Late Afternoon Bird Walk Report by Joe FrancisLocation: DuPont Environmental Education Center/Russell W. Peterson RefugeDate: February 18, 2024 The second monthly Peterson Refuge walk for 2024 was joined by 18 hardy observers plus two accompanying parents and included several newcomers to birding. Sunny and clear and, though the temperature reached 43 F, a steady wind … Read more
Trip Date: October 14th, 2023Trip Leader: Ian Stewart The weather forecast for Saturday October 14th looked ominous all week, but six hardy birders still showed up for the first ever DOS walk at this hidden gem near downtown Kennett Square. This park has two large ponds surrounded by woodlands and grassy meadows, and the well-maintained … Read more
October 28, 2023By Joe Francis Hunter’s Moon by Carolyn Holland This was the Inaugural afternoon/evening bird walk at DEEC and attracted 14 birders including many new to DOS field trips to enjoy glorious Indian Summer weather. Highlights included great views of Bald Eagle, Great Egret, newly arrived Green-winged Teal, and resplendent male Red-winged Blackbirds showing … Read more
8 September 2023Trip Leader: Declan O’Neil On Friday evening, September 8th, I met with six intrepid birders in the parking lot of South Cape May Meadows Preserve, or “The Meadows” for short. It was a little warm and a little humid, but pleasantly breezy with no bugs to speak of, so we couldn’t complain. Already, … Read more
by Chris Bennett White-eyed Vireo by Carolyn Holland. Saturday, May 13, 2023 – 8:00 am to 12:30 pmLeaders: Chris Bennett, Anthony GonzonParticipants: Five Weather: Overcast with a brief period of light rain around 9 am – then continued overcast for remainder of the trip. Temperature in the low 70s with humidity above 75%. For those … Read more
Great Blue Heron by Carolyn Holland Our annual Mother’s Day walk was held on Sunday May 14th in the beautiful White Clay Creek State Park. Park gates opened at 8am, and we gathered with high hopes of warblers! Hedges yielded Indigo Buntings, both Baltimore and Orchard orioles, and many American Redstarts. Wood Thrush and Ovenbirds were … Read more
by John Dunn On Sunday the 7th of May, 13 excited birders had a fun morning at Blackbird State Forest led by ornithologist Ian Stewart. We started off at the popular Tybout Tract with great looks at Wood Thrush, Veery, and Acadian Flycatcher, and were serenaded by Ovenbirds and Scarlet Tanagers as we strolled through … Read more
By Joe Francis Northern Waterthrush by Sarah Zaritsky Seven intrepid, Gortex-clad birders braved the elements on Saturday, May 13, to census the entirety of Alapocas Run State Park, starting at the Blue Ball Barn and going all the way to the Brandywine Falls Dam near the Dupont Experimental Station (over 7 miles round trip). The … Read more
The annual DOS field trip to the Nanticoke watershed was held on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Twelve participants were guided by Anthony Gonzon and Chris Bennett, covering 2.5 miles of the Phillips Landing area. This trip was held approximately two weeks earlier than normal, but the birds did not disappoint. Participants had great looks at … Read more
The Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch had a total of 8,762 migrants for the 2022 season. It was the highest season count at Henlopen since 2014. During the last two weeks of November vultures were moving through daily. A high of 35 Turkey Vultures were seen on both November 17 and 23. On November 17, a … Read more
