Experience the beauty of the islands of the Eastern Shore while exploring this unique location that is a renowned destination for birders. The emphasis of this workshop will be on learning identification methods, understanding bird behavior, habitat, and conservation. We will bird at several hot spots on the Eastern Shore, including Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge's back country on Assateague Island and Wallops Island to view the shore birds of a pristine beach. We’ll also take a boat trip to bird in the marshes and tidal creeks surrounding Chincoteague. While focusing on winter waterfowl ID we’ll also add lots of other passerines and raptors to our list. Great for beginners and intermediate birders.
Program Tuition: $245/participant (includes instruction, boat trip, meals, transportation during program and lodging) Commuter rate is $195/participant (this includes everything but housing).

Classes meet at the Marine Science Consortium: 34001 Mill Dam Road, Wallops Island, VA 23337. Please, call (757) 824-5636 on M - F between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM or email specialprog@msconsortium.org to make reservations.

Schedule

Friday, December 7
3 - 5pm Check-in
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Welcome and Introductions
7:30  Group Time - overview of weekend activities
8:30 Presentation - Birds of the Eastern Shore 

Saturday, December 8
7:00 am Breakfast
8:00 am Birding Boat Trip
12:30 pm Lunch or Boxed Lunch
1:30 Birding on Assateague National Wildlife Refuge
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Presentation - Assateague Endangered Species and
  their Conservation
8:00 Wine and Cheese Social and Bird List Bonanza

Sunday, December 9
7:00 am Breakfast and Pack boxed lunch
8:00 Birding on Wallops Island
11:30 Wrap Up
12:00pm Departure from MSC Campus

Field Trip Descriptions

 
Wallops Island Half Day Trip
NASA's Wallops Island offers much to its visitors. The south end of the island is where we find NASA's launch pads and rocket prep areas and the north end is an almost pristine haven for birds of forest, dunes, marsh, and beach. Even the drive to the island gives great viewing opportunities along the causeway and bridge.

However the pristine beach, brimming with shells of many species along with good looks at gulls, peeps, etc. is the real reason to go. Not to mention the chances for interesting sightings along the dune system.

Assateague Island
Birding at Assateague Island gives visitors the chance to experience the islands' wealth of over 300 species of migratory and resident birds. CNWR is one of America's finest places for bird watching along the East Coast. In the fall and winter, waterfowl arrive in massive numbers. Assateague Island is a vital link in the life cycle of migrating waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway.

Birding Boat Trip
Board an MSC research vessel for a unique look at birds of the marsh, bay, and channel. Peeps, dabbling ducks, and waders are numerous along the creeks and guts leading to Chincoteague Channel and the channel is a great place to see birds of deeper waters such as scoters, gannetts, and loons. The RV Flatfish and RV Mollusk are both flat decked boats with plenty of room to set-up spotting scopes and our captains know the waters and where to find the birds.