Posted by admin | Under Upcoming Field Trips
Friday May 4, 2012
There is a sense of magic when scores of colorful birds appear in the month of May. These neo-tropical have spent their winter in Central or South America, and all of the sudden there they are right in front of our binoculars– a splash of vibrant color and song! Warblers like the Yellow-breasted Chat capture our imaginations with their journeys and their energy levels once they reach their destination.
Just as captivating as the songbirds are the shorebirds, whose journeys take them all over the globe. A few shorebirds like the Black-necked Stilt, the emblem of the Delmarva Ornithological Society, will stay to nest in Delaware, but most will continue much further north to their breeding grounds in Canada. The Red Knot is the poster child for shorebirds in Delaware. Nearly all of the world’s population of Red Knots stop in Delaware on their Spring migration, and birders from all over the country descend upon the First State to watch these remarkable birds.
All of this bird activity coincides with one incredible week of birding opportunity here in the Delaware: The Sixth Annual Delaware Bird-A-Thon! Teams of birders are headed afield to find as many species of birds as they can, and in doing so are helping to raise funds for bird habitat preservation here in Delaware. There are plenty of field trips scheduled during the week, and lots of folks willing to help other birders discover “where the birds are.” Most importantly, this fun event is open to participants of all types, young and old, beginner to advanced.
The Delaware Dunlins Youth Birders Club will be assisting several teams participating in the Bird-A-Thon, and we will be posting the stories and photo highlights from these team’s birding adventures. We plan to share the excitement of birding with our audience, and hope that you will join us in supporting the 2012 Delaware Bird-A-Thon!
If you would like to join in the fun, as a participant or supporter, please contact us and we are happy to help!
Thank you,
Derek Stoner, Delaware Dunlins Program Coordinator
derekstoner@hotmail.com
Posted by admin | Under Upcoming Field Trips
Friday Mar 2, 2012
From trip leader Bill Stewart:
“Visiting Stone Harbor Point in March is the epitome of watching the seasonal transitions move from winter into spring birding. Lingering waterfowl abound, punctuated by loons and the offshore northern movement of gannets, all the while, newly arrived Piping Plovers scurry back and forth along the shoreline. American Oystercatchers continue to call out their presence amongst thousands of shorebirds transitioning into their breeding plumage. Harbor seals are a regular visitor as well as the first of the year Laughing Gulls. Walking this mile long stretch of barrier peninsula holds many surprises, none quite as memorable as in the month of March.”
On Saturday, March 10, Bill will lead this traditional trip for the
Delmarva Ornithological Society, and Delaware Dunlins families are invited to participate.
The trip departs at 7:00am from northern Delaware. Birding will take place until mid-afternoon. Pack a bag lunch lunch and dress for the weather.
Interested participants must contact Bill to register. Please contact him at 610-864-0370 or at
bird-del@earthlink.net
Posted by admin | Under Upcoming Field Trips
Thursday Feb 16, 2012
Are you ready for Long-tailed Ducks, Red-throated Loons, Great Cormorants, Canvasbacks, and Common Goldeneyes?
Have you ever seen a Brown-headed Nuthatch? Or watched flocks of Brant, Bonaparte’s Gulls, or Northern Pintails?
If you’d like to see some incredible winter birds along the coast of Delaware, join the Delaware Dunlins for our second-annual South to North field trip on Saturday, February 18. We will meet at Indian River Inlet at 9:00am, and then bird our way north until late afternoon, stopping at hotspots all along the way.
The field trip flyer below gives the appointed times we will be at each location, and we encourage participants to car-pool if at all possible. Please register for this trip so that we know to expect you in our caravan of birders. RSVP to Derek Stoner at derekstoner@hotmail.com or 302-893-8426.
Delaware Dunlins South to North Field Trip 2.18.12
Posted by admin | Under Upcoming Field Trips
Saturday Nov 26, 2011
Join the Delaware Dunlins on Sunday, November 27, from Noon until 3:00pm for a Bald Eagle watching event at Conowingo Dam in Maryland. Watch dozens of eagles as they gather to feed on fish in the Susquehanna River, and see lots of waterbirds like ducks, geese, and herons.
