Saturday, Sept. 26 Field Trips

Update (posted at 9:00 am on Sept. 24): The MOS Convention Committee will be updating the website with new information as it becomes available.

Online field trip sign-ups closed on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6:00 pm. There will be opportunity to drop and add field trips at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Salisbury on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 24 through Sunday morning, Sept. 27.

General field trip information for Saturday, Sept. 26

On Saturday, Sept. 26, field trips are scheduled for the morning, all day, and afternoon. All field trips are hosted within a ~one-hour drive of the DoubleTree by Hilton in Salisbury.

Breakfast will be served at the DoubleTree from 5:45 – 6:45 am. Lunch will be served at the DoubleTree from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. If you purchased lunch on Saturday and you sign up for an all-day field trip, you can pick up your box lunch at the DoubleTree starting at 5:45 am.

Field trips must return in time for the 4:00 – 6:00 pm wine & cheese social at the DoubleTree by Hilton, located at 300 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland, 21801.

Click here and scroll down for general information about convention field trips. Scroll down this page for specific information about field trips on Saturday, Sept. 26.

If you have any questions, please email Jim Rapp at jim.rapp@mdbirds.org.

Field trip departures and meeting locations

Field trips will depart in 15-minute intervals. Morning and all-day trips will begin departing at 6:15 am, 6:30 am, and so on. Several field trips may depart at the same time. Afternoon trips will depart beginning at 12:30 pm, then 12:45 pm, 1:00 pm, and so on.

Most field trips will depart from a central meeting location in Salisbury, MD. For these field trips, the field trip leader(s) will meet you in the designated parking lot. Some trips will meet at a location in the field. For these field trips, the field trip leader(s) will meet you at the field trip site. Addresses and GPS coordinates will be provided.

The 6:15 am, 6:30 am and 6:45 am field trips will depart from the DoubleTree by Hilton in Salisbury, MD, located at 300 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland, 21801. Click here for a map illustrating where field trips will meet and line up at the DoubleTree.

Most field trips departing at 7:00 am and after (including the afternoon trips) will depart from the parking lot located just north of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, located at 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804. The parking lot is located at the corner of Glen Avenue and Civic Avenue. The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center is ~1.4 miles (~7-minute drive) from the DoubleTree by Hilton. Click here for a map illustrating where field trips will meet and line up at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

The Google Map below displays the locations of the DoubleTree by Hilton and the parking lot near the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, and the suggested driving route.

Saturday Field Trip Descriptions

Many thanks to the field trip site descriptions provided by the Birder’s Guide to Maryland & DC, a project of the Maryland Ornithological Society!

Field trips are listed below in order of start time. Please note the meeting location of each field trip to estimate the driving time from your lodging for the weekend.

MORNING FIELD TRIPS

Departures for morning field trips will begin at 6:15 am and continue in 15-minute intervals until all trips have departed. Check this page often for updates to the field trip roster.

Departing at 6:15 am

Sunrise Birding at Assateague Island National Seashore
Guide: Kevin Graff & Roberta Laynor
Departure Time: 6:15 am

Description: Assateague Island National Seashore is a unique birding site, offering access to the only remaining segment of unspoiled ocean beach habitat within the State of Maryland. Based on number of bird species reported, Assateague is the #1 eBird hotspot in all of MD and DC, with a total of more than 345 species reported at the various hotspots on the island. This tour will begin at the end of Bayside Drive on Assateague Island National Seashore for the post-dawn passerine flight (sunrise is 6:52 am). This trip will also include short hikes at the Life of the Marsh trail, the Life of the Forest trail, and sea watches from the beach.

Cost: The federal entrance is now using cashless operation. Have a credit card ready. 7-day per vehicle pass = $25.00; also covers entrance into Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Annual federal passes and Golden Age Passes accepted. Click here to learn more about entrance fees.
Maximum # participants: 20
Driving time from Salisbury: ~50 minutes
Departing from: the parking lot shared by the DoubleTree, M&T Bank and the H. Gray Reeves Professional Center, located at 300 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland, 21801
Meeting Location: You will meet your guide and carpool from the DoubleTree. You will then drive to the end of Bayside Drive on Assateague Island National Seashore. Please use these GPS coordinates: 38.209459, -75.167507.

