First State National Historical Park - Brandywine Valley with Declan O'Neil
2025-05-04 08:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Blackburnian Warbler by Declan O’Neil

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

Please note that these trails can be muddy at times, 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 Declan at dobirding@gmail.com if you have any questions about this trip.

Cape Henlopen State Park with Gregory Gough
2025-05-04 08:00 - 11:00
Scarlet Tanager by Gregory Gough

Spend the morning birding at Cape Henlopen!

We’ll meet at the Fishing Pier parking lot & spend an hour there looking for scoters and loons. Then we’ll walk to the Nature Center targeting migratory and resident songbirds including brown-headed nuthatches. Next we’ll drive to the point and walk down to the bay shore to look for waterbirds with a focus on the rare piping plover. We can finish with a stop at the hawk watch platform scanning for raptors and swallows on the move. Park entry fees are in effect.

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

Alapocas Woods with Joe Francis
2025-05-07 07:30 - 11:00
Louisiana Waterthrush by Mary Braun

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 Joe at jfrancismd@verizon.net 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.

Redden State Forest with Chris Bennett
2025-05-10 08:00 - 12:00
Kentucky Warbler by Chris Bennett

Yellow-throated Warbler by Chris Bennett

Redden State Forest hosts a great diversity of bird life!

Well maintained trails and logging roads provide easy access to some of the best mixed pine/hardwood forest in southern Delaware. With luck we will see and hear a wide variety of forest nesting birds including breeding Kentucky, Worm-eating, Yellow-throated, Black-and-white and Pine Warblers, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Summer and Scarlet Tanager and Red-headed Woodpecker. Migrant songbirds including warblers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and thrushes are also possible. We will be hiking around 4 miles during this trip.

Ovenbird by Chris Bennett

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

Meet at the headquarters area

Mother's Day Walk at White Clay Creek with Judy Montgomery & Friends
2025-05-11 08:00 - 12:00
Wood Ducks by Michael Moore

The Traditional DOS Mother’s Day Walk

Join Judy Montgomery & friends on Mother’s Day for a walk at beautiful White Clay Creek State Park looking for local breeding birds and late migrants still passing through. Offered during the Delaware Bird-A-Thon.

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.

Pop-up trip to view "The Penguin Lessons"
2025-05-17 17:10 - 20:10
Showtime 5:10 pm 120 minutes, not rated, followed by dinner at the Chancery Food Court

Inspired by a true story!

Enjoy free parking for 3 hours & join friends to watch this movie inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman (Steve Coogan) who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. Expecting an easy ride, Tom discovers a divided nation and a class of unteachable students. However, after he rescues a penguin from an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside-down.

Afterward the movie stop by the Chancery Food Court for dinner.

Visit The Screening Room website for more information and to watch a trailer.

Contact Joe at president@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.

Youth Birders: White Clay Creek State Park - Wedgewood Road
2025-05-18 08:00 - 10:00
Chestnut-sided Warbler by Michael Moore

It’s time for migration mania! May is the peak time to see warblers, thrushes, flycatchers, vireosand more. On this trip, we will explore the Tri-Valley Trail as it travels along the creek to spot asmany migrating birds as we can find. Previous birding experience is not necessary! We supply loanerbinoculars.

*Annual parks pass or daily pass required.

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

Meet at parking area at the end of Wedgewood Road- 599 Wedgewood Road, Newark DE 19711

Nanticoke Wildlife Area - Phillips Landing with Anthony Gonzon ***Rescheduled from Saturday, 5/17 to Sunday, 5/18***
2025-05-18 08:00 - 11:00
Barred Owl by Chris Bennett

Note two meeting times & places for this trip!

Look for late migrants and nesting birds including barred owls, prothonotary warblers, summer tanager, and many more songbirds. May be buggy, so bring repellant and dress appropriately. A caravan will begin at the Route 299/Route 1 Park and Ride, departing at 6:30 sharp. No Conservation Access Pass required.

