Sep 12 Prime Hook NWR Field Trip Report

Fantastic weather, good birds, but admittedly a lean morning for woodland migrants. Highlights were Yellow-throated and White-eyed Vireos, Solitary Sandpiper, Pileated Woodpecker seen well by most, 5 White Pelicans in flight, swimming, and then on the beach of a small island at Fowler's Beach. Also great side by side comparisons of Caspian and Royal Terns, about 50 Black Skimmers, adult and immature, and aggressive Bald Eagle activity on several occasions, much to the dismay of their targets, the smaller Osprey with a fish.

Our next trip is Oct 3 on the Cape Water Taxi, so be sure to sign up with Renee before Sept 19. If you have any questions, concerns, special needs, please feel free to contact me or Sally.

Bill - billfintel@gmail.com
Sally - sallyfintel@gmail.com

2012 Fall Field Birding Schedule

Fall 2012 Field Birding – OLLI

Bill Fintel, Sally Fintel, and David Weber (Bill’s cell is 302-236-5675).

We will spend as much time as possible birding in the field. On any day when the weather does not permit a field trip, the class will be cancelled. For the latest information on class status see http://billfintel.blogspot.com/ . This blog will be updated by 6 am on any field trip day with questionable weather.

All classes will begin at 8:00 am at the meeting locations noted below. Be sure to bring binoculars. Also check the weather forecast and dress appropriately with a rain resistant windbreaker and footwear suitable for walking about one mile. Insect repellent, sunscreen, water and a snack are recommended. Classes will end by 11 am at the meeting location.

Sep 12 – Prime Hook NWR Headquarters. This is a good time of year for woodland migrants as well as shorebirds, so we will spend time searching for both groups.

Sep 19 and 26 – No class due to instructor’s other commitments.

Oct 3 – Cape Water Taxi at Fisherman’s Wharf, west side. Today we will take a 2 hr boat ride up the Broadkill River to bird the Lewes Great Marsh and adjacent mud flats and wooded hummocks. This trip will cost $23 per person which includes gratuity. Sign up with and pay Renee by September 19. Spouses can also sign up for this trip at $23. We will fill any vacancies by contacting those on the class waiting list.

Oct 10 – Cape Henlopen State Park Nature Center  (sticker required). Our main focus on this field trip will be migrating raptors.

Oct 17 – Prime Hook NWR Headquarters.  Our focus today will be sparrows, those confusing little brown birds (LBJ’s) that love to hide in tall grasses.

Oct 24 - Gordon’s Pond (sticker required). Access through Rehoboth Beach. There is a ¾ mile trail around the west side of Gordon’s pond that provides good views of both the pond and maritime forest.

Oct 31 – Prime Hook NWR Headquarters. Waterfowl will be our primary target, with the tens of thousands of Snow Geese being a highlight.

Nov 7 – Cape Henlopen State Park Nature Center  (sticker required). Raptor migration will still be underway, with some of the larger raptors, like Northern Harrier and Red-shouldered Hawk being more likely. Sea ducks and gannets should also be migrating now.

Nov 14 – Indian River Inlet. Sea ducks plus loons should be arriving by now, and if we are lucky perhaps we will find an American Bittern.