Field Trip Wed, April 25, 2018

Our field trip today is a GO. Heavy rain has passed, although a few showers are still about, so do bring a water repellent jack and foot ware. In the event of a significant shower we will seek out temporary shelter. Meet at the Cape Henlopen Nature Center at 8 am. Remember a park pass is required.

OLLI Spring 2018 Birding Field Trip Schedule

Following is our schedule for Spring 2018. As mentioned in your course description, in case of possible inclement weather, be sure to check this blog anytime after 6 am on the day of the field trip. And yes tomorrow's weather does look iffy right now, but we will have a GO at it unless the 6am forecast is for torrential rain after 8 am. Cape Henlopen has easy to access several large pavilions where we can wait out a short cloud burst while we listen to bird songs.

OLLI Spring 2018 Birding Class

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 Bill’s blog at http://billfintel.blogspot.com/. This will be updated by 6 am on any field trip day with questionable weather. Also more detailed directions will be added as needed. 

All classes are on Wednesday, and 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.

Apr 25 - Cape Henlopen State Park Nature Center  (sticker required). Northbound raptor migration will be underway, some sea ducks should still be present along with Northern Gannets, and we will of course search for three resident specialties, the Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher and Brown-headed Nuthatch. (Low tide 11:52 am)

May 2 - Prime Hook NWR Headquarters. We will bird all types of habitats, such as woodlands, fields, marshes, impoundments and bay beaches. Some of our target birds will be early shorebirds, and early woodland migrants. (Hi tide 11:05 am)

May 9 – Fintel’s Yard plus the McCabe Nature Preserve. Meet at the Fintel’s home at 8 am for a guided tour of their birding habitats, feeders and water features. The McCabe Preserve is a Nature Conservancy property with an extensive mature forest that is usually excellent for woodland migrants, like vireos, tanagers and warblers.

May 16 – Thompson Island Nature Preserve.  Meet at 8 am at Gerri Stephenson’s home. Her backyard borders on the Thompson Island nature preserve, and she has plenty of parking along her long driveway. Thompson Island is often an excellent woodland migrant fallout location.

May 23 – Prime Hook NWR. Meet at Prime Hook HQ at 8 am. We will search the woodlands for species like Scarlet Tanager, Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Warbler, and several species of thrushes, all of which should be in full song.

May 30 - DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion Inlet. Meet at Prime Hook Headquarters at 8:00 am for carpooling. High tide is 10:02 am at Mispillion, and the best  birding is about 2 hrs either side of high tide, so we will proceed directly to the Dupont Nature Center, arriving about 8:30 am. This is our annual spring pilgrimage to witness Horseshoe Crabs spawning and the thousands of shorebirds that feed on their eggs. It is also the best time and place to see the endangered Red Knot. We will bird our way south, stopping along Slaughter Beach and at Fowler Beach, and arriving back at Prime Hook Headquarters by 11 am.