Friday, Jan. 26 Maryland BirdINNg Trips & Reservations

White-winged Scoter photo courtesy of Frode Jacobsen. Harbor and Gray Seals photo courtesy of Rita Modesti.

Registration will open before December 1st! Please note that these field trips will change before registration opens.

Join us for a birding tour of coastal Worcester County, Maryland, as we explore the wild waters and wetlands in search of waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. During our morning adventure, we will visit the historic landings of MD’s Chincoteague Bay, where we will scan the open water and salt marshes for ducks, grebes, falcons and eagles. We’ll end the morning birding in the treetops from the third-story deck of a lovely private residence, where Brown-headed Nuthatches often appear at the well-stocked feeders.

After a stop for lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll resume our tour at the Ocean City inlet, where we can add sea ducks, loons, and the occasional Razorbill to our species tally. We’ll enjoy a short hike from the inlet to Sunset Park, and then drive to Berlin, MD where we can appreciate the brilliant colors of Northern Shovelers and Ruddy Ducks in the afternoon sun at Heron Park. We’ll wrap up a fun-filled day of birding with craft beer at Burley Oak Brewing Company, conveniently located within walking distance of Heron Park.

Scroll down to register for one or both tours. We hope to see you on January 26!

MORNING TRIP

Birds of Maryland’s Chincoteague Bay (DRIVING/HIKING)
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $25/person
Meeting Location: The Pier at Public Landing, MD, located next to the Mansion House B&B at 4436 Bayside Rd, Snow Hill, MD 21863. GPS coordinates: 38.149045, -75.286642

The historic landings of Chincoteague Bay in Maryland feature some of the most unspoiled wilderness in the Mid-Atlantic. Guides will lead the search for ducks, raptors and winter songbirds at:

  • Public Landing: we’ll be scoping the open water of the bay for buffleheads, mergansers and grebes (62 species have been observed here in January)
  • Figgs Landing: the shallow pond here is a popular spot for winter waterfowl (80 species have been observed here in January)
  • Scott’s Landing: we’ll scan the bay and surrounding saltmarsh for ducks, herons and Northern Harriers, and we’ll finish on the third floor deck of our friend’s home to spy nuthatches and woodpeckers at feeders near the treetops! (69 species have been observed here in January)

This field trip involves driving between locations and short, easy walks.

AFTERNOON TRIP

Ocean City Inlet, Sunset Park & Heron Park (DRIVING/HIKING)
Time: 1:30 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $25/person
Meeting Location: Southeast corner of the Hugh T. Cropper Inlet Parking Lot, 809 S Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842 (meet along the seawall) GPS coordinates: 38.325119, -75.086887

Enjoy some of the best Ocean City and Berlin winter birding hotspots. While seals excite many Ocean City visitors in winter, participants on this trip will scope the inlet for Common Eider, Harlequin Duck, Red-throated Loons, Long-tailed Ducks, and Purple Sandpiper. We’ll walk 1/2-mile from the inlet to Sunset Park to search for winter songbirds. After our short hike in downtown Ocean City, we’ll caravan to Heron Park in Berlin to seek ducks on the open ponds, including Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Ducks and Ring-necked Ducks. This field trip involves driving between locations and walks of up to one mile. Join your guides at Burley Oak Brewing Company after the tour!

Please note:

  • No cancellations are accepted after January 15, 2024.
  • Trips will go rain or shine.
  • If the trip is canceled due to dangerous conditions, we will notify you via email. A full refund will be provided within 15 days.

What goes better together than birds and beers? Here are Dogfish Head’s off-centered ale pairing recommendations for the Winter Delmarva Dogfish BirdINNg Weekend! Please drink responsibly.

Red-throated Loon photo courtesy of Frode Jacobsen.

Slightly Mighty IPA: A lo-cal IPA that is slight in calories and carbs with mighty hop flavor. Brewed with a touch of monk fruit that delivers body and complexity but adds zero calories or carbs, Slightly Mighty has all the flavor & tropical aromas of a world class IPA.

SeaQuench Ale: The #1 selling sour in the U.S., SeaQuench Ale is our session sour brewed with black limes, lime juice, and sea salt for a bright, citrusy flavor and thirst-quenching finish.