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.