Saturday, Oct. 19: Broadkill River & Breakwaters Cruise

Birding aboard the Thelma Dale IV. Photo courtesy of Brenda Miller.

Registration is open! Only two spots are available for this trip as of 9:00 pm on Thursday, Oct. 17.
All reservations will be confirmed via email. No cancellations.

AFTERNOON BOAT TRIP

Broadkill River & Breakwater Cruise with the DC Bird Alliance and In Color Birding (BOAT TRIP)
Time: 2:30 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $60/person (includes tip for First Mate)
Meeting Location: Fisherman’s Wharf, 107 Anglers Rd, Lewes, DE 19958. GPS coordinates: 38.776757, -75.137437

Join our friends with the DC Bird Alliance from Washington, DC and In Color Birding from Philadelphia, PA for a 2.5-hour cruise of the saltmarshes along the Broadkill River and the open water around the Lewes breakwaters. The DC Bird Alliance and In Color Birding are having a Cape Henlopen meetup earlier in the day, and there are a few seats open on the boat trip in the afternoon for our Delmarva Birders!

Friends from the DC Bird Alliance joined us last year for a Scoters & Seals tour.

We’ll depart from Fisherman’s Wharf in historic Lewes to cruise up the Broadkill River and search the saltmarshes of Beach Plum Island and Great Marsh for herons, egrets, ibis and raptors. We’ll then set out through the Roosevelt Inlet towards the Lewes breakwaters and historic lighthouses. Along the way, we’ll search the breakwater rocks and Cape Henlopen shoreline for gulls, terns, pelicans and migrating shorebirds.

We just ran this tour on Saturday, October 12 and tallied 44 species, including Brown Pelican, Great Cormorant and Black Scoter. Click here for the eBird species list. The current weather forecast calls for a sunny sky, a high of 67F, and winds at 5 – 10 mph. Saturday should be just about perfect for an afternoon birding & boating adventure!

Please park in the lot in front of The Wheelhouse restaurant, located at 107 Anglers Rd, Lewes, DE 19958.

Please note:

  • Food and drink are not included, but you are welcome to bring snacks & drinks in small coolers. Beer and wine are welcome, but NO GLASS BOTTLES.
  • Trips will go rain or shine, unless conditions are predicted to be dangerous.
  • If the trip is canceled due to dangerous conditions, you will be notified via email and a full refund will be provided.
  • If you’re on a boat, bring a coat! Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for weather which can be much cooler near the ocean. It may be warm on the dock, but our ocean and bay waters can be chilly.
  • Carry sunscreen, sunglasses and/or a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
  • Bring rain gear as all events are rain or shine. We only cancel trips due to dangerous weather, such as lightning or strong winds.
  • If you are prone to seasickness, you may want to consider Dramamine or Bonine (both are sold over-the-counter), or whatever natural preventative you prefer. Please don’t wait until you’re on the boat to take your medication. Follow the instructions to make sure you have a great experience birding and boating.
  • There is an indoor cabin and two heads (toilets) on the boat.
  • Try to arrive a little before the scheduled trip departs.
  • Tips for the First Mate are included in the ticket price.
  • Most trips are not appropriate for young children. Please use your discretion when registering.
  • Be courteous to your fellow birders. Speak quietly and silence cell phones during trips.
  • All reservations will be confirmed via email. No cancellations. Trips are subject to weather cancellations by boat captains, outfitters and guides. If we must cancel an event due to dangerous conditions, we will notify participants via email, and refunds will be issued a few days after the event.