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

Northern participants, meet at 6:30am

Southern participants meet at 8:00am

Pea Patch Island Heronry with Declan O’Neil
2025-05-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-01 10:00 - 12:00
Great Blue Herons by Declan O’Neil

Greater Yellowlegs by Declan O’Neil

Pea Patch Island, a small island located in the middle of the Delaware River, is well known for its rookery of wading birds including Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Glossy Ibis, and more! On this trip, take a ferry ride to the island and see the rookery for yourself from the new viewing platform. Other expected species are Bald Eagles, Osprey, gulls, terns, and various shorebirds and songbirds.

After the walk has concluded, you may feel free to explore Fort Delaware, the Civil War-era fort on the island, which is included in the cost of your ferry ticket! You might also consider packing a picnic lunch.

Ferry tickets can be purchased from the Delaware State Parks website.

Be sure to select the correct date and time (10:00 am) so we can all ride over as a group.

Great Egrets by Declan O’Neil

Please contact Declan at Declan@dosbirds.org providing your name & contact information to let us know if you plan to attend.

Meet at the ferry dock at 45 Clinton Street in Delaware City and remember that the ferry leaves promptly at 10:00am, so please arrive a few minutes early.

DOS May Meeting: "Presentations by University of Delware Students"
2025-05-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Ashland Nature Center, 3511 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, DE, 19707, United States
Doors open at 7:00 pm. Come early to socialize and meet DOS officers and the rest of the birding community! Meeting and live stream begin at 7:30 pm.

Join us for one of the most popular meetings of the year where 3 students doing research on birds at the University of Delaware will make short presentations about their research.

The May DOS meeting will feature important business updates, including budget, future dues, officer elections, and sharing of our strategic plan draft.

The highlight will be 3 student presentations from University of Delaware students describing the research they are doing using Doppler radar, MOTUS tracking, and other tools to make sense of migratory patterns and dependence on forest ecosystems. And 2 of the presentations feature Saw Whet Owls. Come and see the future of ornithology and photos of the some of the cutest owls around

Virginia Halterman, graduate student: “A local and regional spatial analysis of bird stopover distributions in the Great Lakes basin”

Forests in the Great Lakes basin provide essential stopover habitats for migratory birds. Given current and projected changes to the region’s land cover, it is important to understand how migratory bird stopover distributions reflect habitat availability. My project aims to increase the understanding of the role of finer-scale forest characteristics and landscape configuration on bird stopover densities. My collaborators and I are using Doppler weather radar data to measure bird stopover densities in the region. I will be discussing our efforts to investigate the role of patch area and fine-scale forest characteristics on stopover patterns. I will also be discussing how publicly-available LiDAR data can give us forest structure information across large areas. With our results we hope to highlight important stopover areas used by high densities of birds. Additionally, we hope to provide forest management information by investigating the relationships between different forest characteristics and stopover density.

Aaron Coolman, graduate student: “Spring is for Saw Whets”

Eli Hevalow, Senior Thesis: “Fall is for Saw Whets”

The meeting is held in person at Ashland Nature Center and is streamed online via YouTube Live. The in person meeting is open to everyone, but the YouTube Live presentation is for DOS members only.

Members in good standing will receive an email with the link to YouTube Live prior to the meeting. If you are not a member and would like to attend virtually, please consider joining DOS.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Pea Patch Island Heronry with Declan O’Neil
2025-05-25 10:00 - 12:00
Great Blue Herons by Declan O’Neil

Greater Yellowlegs by Declan O’Neil

Pea Patch Island, a small island located in the middle of the Delaware River, is well known for its rookery of wading birds including Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Glossy Ibis, and more! On this trip, take a ferry ride to the island and see the rookery for yourself from the new viewing platform. Other expected species are Bald Eagles, Osprey, gulls, terns, and various shorebirds and songbirds.

After the walk has concluded, you may feel free to explore Fort Delaware, the Civil War-era fort on the island, which is included in the cost of your ferry ticket! You might also consider packing a picnic lunch.

