OLLI Field Trip May 8

I just checked the weather forecast, and we are a GO with only a 30% chance of showers. For field trip details, see the below post Olli 2019 Spring Birding Class.

Check List of Birds for the May 1 Olli field trip to Cape Henlopen

This is actually a series of eBird check lists compiled by Rob Blye. Each check list is for a different but identifiable area at Cape Henlopen. Rob has even included the observed numbers for each species. Thanks very much to Rob and Carol for helping out on the May 1 field trip. To view each list, just click on the below links:

https://ebird.org/colombia/view/checklist/S55969886

https://ebird.org/colombia/view/checklist/S55969928

https://ebird.org/colombia/view/checklist/S55636137

RE tomorrow's field trip, there is a chance of showers in the morning, but as I see it right now, it should not be a problem to do what we have planned. I will definitely update this blog with the latest weather info and any plan changes at 6 am tomorrow.

Field Trip May 1, 2019

The field trip today is a GO. We may have some showers, but nothing major is forecast. Do wear a water repellent jacket.

Field Trip Sept 12, 2018

Today's Field Trip is CANCELLED due to inclement weather.

Dense Fog has entered the picture, in addition to drizzle and potential thunderstorms. It was a tough decision, but birding in the fog is very difficult, and fog also makes getting to Gordon's Pond potentially hazardous. Next week we meet at Prime Hook NWR at 8 am.

Today's Class is CANCELLED

Here is the latest NOAA Forecast:

Last update 16 May 4:54 am EDT 

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Patchy fog before 10am. High near 71. South wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. 

 

Birding in the rain and fog is at best difficult. There is also the possibility that some areas we were planning to visit could be flooded by the heavy rains last night. 

Here's hoping for good weather next week when we visit Prime Hook NWR.

Class Wed, Dec 13, is CANCELLED due extreme wind and cold

Winds Wed are forecast to be WNW 21 to 25 kt, with gusts as high as 40 kt. The High temp is forecast to be 33 deg F. As you probably know, Indian River Inlet is exposed, and usually feels much colder than anywhere else nearby. We wish all a Happy and Safe Holiday. Bill and Sally

Nov 16, 2016 Fall Birding OLLI Field Trip to Indian River and more

This trip is a GO....and it should be good. Just today I was out on the Chesapeake Bay fishing and saw lots of good winter waterfowl and seabirds. A few nice examples were Long-tailed Duck, Horned Grebe, N. Gannet, and Common Loon.

So I look forward to seeing all who can make tomorrow's trip. The weather looks great, and I expect many good birds.

Bill & Sally

And my apologies to those who missed my last weeks blog post that that trip was cancelled due to a forecast of all morning rain and drizzle.....which did happen, but not as severe as forecast.

Tomorrows OLLI Field trip to Holt's Landing and the Delaware Botanic Gardens

6 am Wed: The forecast has deteriorated, so we are CANCELLING today's field trip. 
From NOAA: Showers, mainly after 8am. High near 59. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. 

This decision is reinforced by the current radar image showing a large band of steady rain currently just west of the Chesapeake Bay and headed this way arriving between 8 and 9 am. Click Northeast Loop to see movement over the past hour.  http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/northeast.php

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From 5 pm Tue:
The weather does look a bit questionable, so please check back here after 6:00 am tomorrow to see if the class/field trip is still a go. If we just have to endure a few showers, we will do the class, BUT be sure to bring some water repellent clothing.

The NOAA forecast for Wed where we are going is:  
Showers, mainly after 11am. High near 60. Light west wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

With temps forecast to be warm, and winds light, a few showers should be no problem, BUT do check here just after 6 am in case there are any changes overnight.

Bill

SBC Assawoman Field Trip, 9-20-16, Plans re Weather

UPDATE TUE at 5:45 am:

The field trip is a GO. Looks like we will have some showers, but no persistent heavy rain.  So if you decide to join in, be prepared for showers......And we should never be far from the cars.

Meeting time and place: 8 am at the ocean front parking lot on the south side of Indian River Inlet.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MON about 5 pm: Our Sussex Bird Club field trip to Assawoman Wildlife Management Area is a go IF only showers are forecast (as they are right now). If today's heavy rain continues, and is forecast for Tuesday morning as well, the trip will be cancelled.

