Saturday, May 11 |
Time |
Activity |
Location |
12:30 – 1:30pm |
Party on the Beach! The Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Connection Every spring the Delaware Bay transforms from a quiet space to a raucous gathering as thousands of Horseshoe Crabs come ashore to lay their eggs, followed by shorebirds ready to join the party! In this presentation, we’ll introduce the Horseshoe Crabs and shorebirds you can find along the beaches, and dive into why exactly these animals come together in a phenomenon only found in our backyard. |
Wetlands Institute |
Sunday, May 12 |
Time |
Activity |
Location |
2:30 – 4:30pm |
Shorebird Viewing at Cooks Beach View the masses of migrating shorebirds from one the best spots on Delaware Bay. There will be so much to see, and hear, and learn, with guides available to assist. Bring your binoculars, scopes, and cameras! Staff will also have spotting scopes to enhance your experience. This is an open event, so come and go as you please! |
Cooks Beach |
Monday, May 13 |
Time |
Activity |
Location |
3 – 4:30pm |
reTURN the Favor: Horseshoe Crab Talk and Walk Join Research and Conservation staff on the Delaware Bay for an introduction to the phenomenon of horseshoe crab spawning, and contribute to horseshoe crab conservation through the reTURN the Favor program by helping to rescue horseshoe crabs that have become stranded during spawning. Participants will also learn about Delaware Bay ecology and the shorebirds that depend on horseshoe crab eggs. The walk will cover 1 km of beach (walked in both directions, for 2 km of walking total) and will require walking in sand and shallow water. Limited to 12 participants |
Villas Beach |
4 – 6pm |
Wading Birds at the Ocean City Welcome Center Located on the bridge into Ocean City, the Welcome Center is the unlikely site of an extraordinary natural spectacle. Each spring, thousands of wading birds gather here at a massive rookery to nest and raise their young. While we’re here, we’ll enjoy spectacular views of several species of these long-legged (and long-necked!) waders – including White Ibis, which nested in the state for the first time right here in 2020. Meet at the Welcome Center, 300 W 9th St, Ocean City. |
Ocean City Welcome Center |
Tuesday, May 14 |
Time |
Activity |
Location |
8:30 – 10am |
Stone Harbor Point Migratory Bird Walk Enjoy our feathered friends? Love a good walk on a beautiful beach? Join our guide for an enjoyable morning exploring the wonders of Stone Harbor Point, and learn why beaches like it are so important. The Point offers the chance to see shorebirds, songbirds, and other migrants. You never know what you’ll see, but you’ll be glad you went. |
Stone Harbor Point |
Wednesday, May 15 |
Time |
Activity |
Location |
8 – 9am |
Morning Birding at The Wetlands Institute Join our guide for an easy morning exploration right here on the grounds of The Wetlands Institute. We’ll have a chance to see a good mix of seasonal migrants and summer residents – from warblers to waders and shorebirds to swallows. Whether you’re a beginning birder or an experienced enthusiast, there’s something for everyone – and with a property list of over 250 species, you never know what surprises await! Limited to 25 participants Cancelled due to weather
|
Wetlands Institute |
Thursday, May 16 |
Time |
Activity |
Location |
8 – 10am |
Morning Birding at Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary Join our guide for an easy morning exploration at the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. We’ll have a chance to see a good mix of seasonal migrants along with a few summer regulars – and there’s always a chance for a spring surprise. Whether you’re a beginning birder or an experienced enthusiast, there’s something for everyone! Meet at the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary, 2nd Ave. entrance. Limited to 12 participants |
Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary |
3 – 4:30pm |
Spring Lookout: Diamondback Terrapin Hatchlings Spring is emergence season for our favorite turtle of the marsh, the Diamondback Terrapin! Learn about terrapin nesting, our conservation and research projects, and how you can help terrapin hatchlings. After the presentation, you’ll help our Research and Conservation staff check nests for newly emerged hatchlings. A hatchling measurement demonstration will be included to give participants an opportunity to observe what this process would look like for a researcher in the field! Limited to 20 participants |
Wetlands Institute |
Friday, May 17 |
Time |
Activity |
Location |
9 – 10:30am |
reTURN the Favor: Horseshoe Crab Talk and Walk Join Research and Conservation staff on the Delaware Bay for an introduction to the phenomenon of horseshoe crab spawning, and contribute to horseshoe crab conservation through the reTURN the Favor program by helping to rescue horseshoe crabs that have become stranded during spawning. Participants will also learn about Delaware Bay ecology and the shorebirds that depend on horseshoe crab eggs. The walk will cover 1 km of beach (walked in both directions, for 2 km of walking total) and will require walking in sand and shallow water. Limited to 12 participants SESSION FULL |
Villas Beach |
1 – 3pm |
Shorebird Viewing at Cooks Beach View the masses of migrating shorebirds from one of the best spots on Delaware Bay. There will be so much to see, and hear, and learn, with guides available to assist. Bring your binoculars, scopes, and cameras! Staff will also have spotting scopes to enhance your experience. This is an open event, so come and go as you please!
|
Cooks Beach |
Saturday, May 18 |
Time |
Activity |
Location |
1 – 3pm |
Shorebird Viewing at Cooks Beach View the masses of migrating shorebirds from one of the best spots on Delaware Bay. There will be so much to see, and hear, and learn, with guides available to assist. Bring your binoculars, scopes, and cameras! Staff will also have spotting scopes to enhance your experience. This is an open event, so come and go as you please! |
Cooks Beach |
Sunday, May 19 |
Time |
Activity |
Location |
10:30am – 12pm |
Stone Harbor Point Migratory Bird Walk Enjoy our feathered friends? Love a good walk on a beautiful beach? Join our guide for an enjoyable morning exploring the wonders of Stone Harbor Point, and learn why beaches like it are so important. The Point offers the chance to see shorebirds, songbirds, and other migrants. You never know what you’ll see, but you’ll be glad you went. |
Stone Harbor Point |
2 – 4pm |
Shorebird Viewing at Cooks Beach View the masses of migrating shorebirds from one of the best spots on Delaware Bay. There will be so much to see, and hear, and learn, with guides available to assist. Bring your binoculars, scopes, and cameras! Staff will also have spotting scopes to enhance your experience. This is an open event, so come and go as you please! |
Cooks Beach |