Delaware Ornithological Society

Annual DOS Picnic & Bird-A-Thon Awards
2023-06-29 16:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Roberts Farm, 315 Taylors Bridge Rd, Townsend, Delaware, 19734
Annual DOS Picnic & Bird-A-Thon Awards

June 29th; 4-7pm at the Roberts Farm

(Bird walk to precede picnic – arrive by 3:00 PM for the bird walk)

We are happy to announce that the Annual Delaware Ornithological Society picnic with Bird-A-Thon results and awards announcements, will be on June 29th from 4-7pm at the Roberts Farm, 315 Taylors Bridge Rd, Townsend, DE 19734 (map below). We are, once again, very grateful to our friends at Delaware Wildlands for opening up their space for us!

There will be a brief bird walk offered at the Roberts Farm before the picnic; anyone interested in that walk should arrive at 3pm.

Burgers, veggie burgers, and hot dogs will be provided. We encourage everyone attending to sign-up to bring a salad, side-dish, or dessert to bring along and share. We will also need a few people willing to arrive early and to stay a few minutes late to help set-up and clean-up. To sign-up to help or to bring a dish, contact Mike Hudson at mike.p.hudson@gmail.com.

Reminder: all Bird-A-Thon funds and checklists must be submitted by June 17th to be counted; if you haven’t finished collecting your materials yet, you still have time to get them in!

We look forward to seeing you at the picnic!

Killen's Pond State Park with Chris Bennett
2023-06-17 08:00 - 12:00
Prothonotary Warbler by Michael Moore

Breeding specialties of southern Delaware

We will walk the 2.6 mile pondside trail in search of summer nesting birds including Prothonotary, Yellow-throated and Kentucky Warblers, Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos and other breeding birds of Delaware’s coastal plain forests.

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

Meet at the sports complex parking area, State Park fees in effect.

Youth Birders: Bellevue State Park
2023-06-11 08:00 - 10:00
White-eyed Vireo by Michael Moore

This trip will focus on the breeding birds in northern Delaware, including warblers, vireos, finches, catbirds and orioles. We will also look for acrobatic aerial insectivores like chimney swifts and purple martins. Binoculars will be available for participants to borrow. State park fees will be in effect.

Please RSVP to Jessica at redknotyouthbirders@gmail.com so we’ll know to expect you.

Meet at the parking lot by the park office. 800 Carr Road, Wilmington, DE 19809

Fair Hill Bobolink Trip with Ian Stewart
2023-06-03 08:00 - 12:00
Bobolink by Michael Moore

See Bobolinks up close!

Fair Hill NRMA nearby in Maryland boasts breeding Bobolinks, Grasshopper Sparrows, and Savannah Sparrows, all within easy view from numerous groomed trails throughout their grassland habitats. Excellent photographic opportunities within a short walk of the parking area where we’ll meet. Much of the time will be spent enjoying the Bobolinks and Sparrows tending their young, but we may also explore adjacent woodlands along the Big Elk Creek for additional species. The multiple management practices throughout the 5,656 acres will provide the potential for participants to note 60+ various bird species during our visit!

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip..

Meet at Parking Lot #3 (2895 Appleton Road) aka the North Appleton Parking Lot – Day fee in effect

Redden State Forest with Anthony Gonzon
2023-05-21 08:00 - 12:00
Yellow-throated Warbler by Chris Bennett

Redden State Forest – note two meeting times and places!

Join Anthony for a leisurely hike at two great birding hotspots in Redden State Forest! Target birds will include southern Delaware summer nesters such as Summer Tanager, Worm-eating Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler and more.

Northern participants can meet Anthony at 6:30 am at the Odessa Park & Ride at Routes 1 and 299. Southern participants can meet the group at the Redden State Forest Headquarters at 8:00 am.

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

Northern participants meet at 6:30 am

Southern participants meet at 8:00 am

Youth Birders: Ted Harvey Wildlife Management Area-Logan Lane Central Tract
2023-05-21 08:00 - 10:00
Greater Yellowlegs by Carolyn Holland

On our trip to Ted Harvey we will explore shorebird migration. From the parking area, we will walk along the roadway through the marsh and out onto the beach to look for shorebirds like sandpipers, plovers and the Red Knots that give our group its name. Binoculars and scopes will be available for participants to borrow. Conservation Access Pass required.

