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Audubon plans trip to coastal birding hotspots

By Staff | Jul 15, 2011

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring a birding trip to birding hotspots along the Delaware shore the weekend of July 29 through 31.

Eastern Panhandle birding expert Matt Orsie, of Summit Point, will lead the trip. Anyone with an interest is welcome to participate. There is no fee except for travel expenses.

Because accommodations fill up fast on the Eastern Shore in the summertime, those planning to join the trip should make their room reservations as soon as possible.

The primary location to be visited will be the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses 15,978 acres that are mostly tidal salt marsh. Other sites will include Rehobeth Beach, Broadkill Beach Road, Prime Hook Road, Fowler’s Beach Road, Mispillion River, Ted Harvey WMA, Port Mahon Road and Taylor’s Gut.

The end of July is a good time to witness shorebird migration, and those species will be the main focus of this trip. But other birds will be included.

For those wanting to caravan to Delaware, the trip party will meet in the parking lot of the Martin’s supermarket at the Jefferson Crossroads Shopping Center by the Route 340/Route 9 intersection just east of Charles Town. Plan to leave from there at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 29.

Those who prefer to travel to Delaware on their own should plan on meeting Orsie and the other trip participants at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning in the lobby of the Days Inn Dover, which is located at 272 North DuPont Highway in Dover. The trip party will either have breakfast at the hotel or at a nearby McDonald’s and then consolidate cars to save on entry fees to the Refuge.

Participants should plan to wear comfortable walking or hiking boots and bring along bug spray, water and, as necessary, a hat, sunscreen or rain gear. Binoculars will be available for those who do not own any.

For more information contact Orsie at 304-261-5602 or wvbird er@comcast.net.