Saturday, May 26: Delaware Bayshore Beans, Birds & Beers
Thanks for checking this out, but this field trip has been canceled. We’ll try it again during spring shorebird migration in 2019. Thanks!
Saturday, May 26, 2018: Delaware Bay hosts one of the greatest shorebird migrations in North America each spring, and the Delaware bayshore offers incredible access to view the spectacle.
In the morning, grab some coffee at The House of Coffi at 14 Loockerman Plaza in Dover, DE (opens at 6:00 am). Then head over to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge to meet your guides at 8:00 am to scope the freshwater impoundments for shorebirds, waterfowl, and wading birds.
After a lunch break, we’ll meet at 1:00 pm for our afternoon field trip at the boat ramp at the end of Port Mahon Road. From here, we will scan three Upper Delaware Bay beaches to search for spawning horseshoe crabs and migrating shorebirds.
When our afternoon birding adventure has ended at 4:00 pm, your guides will host a Happy Hour Tally Rally to list all species seen during the day at nearby Brick Works Brewing & Eats at 230 South DuPont Boulevard, Smyrna, DE.
Each trip is sold separately. Coffee, meals and beer not included in the cost of the trips. Details and registration information below.
MORNING
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (DRIVING/HIKING)
Saturday, May 26 8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $25/person (please note: there is a $4/car entry fee, unless you have a Bombay Hook NWR pass, America the Beautiful Pass or Duck Stamp)
Meeting Location: Visitor Center at Bombay Hook NWR (2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, DE 19977)
Meet your guides at the Bombay Hook NWR Visitor Center for an overview of the day’s itinerary. Following the overview, we’ll explore Delaware’s most famous birding hot spot. Bombay Hook NWR offers a cornucopia of birding opportunities – from salt marsh to freshwater impoundments to rich, deciduous woodlands. We’ll sample each of the main habitat types looking for migrants and local breeders, including migrating shorebirds, wading birds, and colorful songbirds. The trip will involve some easy walking, and car caravans between major stops. 
AFTERNOON
Port Mahon, Pickering Beach and Kitts Hummock (DRIVING/HIKING)
Saturday, May 26 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Cost: $25/person
Meeting Location: Boat Ramp at the end Port Mahon Road east of Dover, DE
Meet your guides in the parking lot at the boat ramp at the end of Port Mahon Road east of Dover, DE. We’ll begin our afternoon adventure by scanning the shoreline near Port Mahon for shorebirds gorging themselves on the energy-rich eggs of Horseshoe Crabs. After Port Mahon, you will follow your guides in a caravan to Pickering Beach and Kitts Hummock. These sites provide easy access to witness the Horseshoe Crab/Shorebird phenomenon up-close. Target species include Red Knot, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderlings and other migrating shorebirds.
We’ll end our adventure at Brick Works Brewing and Eats in Smyrna, where we’ll host our Happy Hour Tally Rally and enjoy craft beer.
Please note:
Food and drink are not included in the cost for this trip.
No cancellations.
Trips will go rain or shine. If the trip is canceled due to dangerous conditions, a full refund will be provided.
Photo credits:
Red Knot and Ruddy Turnstone photos courtesy of Nico Sarbanes.