Ferry tickets can be purchased from the Delaware State Parks website. Be sure to select the correct date and time (10:00) so we can all ride over as a group.

Great Egrets by Declan O’Neil

Please contact Declan at Declan@dosbirds.org providing your name & contact information to let us know if you plan to attend.

Meet at the ferry dock at 45 Clinton Street in Delaware City and remember that the ferry leaves promptly at 10:00am, so please arrive a few minutes early.

Killens Pond State Park with Chris Bennett
2025-06-14 08:00 - 12:00
***This trip replaces the one previously scheduled to the Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Area***

Woodlands at Killens Pond by Chris Bennett

Summer Tanager by Chris Bennett

In search of summer residents!

Located near the geographic center of Delaware, Killens Pond provides habitat for a wide variety of birds. We will walk approximately 3 miles along the Pondside Trail in search of resident nesting bird species. We should get great looks at Prothonotary Warbler, Ovenbird, Wood Thrush, Acadian and Great Crested Flycatcher and Scarlet and Summer Tanager. With luck we may hear or see Barred Owl.

Entry fee or State Park pass required.

Yellow-throated Warbler by Chris Bennett

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

Meet in the Sports Complex Parking Lot

Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Area with Chris Bennett
2025-06-14 08:00 - 12:00
***Due to an overabundance of ticks at this location, this trip has been relocated to Killens Pond State Park*** Please view the Killens Pond trip posting for further information & meeting place.

Kentucky Warbler by Chris Bennett

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

Fair Hill Bobolinks & Blueberries with Ian Stewart
2025-06-21 08:00 - 11:00
Bobolink by Ian Stewart

See Bobolinks up close!

We will explore the rolling grasslands of Fair Hill NRMA just over the Maryland border in search of breeding Bobolinks and Meadowlarks, then head into the woods in search of other breeding birds. Fair Hill is an excellent place to see these declining grassland birds thanks to local conservation efforts. We will then drive 5 minutes to the nature center to look for warblers and other songbirds along Big Elk Creek. Participants are welcome to end the day at a nearby U-pick blueberry farm, which is a great place to watch Gray Catbirds!

Bobolinks by Ian Stewart

NRMA Daily Pass in effect ($5 for non-residents) so bring cash. We will meet at Parking lot #3 at the intersection of Appleton Road and Black Bridge Rd (aka North Appleton Parking lot).

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

Annual DOS Picnic and Bird-a-thon Awards
2025-06-21 13:00 - 17:00 | Delaware Wildlands Headquarters, 315 Taylors Bridge Rd, Townsend, Delaware, 19734, United States
Annual DOS Picnic & Bird-A-Thon Awards

June 21st; 1-5 pm at the Delaware Wildlands Headquarters**Food truck from 1-3pm**

Fun, friends and free food in a beautiful setting. What more could you want? Come join us the annual DOS picnic for all of the above and more.

We are happy to announce that the Annual Delaware Ornithological Society picnic with Bird-A-Thon results and awards announcements, will be on June 21th from 1-5 pm at the Delaware Wildlands Headquarters, 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!

This year’s picnic features a food truck from Uncle John’s award-winning Barbeque. The menu includes vegetarian options. See the menu here. All food is provided free by DOS. The food truck will have soft drinks, but you may want to bring your own if you prefer something else. Bringing a lawn chair might not be a bad idea either.

There is enough space indoors if it rains, so the party is on rain or shine.

Reminder: all Bird-A-Thon funds and checklists must be submitted by June 15th 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!

47th Annual Beginner's Shorebird Field Trip!
2025-07-12 08:00 - 12:00
Shorebirds for Beginners at Bombay Hook!

Delaware Ornithological Society (DOS) is sponsoring a Beginner’s Shorebird Field Trip on Saturday, July 12th, at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Smyrna, Delaware. This will be a Half Day trip – tailored for beginners, and is the 47th consecutive outing for this popular field trip. “Par” is 15 species of shorebirds, usually a challenging goal, because arrival dates, water levels and weather conditions all change year to year.

