Saturday, Oct. 15

Red-shouldered Hawk, photo courtesy of Frode Jacobsen. Biking and birding at Cape Henlopen State Park.

All reservations will be confirmed via email. No cancellations after October 1, 2022. Trips are subject to weather cancellations.

OktoBIRDfest x Dogfish Head specials Oct. 14-16 only!

For OktoBIRDfest x Dogfish Head participants, Dogfish Head will offer a 10% discount Oct. 14-16 (cannot be combined with other offers) at the Tasting Room & Kitchen in Milton, Brewings & Eats and Chesapeake & Maine in Rehoboth Beach. Just let them know you’re with Delmarva Birding Weekends!

Just a heads up that our friends from Dogfish Head have events happening this during this weekend as well! Visit dogfish.com for more info. Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth Beach will be closed for the evening on Saturday, October 15 starting at 3pm.

MORNING FIELD TRIPS – Registration will remain open until the field trips begin.

Raptor Roundup at Cape Henlopen State Park (DRIVING/HIKING)
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Cost: $30/person
Meeting Location: Seaside Nature Center at Cape Henlopen State Park. GPS coordinates: 38.784045, -75.098197

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.

Meet your guides at the Seaside Nature Center at Cape Henlopen State Park for an overview of the morning’s itinerary. After watching the bird feeders at the Nature Center, we’ll caravan through Cape Henlopen State Park. This largest state park in Delaware has much to offer birders in the fall. Located where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic, the park contains pitch pine forest, forested wetland, tidal marsh, dunes and beach habitats that support a wide array of bird life. This trip will include sea and bay watching, as well as a stop at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch to scan the skies for migrating raptors.

Birding by Bike at Cape Henlopen State Park (BIKING/HIKING)
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Cost: $30/person (must provide your own bike; see below for rental information)
Meeting Location: public parking area of Cape May Lewes Ferry Terminal, located at 43 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958. GPS coordinates: 38.781715, -75.118642

Please note: You must arrange for your own bike and helmet for this trip. If you need to rent a bike, please email dmvbirds@gmail.com. The entry fee for Cape Henlopen State Park is not required when cycling.

Meet your guide in the free parking area just outside of the Cape May Lewes Ferry Terminal for an overview of the morning’s itinerary. Over the course of this three-hour cycling tour, we’ll travel 12 miles along paved and compact bike trails (appropriate for both road and mountain bikes) through pitch pine forest, forested wetland, tidal marsh, dunes and beach habitats that support a wide array of bird life. We’ll make several stops to scope birds along the beach, ocean and bay, as well as a stop at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch to scan the skies for migrating raptors and a stop at the Seaside Nature Center to watch the feeders.

AFTERNOON FIELD TRIP – Registration will remain open until the field trip begins.

Delaware Bay Breakwater & Lighthouse Cruise (BOAT)
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Cost: $40/person (includes $5 tip for the First Mate)
MEETING LOCATION: boat pier next to outside seating area at Grain on the Rocks at the Cape May Lewes Ferry Terminal, located at 43 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958. GPS coordinates: 38.782286, -75.118111

We’ll be birding aboard the Second Nature on Saturday afternoon.

Join us for a two-hour cruise of the waters near Cape Henlopen and the mouth of the Delaware Bay. We will cruise along the stone breakwaters and East End Light and Harbor of Refuge Light in search of terns, gulls, raptors and migrating shorebirds. We’re likely to see Bottlenose Dolphins, too! Enjoy delicious food and craft beer on the outside deck at Grain on the Rocks before and after your tour — we’ll have guides and spotting scopes to help you spot the birds while you dine!

TALLY RALLY

Grain on the Rocks
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Cost: free (craft beer and food available for purchase)
Meeting location: Grain on the Rocks at the Cape May Lewes Ferry Terminal, located at 43 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958

Please note: although the Tally Rally is free, we do ask you to RSVP at dmvbirds@gmail.com so that we can inform our hosts with the number in our party. Thanks!

OktoBIRDfest is more than a great opportunity to see unique local birds…it is also a time to meet unique local birders! Birders will enjoy great beer and good company at Grain on the Rocks, located on the water at the Cape May/Lewes Ferry Terminal.

See what birds have been tallied during the 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 Saturday. There is no fee for attending the tally rally, but food and drinks will be available for purchase.

DOGFISH HEAD X RODENBACH DINNER

Dogfish Head x Rodenbach Dinner
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $75/person (gratuity and take-home glass included)
Meeting location: Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Interested in a beer and food experience Saturday night? Dogfish Head is hosting a 4 course beer dinner Saturday evening at the Rehoboth Beach brewpub with Dogfish Head Founder Sam Calagione and Rudi Ghequire, Founder of Belgium brewery Rodenbach. $75 per person. Gratuity and take-home glass included. Tickets are limited, so grab yours HERE!

Click this link for more details about the Dogfish Head x Rodenbach weekend events, including the menu for the Saturday night dinner.

Please note:

  • No cancellations are accepted after October 1, 2022.
  • 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.