BERLIN – Visitors and locals alike are flocking to the Eastern Shore this weekend for the second annual Delmarva Winter Birding Weekend, a three-day event which kicks off on Friday.
Jim Rapp, one of the event organizers for the weekend, said participation in this year’s Delmarva Winter Birding Weekend is set to surpass the last and added officials are expecting to see more than 80 individuals as far away as Washington, D.C. partake in many of the event’s seven trips up and down the peninsula.
Lisa Challenger, director for Worcester County Tourism, said she only expects these winter birding events to grow.
“The Spring Delmarva Birding Weekend, which takes place in April, has been taking place for more than two decades and seeing the popularity it has enjoyed, we felt a Winter Birding Weekend was a worthwhile try,” she said. “Participants every spring always requested additional events at other times of the year so Jim Rapp and Dave Wilson have delivered. Because last year was the first time for the winter event, I think we’re only going to see this event grow. Worcester has an advantage over other Maryland counties. Since we are on the coast, we see a lot of shore birds that others don’t have. It’s a real draw.”
Rapp added that the coastal habitats, migratory patterns, protected wildlife and resort amenities offer watchers the perfect area to view birds. At last year’s inaugural event, officials said participants spotted 111 species, including 27 different species of waterfowl.
Rapp said many individuals found these species on rocks along the coast and noted the array of seals found lying on the formations.
“This is their beach season,” he said. “Ours might be in the summer, but theirs is in the winter. What you see in the winter is pretty different than what you see in the spring.”
Guides with Delmarva Winter Birding Weekend are offering hiking, driving and boating trips along northern and southern portions of Worcester County and Delaware. Trips scheduled for Friday and Saturday will end with a Tally Rally, where participants can share stories and species that were spotted on that day’s trip.
Rapp said those interested in participating in this weekend’s event can visit delmarvabirding.com and click on “Winter DBW” to view a list of available trips, directions, phone numbers and meeting spots. Individuals can register through January 28.
“You can do one trip or you can do five trips,” he said. “It’s an a la carte menu.”