi and its surrounding space are actually residence 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 in the back of 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 beautiful native spot for herons and different water birds like cormorants.
Finishing the loop round each lakes is 4.6 miles lengthy.
E book a room with a balcony the place you may see and listen to water birds like cardinals, wrens, chickadees, warblers, blue jays, geese, geese from the consolation of your personal balcony. We have been even fortunate sufficient to see a blue heron gliding by at nightfall.
💡 Tip: Verify right here for every day chicken sightings at Lake Kittamaqundi!
Greatest Time to See Birds at Lake Kittamaqundi
You’ll have the perfect likelihood of seeing probably the most number of birds early within the morning, beginning at daybreak and within the late afternoon by nightfall. However we had chicken sightings strolling the paths all through the afternoon throughout our keep.
Birds are least energetic 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 Lodge
When starvation units in after a full day of birding, the resort has some unbelievable eating choices.
The Osprey Cafe: Seize Recent Connoisseur Espresso + Pastries
In the event 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 collection of recent 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 hearth 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 chew whilst you get pleasure from a mesmerizing sundown over the lake.
Strive a few of their latest 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.
In the event you’re hungry and might’t pull your self away from the lake views and pleasant vibe, order up some dishes from their artistic bar menu that features apps, salads, burgers and sandwiches.
You possibly can’t go unsuitable with the Bavarian Pretzel with beer, cheese and stout mustard. However in the event you’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 unbelievable.
The Rookery Bar opens at 4 pm every night time and, together with craft cocktails, additionally has an ideal 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 Lodge’s cool and trendy, American nice eating restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner every 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 consider meals must be saved easy and engaging. Along with the Merriweather culinary crew, we’re creating dishes that talk for themselves with out added distractions or over-the-top elements.”
Created from-scratch, with regionally sourced and grown Howard County elements when attainable, at Lāk you may style the emphasis on taste and freshness in each chew.
Strive the plump and scrumptious Previous 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.
For a hearty and satisfying entrée excellent for the cooler months, we adored the superbly seared Half Rack of New Zealand Lamb served over decadent creamy polenta and completed with a purple wine demi-glace. In the event you’re fortunate to go to on an evening with the Brief Rib particular, order it. Chef Kristina’s quick rib is braised till fork tender after which served over ultra-creamy potatoes, recent sauteed spinach and topped with hearty mushrooms and delicate micro greens. It’s excellent.
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. Virtually.
➡ 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. This can be a sensible 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 couple of 20-minute stroll from Merriweather Lakehouse resort or you can too take a 2 minute drive over. See the path map. Birding data.
Centennial Park: An 8 minute drive north of the Merriweather Lake Lodge this award-winning 337-acre park is residence to quite a lot of wildlife comparable 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 Lodge, this park includes a 37-acre lake the place you may hike the two.5-mile paved path and seven.3 miles of interconnecting paved paths excellent 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 middle 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 Deliver With You
The binoculars within the room are a candy gesture, however in the event you’re critical about birding, deliver alongside a extra highly effective pair. They begin at about $20 on Amazon.
And if you need birding footage, deliver alongside a digicam with a zoom lens. Even the most costly cell telephones don’t have sufficient zoom energy to get birds which might be too distant.
Put together to decorate in layers if visiting throughout colder climate. Don’t overlook to deliver 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 wish to join with nature, however nonetheless be minutes from quite a lot of eating, procuring and leisure choices. Its rising downtown space, referred to as City Middle, is residence to the Mall of Columbia. A five-minute stroll from the resort, the mall has over 200 locations to buy and eat.
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 eager to chicken or just benefit from the outdoor.
Columbia’s Lakefront District, the place the Merriwether Lake Lodge is, is a well-liked spot for festivals and different out of doors occasions all year long. A couple of minutes from the resort is Columbia’s well-known Merriweather Put up Pavilion. This out of doors live performance venue inside 40-acres of preserved land known as Symphony Woods, was named the second greatest amphitheater within the U.S. by Billboard journal.
Last Ideas
For a calming lakeside luxurious getaway that mixes birding journey and conservation with luxurious lodging, unbelievable eating on Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia Maryland, e-book The Birdsong Society at Merriweather Package deal by February 29, 2024.
RESERVE NOW
Merriweather Lakehouse Lodge Location and Parking
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- Lodge: Merriweather Lakehouse, Autograph Assortment
- Lodge 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 instantly throughout from the resort.
- Proximity to Main Cities: Solely half-hour south of Baltimore and 1 hour from D.C.
Close by Birding + Nature Points of interest
Different Close by Points of interest
* Nationwide Audubon Society will obtain 100% of the royalties from For the Birds: The Birdsong Challenge field set gross sales and 100% of royalties generated by the digital streaming of audio tracks, topic to the varied phrases of operation and charges related to every particular person digital streaming platform.
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