Friday, April 25

Prothonotary Warbler and Common Loon. Photos courtesy of Dr. Frode Jacobsen.

Registration is open for all Friday field trips! We have morning and afternoon field trips in Southern Delaware and Chincoteague, VA. If you choose to register for morning and afternoon trips, our recommendation is to stay in Delaware or Virginia, as the driving time between locations might be close to two hours.

MORNING FIELD TRIPS

Redden State Forest (DRIVING/HIKING)
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $30/person
Guides: Chris Bennett & Anthony Gonzon
Meeting Location: 18074 Redden Forest Drive Georgetown, DE 19947. Use GPS coordinates: 38.740507, -75.413394

Please note: Dress and prepare for muddy trails and ticks. If the ground is not saturated, please park in the grass area between the office parking & pond. Maintain a slow vehicle speed when entering and departing Redden State Forest.

The 12,000 acres of Redden State Forest near Georgetown, Delaware, offer some of the best habitat for breeding forest birds, including Red-headed Woodpecker, Summer Tanager, Yellow-throated, Hooded and Kentucky Warbler and Yellow-throated Vireo. The trip will involve some easy walking and car caravans between major stops.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (DRIVING/HIKING)
Time: 8:30 – 11:30 am
Cost: $30/person
Guides: Russ Kovach & Jim Rapp
Meeting Location: the parking lot of the Wildlife Loop Trail at Chincoteague NWR, located at 8231 Beach Rd, Chincoteague, VA 23336. GPS coordinates: 37.91091, -75.3495

Please note: Cost does not include the day pass for Chincoteague NWR. Day passes provide access to refuge trails and the beach. The $10 pass covers a non-commercial vehicle and all occupants. Entry is also permitted with an annual pass or Federal Duck Stamp. Click here for more information about entrance fees and annual passes.

Located on the Indigenous homelands of the Pocomoke and Occohannock people, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge protects beach, dune, marsh, and maritime forest habitats. Originally established in 1943 to protect migratory birds, this refuge is now one of the most visited in the United States. Chincoteague is a birder’s paradise, with a variety of coastal habitats to explore. The refuge is also home to cultural treasures such as the Assateague Lighthouse and the world-famous Chincoteague ponies. The trip will involve some easy walking on the Wildlife Loop, the Woodland Trail and the beach near Tom’s Cove. Total estimated hiking distance is 2.5 miles.

AFTERNOON FIELD TRIPS

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (DRIVING/HIKING)
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Cost: $30/person
Guides: Chris Bennett & Anthony Gonzon
Meeting Location:  Prime Hook NWR Visitor Center, located at 11978 Turkle Pond Rd, Milton, DE 19968. GPS coordinates: 38.830404, -75.248497

Please note: Dress and prepare for hiking on trails that may be wet and muddy. Waterproof boots are recommended. Please prepare for ticks. Be sure to bring insect repellent. For information about preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

Northern Parula. Photo courtesy of Dr. Frode Jacobsen.

The Delaware Bay shoreline and its adjacent uplands offer the most diverse birding opportunities in southern Delaware. Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton, Delaware, is the perfect birding location for Friday afternoon. We’ll search for migrants and local breeders, including wading birds, shorebirds, rails, and colorful songbirds like Prairie Warbler and Northern Parula. The trip will involve some easy walking, and car caravans between major stops. Meet at the Prime Hook NWR Visitor Center on Turkle Pond Road.

Chincoteague Island Birding by Boat (BOAT TOUR)
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Cost: $65/person (includes $5 tip for the First Mate)
Guides: Russ Kovach & Jim Rapp
Meeting Location: Daisey’s Island Cruises, located at 2246 Curtis Merritt Harbor Dr, Chincoteague, VA 23336. GPS Coordinates: 37.902351, -75.405152

On this birding cruise, you get to experience Assateague and Chincoteague Island in a way that is simply not possible from land. We’ll be boating with Daisey’s Island Cruises aboard a comfortable 24-person pontoon boat. This two-hour guided trip is great for adding seabirds and shorebirds to your checklist, such as Royal Tern, American Oystercatcher, and Piping Plover. And don’t forget the Chincoteague ponies!

Please note:

  • No cancellations are accepted after April 10, 2025. For a further explanation of our refund policy, please click here.
  • Trips will go rain or shine, unless torrential rains prevent us from viewing wildlife.
  • If the trip is canceled due to dangerous conditions, we will notify you via email. Please note that the email will be sent to all participants BCC, so you may need to check your email spam folder. A full refund will be provided within 15 days.