Black-necked Stilt by Carolyn Holland

Emphasis is on basics of shorebird identification for beginners, although there are always several experienced birders to assist. Pace is slow – everyone should see each shorebird species satisfactorily. While this is not a photography workshop, our slow pace allows for photographic experimentation and networking. There will be some “prizes” awarded for categories not yet determined! Drinks and snacks advised, as well as sunscreen, bug spray and a hat. An optional, informal tally luncheon is usually held following the trip at a local eatery.

Refuge fees are in effect – $4 per car, or free entry with a 2024-2025 season duck stamp (or other special passes). This would be a fine opportunity to recycle your lightly used, expired prior season duck stamp(s) – Donate it/them to support the DOS Bird-a-Thon!

Trip leader is Bob Rufe – rrufe1@aol.com – please email Bob to let him know you’re planning to participate, or if you have any questions. A few “loaner” binoculars will be available, please contact leader to request if needed.More information on Bombay Hook NWR is available at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Bombay_Hook/

We will meet in the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center parking lot in Smyrna, DE at 8 a.m. and wrap up by noon.

Shorebirds at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge with Declan O'Neil
2025-08-23 08:00 - 11:00
American Avocets by Carolyn Holland

Here’s another chance to study shorebirds this summer!

Semi-palmated Plover by Carolyn Holland

Take a spin around the auto loop of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge to see a diverse array of shorebirds and waders.

We will make stops at Raymond, Shearness, and Bear Swamp Pools to see how many species we can find gorging themselves on the mudflats as they prepare for migration.

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

Refuge fees are in effect – $4 per car, or free entry with a 2025-2026 season duck stamp (or other special passes). More information on Bombay Hook NWR is available at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Bombay_Hook/

We will meet in the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center parking lot.

Ashland Migrant Walk with Jim White
2025-09-10 08:00 - 11:00
Magnolia Warbler by Carolyn Holland

Migrant Bird Walk at Ashland!

Join Jim White for a ramble along the Red Clay Creek at Ashland Nature Center in search of warblers and other neotropical migrants! Bring your binoculars and spotting skills.

Meet in the parking lot of Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin DE at 8:00 am.

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

Youth Birders: Back to Basics Walk at Bellevue State Park
2025-09-13 08:00 - 10:00
Carolina Chickadee by Michael Moore

If you are new to birding or want a refresher on the basics, then this walk is for you! We willlearn about common birds, how to find them, and how to use binoculars to observe them. Forreturning families, this is a great opportunity to get your bird-curious friends hooked on thehobby! We supply loaner binoculars.*Annual parks pass or daily pass required.

NOTE: All youth birders must be accompanied by an adult until they are old enough to drive themselves to the trip!

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

Meet at the parking lot near the band shell.

DOS September Meeting: "Make it meaningful: Interpretation and Adult Learning on Field Trips" by Todd Klawinski
2025-09-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Ashland Nature Center, 3511 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, DE, 19707, United States
Summary: Learn how to lead field trips that truly connect. We will look at how to turn facts into stories, engage diverse groups, and handle real-world challenges with confidence. Leave with practical techniques you can use right away

Dr. Todd Klawinski is the Director of Education for the Delaware Nature Society (DelNature). He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Wilmington University and has over two decades of experience as an educator, biologist, and advocate for environmental literacy. Todd began his career studying pinelands ecosystems at Stockton University in southern New Jersey and doing field research at Rutgers University Cooperative Extension. He later taught Biology and Environmental Science, led zoo education programs in Texas, and helped integrate outdoor learning and sustainability into Delaware public schools. Todd continues to champion hands-on environmental and sustainability education. He’s passionate about connecting people from young learners to adults with nature while fostering kind, engaged communities.

Raptor Identification at Herring Point with Bruce Peterjohn & Gregory Gough
2025-09-20 08:00 - 12:00
Peregrine Falcon by Gregory Gough

Join us at Herring Point!

