While the following will take place in Delaware, it should be of interest to Maryland birders as well as what they are doing will positively impact shorebirds on the east coast fly way.

Additionally, if any of you have any good photographs of Red Knots or other east coast shorebirds, Dawn would be interested in displaying some at the center.  You can email them to her at the email address below and she will give credit (sorry, no money) to the photographer.

Winger West
Millersville, MD


On May 23, 2007 a Horseshoe crab/shorebird interpretive center on the Delaware Bay will open to the public.  It is located at The DuPont Nature Center, Mispillion Harbor Reserve, 2992 Lighthouse Road, Milford, DE 19963. 

 

It is owned and operated by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, this center offers the hottest spot for viewing spawning horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds on the planet.  The interior of the nature center offers an array of educational exhibits which have been funded in part by donations from the DuPont Corporation.  Visitors can learn about horseshoe crabs, migratory shorebirds, the Delaware Estuary, waterfowl, as well as the history of Slaughter Beach and the famed Mispillion Lighthouse.  A live-cam will allow the public an up close and personal view of shorebirds feeding and horseshoe crabs spawning during peak times. Exterior binoculars and scopes will provide viewing opportunities from dusk to dawn. 

 

The web site will be up and running within the next couple of weeks and the address is:  www.dupontnaturecenter.dnrec.state.de.us

 

The tentative hours of operation are: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.  Peak viewing times will determine additional weekend hours.  High tides and moon phases should be considered by visitors prior to coming to the center due to high levels of water possibly being on the road entering the center.

 

For volunteer opportunities, call Dawn Webb at 302-242-0614 or by e-mail