Facilities: Restrooms are available.
Habitat: forest, marsh, mud flats, open ocean, beach, bay
Difficulty: Participants may hike 2 to 3 miles over level surfaces. Trail surfaces include sand, boardwalks and asphalt. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

Departing at 7:00 am

Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary
Guides: Steve Sheffield and Jeremy Castle
Departure Time: 7:00 am

Description: Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary in Somerset County is considered by many to be the “jewel in the crown” of the MOS Sanctuary System, and is by far the largest of the ten MOS sanctuaries. Irish Grove Sanctuary occupies the Rumbly Point peninsula in southern Somerset County. The sanctuary now consists of 2,300+ acres, the majority being tidal marshes, with some higher ground in pine forests.

Audubon Mid-Atlantic and MOS are working together on the Marshes for Tomorrow initiative, which includes a restoration project at Irish Grove. The project focuses on revitalizing degraded saltmarsh habitat using innovative, low-impact “runnels”—shallow, hand-dug channels—to drain trapped water, re-establish native vegetation, and protect the nesting grounds of birds such as the Saltmarsh Sparrow.

Cost: free
Maximum # participants: 20
Driving time from Salisbury: ~45-50 minutes
Departing from: Parking Lot A at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Parking Lot, located at 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Meeting Location: You will meet your guides at Parking Lot A at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center for the drive to the Irish Grove MOS Sanctuary, located at 4110 Rumbly Point Road, Marion Station, MD 21838. Use these GPS Coordinates: 37.994382, -75.728238

Facilities: Restrooms are available.
Habitat: saltmarsh, forest, fields, shrubby meadows, mud flats, creek
Difficulty: Participants may hike 2 to 3 miles over mostly level surfaces. Trail surfaces include dirt/grass, mud/marsh, and gravel roads. Some of the trails may be muddy. Sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty are recommended. Please note that some trails may become muddy if it rains prior to or during the convention. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

Departing at 7:30 am

Sinepuxent Bay Boat Trip
Guides: Kim Abplanalp & Bri Panos
Departure Time: 7:30 am

PLEASE NOTE: This trip has been canceled. Participants should check their email for updates.

This field trip is sponsored by Opticron.

Description: The Sinepuxent Bay Boat Trip will explore the coastal bays behind Ocean City and Assateague Island. The 2-hour tour with the OC Bay Hopper will begin in the West Ocean City Commercial Harbor. From there, the boat will cruise by the mudflats and shallow waters north of the Route 50 bridge. The boat will then cruise south to investigate the Downtown Ocean City docks, the south jetty at the Ocean City Inlet, and the bayside shoreline of Assateague Island. Please note: the boat is open-air with a canopy and does not have a heated cabin or restroom.

Cost: $40/person
Maximum # participants: 14
Driving time from Salisbury: ~35-40 minutes; boat departs at 8:30 am
Departing from: Parking Lot A at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Parking Lot, located at 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Meeting Location: You will meet your guide at the meeting location. The pickup location for the boat is the West Ocean City Boat Ramp, located on Sunset Avenue. There is no specific street address for the boat ramp, so please use these GPS coordinates: 38.3275, -75.10681. For reference, the boat ramp is located on Sunset Avenue 1/4-mile before you reach The Shark on the Harbor restaurant, which is located at 12924 Sunset Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842. Park in the large public parking lot, but please park in a short space designated for a single vehicle. Try to avoid parking in a long space designated for a vehicle and boat trailer. Use these GPS coordinates: 38.327622, -75.106806

Facilities: There is no head/toilet on the OC Bay Hopper, so please use the public restroom in the harbor prior to departure. The restroom is located next to the boat ramp.
Habitat: Open bay, sandy shorelines, marsh, mud flats, jetties
Difficulty: Although not physically demanding, boat trips do require participants to board and disembark with limited assistance. Once on board, participants will mostly sit. Standing to view or photograph wildlife is permitted when the captain allows it. Sturdy shoes are recommended.

