Delaware Ornithological Society

Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area with Anthony Gonzon
2025-04-06 08:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Northern Bobwhite by Michael Moore

Northern Bobwhites live here!

Listen for Northern Bobwhite at the last remaining Delaware stronghold. We will spend time scanning fields and marshes and take a short walk through coastal woodlands. Expect early migrants and lingering winter birds. Dress appropriately. A Conservation Access Pass is required.

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

Meet at Collins Landing.

Youth Birders: Back to Basics Walk at Bellevue State Park ***Cancelled***
2025-04-06 08:30 - 10:30
Eastern Bluebird by Carolyn Holland

If you are new to birding or want a refresher on the basics, then this walk is for you! We will learnabout common birds, how to find them, and how to use binoculars to observe them. For currentfamilies, this is a great opportunity to get your bird-curious friends hooked on the hobby!Participants will play bird bingo and new families will receive an information kit with resources forgetting started. This walk is sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited in Hockessin, DE. We supply loaner binoculars.

*Annual parks pass or daily pass required

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

Meet at the parking lot near the band shell.

Augustine Wildlife Area with Anthony Gonzon
2025-04-19 13:00 - 16:00
Caspian Tern by Carolyn Holland

Spend the afternoon birding!

Meet at the Ashton Tract to look for neotropical migrants, waterfowl, raptors, terns, gulls and lingering winter birds. We will visit the Ashton Tract and Port Penn wetlands. Conservation Access Pass required.

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

DOS April Meeting: "Functional Morphology and the Origin of Long-distance Migration in Nightingale-thrushes (Turdidae: Catharus)" by Matt Halley
2025-04-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, 19807, United States
NOTE THIS IS A SPECIAL MEETING AT THE DELAWARE MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE.

Doors open at 6:30 pm. Come early to socialize and meet DOS officers and the rest of the birding community!

The nightingale-thrushes (genus Catharus) are a clade of (mostly) American songbirds with diverse migratory strategies. With large datasets of molecular and morphometric characters, Halley and colleagues have resolved phylogenetic relationships, described new species and subspecies, identified and modeled migration-related morphological characters, and estimated ancestral states of those characters to infer evolutionary transitions in the migratory phenotype. The results indicate that (1) migratory behavior and its functional morphology are fundamentally linked and can be accurately modeled along a linear axis; (2) short distance and elevational migration were precursors to long distance migration; and (3) the homoplasy of the migratory phenotype, as noted by previous authors, may not have been caused by evolutionary convergence following independent origins of migration, as previously suggested, but successive “budding” of daughter lineages from a “persistent ancestor” in evolutionary stasis.

Dr. Matthew R. Halley is an ornithologist and historian from south-east Pennsylvania, who has authored dozens of research papers about bird evolution and the history of American science. He is the Assistant Curator of Birds at the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science (Wilmington, DE) and a Research Associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA), where he earned his Ph.D. in 2021. Halley’s research is wide-ranging and interdisciplinary, combining a variety of methods including phylogenetic analysis, population genetics, morphometric analysis, video cameras, audio recorders, tracking devices, and taxonomic study of preserved specimens. He has also uncovered a litany of unpublished primary sources, during the last decade, which have reshaped our understanding of historical figures like Alexander Wilson and John James Audubon, and the development of scientific ornithology in the United States.

The meeting is held in person at Delaware Museum of Nature and Science and online via Zoom software. The in person meeting is open to everyone, but the Zoom presentation is for DOS members only.

Members in good standing will receive an email with Zoom login info 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!

Youth Birders: Auburn Valley State Park
2025-04-27 08:00 - 10:00
Eastern Phoebe by Megan Kasprzak

At Auburn Valley State Park, we’ll enjoy the spring season with a tour through this uniquely historic landscape and discover how preserving historic features has created diverse habitats for birds of all kinds. If time and weather permit, we may plan for a picnic lunch on the grounds and stop to look at steam-powered cars at the Marshall Steam Museum. Previous birding experience is not necessary! We supply loaner binoculars.

Barn Swallow by Shannon Modla

*Annual parks pass or daily pass required

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

Young Eastern Phoebes by Shannon Modla

Meet at the Paper Mill Parking Lot off Benge Road- 698 Benge Road, Hockessin DE 19707

University of Delaware Farm & Ecology Woods with Blue Hen Birding
2025-04-27 08:00 - 11:00
Ecology Woods by Sam Melanson, President of Blue Hen Birding

Join Blue Hen Birding to explore the University of Delaware Farm & Ecology Woods!

Photo by Sam Melanson

A variety of habitats at the farm present great opportunities to observe a diversity of bird species. In the wetlands we can look for shorebirds, waders & ducks. Dr. Jeff Buler will lead us through Ecology Woods where we can find resident birds along with migrating wood warblers. Please be aware that the woodland trails are narrow & there may be logs or branches to walk over. Afterwards, as time permits we’ll walk around the farm’s fields to look for kestrels & other raptors. Participants should be prepared with bug spray and appropriate footwear as the woods & areas near the wetlands can be muddy.

Photo by Sam Melanson

This trip will be limited to 12 participants. Please email Carolyn at fieldtrips@dosbirds.org providing contact information to sign up for this trip or if you have any questions.

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).

Bennett's Pier Marsh with Joe Francis
2025-05-03 19:00 - 21:00
Bennett’s Pier Beach, photo courtesy of Delaware Wild Lands

Visit this year’s Bird-a-Thon Conservation Target!

We’re excited to be teaming with Delaware Wild Lands once more this year on a really special place at Milford Neck, one of the Delaware Bayshore’s largest and most ecologically significant areas.

Map view courtesy of Delaware Wild Lands

The parcel, located at Bennett’s Pier Beach, includes 43.6 acres of tidal marsh and beach habitat, and will preserve 1,500 linear feet of shoreline. It is one of the last unprotected parcels of the Milford Neck coastline and its protection will facilitate restoration of tidal hydrology in the surrounding marshes. The marshes here are some of the best in Delaware for high priority salt marsh specialists including Saltmarsh Sparrows and Black, Yellow, and Clapper Rails. Protecting the beach will benefit Horseshoe Crabs, Piping Plovers, Red Knots and other migratory shorebirds.

For those wanting to check the marsh out in the early evening before dusk, Joe will be stationed at the end of Bennett’s Pier Road along with staff from Delaware Wild Lands at 7 pm, which is about an hour before sunset. Keep your fingers crossed for Sedge Wren and other marsh birds! Then you can join Andy Ednie’s convoy as they make the full circuit for his Rail Trip.

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

Evening Rail Trip with Andy Ednie
2025-05-03 20:00 - 2025-05-04 00:00
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.

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

First State National Historical Park - Brandywine Valley with Declan O'Neil
2025-05-04 08:00 - 11:00
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.
