Saturday, March 9 BirdINNg Trips & Reservations
WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE: We are watching the March 8-10 forecast closely. All field trips are currently going as planned, EXCEPT FOR the Saturday, March 9 afternoon “Scoters & Seals” boat trip. This trip has been canceled due to strong, gusting winds. If you registered for the March 9 boat trip, please check your email for options.
The Saturday afternoon Tally Rally has been canceled, too.
MORNING TRIP
Birds of Prime Hook NWR (DRIVING/HIKING)
Time: 8:00 – 11:00 am
Cost: $25/person
Guides: Chris Bennett & Anthony Gonzon
Meeting Location: Prime Hook NWR Visitor Center, 11978 Turkle Pond Rd, Milton, DE 19968. GPS coordinates: 38.830404, -75.248497
Please note: The refuge does not charge an entrance fee. You many obtain Federal Duck Stamps during administrative office hours.
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! The trip will involve some easy walking on the Dike and Boardwalk Trails. Meet at the Prime Hook NWR Visitor Center on Turkle Pond Road.
If you have also booked the afternoon boat tour, please note that the Prime Hook NWR Visitor Center is 12 miles (~22 minutes) from the dock at Fisherman’s Wharf. You’ll have time to make the 1:00 pm departure time, but you may want to pack a lunch, or eat a late lunch at 3:30 pm when the boat returns. The Wheelhouse restaurant is located right next to the boat, and it opens at 11:30 am if you want to eat lunch there before our 1:00 pm departure.
AFTERNOON BOAT TRIP
Scoters & Seals (LEWES BOAT TOUR)
Time: 12:00 – 2:30 pm
Cost: $72/person (includes tip for crew of Thelma Dale IV)
Guides: Chris Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Russ Kovach & Jim Rapp
Meeting Location: Fisherman’s Wharf 107 Anglers Rd, Lewes, DE 19958. GPS Coordinates: 38.776829, -75.137510
This trip has been canceled due to strong, gusting winds. If you registered for the March 9 boat trip, please check your email for options.
Join us for a 2-5-hour cruise of the waters around the mouth of the Delaware Bay aboard the Thelma Dale V. 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 March 9 is 1:43 pm.
TALLY RALLY
Tally Rally (SOCIAL)
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Cost: free, but RSVP is required at dmvbirds@gmail.com
Meeting Location: The Wheelhouse, located right next to the dock at Fisherman’s Wharf: 7 Anglers Rd, Lewes, DE 19958. GPS Coordinates: 38.776829, -75.137510
This Tally Rally has been canceled.
The Winter Delmarva Dogfish BirdINNg Weekend is more than a great opportunity to see unique local birds…it is also a time to meet unique local birders! See what birds have been tallied on the Saturday field trips, and learn about local birding hotspots from our DBW guides. Join us to swap birding stories and add to the DBW checklist for the weekend. There is no fee for attending the tally rally, but food and drinks will be available for purchase.
The Wheelhouse Raw Bar ‘n’ Grill features a Key West style atmosphere and menu. Delicious fish tacos, rum bar, raw bar and outside deck/waterfront seating open year-round!
If you plan to attend the Tally Rally, please RSVP with the number in your party at dmvbirds@gmail.com.
The Dogfish INN: your Basecamp for Winter BirdINNg!
Stay at the Dogfish INN! Enjoy 10% off your entire stay for the March 8 – 10 Winter Delmarva Dogfish BirdINNg Weekend by using the code 4THEBIRDS when booking your stay at Dogfish.com or by calling 302-644-8292. Click here for more info!
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.
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.
Please note:
- No cancellations are accepted after February 23, 2024. 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.