Please RSVP to Jessica at redknotyouthbirders@gmail.com so we’ll know to expect you.

DOS May Meeting: "Supporting Backyard Birds with Native Plants" by Leah Brooks
2023-05-17 19:00 - 21:00
From fruiting shrubs to seed-bearing wildflowers, native plants provide shelter and forage that are essential to our local birds. Take an in-depth look at how plants that add seasonal interest to the home garden also serve as lifelines for our feathered friends. Join Leah Brooks as she explores the intricate connections between native plants and the animals that have evolved alongside them.

Leah Brooks

Leah Brooks is Mt. Cuba’s Public Programs Assistant. She graduated from the University of Delaware with dual bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Science and Wildlife Ecology. She’s an avid contributor to the Delaware Native Plant Identification and Exchange group on Facebook. Her passion is sharing the joy of nature and native gardening with others.

Mother's Day Walk at White Clay Creek with Judy Montgomery & Mike Hudson
2023-05-14 08:00 - 12:00
Pileated Woodpecker by Michael Moore

The traditional DOS Mother’s Day walk

Come spend Mother’s Day at beautiful White Clay Creek State Park looking for local breeding birds and late migrants still passing through. Offered during the DE Bird-A-Thon (DBAT)

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

Meet at the Chambers House Nature Center off of Hopkins Road in Newark; State Park Fee/Pass required

Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Area with Chris Bennett
2023-05-13 08:00 - 12:00
Kentucky Warbler by Michael Moore

Forest Birding at Norman G. Wilder WLA

Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Area, located northwest of Felton in Kent County, is a mosaic of forest, fields and wetlands near the geographic center of Delaware. The site is a lightly birded area teeming with great breeding songbirds including Pine, Kentucky and Worm-eating Warblers, Ovenbirds, Yellow-throated Vireos, Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos and more. With luck, we may also find a nice variety of migrants as well. We will be walking a flat, unimproved road for a distance of about 4 miles. Helpfully offered during the week of the Delaware Bird-A-Thon for folks out for the count!

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

A Conservation Access Pass is required to park in the Wildlife Area parking lot where we will meet. The parking lot is located on Five Foot Prong Road near its junction with Firetower Road.

Alapocas Woods with Joe Francis
2023-05-13 07:30 - 10:30
***Weather Advisory*** Please bring your raingear for this trip! Joe is planning to be there rain or shine, hoping the morning rain will be light, & will only cancel if there is thunder & lightning. Birdcast is showing favorable migration for tonight and the rain may keep the migrants low.

Baltimore Oriole by Michael Moore

Explore Alapocas Woods

Visit an oasis within the city of Wilmington with good successional field habitat, mature woodlands and the Brandywine River. Target birds include migrating warblers and thrushes as well as the many summer and year-round residents. Helpfully offered during the week of the Delaware Bird-A-Thon for folks out for the count!

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

Meet at the Blue Ball Barn near the traffic circle on West Park Drive off Rt 141.

Blackbird State Forest with Ian Stewart
2023-05-07 08:00 - 11:00
Indigo Bunting by Michael Moore

Explore Blackbird State Forest!

In this twist on an old walk, we will explore the area around the headquarters of Blackbird State Forest followed by a convoy to some of its lesser known corners in search of specialty birds and fresh experiences! Helpfully offered during the week of the Delaware Bird-A-Thon for folks out for the count!

Meet in the main parking lot by the pavilion (there is a parking lot by the office as you enter but keep on going past that), accessed by the entrance along Rt 471 Blackbird Forest Rd (if you are coming from US 13 the entrance is on your left just after you pass the turn for Oliver Guessford Rd). There is no charge for admission to the state forest.

Limited to 20 participants so please let us know you’re coming with an RSVP to the email listed below!

Our leader is Ian Stewart, contact at itsacharliebrownchristmas@hotmail.com

39.34803243229926, -75.67710760438707

Cataldi Bird and Nature Walk with Matt Sarver
2023-05-06 08:30 - 10:30
Photo by Matt Sarver

Join Matt Sarver for a sneak preview nature walk to our 2022 Bird-a-thon property, the Cataldi Tract, soon to be part of Woodland Beach Wildlife Management Area. This property is not yet open to the public. We should expect to see a nice combination of marsh, forested wetlands, and wildflowers. Rubber boots are recommended. Come help us document the biodiversity on this new parcel!

