Nov. 2-3: Birding the Islands of Somerset County

*Surf Scoter and Savannah Sparrow photos courtesy of Frode Jacobsen.*

Join us for morning hikes and an afternoon boat ride through the islands of Somerset County, MD!

We are very excited about our first November field trips to Janes Island, Smith Island and Deal Island in beautiful Somerset County, MD! We’ll spend Saturday morning exploring the trails at Janes Island State Park near Crisfield, MD. After a snack break, we’ll then board the Capt. Jason II in Crisfield for a Saturday afternoon cruise to Smith Island and a late lunch at the Drum Point Market & Eatery. We’ll go birding by boat around Smith Island, and explore the villages of Tylerton and Ewell before ending the day with a sunset cruise back to Crisfield. On Sunday morning, we’ll go birding at Deal Island. You can register for one field trip or all three. For more information, please email dmvbirds@gmail.com.

SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING TOUR, November 2

Janes Island State Park (HIKING/DRIVING)
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $30/person
Meeting Location: the parking lot by the boat ramp at Janes Island State Park, located at 26280 Alfred J Lawson Dr, Crisfield, MD 21817. GPS coordinates: 38.009578, -75.847698

Please note: We need 10 people to run this field trip. If you are interested, please email dmvbirds@gmail.com with your name and the number in your party. We will open registration after we reach our minimum.

*Brown-headed Nuthatch, photo courtesy of Frode Jacobsen.*

We’ll go birding through the pines and along Daugherty Creek in the ~300-acre mainland section of Janes Island State Park, located just a few miles from Crisfield, MD. The park offers visitors a wonderful experience birding in the saltmarshes and coastal forests of the Chesapeake Bay. The trip will include some easy walking on the park roads and nature trails. If time allows, we may also visit another birding hotspot or two in Crisfield before our boat trip to Smith Island at 12:30 pm. Total estimated hiking distance is 2.5 miles. For more information about birding at Janes Island, please click here.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON BOAT TOUR, November 2

Smith Island Birding by Boat (BOATING/HIKING)
Time: 12:30 – 6:00 pm (sunset is 6:03 pm)
Cost: $185/person (includes boat charter and lunch)
Meeting Location: Crisfield City Dock, located near 1200 West Main Street, Crisfield, MD 21817. Our charter for the day will be the Capt. Jason II, one of the Smith Island ferries. GPS coordinates: 37.97793, -75.86333. There is free nearby street parking. Instructions will be sent to registered guests before Nov. 2.

*Birding from the observation deck in the Village of Ewell on Smith Island. Photo taken during the summer – you’ll probably not want to wear shorts in November!*

Depart Crisfield, Maryland, for an afternoon birding cruise aboard the Capt. Jason II to historic Smith Island in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay – home to Maryland’s official state dessert, the Smith Island Cake! View waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and hopefully a few Brown Pelicans that have yet to migrate south. Upon our arrival in the Village of Tylerton at 1:30 pm, we’ll enjoy a late lunch that includes a crab cake sandwich, sides and a slice of Smith Island cake at the world-famous Drum Point Market & Eatery (lunch is included in the trip cost; there are options for those with a seafood allergy). We’ll explore Tylerton after lunch before boarding the boat for a cruise past Rhodes Point on our way to the Village of Ewell. There, we’ll go birding through the saltmarsh along the Ewell-Rhodes Point Road before boarding the Capt. Jason II for our return trip to Crisfield. With any luck, we’ll enjoy a stunning Chesapeake sunset before the boat returns at 6:00 p.m. Total estimated hiking distance for the afternoon is 3.0 miles. For more information about birding on Smith Island, please click here.

SUNDAY MORNING BIRDING TOUR, November 3

Deal Island (HIKING/DRIVING)
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $30/person
Meeting Location: the parking lot by the Deal Island boat ramp on Ralph Abbott Road, Deal Island Historic District, MD 21821. GPS coordinates: 38.167844, -75.947429

*American Black Duck, photo courtesy of Frode Jacobsen.*

We’ll explore the expansive saltmarsh and tidal creeks of Deal Island during this Sunday morning adventure. The rich habitat supports an incredible diversity of birds that can be found at the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area, as well as the public boat ramps and waterfront in the Villages of Chance and Wenona. We’ll hike along gravel and paved roads through the saltmarsh searching for shorebirds, wading birds and raptors, and we’ll scope the water for ducks from the boat ramps. Total estimated hiking distance is 2.5 miles. For more information about birding at Deal Island, please click here.

Check out our Google Map of sites and meeting locations:

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

Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for fall weather on the Chesapeake Bay!
Carry sunscreen, sunglasses and/or a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
Bring rain gear as all events are rain or shine. Trips will go in the rain or fog, unless torrential downpours prevent us from viewing wildlife.
Try to arrive a little before the scheduled trip departs.
Food and drink are not included in the cost except for our Saturday afternoon Smith Island trip.
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 October 16, 2024. For a further explanation of our refund policy, please click here.
If the trip is canceled due to dangerous conditions (typically storms or strong, gusting winds) or torrential rains, 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.