Hi folks -
 
I'm planning my annual Garrett College Wildlife Biology class trip to
the Eastern Shore to look for waterfowl and other waterbirds.  We're
heading down next Friday (24 February) and will return to the mountains
the following Sunday.  Unfortunately, we've decided not to visit the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel this year.  The CBBT is out of our price
range, thanks to the new fee birders must pay to be accompanied by
security personnel.  This leaves a big hole in our schedule, and a hole
in terms of birds I'd like my students to have the chance to see.  Right
now we're planning on hitting Blackwater NWR Friday afternoon.  Rather
than go down to the CBBT Saturday morning, I thought we might go up to
Ocean City, hitting the Eagle's Nest(?) golf course, the West OC ponds,
and the Inlet, then go up to the Indian River Inlet in hopes of perhaps
seeing some of the species we might've seen on the CBBT but might miss
at the OC Inlet.  We'll return to Chincoteague (where we're staying)
Saturday afternoon.  On Sunday, to replace Ocean City (which we used to
hit that morning), I thought I'd take my students to the Cambridge
waterfront, then return home.
 
My questions:  Is the Indian River Inlet the best replacement for the
CBBT (if there is one -- I suspect that nothing within reasonable
driving distance can replace the CBBT), or is there some other spot
where we'd have a good chance of getting reasonably close views of
scoters, long-tailed ducks, northern gannets, and other more ocean-going
species?  It's been a number of years since I've been to the Indian
River Inlet, so I'm unfamiliar with the best spots for birds.  Second,
what is/are the best place(s) to hit in Cambridge for some of the
up-close waterfowl folks have discussed this winter?  How do you get
there from US 50?
 
I greatly appreciate any help/suggestions anyone can provide.  Please
respond directly to   Thanks in advance for
your help!
 
Kevin Dodge
Garrett County