January 6-7: Scoters & Seals
Our DBW guides and the Captain and Crew of the Thelma Dale V are very excited about the winter birding season ahead with our friends at the Dogfish INN and Dogfish Head! We’ve been running these exciting winter trips since 2016, but we’ve never hosted a “Scoters & Seals” cruise as early as January 6.
We’ll run the boat tour from 9:00 – 11:00 am. Low tide is 10:15 am, which is the best time to view seals basking on the Lewes breakwater rocks. We’ve also added an afternoon trip to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Read more and register for your trips below.
SATURDAY MORNING BOAT TRIP
Scoters & Seals (LEWES BOAT TOUR)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 6
Time: 9:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $72/person (includes tip for First Mate)
Meeting Location: Fisherman’s Wharf 107 Anglers Rd, Lewes, DE 19958. GPS Coordinates: 38.776829, -75.137510
Join us for a two hour cruise of the waters around the mouth of the Delaware Bay aboard the Thelma Dale IV. The boat features a heated cabin, benches along the lower deck rail, and a top deck for open-air viewing. We will visit the two stone breakwaters and the ice breakers in search of common and rare waterfowl and seabirds including gulls, cormorants, gannets, loons, scoters, eiders and with luck a Harlequin Duck or Razorbill. We also have a good chance of seeing Harbor and Gray Seals that regularly haul out on the rocks. Restrooms are available on board, and coolers are welcome!
We are coordinating the boat trip with low tide, which will offer better views of the seals hauled out on the lower breakwater rocks. Low tide for Lewes on January 6 is 10:15 am.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON TRIP
Prime Hook NWR to Fowler Beach (DRIVING/HIKING)
Date: Sunday, Jan. 7
Time: 1:30 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $25/person
Meeting Location: Prime Hook NWR Visitor Center, 11978 Turkle Pond Rd, Milton, DE 19968. GPS coordinates: 38.830404, -75.248497
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Milton, Delaware, offers a cornucopia of birding opportunities – from saltmarsh and bay beach to freshwater ponds and rich, deciduous woodlands. We’ll sample each of the main habitat types looking for winter shorebirds and waterfowl. Scan the fields on your drive into the refuge for large flocks of Snow Geese!
We will end the trip at Fowler Beach, the northern access to Prime Hook NWR where we will walk out to the beach in search of wintering shorebirds, Horned Lark, and Snow Bunting. As the sun sets at the end of the day we will scan the marsh for hunting Short-eared Owls. This field trip will involve some easy walking and car caravans between major stops.
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.
- Boat trips usually fill earlier than other trips; please make your reservations early.
- For boat trips: If you are prone to seasickness, you may want to consider Dramamine or Bonine (both are sold over-the-counter), or whatever natural preventative you prefer. Please don’t wait until you’re on the boat to take your medication. Follow the instructions to make sure you have a great experience birding on the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean.
- 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.
- There are restroom facilities on most trips, but there may not be restrooms available at all stops. Please use the facilities when they are available to you!
Please note:
- No cancellations are accepted after December 26, 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.