The Sinepuxent Bay Boat Trip will be accessible to participants using mobility aids such as walkers and rollators. Assistance will be provided when boarding and disembarking the boat. There is no boarding ramp, so you will need to step into the boat with assistance. If you have questions, please contact Jim Rapp at jmrpp2@gmail.com.

Libertytown Branch (formerly the Bay Club Golf Course)
Guide: Jared Parks
Departure Time: 7:30 am

Description: Libertytown Branch (formerly the Bay Club Golf Course) is located just west of Berlin, MD. This property is currently being restored to open meadows, wetlands and forest that are already teeming with songbirds. Management of the property for public access is just beginning, so the trail network is not fully installed. However, MD DNR is in the process of creating an extensive trail network from the cart paths of the old golf course to provide access for birders seeking warblers, sparrows, vireos and more. Read more about the project here.

Cost: free
Maximum # participants: 20
Driving time from Salisbury: ~25-30 minutes
Departing from: Parking Lot B at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Parking Lot, located at 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Meeting Location: You will meet your guide at the meeting location. The address for Libertytown Branch is 9122 Libertytown Road, Berlin, MD 21811. Meet at the entrance. Use these GPS Coordinates: 38.3351265,-75.2497424

Facilities: There are no restrooms at Libertytown Branch.
Habitat: meadows, open fields, ponds, forests
Difficulty: Participants may hike 2 to 3 miles over mostly level surfaces. Trail surfaces include dirt roads and grass pathways. Some of the trails may be muddy. Sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty are recommended. Please note that some trails may become muddy if it rains prior to or during the convention. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

Nanticoke River Landings
Guides: Ginny Walker & Mary Huebner
Departure Time: 7:30 am

Description: The Nanticoke River Landings field trip will include birding at locations along one of the most beautiful and scenic rivers in Maryland. Cedar Hill Marina and Park is a little gem of a spot. In fact, it’s the #3 eBird hotspot in Wicomico County. This 85-acre park has a lot going for it, starting with the excellent view of the open waters of the Nanticoke River. Tyaskin Park and Wetipquin Park are a pair of little parks owned by Wicomico County that provide public water access. Both are located on the Wetipquin Creek near its mouth on the Nanticoke River, southwest of Salisbury. Birders visit for the spectacular views of the extensive tidal freshwater marshes and the open waters of the creek and river.

Cost: free
Maximum # participants: 20
Driving time from Salisbury: ~30-35 minutes
Departing from: Parking Lot C at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Parking Lot, located at 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Meeting Location: You will meet your guides at Parking Lot C at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center before carpooling to to the Cedar Hill Marina, located at 20945 Harbor View Rd, Bivalve, MD 21814. Use these GPS coordinates: 38.311129, -75.889582

Facilities: Restrooms will be available
Habitat: forests, freshwater marsh, open creeks and river
Difficulty: Participants may hike 2 to 3 miles over mostly level surfaces. Trail surfaces include asphalt and dirt/grass pathways. Some of the trails may be muddy. Sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty are recommended. Please note that some trails may become muddy if it rains prior to or during the convention. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

Departing at 8:00 am

ABA & YMOS Young Birder-Led Trip at the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center
Guides: Kai Dickson, Roshan Kian Vignarajah, Vitus Li & Tyme Anusonti-Inthra
ABA Liaison: Kim Check, Director of Young Birder Programs
Departure Time: 8:00 am

Description: American Birding Association (ABA) Young Birders and Youth Members of the Maryland Ornithological Society (YMOS) will lead this trip at the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center (HODC) in Eden, MD. This field trip will be led by experienced young birders who have developed their skills through local and national birding communities. Adult leaders are present to provide logistical support, participant safety, and mentorship while allowing the young birders to lead the experience. The HODC was the vision of Richard F. Hazel, Eastern Shore philanthropist and former president of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Salisbury. Mr. Hazel loved seeing people connect with nature at his “farm” on Cooper Road in Eden, Maryland. We’ll explore the farm roads and forested trails of this 500+ acre private property, searching for songbirds and raptors.