View the Bald Eagle Trip Flyer full details. Come see America’s national symbol!
Posted by admin | Under Upcoming Field Trips
Friday Oct 7, 2011
Birding’s most fun and most social event of the year is here: The Big Sit is this Sunday, October 9! Join us for this unique and entertaining version of birding: we sit in one spot and let the birds come to us!
Like a tailgate party to celebrate the birds and their epic fall migration, we take part in this international birding competition for one reason: It is a lot of Fun!
Come out to the Ashland Hawk Watch on Sunday. Our official Delaware Dunlins event will take place from 9:00am to Noon, and we will have a special challenge for all you sharp young birders!
To prepare for the Big Sit, read about Fall Migration. And then come join in the Fun!
Posted by admin | Under Upcoming Field Trips
Thursday Sep 8, 2011
By Derek Stoner, Delaware Dunlins Field Trip Coordinator
Fall migration is here and birds are arriving in big numbers. You are invited to join the Delaware Dunlins on these fun and family-friendly field trips this fall. Trips are free and open to the public.
Please click on the field trip flyers for details and directions.
Cape May Migration
Sunday, September 11, 9:00am to 3:00pm
Cape May Point State Park, Cape May, NJ
Cape May is known as the “Migration Mainline” and fall bird migration is simply spectacular here. Visit the famous birding spots known ’round the country: Higbee Beach, the Meadows, and the Cape May Hawk Watch. Climb the lighthouse for an incredible view!
For more information about this special trip, contact Derek Stoner at 302-893-8426.
Brandywine Bird Bonanza
Saturday, September 17, 9:00am to Noon
Brandywine Creek State Park, Wilmington, DE
The birds love the Brandywine Valley! Find warblers, raptors, and other migrants as we bird the fields and thickets. Get your new Delaware Dunlins birding guide and start off the year with a great bird trip.
Delaware Dunlins September 17 2011 Field Trip flyer
The Big Sit
Sunday, October 9, 9:00am to Noon
Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, DE
Lots of birds, lots of food, lots of friends, and lots of fun– what could be a better way of birding? Take part in an international birding competetion and help us see a record number of birds. Atop Hawk Watch Hill at Ashland, we will count all the birds that pass by. Bring the whole family for this big birding event!
Delaware Dunlins October 9 2011 Field Trip flyer
Bald Eagle Extravaganza
Sunday, November 27, Noon to 3:00pm
Conowingo Dam, Conowingo, MD
The dozens (sometimes hundreds!) of Bald Eagles that gather at Conowingo each autumn is incredible. Bring your camera and get ready to see more eagles than you ever imagined. Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend by giving thanks for our nation’s symbol– the Bald Eagle!
Delaware Dunlins November 27 2011 Field Trip flyer
Christmas Bird Counts
On a Saturday and Sunday in late December, we will take part in this great birding tradition. For more than 110 years, birders have helped scientists better understand bird populations through this special survey of wintering birds. Our Delaware Dunlins crew takes part each year in the Wilmington and Bombay Hook counts in Delaware.
Learn more about the importance and purpose of the Christmas Bird Count.
Posted by admin | Under Upcoming Field Trips
Wednesday May 4, 2011
On Mother’s Day we celebrate the joys of birding by offering a birding event for all at legendary White Clay Creek State Park. There’s no better place to witness spring migration in Delaware, and the whole family is invited to join in a leisurely walk around the beautiful spring woodlands in search of birds like Scarlet Tanager (above), Baltimore Oriole, Ovenbird, and Northern Parula.
We will meet at 7:30am (early to catch all the good birds!) at the Hopkins bridge over the White Clay Creek, at the intersection of Hopkins Road and Creek Road. Parking is available along the road, with no park entrance pass required at this location. Directions are available here: White Clay Creek State Park directions
