What's New

See the 2009 Bird-a-Thon results! Many thanks to all our sponsors, participants, and Bill Stewart, who orchestrated the whole event!

The DOS photo contest -- Several members sent in many photos for consideration as headers for the site. We tallied the votes, and there were some ties! Therefore, we will configure several for use as the banner photo, revolving them occasionally (e.g., seasonally). The first header is a lovely composition of Port Mahon, by new member, Sarah Lebo. Others who deserve special mention are Kim Steininger, Maurice Barnhill, Derek Stoner, and Marie Gardner. The current photo was chosen for merits, ability to scale properly to fit the constrained space, as well as seaonality. Others will be used as appropriate and as the mood strikes the editorial staff!
See more at the Image Gallery

White Clay Creek, Maurice Barnhill

(photos by Maurice Barnhill & Kim Steininger)

Bird-A-Thon

The 2009 Delaware Bird-A-Thon
A Bird-A-Thon is a fundraiser much like a walk-a-thon or bike-a-thon where individuals or teams count the number of different bird species seen or heard in a 24 hour period. Each participant collects pledges from family, friends, relatives, neighbors or businesses for each species found. [more]

What you can do to save the Red Knot: Support the Delaware Bird-A-Thon which helps raise money to purchase bayfront property as a shorebird sanctuary.
-David Sibley, March 2008

Dupont Environmental Education Center Opening Sept. 19th

DUPONT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER TO OPEN SEPT. 19
AT RUSSELL W. PETERSON URBAN WILDLIFE REFUGE

(Wilmington, DE) June 4, 2009 — The DuPont Environmental Education
Center at the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge on
Wilmington’s Riverfront will open to the public on Saturday, September
19 at 10 a.m.

Bird-friendly Coffee

Looking for 100% organic, shade-grown coffee from a local source? Golden Valley Farms produces the only coffee to be endorsed by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. Support the environment, fair-trade, and a local, bird-friendly business...

News and Events

Keep your eyes out for Kestrels, then...submit your Kestrel sightings!

The Delaware Birding Trail

Be sure to visit the Delaware Birding Trail site for information on this exciting initiative in the State. DOS is a sposoring partner in this effort. You can order a FREE trail guide from there!

The 2nd Delaware Breeding Bird Atlas
A cooperative project among

several groups including the DOS, DNS, DNREC...
[more]

Support Reauthorization of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act
The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) of 2000, established a matching grants program that supports bird conservation in the US, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. These projects promote and foster the long- term conservation of neotropical migratory birds and their habitats. However, each year, grant requests far exceed the program's available funding.

NMBCA has a proven record of making a difference for neotropical migratory birds, and the reauthorization and appropriated funding should be significantly increased. H.R. 5756, introduced by Reps Kind (D-WI) and Gilchrest (R- MD) will reauthorize NMBCA at $20 million.

[learn more]

Youth Birding

If you have kids or know a young person interested in birds, invite them to join the Delaware Dunlins Youth Birders Club. Sponsored and supported by DOS, these school-aged student members head afield to pursue the joys of birding that hooked us all at the beginning. Learn more [PDF brochure]...