Please note: Click here to sign up for the ABA & YMOS Young Birder-Led Trip. Registration for this field trip is handled by the ABA. You will not register for this field trip through the MOS Convention field trip sign up.

Cost: free
Maximum # participants: 20
Audience: Young birders, families, and all level birders
Recommended Ages: 8 years and older (Participants under 16 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
Driving time from Salisbury: ~25-30 minutes
Departing from: Parking Lot A at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Parking Lot, located at 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Meeting Location: You will meet your guides at Parking Lot A at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center for the drive to the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center, located at 4025 Cooper Road, Eden, MD 21822. Use these GPS coordinates: 38.304985, -75.745467

Facilities: Restrooms are available.
Habitat: Mixed hardwood and pine forest, open fields, ponds, possible sod farms if time allows
Difficulty: Participants may hike 1 to 2 miles over mostly level surfaces. Trail surfaces include dirt/grass and compact gravel paths. Sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes are recommended. Please note that some trails may become muddy if it rains prior to or during the convention. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

Departing at 8:30 am

Beginner Bird Stroll at Pirate’s Wharf
Guides: Sarah Kulis, María-Elena Montero & Jim Rapp
Departure Time: 8:30 am

Description: Like the name describes, this trip is aimed at beginning birders! Pirate’s Wharf Park is Wicomico’s County’s newest public park, having opened in fall of 2023. The county purchased the 341-acre property in 1997 from a farming family, using State of Maryland Program Open Space funds, and began the process of planning for the park around 2015. The county is still building out the park’s amenities, but most of the park is now open for the general public and birders to enjoy. Some parts of the park are still off-limits; obey posted signs. The pace will be slower so no one will be left behind.

Cost: free
Maximum # participants: 24
Driving time from Salisbury: ~20-25 minutes
Departing from: Parking Lot A at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Parking Lot, located at 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Meeting Location: You will meet your guides at Parking Lot A at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center before driving to Pirate’s Wharf, located at 4701 Whitehaven Rd, Quantico, MD 21856. Use these GPS coordinates: 38.321939, -75.748730

Facilities: Restrooms are available.
Habitat: meadows, open fields, river, wetlands, deciduous and pine forests
Difficulty: Participants will stroll less than two miles. Trails in the main part of the park are paved with packed stone dust and are ADA-accessible. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

The Beginner Bird Stroll at Pirate’s Wharf will be accessible to participants using mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers and rollators.. If you have questions, please contact Jim Rapp at jim.rapp@mdbirds.org.

ALL-DAY FIELD TRIPS

Departures for all-day field trips will begin at 6:30 am and continue in 15-minute intervals until all trips have departed. Check back soon for the field trip roster.

Departing at 6:15 am

Dorchester County Lister’s Trip
Guide: Jim Green
Departure Time: 6:15 am

Description: The Dorchester County Lister’s Trip will be a fast-paced birding adventure to well-known popular places, as well as locations and habitats most have never birded before. Throughout the day, we will visit marshes, forests, stream crossings, turf farms, wastewater treatment plants, etc., in order to cover as much territory as possible. We will visit locations including Elliott Island Road, Hurlock, and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. This trip will move at a brisk pace to maximize the number of species tallied, so it may not be best for photographers and those who want to observe bird behavior. Please bring sunscreen, insect spray, plenty of fluids and sturdy waterproof footwear.

Cost: There is a $3 per vehicle for Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Click here to pay your vehicle fee online. May use Duck Stamp, annual pass, or Lifetime Federal Pass. All other sites during the day are free.
Maximum # participants: 20. Carpooling is essential to minimize the number of cars.
Driving time from Salisbury: This trip will include a lot of driving to birding hotspots. Total distance covered may be between 100 – 120 miles. Please fuel up your vehicle before departure.
Departing from: the parking lot shared by the DoubleTree, M&T Bank and the H. Gray Reeves Professional Center, located at 300 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland, 21801
Meeting Location: You will meet your guide and carpool from the DoubleTree.