Join local experts Bruce Peterjohn and Gregory Gough at Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park, a premier hawk watching location where hundreds of raptors may be seen in a day. Bruce is the foremost ornithologist in Sussex County, a long-time hawk counter, and chair of the Delaware Bird Records Committee. Greg is a former Avian Ecologist at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and a recent transplant to the county. They’ll teach you the finer points of identifying migratory falcons and hawks. After the session participants may tour the live hawk watching station elsewhere in the park. And who knows, you may be inspired to become a volunteer at one of Delaware’s long-term raptor migration monitoring sites!

In case of foggy or rainy weather this trip will be cancelled since the raptors won’t be flying. Leaders will try to give 24 hours notice so stay tuned to this posting for updates & DOS members can check their email.

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

Meet at Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park

The group will meet & observe from the bluff overlooking the ocean, bring a scope if you have one. There are two parking areas at Herring Point, but the smaller one closest to the ocean fills quickly so you may have to park in the large parking lot at the bottom of the hill & walk up from there.

Entry fee or State Park pass will be required.

Bird Walk at Bombay Hook
2025-09-27 08:00 - 10:00
Photo by Michael Moore

Explore the Forest Discovery Tree Trail at Bombay Hook!

The Delaware Ornithological Society is sponsoring a bird walk utilizing the newly completed Forest Discovery Tree Trail (2.7 miles) and lasting approximately 2 hours. The walk will take place rain-or-shine unless the weather is extreme (check www.DOSBirds.org or the DOS Facebook page). Bring sturdy shoes that can stand mud and moisture; water bottle; insect repellent; and, of course, binoculars if you have them (loaners will be available).

We’ll meet in the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center parking lot in Smyrna, DE.

Refuge fees are in effect – $4 per car, or free entry with a 2025-2026 season duck stamp (or other special passes).

Contact Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org if you have any questions about this trip.More information on Bombay Hook NWR is available at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Bombay_Hook/

Cape Henlopen Fall Migrants with Chris Bennett
2025-09-27 08:00 - 12:00
Marsh along the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal seen from the Saltmarsh Spur Trail, by Chris Bennett

Explore diverse habitats seeking fall migrants at Cape Henlopen!

Songbirds, seabirds, shorebirds, raptors and more can be seen in Cape Henlopen State Park’s diverse habitats during fall migration. From the Point to Herring Point and in the forests in between we will hopefully find both common migrants and uncommon or rare vagrants. We will walk trails which can have both ticks and chiggers. Insect repellent is recommended. State Park entrance fee is in effect.

View along Gordon’s Pond Trail by C. Bennett

Lesser Black-backed Gull by C. Bennett

Brown-headed Nuthatch by C. Bennett

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

Meet at the Fishing Pier parking lot.

Youth Birders: Burrows Run Preserve
2025-09-28 08:00 - 10:00
Palm Warbler (Yellow) by Carolyn Holland

On this trip, we will be exploring fall songbird migration in Delaware. We will look for migrating warblers, flycatchers, thrushes, and raptors as they move through the region on their way south to their wintering grounds in Central and South America. This site is not open to the public except during guided programs, so this walk is a great chance to explore a less-visited part of the piedmont!There are no entrance fees for this site.

NOTE: All youth birders must be accompanied by an adult until they are old enough to drive themselves to the trip!

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

Ashland Clinton School Road, Greenville DE 19807- meet at the gate just uphill from theintersection of Ashland Clinton School Road and Center Mill Road

First State National Historical Park with Declan O'Neil
2025-10-06 08:00 - 11:00
***Please note change of date – rescheduled from October 5***

Connecticut Warbler by Declan O’Neil

Lincoln’s Sparrow by Declan O’Neil

Explore the Brandywine Valley!

Explore the exquisite Brandywine Valley tract of First State National Historical Park in search of some delightfully confusing fall warblers and sparrows.