So check this blog after 6 am tomorrow (Tuesday) for the final assessment of whether the field trip is a GO or a NO GO.

My latest NOAA forecast for Assawoman is:

Tuesday

A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 78. East wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

6 am UPDATE - Wed, May 11 Osher Field Trip

We are a GO.....Radar shows most of the short term rain will be south of us, and the next rain to approach the Milton area, where we will be, is about 5 hours away. Take a look at the Sterling radar loop  from 5:45 am (and refresh for latest loop). Showers are possible, so bring light rain gear, and as I said, we can do a lot from the cars........and we will have a walkie talkie for each car.  Meeting time and location: Prime Hook HQ parking lot at 8 am.


Tue 5 pm: My latest analysis of the NOAA forecast for tomorrow morning indicates our Osher field trip should be a "go"............BUT as you know, the weather has zero allegiance to NOAA forecasts. So please check this blog just after 6 am tomorrow, in case there is a major change in the forecast during our planned field trip from 8 to 11 am.

And for a few more details on where we plan to go....We plan to take you to new good birding areas that are not well known. We can do a great deal of this in cars without rain creating a problem. Three areas we will definitely visit include The Nature Conservancy's 2 preserves of McCabe and Ponder's, plus the Delaware Wildlife Management Area on Little Neck Rd just off Prime Hook Rd. All 3 are great woodland habitats, and woodland migrants are now coming through in excellent numbers.

Oct 28 Osher Birding Field Trip - CANCELLED

Per the latest NOAA forecast, the probability of heavy rain tomorrow is 100%, accompanied by 18-20 mph winds, with gusts up to 30 mph, so our Osher birding field trip tomorrow is cancelled.

But do not despair, I will be helping lead a field trip at Prime Hook NWR on Thur, Oct 29 beginning at 8 am at the Refuge Headquarters (where we usually meet). This field trip is part of the Refuge's monthly birding field trip program, and so you are most welcome to participate, and I hope to see you there.

New birds this past week since returning from Utah have been a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in our yard (listen for cat-like meows), plus Northern Gannets and many large scoter flocks headed south around Cape Henlopen point.

Below is the closest we came to Condors out west :)

Bill and Sally at Canyonlands National Park

OLLI Firld trip April 22, 2015

For tomorrow's field trip to Cape Henlopen, weather looks good in morning....as of right now....BUT it will be windy.

So for those of you with a lot of hair, you may look like the attached Snowy Egret.

Me?.... of course I have no worries....and look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow....and hopefully spotting a Piping Plover and Brown-headed Nuthatch.

Bill

SUMMARY - OLLI Field Trip, 4/15/15, and Bird Feeder Tips

First, we discussed bird feeding and grackle problems. I said I thought on this blog I had posted some detailed information about my home made feeder that excluded Grackles......and yes I had. It is HERE. Also note that I found my own posts by using Labels (on the left) and clicking on feeders. Try it for other topics of interest. Upcoming, will be some today-photos of my Safe Haven Feeder with photos of Purple Finches...so you can compare to more common House Finches.

Today was a productive day, and even an exceptional day compared to last week. Our cumulative class list is now up to 53 species observed, and 6 more heard. Highlights today were certainly the Yellow-throated Warbler, Ovenbird and Pine Warbler (all warblers), plus the large number of American Avocets (my estimate is 300+). Also noteworthy was the Great Horned Owl with chick, the large numbers of Northern Shovelers, good looks at a Hairy Woodpecker, and many very attractive male displaying Red-winged Blackbirds.

So next week at Cape Henlopen, maybe the weather and birds will cooperate, and hopefully we will get to see Piping Plover and Brown-headed Nuthatch, 2 specialties for the Park that we missed on our first trip there.

American Avocet from today's class

April 8 OLLI Field Birding Class Weather UPDATE

I'll be at the Cape Henlopen Nature Center at 8 am today.

It is presently 5:30 am Wed, and IT IS A TOUGH CALL!!!

First of all, NOAA and Weather Underground do not agree. Neither has a good forecast, but Weather Underground's is not too bad, and my read of the radar images and rain forecast agrees with them.

So lets leave it this way.....I'll be there at 8 am. If you are up to birding in some rain, and wind, please join me. We will probably end on the early side. Our travels will be mostly in our cars, and we will bird mostly via telescope, protected by umbrellas. It is quite cold.....44 degrees right now, so dress warmly if you do decide to be adventuresome.

