MDOsprey members might be interested in the annual Delmarva Birding Weekend.

I lead the two warblermania trips, night birds of the marsh and the pontoon
boat ride.



Complete details at: http://www.delmarvalite.org/bird_index.htm



Highlights below.



Mark L Hoffman





Delmarva Birding Weekend April 23-25 2004 By Dave Wilson       December 10,
2003 Flock Together!

Delmarva Birding Weekend celebrates the migration of hundreds of warblers,
shorebirds, and waterfowl as well as many nesting birds and raptors. The
region possesses an extensive variety of environments including barrier
islands, coastal bays, tidal wetlands, cypress swamps, upland fields and
primeval forests. More bird sightings have been recorded here than in any
other region of the state. The weekend combines boat trips, canoe treks and
expeditions by foot.

While you participate in the activities, you will be helping birds by
promoting bird and habitat conservation. Birders, both novice and
experienced, can make an important statement about the economic value of
birds and their habitats. Be sure to remind local businesses you visit that
you are here to enjoy our natural areas and the birds that inhabit them.

Space for trips and programs is limited, so click here and register now for
one or more of the weekend's events.



Canoe & Kayak Trips

All paddling done by participants; some experience required 1. Prothonotary
Paddle Guided canoe trips will be offered on the Pocomoke River from Porters
Crossing to Snow Hill, approximately a 4-hour trip, on Saturday and Sunday
at 8 a.m. The Pocomoke River meanders through pristine woodlands, home to
migratory warblers and woodpeckers, and offers a good chance to see a barred
owl. $30 per canoe (800) 852-0335 THE SUNDAY TRIP IS FULL AS OF 03/18/2004
2. Warblers on Water Guided canoe trips will be offered on the Nassawango
Creek, a tributary to the Pocomoke River, on Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m.
Over 7,000 acres along Nassawango Creek have been preserved by The Nature
Conservancy, which makes this 3-hour trip bordered by bald cypress a
beautiful one. $30 per canoe

(800) 852-0335 THE SATURDAY TRIP IS FULL AS OF 03/18/2004 3. Kingfishers on
King's Creek Search for belted kingfishers and Eastern kingbirds along
King's Creek! This guided kayak trip takes place near historic Princess
Anne, and winds through marshes, forests and fields. BOTH SATURDAY & SUNDAY
TRIPS ARE FULL AS OF

02/24/2004

4. Cypress & Songbirds

Pocomoke River State Park will serve as the site for a 2-hour paddling
adventure on Corker's Creek. Your guide will help you search for great
crested flycatchers, green herons and red-shouldered hawks. Saturday and
Sunday at 9 a.m. $30 per canoe (800) 852-0335 THE SUNDAY TRIP IS FULL AS OF

03/18/2004

Boat Excursions

5. Shore Bird Explorer

Tour by boat around Skimmer Island and the north shore of Assateague Island.

Glimpse wild ponies, oystercatchers, cormorants, loons and royal terns.

Don't forget to attend the free Birder's Social immediately following this
trip. Saturday 2-4 p.m. $15 per person (800) 852-0335 6. Peregrine Falcon
Watch Explore Deal Island Wildlife Management Area by boat and on foot with
DNR wildlife managers for a chance to observe the rare and regal peregrine
falcon. Look for tri-colored herons, glossy ibis and other inhabitants of
the mud flats and marshes. Saturday 8-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-4 p.m. THIS TRIP
IS FULL AS OF 02/24/2004 7. Smith Island Pelican Cruise Depart Crisfield, MD
aboard the Prime Time II for a birding trip you won't forget. Cruise by boat
around Smith Island and Martin National Wildlife Refuge - closed to the
general public - in the lower Chesapeake Bay. View many species of gulls and
terns, shorebirds, yellow-crowned night herons and brown pelicans. Please
note: trip does not make landfall. Saturday 8 a.m.