Facilities: Restrooms will be available throughout the day.
Habitat: marshes, forests, stream crossings, turf farms, wastewater treatment plants
Difficulty: Participants may hike 3 to 4 miles over asphalt, gravel roads, dirt roads, and muddy trails. Sturdy waterproof hiking shoes are recommended. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

Departing at 6:30 am

Somerset County Lister’s Trip
Guide: Jonathan Irons
Departure Time: 6:30 am

Description: The Somerset County Lister’s Trip will be a fast-paced birding adventure to well-known popular places, as well as locations and habitats many may have never birded before. Throughout the day, we will visit marshes, forests, fields and creeks in order to cover as much territory as possible. We will visit locations including the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area, Fairmount Wildlife Area, and Rumbley. This trip will move at a brisk pace to maximize the number of species tallied, so it may not be best for photographers and those who want to observe bird behavior. Please bring sunscreen, insect spray, plenty of fluids and sturdy waterproof footwear.

Cost: free
Maximum # participants: 20. Carpooling is essential to minimize the number of cars.
Driving time from Salisbury: This trip will include a lot of driving to birding hotspots. Total distance covered may be between 100 – 120 miles. Please fuel up your vehicle before departure.
Departing from: the parking lot shared by the DoubleTree, M&T Bank and the H. Gray Reeves Professional Center, located at 300 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland, 21801
Meeting Location: You will meet your guide and carpool from the DoubleTree.

Facilities: Restrooms will be available throughout the day.
Habitat: marshes, forests, fields, creeks
Difficulty: Participants may hike 3 to 4 miles over asphalt, gravel roads, dirt roads, and muddy trails. Sturdy waterproof hiking shoes are recommended. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

Departing at 7:00 am

Cape Henlopen State Park
Guides: Anthony Gonzon & Chris Bennett
Departure Time: 7:00 am

Description: Cape Henlopen State Park is situated at the mouth of the Delaware Bay. The “Point” of Cape Henlopen, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, shaped the history of this landscape. For millenia, native people lived off the land’s abundant and rich resources and in the late 1600s, William Penn granted the land and allowed citizens to harvest many of the same resources. The area’s strategic position led to the construction of Fort Miles during World war II with its iconic fire control towers along the Atlantic coast. A diverse collection of habitats makes up the coastal ecosystem of the park, including barrier dunes, coastal beaches, and maritime forests that are home to many bird species. This trip will include a stop at the Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch.

Please note: this trip will take place from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm at Cape Henlopen State Park. It is not a true “all day” trip, but you will not have time to return to the DoubleTree for lunch. You may want to consider a box lunch, or dine in nearby Lewes or Rehoboth Beach. You will have time for birding on your own before returning for the 4:00 – 6:00 pm wine & cheese social at the DoubleTree.

Cost: Access is granted with a Delaware State Parks Annual Pass, or with a day-use fee of $10/vehicle with DE tags or $20/vehicle with out-of-state tags. For more information, please click here.
Maximum # participants: 24
Driving time from Salisbury: ~60-65 minutes; you will meet your guides at 8:00 am
Departing from: Parking Lot B at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Parking Lot, located at 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Meeting Location: You will meet your guides in the Fishing Pier parking lot at Cape Henlopen State Park, located at 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958. GPS coordinates: 38.785857, -75.101570

Facilities: Restrooms are available.
Habitat: forest, marsh, mud flats, open ocean, beach, bay
Difficulty: Participants may hike 2 to 3 miles over mostly level surfaces. Trail surfaces include sand, dirt/grass, boardwalks, asphalt and compact gravel paths. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. Please note that some trails may become muddy if it rains prior to or during the convention. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Guides: Alex Garnand & Steve Sarro
Departure Time: 7:00 am

This field trip is sponsored by Flyway Birding Tours.

Description: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Indigenous homelands of the Pocomoke and Occohannock people. The refuge protects beach, dune, marsh, and maritime forest habitats. Originally established in 1943 to protect migratory birds, this refuge is now one of the most visited in the United States. This gem of Eastern Virginia is a birder’s paradise, as well as the home of cultural treasures such as Assateague Lighthouse and the world famous Chincoteague ponies.