Contact Matt at conservation@dos.org if you have any questions about this trip.

Meet at the parking lot across the street.

First State National Historic Park with Declan O'Neil
2023-05-03 07:30 - 11:00
Blackburnian Warbler by Declan O’Neil

Explore the Woodlawn Tract of First State National Historic Park, a lesser-known gem of northern New Castle County. With spring in full swing, we’ll be looking and listening for over 20 possible warbler species on our walk along the Brandywine, in addition to vireos, thrushes, sparrows and anything else migration has to offer us!

Please note that these trails can be muddy and there is a small stream crossing along the trail, so dress appropriately.

Meet in the parking lot on Ramsey Road across from Ramsey’s Farm. There is overflow parking (if necessary) in the lot down the road on Brandywine Creek Road.

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

Evening Rail Trip with Andy Ednie
2023-04-29 21:00 - 2023-04-30 01:00
**Please note weather advisory!! As of 7am on 4/29 this trip is a go!!! However, it could be rescheduled at the last minute if conditions change so make sure to let Andy know if you are planning to attend, you can contact him at the email address below.

Salt Marsh at Sunrise by Tim Freiday

Listen for rails after dark!

This may be the only field trip all year where no birds are seen….only heard! A four hour Rail bonanza (in the middle of the night!) targeting 7 species. Bring long boots and bug spray.

Our leader is Andy Ednie, please contact at ednieap@verizon.net if you plan to attend or have questions about this trip.

*All participants must be vaccinated to attend per request of the trip leader.

Meet at the Park & Ride at routes 299 & 1 in Middletown, opposite the Wawa.

University of Delaware Farm & Ecology Woods with Blue Hen Birding
2023-04-23 08:00 - 11:00
Little Blue Heron by Katie Bird, 4/23/2017, at UD Farm Wetlands

Green Heron by Katie Bird

Meet the Blue Hen Birders!

By special permission from the University of Delaware & hosted by Blue Hen Birding, a UD student organization, here is an opportunity for non-UD affiliated birders to explore the University of Delaware Farm & Ecology Woods to observe the many species of birds that can be found there. Be prepared with appropriate footwear as the areas near the wetlands can be muddy especially if we have rain prior to the trip.

This trip will be limited to 24 participants. You must fill out and submit the registration form by clicking the button below. Each form registers one participant so each participant must fill out a form. If the trip is full, the form will not be displayed.

Registration Form

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

Meet at the UDairy Creamery, 535 S College Ave, Newark DE & perhaps enjoy some ice cream after our walk! Parking must be paid by the hour using the Passport Parking App in Zone 755 (Lot 1 in front of the Fred Rust Ice Arena) or in Zone 756 (Lot 2 next to the UDairy Creamery & behind Townsend Hall).

Youth Birders: Bucktoe Creek Preserve
2023-04-23 08:00 - 11:00
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher by Michael Moore

This trip kicks off our exploration of spring migration! We will explore the trails searching for early migrant songbirds like phoebes, gnatcatchers and hopefully some warblers. Binoculars will be available for participants to borrow.

Please RSVP to Jessica at redknotyouthbirders@gmail.com so we’ll know to expect you.

Meet at the parking area. 432 Sharp Rd, Avondale PA 19311

DOS April Meeting: "For DOS by DOS" short presentations by DOS members
2023-04-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Ashland Nature Center, 3511 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, DE, 19707, United States
Rescheduled talk from earlier cancelation.

A DOS tradition. An opportunity for DOS members to make short presentations on any topic of their choice. We are still looking for additional speakers. Let us know if you are interested.

Featured Speakers:

Anthony Gonzon will speak on the role of the Delaware Bird Records Committee and its function in maintaining the official Delaware bird list. In addition, he will talk about how you can contribute bird sightings to help the committee.

Ian Stewart will speak about the MOTUS system for tracking the migration of tagged birds and how this has advanced our understanding of bird migration.

This talk will be held in person at Ashland Nature Center starting at 7:00 pm.

Nanticoke Wildlife Area - Phillips Landing with Anthony Gonzon
2023-04-16 08:00 - 12:00
Barred Owl by Chris Bennett

Nanticoke Wildlife Area – Phillips Landing, note two meeting times & places!

