Worcester Waterfowl Weekend: Feb. 12-13, 2022

Northern Harrier, Canvasback and Northern Shoveler. Photos courtesy of Frode Jacobsen.

This event has been merged with the February Winter Delmarva Dogfish BirdINNg Weekend. The field trips below are being held Feb. 12-13, 2022.

Worcester County — Maryland’s Coast! — remains wild. Maryland’s birdiest county is home to 200,000+ untouched acres of beach, bald cypress, and marshland, and miles of farm fields, rivers, and creeks await. More than 200 species have been recorded here in February. Join us for the Worcester Waterfowl Weekend to explore Maryland’s Coast in the winter!

Saturday morning, February 12

Sinepuxent Bay Birds & South Point Ponds (DRIVING/HIKING)
8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $25/peron
Meeting Location: Assateague Island National Seashore Visitor Center

This field trip is sold out.

Locals know where to see the best variety of ducks, shorebirds, and raptors. So it is local birders who will guide this secret sojourn to four of the best winter birding spots along the area known as South Point. We’ll meet at the Assateague Island National Seashore Visitor Center and stroll to the top of the Verrazano Bridge to look for Brant and other waterfowl while taking in the spectacular view of Sinepuxent and Chincoteague Bays.

From there we’ll caravan to the Rum Pointe Golf Course to survey the duck-filled ponds for every manner of waterfowl. Then, the trip takes a unique turn as we drive a short distance north to Por Fin Drive, known for its iconic locust trees that grace the gateway to the National Seashore near the Assateague Market. Here, waterfowl enjoy two restored ponds nestled in 130 acres of woods and farmland. The trip ends just north of here at Bayside where we’ll look for Redheads, Ring-necked Ducks, and Scaup.

Sunday morning, February 13

Newport Farms Winter Wonderland (DRIVING/HIKING)
8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $25/person
Meeting Location: Cul-de-sac at eastern end of Hayes Landing Road (use GPS coordinates 38.276200, -75.200491)

This field trip is sold out.

The 2,200-acre Newport Farm reveals spectacular winter birding replete with a remote duck-filled 70-acre freshwater pond next to the vast forests and marshes of Newport Bay. For this reason, this trip enjoys one of the highest species counts during the Weekend. Bird lovers on this one-of-a-kind trip will enjoy short walks totalling less than a mile. The bucolic scene provides a breathtaking backdrop to one of Maryland’s most-renowned winter Bald Eagle and waterfowl spectacles. East Coast winter rarities like American White Pelicans and Golden Eagles may surprise, along with the occasional river otter.

American White Pelican, photo courtesy of Frode Jacobsen.

Meeting Locations

Some common sense approaches to make your winter birding trips more enjoyable:

  • Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for winter weather near the ocean! Boots are preferred on trips that include hiking.
  • Carry sunscreen, sunglasses and/or a hat to protect yourself from the sun. You can still get sunburn in the winter.
  • Bring rain gear as all events are rain or shine.
  • Try to arrive a little before the scheduled trip departs.
  • Most trips are not appropriate for young children. Please use your discretion when registering.
  • Be courteous to your fellow birders. Speak quietly and turn off cell phones during trips.

Please note:

  • No cancellations are accepted after Feb. 1, 2022, unless diagnosed or quarantined with COVID-19.
  • Trips will go rain or shine.
  • If the trip is canceled due to dangerous conditions, a full refund will be provided. We will notify you via email of trip cancelation before noon on Friday, Feb. 11.

Delmarva Birding Weekends is offering tours with these COVID-19 guidelines in place.