Cost: Access is granted with a Daily Pass ($10/vehicle), a Chincoteague NWR Annual Pass ($45) or a Federal Duck Stamp ($25). Click here for more information about Chincoteague entrance fees.
Maximum # participants: 20
Driving time from Salisbury: ~65-70 minutes
Departing from: Parking Lot C at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Parking Lot, located at 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Meeting Location: You will meet your guides at Parking Lot C at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center before carpooling to the Herbert H. Bateman Educational And Administrative Center at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, located at 8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague, VA 23336. Use these GPS coordinates: 37.908742, -75.355457

Facilities: Restrooms are available.
Habitat: forest, marsh, ponds, mud flats, open ocean, beach, bay
Difficulty: Participants may hike 2 to 3 miles over level surfaces. Trail surfaces include sand, dirt/grass, boardwalks and asphalt. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. Please note that some trails may become muddy if it rains prior to or during the convention. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

Departing at 7:15 am

Cypress Swamp to Salt Marsh – Nassawango Creek Paddle and Truitt’s Landing
Guide: Russ Kovach
Departure Time: 7:15 am

This field trip is sponsored by the Southern Maryland Audubon Society.

Description: This trip combines a morning paddling tour on Nassawango Creek, one of the most scenic and beautiful waterways in the Mid-Atlantic, and an afternoon visit to the open marshes of Truitt’s Landing along Chincoteague Bay. You’ll begin at the Pocomoke River Canoe Company in Snow Hill, MD, where you’ll use the restrooms before loading the van for a 5-minute drive to the launch at Red House Road. The creek winds ~2.5 miles through the The Nature Conservancy’s Nassawango Creek Preserve before you reach the bridge at Nassawango Road. After getting safely off the water, the vans will transport you back to Snow Hill for lunch. You can bring a box lunch from the DoubleTree or dine in Snow Hill. After lunch, you will drive to Truitt’s Landing for birding in the marshes along Chincoteague Bay.

Please note: Participants should have some prior paddling experience. Canoes and tandem kayaks will be used for this trip to minimize the number of boats on the water. Solo kayaks will not be available. All participants will paddle with a partner. Your guide will contact you before Sept. 25 to determine if you already have a paddling partner or if you need to be paired with someone. You will also be asked for your boat preference (canoe or tandem kayak).

Cost: $40 per person. Fee includes rental canoe or tandem kayak, PFD, paddle, and van transportation to and from Nassawango Creek.
Maximum # participants: 14
Driving time from Salisbury: ~25-30 minutes; van with kayaks and canoes departs at 8:00 am
Departing from: Parking Lot A at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Parking Lot, located at 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Meeting Location: You will meet your guide at Parking Lot A at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center for the drive to the Pocomoke River Canoe Company, located at 2 River St, Snow Hill, MD 21863. Use these GPS coordinates: 38.178827, -75.393980

Facilities: Restrooms are available at the Pocomoke River Canoe Company.
Habitat: Bald Cypress swamp, salt marsh, freshwater marsh
Difficulty: Nassawango Creek is a usually a very gentle paddle. Please prepare to paddle 2.5 miles in the morning, and walk up to a mile in the afternoon along the dirt road at Truitt’s Landing. Sturdy shoes are recommended. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

AFTERNOON FIELD TRIPS

Departures for afternoon field trips will begin at 12:30 pm and continue in 15-minute intervals until all trips have departed. Check back soon for the field trip roster.

Departing at 12:45 pm

Heron Park
Guides: Ellen Lawler & Jen Barnes
Departure Time: 12:45 pm

Description: Heron Park (formerly known as Berlin Falls Park) is a 62-acre park on the north edge of the town of Berlin. The park, with three ponds and a small strip of woodland, attracts shorebirds and waders in summer, and passerines all year-round. This is a popular place to watch waterfowl in the winter. Heron Park had an inauspicious beginning as the site of a chicken processing plant. What are now wildlife ponds were once containment ponds for waste products from the chicken processing plant.