Join Anthony for a visit to the southwest corner of Delaware along the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek. Search for newly arrived migrants and summer residents, including Prothonotary and Worm-eating Warblers, and for year-round specialties like Barred Owls. Northern participants can meet Anthony at the Odessa Park & Ride at Routes 1 and 299 at 6:00 am. Southern participants can meet the group at Phillips Landing at 8:00 am. A Conservation Access Pass may be necessary for some locations.

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

Northern participants, meet at 6:00am

Southern participants meet at 8:00am

Youth Birders: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge
2023-03-19 08:30 - 10:30
Northern Pintail by Michael Moore

Tinicum Marsh is the largest remaining tidal freshwater marsh in Pennsylvania and on this field trip we will explore all that this fascinating urban wildlife refuge has to offer! Raptors, waterfowl, wading birds and other water birds are all possibilities for us to observe. We will bring scopes and binoculars for participants to borrow. There are no entrance fees for this refuge.

Please RSVP to Jessica at redknotyouthbirders@gmail.com so we’ll know to expect you.

Meet at the Visitor Center parking lot. 8601 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19153

DOS March Meeting: Annual Christmas Count Recap
2023-03-15 19:00 - 21:00
Usually held in January, this meeting was moved to March due to a scheduling conflict. Join host Jim White and other Christmas Count compilers for a recap of all the exciting discoveries during the 2022-2023 Christmas Counts. Each compiler will summarize the highlights of their count and discuss recent trends in bird populations.

This event will be held at Ashland Nature Center.

Sea Watch III with Chris Bennett & Anthony Gonzon
2023-03-12 08:00 - 12:00
Long-tailed Duck by Michael Moore

Last chance to join Anthony Gonzon and Chris Bennett for a brisk birding adventure at the Indian River Inlet this winter!

To be enjoyed at the Southside Day Use Area (parking lot on the south side of Indian River Inlet along the ocean). Come prepared for cold conditions and the seashore wind and bring your scope if you have one.

State Park entrance fees will be in effect. Participants should monitor the DOS website and social media for last minute changes due to weather or other conditions.

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

Waterfowl on the Susquehanna Flats with Andy Ednie
2023-02-26 08:00 - 12:00
Redheads by Michael Moore

New this Winter, Waterfowl at Perryville Community Park!

Join Andy Ednie for an opportunity to observe hundreds of Tundra Swans & ducks while studying a diversity of species. We’ll look for Canvasbacks & Redheads, Greater & Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Ducks, Hooded & Common Mergansers, Buffleheads & Ruddy Ducks just to name a few! If you have a spotting scope, bring it along.

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

*All participants must be vaccinated to attend per request of the trip leader.

Meet at the Rodger’s Tavern Museum parking lot, 259 Broad Street, Perryville, MD.

Youth Birders: Bombay Hook NWR Take Two
2023-02-19 08:30 - 10:30
Hooded Merganser by Michael Moore

This trip is all about waterfowl! Join us to explore numerous species of ducks and geese that move into the Mid-Atlantic region for the winter each year. We’ll be bringing scopes to make sure we get great looks, so don’t miss out!

Please RSVP to Jessica at redknotyouthbirders@gmail.com so we’ll know to expect you.

2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, DE 19977

DOS February Meeting: "Species limits and conservation of the Sharp-shinned Hawk complex" by Therese A. Catanach
2023-02-15 19:00 - 21:00
The Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) complex is widely distributed across the New World, breeding from western Alaska to Argentina. Although currently treated as a single species, based on size and plumage variation some authorities have suggested there may be multiple species of “Sharpie”. Using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences from over 50 samples, from across the geographic distribution of the group, we reconstructed an evolutionary tree (phylogeny) to test species limits in the A. striatus complex. In particular, we densely sampled across the Caribbean and the Neotropics, where 8 of the 10 recognized subspecies are breeding residents. Our findings confirm that Sharp-shinned Hawk is a complex of multiple species, including several unique and geographically restricted lineages with small populations, which are of special conservation concern.

Dr. Therese Catanach is an ornithologist and entomologist who studies the evolutionary biology of hawks and eagles (Accipitridae) and their associated feather lice. They hold two doctoral degrees, one in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (University of Illinois), and the other in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (Texas A&M University). They have been a Research Associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA) since January 2016, and have conducted fieldwork around the world including in the United States, Philippines, Tanzania, Kenya, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, South Africa, Swaziland, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Argentina, and the islands of Dominica (West Indies) and Ascension (South Atlantic).