As the morning sun first hits the trees, we’ll take a slow stroll along the creekside trail. Afterwards, we will cross the new bridge and loop back around through the woods.

In addition to the usual suspects, specialty targets seen in past seasons include Lincoln’s Sparrow and Connecticut Warbler.

Tennessee Warbler by Declan O’Neil

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

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

Harry's Pond in Autumn with Amy O'Neil***Rescheduled for Friday, 10/10 @8:00am-9:30am, due to imminent rain!***
2025-10-08 08:00 - 09:30
Harry’s Pond in Autumn by Amy O’Neil

How many species of birds visit or reside at Harry’s Pond?

Come out for a seasonal stroll around Harry’s Pond and find out what makes this little retention pond such a special and fun place to visit. It’s a small oasis amidst a busy shopping center, which makes it the perfect place for birds (and busy birders) to frequent. This fall walk will be the first in a series – we’ll drop in once each season to see what we can find. Spring migrants? Winter waterfowl? Summer nesters? They’re all here tucked away, just waiting to be found! The pace will be leisurely, and most walking will be on paved paths or flat grassy areas.

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

We’ll meet by the entrance to the pond most easily accessible from the parking lot by the security building past Tutor Time. Be careful of toddlers getting dropped off in the morning when driving in!

Harry's Pond in Autumn with Amy O'Neil ***Rescheduled from Wednesday, 10/8, due to rain***
2025-10-10 08:00 - 09:30

Cape May with Declan O'Neil
2025-10-10 17:30 - 19:00
October 11 @ 7:00 am – 3:00 pm EDT

Broad-winged Hawk by Declan O’Neil

Experience fall migration at Cape May!

Known as “the birding Mecca,” Cape May, New Jersey has a legendary status among birders for good reason! Its location at the tip of a narrow peninsula funnels in migrating birds and provides a birding experience unlike any other. Join us for this special two-day trip targeting migrant songbirds and raptors!

We will begin Friday evening with a sunset stroll around South Cape May Meadows preserve followed by a group dinner and pick up again bright and early Saturday morning to see migration in action, visiting Higbee Beach WMA, the Northwood Center of Cape May Bird Observatory and Cape May Point State Park, finishing up on the iconic Hawk Watch Platform.

Black-throated Green Warbler by Declan O’Neil

Please note that participants are responsible for their own overnight accommodations if they plan to attend both days.

Please contact Declan at Declan@dosbirds.org to sign up for this trip or if you have any questions.

Meet at South Cape May Meadows Friday evening.

Meet at Higbee Beach WMA Saturday morning.

October Meeting: "Here’s the latest poop on birds: What can we learn from our feathered friends’ feces?" by Dr. Jennifer Uehling
2025-10-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Ashland Nature Center, 3511 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, DE, 19707, United States
Summary: Though most people bemoan the presence of bird poop, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure! Dr. Jenny Uehling will explore what we can learn from bird feces, covering topics such as DNA sequencing to identify bird diet and microplastic identification and quantification. Understanding what birds are eating, and how it can expose them to potentially helpful nutrients or harmful pollutants, allows us to better understand the relationship between diet, survival, reproductive success, and bird declines.

Dr. Jenny Uehling is an assistant professor at West Chester University. She started at West Chester University as an assistant professor in Fall 2023. Before arriving at WCU, she received a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University in spring 2023 and my B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Chicago in 2015. A native of the Philadelphia area, she graduated from Springfield Township High School in Montgomery County. She am passionate about teaching, mentoring students in research, and making science accessible to everyone. When not pondering bird behavior or working with students, she enjoys running and eating ice cream. She is also a diehard Phillies fan!

The meeting is held in person at Ashland Nature Center and is streamed online via YouTube Live. The in person meeting is open to everyone, but the YouTube Live presentation is for DOS members only.

Members in good standing will receive an email with the link to YouTube Live prior to the meeting. If you are not a member and would like to attend virtually, please consider joining DOS.

We look forward to seeing you soon!
