Migration Chase: Delmarva Peninsula
Venture to the Delmarva Peninsula, the piece of mainland sandwiched between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean that comprises all of DELaware, the eastern portion of MARyland (including the renowned “Eastern Shore” of Chesapeake Bay), and a disconnected sliver of VirginiA. After visiting key natural and historic areas, you will come away with a good feel for the land, its regional culture, and wild inhabitants. Explore varied habitats in search of birds as you scour the beaches, visit the vast marshland, and enjoy the first glimpses of spring. Enjoy first-hand Chesapeake foods, traditions, history, birds, and scenery.
Itinerary
Day 1
We’ll depart in the early morning from Essex with pick-ups along I-95 South. There’ll be stops en route for coffee, restrooms, leg stretching, birding, and a picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit and explore Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware. The refuge is composed of 15,122 acres, approximately three-quarters of which is tidal marsh.
Bombay Hook is primarily a refuge and breeding ground for migrating birds and other wildlife. The refuge offers a 12-mile wildlife drive, five walking trails, three observation towers, wildlife photography, a variety of nature and educational programs, and interpretative displays. In past years, we’ve had over 100 Bald Eagles when visiting the
refuge!
Night: Dover, Delaware
Meals: D
Day 2
Optional pre-breakfast birding back at Bombay Hook, to hear the dawn chorus and search for newly arrived migrants. After breakfast, we’ll head to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and continue our search for migrating shorebirds, including Dunlin.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll head towards Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, which offers spring migration hotspots and easy hiking trails. Experience the park’s scenic and ever-changing landscape and get a lesson in history along the three-mile-long paved trail that loops the park. With luck, we’ll find some Brown-headed Nuthatches near the northern extent of their range.
Night: Fenwick Island, Delaware
Meals: B
Day 3
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia. Located alongside Assateague Island National Seashore, Chincoteague is an important stop on the Atlantic flyway. With multiple trails to explore, we hope to spot migrating birds and the Delmarva Fox Squirrel, which currently occupies only 28% of its former range.
Its wild horses are well known, even to people who have never been to the island. The wild horses are actually feral animals, tough enough to survive the scorching heat, abundant mosquitoes, stormy weather, and poor quality food found on this remote, windswept barrier island. They have formed a unique wild horse society. With luck, we’ll get good looks at the herd from within their fenced range. The horses are kept away from the roadside to ensure their safety and to protect everyone viewing them.
Night: Chincoteague, Virginia
Meals: B
Day 4
We’ll slowly begin making our way towards Easton, Maryland, with some birding stops before lunch for recently arrived breeders, including the stunning Prothonotary Warbler. If time permits, we’ll head to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Nicknamed “The Everglades of the North,” Blackwater is home to the largest population of nesting Bald Eagles on the East Coast north of Florida and contains one-third of Maryland’s tidal wetlands.
Night: Easton, Maryland
Meals: BD
Day 5
After a hearty morning breakfast, we’ll pack up and head north from the peninsula and back to Connecticut. An early morning start gives us a chance to stop for more nature and birdwatching opportunities along the way, as well as stops for lunch and leg stretching!
Arrival in Essex is expected to be between 4 and 6 pm.
Tour Leaders
Matt Bell
EcoTravel Frequently Asked Questions
Why travel with EcoTravel?
We’re proud to offer small group travel in support of conservation, both locally and across the globe! By traveling with EcoTravel, you’re supporting environmental education and habitat management everywhere we go. When traveling internationally, we strive to use local companies who know the best places to visit, providing an intimate experience with the culture and wildlife.
What's included in the cost of the trip?
Most everything. Most every travel expense is included in one up-front price – airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, birding/sightseeing with experienced guides, meals as specified in the itinerary, airport transfers, services of local guides, and more.
Most meals are included on EcoTravel journeys. All breakfasts are included, and some dinners. Occasional lunches in special locations may also be included. Although some dinners may not be included, suggestions for dining options will be offered by your tour leader. Many EcoTravel guests choose to dine together to share in new friendships and discoveries, but the choice is yours. Dining is a delightful and integral part of the EcoTravel experience – and that is why we select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit. Most included meals offer limited choice menus, and some may be from a set menu or buffet. All appropriate gratuities for included meals are included.
For exact information of what’s included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's not included in the cost of the trip?
Alcoholic beverages are not included, nor are meal gratuities for not-included meals, local guides, luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, and dining room servers. EcoTravel guides and driver gratuities are not included and should be offered individually, not as a group. Transfer driver gratuities are included.
Luggage service on EcoTravel tours is not included.
For exact information of what’s not included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's your cancellation policy?
All trips are non-refundable.
Day Trips run as scheduled, and all participants are expected to be there. In the event weather postpones the trip and you can’t make the new date, or we don’t receive enough signups to run the trip, you’ll receive a non-expiring credit for the full value paid.
Overnight Trips can be partially refunded outside of 120 days before departure. Payment is due in full 120 days before departure, and no refunds are given. Exact details for each trip can be found in the terms and conditions on the Printable Itinerary.
What's the average group size?
Almost all of our trips are kept to single digits! We believe that small groups give a better experience to everyone. Day Trips and certain overnights may include up to 14 participants, with two guides.
Many of our trips run with just 4-6 participants!
What level of birder do I need to be?
All levels are welcome! While some trips are more intense than others, our guides are skilled at helping everyone see as many birds as possible while having a great time.
Do you sell travel insurance?
EcoTravel is an authorized agent of Travelex travel insurance. Please call the office for more information.
What happens if the tour doesn't fill?
Day Trips: Cancellation results in a credit for the full value that can be used for future trips.
Overnight Trips: Travelers are given the chance to rebook the same trip for a future year, or to move their money at full value to another trip.
What's the activity level of the tours?
It varies! Some tours have lots of walking, while others are more sedentary. For exact information on the activity level of a specific trip, please call the office.
How far in advance can I / should I book?
We encourage you to make your reservation just as early as possible – especially if you are limited to the time period in which you can travel. EcoTravel journeys are popular and tend to fill quickly.
Can EcoTravel help make arrangements for pre-tour and post-tour hotel nights?
Absolutely! Many guests choose to extend their stay and we’re happy to help. As a service, EcoTravel will make hotel reservations before and/or after your journey at select pre-/post-stay hotels offered for that tour. Rooms are reserved at the first or last night’s hotel property of any EcoTravel journey, so there’s no worry of having to change hotels or rooms at the start or end of your trip. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis, and the cost will be added to your tour cost.
Arranging hotel accommodations in the city where your journey begins for the night preceding your EcoTravel itinerary not only gives you more time to explore on your own, allows your group to become better acclimated to time changes before your journey begins and helps to relieve stress from potential travel delays – important factors to consider! Guests wishing to spend more time in cities where our journeys end can extend their stay – a great way to make your vacation last a little longer.
Are transfers included to and from my pre-tour and post-tour hotels?
Complimentary transfers are included from the airport to your pre-stay hotel for the start of your journey and from your post-stay hotel to your departure airport.
Please Note:Transfers are included for EcoTravel-approved pre- and post-stay hotels. Non-EcoTravel hotel transfers must be approved prior to leaving on your tour.
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