The meeting is held online via Zoom software.

Members will receive an email with Zoom login info prior to the meeting. If you are not a member and would like to attend, please use the button below to request login info which is available a few days before the meeting.

We look forward to ‘seeing’ you soon!

Request Zoom Login

Raptors in Winter with Jim White (DOS Members Only)
2023-02-12 08:00 - 16:00
Northern Harrier by Michael Moore

New this year, a quest for Raptors in Winter!

A full day quest for raptors that may be found in our area during the winter months. We will visit several areas in Delaware and while we will include owls in our search, no tape recordings will be used to call them in. Bring snacks, lunch etc. There is typically a stop around lunchtime at Wawa/Royal Farms/etc. to refuel. Be sure to dress appropriately for extended periods of time in the mid-winter elements!

DOS members only – MUST contact Jim if you’d like to attend, registration is required (302) 593-9622

Meet in the parking lot at Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, DE.

Youth Birders: DOS Sea Watch, Indian River Inlet-Southside Day Use Area
2023-01-22 08:00 - 12:00
Long-tailed Duck by Michael Moore

This is a great opportunity to see sea ducks, loons, gulls and other fun ocean-going species. There might even be a seal sighting! This trip is in conjunction with the full DOS membership. Youth birding leaders will be present for the whole morning, but feel free to stop by for only an hour or two if that is what your schedule allows. We will have loaner scopes and binoculars available.

More details here: Sea Watch II with Chris Bennett & Anthony Gonzon – Delaware Ornithological Society (dosbirds.org)

Please RSVP to Jessica at redknotyouthbirders@gmail.com so we’ll know to expect you.

Sea Watch II with Chris Bennett & Anthony Gonzon
2023-01-22 08:00 - 12:00
Long-tailed Duck by Michael Moore

Two more opportunities remain to join Anthony Gonzon and Chris Bennett for brisk birding adventures at the Indian River Inlet this winter! January 22, 2023 – 8am until 12pm March 12, 2023 – 8am until 12pm

To be enjoyed at the Southside Day Use Area (parking lot on the south side of Indian River Inlet along the ocean). Participants should monitor the DOS website and social media for last minute changes due to weather or other conditions.

Come prepared for cold conditions and the seashore wind and bring your scope if you have one.

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

DOS January Meeting: "Witness to the River of Raptors in Vera Cruz, Mexico" by John Mercer
2023-01-18 19:00 - 21:00
Note: The traditional January CBC recap has been moved to March due to a scheduling conflict.

A photographic travelogue of a trip with Hawk Mountain and ProNatura to watch the River of Raptors in Vera Cruz, Mexico. A chronological tour of what we did and what we saw, with pictures of birds , sites and interesting critters, but mostly birds. A terrific trip especially for raptor lovers, but we also did a lot of other birding and some cultural visits, making this a well rounded and delightful trip.

John Mercer has been a serious birder since January 2005 although he always had an interest in birds. He is a member of the West Chester Bird Club and the Treasurer and Field Trips Committee Chair for the club. He lead beginning and Meadow bird walks at Longwood for several years until Covid put a stop to it and would like to get back to doing that. He says he is a birder who takes pictures, not a photographer who shoots birds, so he has some nice pictures and some not so nice. He eBirds frequently, but has no real concern for his list, He is more proud of getting a picture of the birds on his life list, currently, at 91%. His eBird list is 812 birds, but does not include birds of Australia, Hong Kong and Costa Rica from before he started eBird, so the actual list is around 1000.

Midwinter Bird Walk at Alapocas with Sally O'Byrne
2023-01-18 08:30 - 12:00
Dark-eyed Junco by Michael Moore

Explore Alapocas Woods for wintering birds

Come out and get to know some of the birds that are at home in the woods and fields during winter!

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

Meet at the Blue Ball Barn near the traffic circle on West Park Drive off Rt 141.

Youth Birders: Brandywine Creek State Park, Thompson's Bridge section
2023-01-15 08:30 - 10:30
Belted KIngfisher by Michael Moore

This is a nice forested out-and-back trail along the Brandywine. We will look for winter birds like sparrows, finches and juncoes, as well as any ducks or other water birds along the creek. No state park fees are in effect this month.

Please RSVP to Jessica at redknotyouthbirders@gmail.com so we’ll know to expect you.

Meet in the parking lot at 4017 Thompson’s Bridge Road.
