Wednesday, April 19 – Delmarva Birding Weekends

ALL-DAY TRIP

The Nature of Smith Island (BOATING/HIKING)
Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $165/person, includes lunch
Guides: Jim Rapp & Terry Allen
Meeting Location: Crisfield City Dock, located near 1200 West Main Street, Crisfield, MD 21817. Our charter for the day will be the Capt. Jason II, one of the Smith Island ferries. GPS coordinates: 37.97793, -75.86333

This field trip is sold out. If you wish to placed on the waitlist, please email dmvbirds@gmail.com. If we have cancellations, we may be able to add you to this field trip.

Depart Crisfield, Maryland, for a daylong birding cruise to historic Smith Island in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay – home to Maryland’s Official State Dessert, the Smith Island Cake! View many species of shorebirds and egrets, along with Tri-colored Herons, Glossy Ibis, and Brown Pelicans. At midday, enjoy a walking tour and a hearty lunch that includes a crab cake sandwich, sides and a slice of Smith Island cake (lunch is included in the trip cost; there are options for those with seafood allergy). The boat returns to Crisfield around 4:00 p.m. Please bring a $15 – $20 tip for the First Mate!

*Tri-Colored Heron, Brown Pelican and American Oystercatcher. Photos courtesy of Frode Jacobsen.*

Getting there, parking and restrooms:

There is no head/toilet on the Captain Jason II (our charter from Crisfield), so please use the restroom prior to meeting us at the Crisfield City Dock. There is a McDonald’s in Crisfield 1.5 miles from the City Dock if you need to make a stop, and there are public restrooms in the city parking lot near the dock.

Try to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled trip departs to park your vehicle and load your gear on the boat.

The Crisfield City Dock is located near 1200 West Main Street, Crisfield, MD 21817. The dock and parking area are at the terminal end of the Crisfield Highway, the main road into town. You may temporarily park and unload gear from your vehicle at the City Dock, but you can not leave your vehicle there for the day.

The city parking lot a block away from the dock is free. You may park here for the day, despite signs that state “2 Hour Max.” There is also a small public restroom facility in the back of the parking lot.

Daytime parking along the streets near the City Dock is free, despite the “2 Hour Max” street signs. The city parking lot also has public restrooms. Please review the Google Map below for more specific parking information.

For online maps and apps, you can use these GPS coordinates: 37.97793, -75.86333

Here are some commonsense approaches to make your Smith Island trip more enjoyable:

WHAT TO BRING:

If you’re on a boat, bring a coat! Wear layers of appropriate clothing and shoes for weather which can be much cooler near the water. It may be warm on the dock, but our bay waters can still be chilly in spring and early summer.
If you are prone to motion sickness, please take Dramamine or Bonine prior to departure.
Bugs are a part of our natural environment. You can expect and prepare for flies, mosquitoes and ticks during some field trips. Be sure to bring insect repellent, and wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
Carry sunscreen, sunglasses and/or a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
Stay hydrated. We will have bottled water, but please bring your own as well. We will have access to toilets on the charter boat and on Smith Island.
Bring rain gear as all events are rain or shine. We only cancel trips due to dangerous weather, such as lightning or strong winds.
Optics are not provided. Please bring your own binoculars, spotting scopes and/or cameras.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Although these trips are not physically demanding, there will be some walking and climbing in and out of boats.
You must be able to enter and depart the boats with limited assistance. This may require climbing up short ladders from the boat to the dock.
You should be prepared to walk a total of one mile on paved surfaces. During hot, sunny days, there is little shade to protect us.
You should be able to carry your own gear, such as backpacks and camera bags.

TIPS, SHOPPING & LUNCH:

Please bring a tip for the first mate on the Captain Jason II (suggested amount $15 – $20 per person).
If you want to do some shopping on Smith Island, please bring cash. Some businesses do not accept credit and debit cards.
We may be able to take pre-orders from guests for food to take home, such as a world-famous Smith Island cake or crab cakes. We will notify you after you have registered with the options for that trip. You will be responsible for paying for these items with cash on the island, and for transporting your food on the boat back to Crisfield.
Vegetarians and guests with seafood allergies must make their restrictions known prior to lunch at Drum Point Market. If you do not want a crab cake sandwich, we can make arrangements for burgers or cheese & veggie sandwiches.

POLICIES & BEHAVIOR:

The schedule may change slightly during the day if unpleasant weather is in the forecast. Please be flexible as we endeavor to keep you and your fellow travelers safe.
Most trips are not appropriate for young children. Please use your discretion when registering.
Be courteous to your fellow birders. Speak quietly and silence your cell phones during trips.
Smith Island residents are warm and welcoming, but please be respectful. Do not enter private property, avoid taking photos of people without permission, and stay on one side of the road when walking to allow golf carts and vehicles to pass.
All reservations will be confirmed via email.
We do not cancel trips for cold/hot temps or rain, and we strongly encourage our guests to dress and prepare for all weather. The birds will be there!

Please note:

No cancellations are accepted after April 7, 2023.
Field trips will go rain or shine.
If a field trip is canceled due to dangerous conditions, we will notify you via email and a full refund will be provided. We aim to give you at least 48 hours advance notice if a field trip is canceled. Occasionally, a field trip may be canceled last minute.