Saturday, April 25

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

Join us for a our annual celebration of spring birding! We are hosting two concurrent morning trips and one afternoon boat trip in Maryland on Friday.

MORNING FIELD TRIPS

Neotropicals on the Nassawango – Red House Road to Nassawango Bridge (KAYAK/CANOE)
Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (3-hour paddle and one hour for transportation to and from the creek)
Cost: $130 for two paddlers ($65/person) sharing a tandem kayak or canoe, $90/person solo kayak, $60/person with your own boat & portage (please note: cost includes 11% tax added to rentals by Pocomoke River Canoe Co.)
Guides: Russ Kovach & Jim Rapp
Meeting Location: Pocomoke River Canoe Company, located at 2 River St, Snow Hill, MD 21863

Update (posted at 6:00 am on Saturday, March 14): The April 25 Nassawango Creek paddling tour is sold out.

We often have cancellations before the tour. If you would like to add your name to the waitlist, please email dmvbirds@gmail.com with your name and the number of participants in your group. We will notify you in the event of a cancellation.

We have added a Neotropicals on the Nassawango paddling tour on Sunday, April 26, 1:00 – 5:00 pm.

Paddling on Nassawango Creek.

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.

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

Libertytown Branch & Heron Park (HIKING/DRIVING)
Time: 7:30 – 10:30 am
Cost: $30/person
Guides: Jared Parks & Scott Housten
Meeting Location: 9122 Libertytown Road, Berlin, MD 21811. Meet at the entrance to the old Bay Club Golf Course. GPS coordinates: 38.3351265,-75.2497424

Update (posted at 11:15 am on Monday, April 20): The Libertytown Branch & Heron Park tour is sold out.

We often have cancellations before the tour. If you would like to add your name to the waitlist, please email dmvbirds@gmail.com with your name and the number of participants in your group. We will notify you in the event of a cancellation.

White-eyed Vireo. Photo courtesy of Dr. Frode Jacobsen.

Join your guides as we explore Worcester County’s newest birding hotspot, Libertytown Branch (formerly the old Bay Club Golf Course) just west of Berlin, MD. This property is currently being restored to open meadows, wetlands and forest that are already teeming with songbirds! Management of the property for public access is just beginning, so the trail network is not fully installed. However, MD DNR is in the process of creating an extensive trail network from the cart paths of the old golf course to provide access for birders seeking warblers, sparrows, vireos and more. Read more about the project here.

Following our tour at the Bay Club, we’ll drive 2.5 miles to Berlin to scope the ponds at Heron Park for later wintering waterfowl and early arriving spring songbirds and wading birds.

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.

AFTERNOON FIELD TRIP

Shorebird Explorer (BOAT TRIP)
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Cost: $50/person
Guides: Russ Kovach, Kim Abplanalp, Scott Housten & Jim Rapp
Meeting Location: Talbot Street Pier in Ocean City, MD, located at 311 Talbot St., Ocean City, MD 21842. GPS Coordinates: 38.331652, -75.090363

Please note: April 23 – 26 is also Springfest Weekend in Ocean City, so finding available street parking may be difficult. Please make sure that you arrive with plenty of time to park and make your way to the dock before we depart at 2:00 pm.

We have been asked to park at the Assateague Adventure parking lot at 205 Talbot Street. Look for a large “Assateague Adventure” parking sign directly behind the bank. 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.

Piping Plover. Photo courtesy of Dr. Frode Jacobsen.

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.

We will host a brief Tally Rally on the Talbot Street dock when the boat returns. We encourage you to stay and enjoy happy hour at the world-famous M.R. Duck’s Bar & Grille!

Please note:

  • No cancellations are accepted after April 6, 2026. 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.