Join us for a Fall wildlife bonanza weekend along the Delmarva coast. Participants are likely to see Bald Eagles, Black-necked stilts, Osprey, migrating raptors, shorebirds, White and Glossy Ibis, Great Blue, Little Blue, and Tri-colored herons, egrets, Marbled Godwits, Clapper Rails, wild ponies with young of year, Delmarva fox squirrels, Sika Deer, Red Fox, dolphins, and maybe an otter or two…
Cost includes three nights lodging at the lovely Refuge Inn (double occupancy), a seafood welcome dinner, 2-hour boat tour of island, 2-hour Safari bus tour of backwater marshes (if available), evening programs and star watch, plus three guided hikes at Chincoteague Refuge and Assateague National Seashore. On the way home we’ll stop at Bombay Hook Refuge to look for Avocets, eagles, harriers, Black-necked Stilts, and other wildlife.
The Inn has an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna, exerciseroom, conference room and sun/star observation deck.
Breakfasts at Inn included in price. Chincoteague has great crab cakes, local oysters, fresh seafood, and the famous bumbleberry pie.
Cost: $695 person (double occupancy), $150 single supplement.
Shared van rental from Manhattan $150.
To reserve, send the full amount to: American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Highlands, NJ 07732. For more info call (917) 371-8577 e-mail: don@littoralsociety.org.
Chincoteague / Assateague Itinerary
Thursday, November 6th:
Van is leaving from 520 west 46 th street, Manhattan (between 10-11 avenues) at 9:00am. Arrives in Chincoteague around 3pm. We will stop briefly for a quick lunch on the way. Of course, bathroom stops as needed. Please send me your cell number.
3-5pm check in at the Refuge Inn (3pm) – Welcome Dinner at 7pm at the nearby Village Restaurant (included in trip fee). Meet in the Refuge Inn lobby at 6:30pm. The Inn has heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna, exercise room, gift shop, and observation deck on top. Breakfasts will be delivered to your room in the morning. Free coffee available outside lobby in morning.
Friday, November 7th:
Meet in the lobby at 9:30am for short drive to boat. Bout tour of the island from 10-noon. Calm water but dress warmly (jacket, hat, gloves) as it’s always much cooler on the water. We can expect to see bald eagles, terns, shorebirds, egrets, herons, white ibis, and marbled godwits, and of course ponies!
Noon-2pm - free time and lunch. You may want to visit some of the nice gift shops in town and have lunch there at Don’s or Bill’s. There are several other good options as well.
2pm-5pm – Drive to beach and hike along shore or along one of the refuge trails (TBD).
7pm – dinner
9:00pm … Star watch if clear.
Saturday, November 8th:
Meet 9am in lobby for drive to Chincoteague Refuge for short (1mile hike), visit to Lighthouse, and Refuge visitor center.
Noon-2:30pm – leisurely lunch.
2:30-5pm – hikes at refuge and in Chincoteague.
7pm – dinner at Bill’s restaurant in town. Meet 6:30pm at Inn lobby for short drive.
9:00 pm – star watch if clear
Sunday, November 9th:
Check out of room and head north at 9:30am. Lunch on the road.
1pm – Meet at the Bombay Hook Refuge visitor center for drive around 3 ponds.
Usually good birding, stilts, avocets, harriers, eagles, waterfowl, and shorebirds.
3pm – head home via route 9. Nice drive through farmland and marshes.
What to bring? Warm, cool clothes for boat (jacket, hat), bathing suit, binoculars, rain gear, everything is informal, hiking is easy to moderate, good trails, bug spray (hopefully not needed) , sunscreen, meds, sunglasses, flashlight, sense of humor (mandatory).
Please note: The schedule may change due to rain, wildlife viewing opportunities, etc(ex: If it rains or is too windy on Friday for boat, we’ll reschedule for Saturday or Sunday).
Payments: Please send final payments to American Littoral Society, 18 hartshorne Drive, Highlands, NJ. 07732. Call Ryan M-W-F from 10am-4pm) to pay by cc. (732) 291-0055.
Any questions , call me.
See you soon…
Don (917) 371-8577