-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. $45 per person, includes a boxed lunch (800) 852-0335
Night Life 8. Night Birds of the Marsh The Ward Museum will host Night Birds
of the Marsh on Saturday from 6-9 p.m.

at the E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area. Seek out least bitterns, black
rails, king rails, marsh wrens and maybe even some owls. Bring a flashlight
and boots or shoes you won't mind getting wet. Meet behind the Snow Hill
Library. $15 per person (410) 742-4988 ext. 117 THIS TRIP IS FULL AS OF

03/18/2004

9. Assateague at Dusk

Assateague Island National Seashore will serve as host on Saturday night
from 6-8 p.m. for a trip along the "Life of the Dunes Trail." Listen for
rails, chuck-will's-widows and an owl or two. Wild sounds of ocean surf,
pine trees and the stars above serve as a backdrop. No flashlight will be
necessary. $10 per person; the park entry fee is waived for this trip (800)

852-0335

10. Night Life at the Salisbury Zoo

Explore the Zoo at night! Discover fascinating facts about owls, wild cats,
alligators and more. No flash photos or flashlights. Saturday 7-9:30 p.m.

$10 per person (410) 546-3440 ext. 5

11. Owl Prowl

Explore the trails of Pemberton Historical Park in search of resident owls
and other nocturnal creatures. This trip offers a guided hike through pine
and hardwood forests and wetlands. Saturday 8-10 p.m. $10 per person (410)

860-2447

Day Treks

12. Warblermania!

Warblermania! will take place Saturday and Sunday from 6-11 a.m. Meet your
guide at the Ward Museum and carpool to Nassawango Creek to search for
prothonotary, worm-eating and hooded warblers and other birds of the cypress
swamp. $15 per person (410) 742-4988 ext. 117 13. Eagles and Others On
Saturday and Sunday from 7-9:30 a.m. explore the diverse habitats of
Pemberton's trail system to view songbirds, wading birds, raptors and the
nesting area of breeding bald eagles. $10 per person (410) 860-2447 14.
Neotropicals Along the Nassawango Meet your guide at the Ward Museum and
carpool to The Nature Conservancy's Nassawango Preserve to look for pileated
woodpeckers, yellow-throated vireos, prothonotary warblers, ovenbirds and
other neotropical migrants in the cypress swamps and upland forests.
Saturday and Sunday 2-5 p.m. $15 per person (800) 852-0335SATURDAY TRIP IS
FULL AS OF 04/01/2004 15. Delaware's Coastal Birding Delights Explore
Assawoman Wildlife Area's coastal bays, ponds and forests.

Possibilities include brown-headed nuthatches, waterfowl, wading birds and
bald eagles. Coastal Delaware is a birder's paradise. Meet your guide at
Quiet Resorts Visitor Center, Fenwick-Bethany Chamber of Commerce. Sunday

8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. $10 per person (800) 852-0335 1PM TRIP IS FULL AS OF

03/18/2004

16. Bird by Bike on Assateague

Assateague Island National Seashore will serve as the site for a 3-hour
guided tour to search for wildlife of the barrier island, including egrets,
willets and wild ponies. Bike rentals available upon request. Saturday 8:30
a.m. THIS TRIP IS FULL AS OF 03/18/2004 17. Meandering Meadows Stroll along
some 150 acres of meadows surrounded by forest on the privately-owned Golden
Quarter Farm along Ayers Creek. Meadowlarks, quail, turkeys, indigo buntings
and wood ducks abound on the former farmstead in its first year of
regenerating to forested wetlands. Sunday 8-11 a.m. $15 per person (800)
852-0335



Social Events

The Delmarva Birding Weekend is more than a great opportunity to see unique
local birds... it's also a time to meet unique local birders! Join us at
these social events to swap birding stories, chat with local guides, and get
to know what's being seen in the skies around Delmarva. The events are free
to all Delmarva Birding Weekend participants.

Friday Night Fly-In ,Friday, April 23, 4-8 p.m., Seacrets Bar & Grill 49th
Street & Bay, Ocean City, Maryland



Start the weekend with your birding buddies at Jamaica U.S.A. - Seacrets Bar
& Grill in Ocean City. Guides will be available to get you started with your
checklist, and give you some tips on where to see the best birds.

Afterwards, enjoy dinner at any one of our fine restaurants.



Birder's Social, Saturday, April 24, 4-6 p.m., Angler Restaurant, Talbot
Street on the Bay, Ocean City, Maryland After a full day of field trips, you
can help add species to the master checklist that is kept for the Delmarva
Birding Weekend. This event begins just after the Shore Bird Explorer trip
returns to the Talbot Street Pier at

4 p.m. Free hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available to all DBW
participants.


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