Cost: free
Maximum # participants: 20
Driving time from Salisbury: ~25-30 minutes
Departing from: Parking Lot A at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Parking Lot, located at 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Meeting Location: You will meet your guides at Parking Lot A at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center and carpool to Heron Park, located at 10009 Old Ocean City Boulevard, Berlin, MD, 21811. Use these GPS coordinates: 38.335598, -75.217518

Facilities: Portable restrooms will be available.
Habitat: open ponds, wetlands, forest
Difficulty: Participants will hike 1 to 2 miles along the mostly level trails of the park. Trail surfaces include dirt/grass and gravel. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

Libertytown Branch (formerly the Bay Club Golf Course)
Guide: Dave Wilson
Departure Time: 12:45 pm

Pirate’s Wharf Park
Guides: Kurt Schwarz
Departure Time: 12:45 pm

Description: Pirate’s Wharf Park is Wicomico’s County’s newest public park, having opened in fall of 2023. The county purchased the 341-acre property in 1997 from a farming family, using State of Maryland Program Open Space funds, and began the process of planning for the park around 2015. The county is still building out the park’s amenities, but most of the park is now open for the general public and birders to enjoy. Some parts of the park are still off-limits; obey posted signs.

Cost: free
Maximum # participants: 15
Driving time from Salisbury: ~20-25 minutes
Departing from: Parking Lot C at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Parking Lot, located at 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804
Meeting Location: You will meet your guide at Parking Lot C at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center before carpooling to Pirate’s Wharf, located at 4701 Whitehaven Rd, Quantico, MD 21856. Use these GPS coordinates: 38.321939, -75.748730

Facilities: Restrooms are available.
Habitat: meadows, open fields, river, wetlands, deciduous and pine forests
Difficulty: Participants will stroll less than two miles. Trails in the main part of the park are paved with packed stone dust and are ADA-accessible. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

The Pirate’s Wharf field trip will be accessible to participants using mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers and rollators. If you have questions, please contact Jim Rapp at jim.rapp@mdbirds.org.

Departing at 1:15 pm

Beginner Bird Stroll at the Salisbury City Park
Guide: Jim Rapp & Dave Curson
Departure Time: 1:15 pm

Description: Like the name describes, this trip is aimed at beginning birders! We’ll meet at the DoubleTree and carpool to the bandstand in the Salisbury City Park. The 95-acre park stretches along Beaverdam Creek and the south prong of the Wicomico River. The park is also home to the Salisbury Zoo. The pace will be slower so no one will be left behind.

Cost: free
Maximum # participants: 24
Driving time from Salisbury: ~3-5 minutes from the DoubleTree
Departing from: the parking lot shared by the DoubleTree, M&T Bank and the H. Gray Reeves Professional Center, located at 300 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland, 21801
Meeting Location: You will meet your guide in the lobby of the DoubleTree and carpool to the parking area along South Park Drive near the Salisbury City Park Bandstand. The parking area is across the street from 506 South Park Drive, Salisbury, MD 21804. Use these GPS coordinates: 38.363881, -75.591235

Facilities: Restrooms will be available at the nearby Salisbury Zoo.
Habitat: open river, park, some mature forest
Difficulty: Participants will stroll less than a mile along the level trails of the city park. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. Prepare for flies, mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers during field trips. We suggest wearing long pants made of lightweight, quick-drying material. For information on preventing tickborne diseases, please click here.

The Beginner Bird Walk at the Salisbury City Park will be accessible to participants using mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers and rollators. If you have questions, please contact Jim Rapp at jim.rapp@mdbirds.org.

AFTERNOON SEMINARS

Click here for information about Saturday afternoon seminars from Tyme Anusonti-Inthra and Gene Scarpulla. Seminars will be hosted at 1:15 pm and 3:30 pm in the banquet room of the DoubleTree, located at 300 S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, Maryland, 21801.

You are not required to sign up for seminars. There is room for more than 50 attendees on Saturday afternoon at the DoubleTree.