Delaware Ornithological Society

DOS December Meeting: Annual "For DOS, by DOS" short presentations by DOS members
2025-12-17 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Ashland Nature Center, 3511 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, DE, 19707, United States
The December member meeting will feature several short talks by DOS members on activities managed, coordinated and implemented by DOS members and partner organizations. The talks will generally be 10-15 minute overviews of activities implemented over the past year. Speakers will be announced soon.

This meeting will be in person at Ashland Nature Centerl.

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

Youth Birders: Wilmington Christmas Bird Count
2025-12-20 08:30 - 10:30
Snow Geese by Carolyn Holland

Join us for the 126th annual Christmas Bird Count! We will be counting all of the birds we can see and hear to help track continent-wide trends in bird diversity and abundance. The data collected is used by scientists working to protect bird habitats and populations.

Location to be determined.

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

January Meeting: "Update on the Delaware Shorebird Project" by Kat Christie
2026-01-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Ashland Nature Center, 3511 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, DE, 19707, United States
Summary: Shorebirds are an important part of the ecology of Delaware’s shorelines. But they are under threat; populations are declining. DNREC’s Delaware Shorebird Project works to mitigate that threat, through research and monitoring, habitat protection, and management planning. The Shorebird Project team has conducted research and monitoring since 1997. They have studied the health and status of several shorebird populations. These include the Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Semipalmated Sandpiper and the federally threatened rufa subspecies of the Red Knot. The professional staff and dedicated volunteers of the Project are part of a team that includes state and federal scientists, local and international researchers, local volunteers and birders who collect high-quality data.

Kat is the Coastal Waterbird Biologist for the state of Delaware, overseeing ongoing projects to meet conservation goals for coastal species including those listed as threatened or endangered at the state or federal level. Projects include long distance migratory shorebird monitoring during their Delaware Bay spring stopover, colonial waterbird survey efforts, and beach nesting bird protections.

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!

Late Afternoon Bird Walk at the DuPont Environmental Education Center/Russell W. Peterson Refuge with Joe Francis
2026-01-25 15:00 - 17:00
Field Sparrow by Carolyn Holland

Explore Delaware’s Premier Urban Wildlife Refuge!

Close the week with an easy walk along the Jack A Markell Trail at the Peterson Refuge near the Wilmington Riverfront. We will begin about 2 hours before sundown and cover about 2 miles, mostly on boardwalk with a bit of woodland trail thrown in. The sights and sounds of a freshwater marsh in evening are a great stress-reliever and will fortify you for the week ahead.

Meet by the Russell Peterson statue in the parking area for the DuPont Environmental Education Center. Those interested in more information may contact Joe at jfrancismd@verizon.net.

DOS February Meeting: Annual Christmas Count Recap
2026-02-18 19:00 - 21:00
Join host Jim White and other Christmas Count compilers for a recap of all the exciting discoveries during the 2024-2025 Christmas Counts. Each compiler will summarize the highlights of their count and discuss recent trends in bird populations.

This event will be held on line via Zoom. A zoom link will be sent to all DOS members via email. If you are not a member, you can request a zoom link by clicking the button below.

Non-members click here to request Zoom link

For DOS members only, there will be a link to a recording of the talk after the meeting. If you are not a member and want to attend virtually, please consider joining.

Raptors in Winter with Jim White
2026-02-22 08:00 - 16:00
Merlin by Carolyn Holland

A quest for Raptors in Winter!

Barred Owl by Shannon Modla

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!

Red-shouldered Hawk by Carolyn Holland

DOS members only -This trip is limited to 14 participants. Contact Jim at hylajwhite@aol.com to register or if you have any questions about this trip.

Meet at the Wilmington Airport, also known as the New Castle County Airport.

Sea Watch II with Chris Bennett & Anthony Gonzon
2026-03-14 08:00 - 12:00
Bufflehead by Carolyn Holland

Another chance to join Anthony and Chris for a brisk birding adventure at the Indian River Inlet!

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.

Fair Hill Bobolinks with Ian Stewart
2026-05-30 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.

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.

48th Annual Beginner's Shorebird Field Trip!
2026-07-25 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 25th, at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Smyrna, Delaware. This will be a Half Day trip – tailored for beginners, and is the 48th 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.

Spotted Sandpiper at Bear Swamp 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.