Your choice.........Bill


---------------Following from 3 pm Tue......................

I am following the weather, and presently I think we are still a GO for tomorrow.

From NOAA at 3 pm Tue, Wed forecast is:    
A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 51. Northeast wind around 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. 

I will decide go/no-go before 6 am tomorrow (4/8), and post the decision here by 6 am. Looks like we will have some rain, but light. Even so bring at least a rain repellent jacket....plus 51 degrees with 17 mph winds is COOL, so dress warmly.

Tommorow's 10/22/14 OLLI Birding Field Trip

As promised, 7 pm Tue update.... 

NO Class tomorrow!!!

From NOAA: Rain. High near 64. Breezy, with a north wind 13 to 18 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. 

...............................................................................................................................

Final verdict by 7pm tonight, to let you sleep in if probability of a go-trip is less than 10%.

After-all, youngsters and oldsters, are more weather sensitive.

Oct 1 Osher Birding Field Trip and Lunch

Looks like we may have some showers tomorrow, but as of now, the field trip is still a GO. The luncheon at Janice Erich's is indoors, so it is a definite GO. In the event you decide to just attend the luncheon, be at Janice's house at about 11:30 am. She lives in Cape Shores right next to Cape Henlopen State Park. You should have received directions via an email from Janice, and you should have RSVP'd with your choice of vegan or meat entree. If you have any questions, call my cell.

Check here before 6 am Wed for any last minute updates.

6 AM Update - Today's Weather Looks Good......just a bit windy out of the NE.

Bill

Sept 24 - This morning's Bird Walk

Rain is not forecast until after 1 pm today, but things can change, so a rain resistant jacket is recommended. The winds are presently 25 mph out of the east, and forecast to increase. While this not good for woodland birding, it can bring in some good seabirds, and we will be at a good overlook for observing any that may get blown in.

See you at 8 am at the Herring Point parking lot at Cape Henlopen State Park .

September 10 Field Trip

Weather looks okay as of 4:30 pm Tue. We may get some light showers, and I will recheck at 5 am Wed in case there is a big change, and I will update before 6 am if a change in plans is required.

I scouted my "back roads route" this afternoon, and yes the habitat still looks great, BUT with strong east winds, the birding is NOT good. So I am working on a modified route which will enable us to see more birds. We will still meet here at 31395 Point Circle at 8 am. Backyard birds have been very good here, including White-breasted Nuthatch for 2+ years (unusual in east Sussex County).

Best,
Bill

Red Knots, Mispillion, and weather forecast for tomorrow's class

Red Knots are in!!! And weather forecast looks good in the morning. So we will meet at Prime Hook HQ at 8 am, or at the Fire House at Slaughter Beach about 8:15 am.

I finally got to see my first Red Knots for 2014 last Friday, and they were gorgeous, in full breeding plumage. Looking forward to tomorrow's field trip. Best, Bill

OLLI 5/8/13 FT to Milford Neck

Yellow-breasted Chat, Bill Fintel photo

No rain!!! and even some sunshine and 73 degrees. Our first stop was the "Dog Training Area" where we had good views of many "scrub birds" which included Yellow-breasted Chat, White-eyed Vireo, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting and Orchard Oriole.

We then birded the woods along Stratham Lane and Scotts Corner Road where most had very good looks at Black-and-white warbler, Ovenbird, and Red-eyed Vireo. Some of us also saw Northern Parula and a pair of Wood Ducks. One auditory treat was hearing at least two singing Wood Thrushes.

We then birded along Big Stone Beach Road to the end. Best birds were quite a few shorebirds, which included Short-billed Dowitcher and Stilt Sandpiper.

Our counts for today were 68 bird species and ZERO car species. Seeing no other cars in 3 hours of daylight birding along any roads in DE, or the northeast, is truly amazing. For Chris Bennett's maps and tips on birding Milford Neck click HERE and check the 4/27 report.

Next week we meet at Prime Hook Headquarters at 8 am to carpool to the State Wildlife Management Area. From our class schedule: "Walking is easy and tick-free along a gravel road through some very old forest. This is an excellent woods for migrants warblers, and for Yellow-throated Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker and Barred Owl."

Bill