Saturday, April 23: Field Trips & Registration

MORNING AND ALL-DAY FIELD TRIPS

BOAT: The Nature of Smith Island, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
COST: $135/person, includes lunch
MEETING LOCATION: Somers Cove Marina, Pier N, in Crisfield, MD

Depart Somers Cove Marine in Crisfield, Maryland, for a daylong birding cruise to historic Smith Island in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay – home to Maryland’s Official State Dessert, the Smith Island Cake! View many species of shorebirds and egrets, along with Tri-colored Herons, Glossy Ibis, and Brown Pelicans. At midday, enjoy a walking tour and a hearty lunch that includes a crab cake sandwich, sides and a slice of Smith Island cake (lunch is included in the trip cost; there are options for those with seafood allergy). The boat returns to Crisfield around 4:00 p.m. 

For specific directions to the meeting location at Pier N in Somers Cove Marina, please click here. Please bring a $15 – $20 tip for the First Mate!

Indian River Inlet & Burton Island (DRIVING/HIKING) 
8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $30/person
Meeting Location: South jetty of the Indian River Inlet, DE, near Big Chill Beach Club

Please note: Cost does not include entry fee for Cape Henlopen State Park. Access is granted with a Delaware State Parks Annual Pass, or with a day-use fee of $5/vehicle with DE tags or $10/vehicle with out-of-state tags. For more information, please visit Delaware State Parks Passes, Tags & Fees.

The Indian River Inlet and inland bays offer some of Delaware’s best coastal birding. Indian River Inlet is home to mixed flocks of sea ducks, loons and shorebirds. Purple Sandpipers and Ruddy Turnstones may be found on the inlet jetties. The forested trails at Burton Island provide habitat for migrant songbirds, and the surrounding marshes may produce herons and egrets.

KAYAK/CANOE: Neotropicals on the Nassawango (Red House Road to Nassawango Bridge), 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
COST: $65/person sharing a tandem kayak/canoe ($130 total), $80/person solo kayak, $50/person with your own boat & portage
MEETING LOCATION: Pocomoke River Canoe Company

After we meet at the Pocomoke River Canoe Company in Snow Hill, we’ll be driven to the launch at Red House Road, a few miles northwest. From there, we’ll paddle Nassawango Creek deep into this forested wilderness of bald cypress. Prothonotary Warblers, Wood Ducks, Bald Eagles, and beavers are regulars on this 3-hour trip, which will end at the bridge on Nassawango Road.

On a windy day, this paddle can present a moderate challenge as we approach the Nassawango Road bridge. Paddlers may choose canoes, tandem kayaks, or solo kayaks. For scheduling, please select tandem kayak if you want a canoe. We will follow up later with your preference.

All paddling done by participants; some experience required. Must be 13 years old to participate. Please note: If you are reserving a tandem kayak or canoe, please plan to attend with a paddling partner also registered with the DBW. We can’t always guarantee another solo paddler will join you in a two-person boat. Thank you!

DRIVING: Birds of Maryland’s Chincoteague Bay, 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. 
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

The historic landings of Maryland’s Chincoteague Bay, amidst some 13,000 acres of permanently protected land, feature perhaps the most unspoiled wilderness on the East Coast. Guides will lead participants to Public Landing, Figgs Landing, and Scott’s Landing, some of the most remote and best coastal birding spots in Maryland. Shorebirds, ducks, and raptors will add to the breathtaking beauty.

TALLY RALLY & AFTERNOON FIELD TRIPS

TALLY RALLY: M.R. Duck’s, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
COST: FREE, food and drinks available for purchase
MEETING LOCATION: M.R. Duck’s in Ocean City, MD

After a full morning of field trips, meet at the World Famous M.R. Duck’s, just a short hike from the Ocean City Inlet. This event begins just before the Shorebird Explorer boat trip leaves the Talbot Street Pier at 2:00 p.m. M.R. Duck’s serves beer, wine and cocktails, and delicious sandwiches and appetizers. Help our guides add species to the DBW checklist, and fuel up for your afternoon and evening field trips.

BOAT: Shorebird Explorer, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. 
COST: $35/person
MEETING LOCATION: Talbot Street Pier in Ocean City, MD

Please note: There are two parking lots available off Talbot Street. One is directly behind the bank, and the other is on the corner of Talbot Street and St. Louis Avenue. After you have parked, meet your guides at the end of the Talbot Street Pier. Please click on this Google Map for specific parking and meeting locations.

Leave the dock at Talbot Street in Ocean City, Maryland, and tour by boat around Skimmer Island and the north shore of Assateague Island. This two-hour trip is a great for adding coastal species to your DBW checklist, such as Royal Tern, Piping Plover, Purple Sandpiper, Brant, and Common Loons transitioning into their spectacular breeding plumage. And don’t forget the Assateague ponies! Please bring a $5- $10 tip for the First Mate.

EVENING FIELD TRIP

DRIVING: Night Birds of the Marsh, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
COST: $25/person
MEETING LOCATION: Taylors Landing boat ramp near Girdletree, MD

Tour the 2,630-acre E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area and Truitt’s Landing east of Snow Hill, Maryland to seek out Clapper Rail, Sora, Marsh Wrens, Chuck-will’s-widows, and Eastern Screech Owls. Bring a flashlight, bug spray, and boots or shoes that may get wet. But don’t fret. The chorus of the nighttime wilderness vanquishes the nuisance of a soggy foot or a bug or two. Meet in the parking area for the Taylor Landing boat ramp near Girdletree, Maryland, at 6:30 p.m. prior to caravanning to our first stop.

Please note:

  • No cancellations are accepted after April 4, 2022, unless diagnosed or quarantined with COVID-19.
  • Food and drink are not included in the cost for trips and tally rallies.
  • Trips will go rain or shine.
  • If the trip is canceled due to dangerous conditions, a full refund will be provided.

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