Common Yellowthroat

Delmarva Birding Weekend April 22-25

The Delmarva Birding Weekend celebrates the spring migration of thousands of warblers, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors.

The weekend combines boat trips, paddling treks and expeditions by foot, and takes place Thursday-Sunday, April 22-25.

The Delmarva Peninsula possesses a variety of environments including barrier islands, tidal wetlands, cypress swamps, upland fields and primeval forests. Field trips take place in the land and water that feed into the Chesapeake and Delaware bays, and the Atlantic coastal bays. More than 400 bird species have been recorded in the region, and 202 species were tallied during the 2009 event.

Participating birders will be helping birds by promoting bird and habitat conservation. Birders, both novice and experienced, can make an important statement about the economic value of birds and their habitats through low-impact tourism. Birders are encouraged to remind local businesses that they are here to enjoy Delmarva’s natural areas and the birds that inhabit them.

Delaware boasts several trips during the award-winning event, thanks to partnerships with Southern Delaware Tourism, Kent County & Greater Dover Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Center for the Inland Bays and Delaware State Parks.

Birders can paddle during sunrise and sunset in the marshes of the Delaware Bay and the Inland Bays.

Boat excursions will search for birds at the mouth of the Delaware Bay and along the Broadkill River.

Hikes and driving tours around Bombay Hook and Prime Hook national wildlife refuges and Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore state parks are sure to tally dozens of migratory and resident songbirds, shorebirds and wading birds. Social events known as tally rallies will be held at Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton and Dogfish Head restaurant in Rehoboth Beach.

For more information, email dlitedirector@comcast.net or call 443-614-0261.

For more information about the Delmarva Birding Weekend and to register for field trips, visit delmarvabirdingweekend.org.